New Delhi: Many people turn to yoga to feel better, but can it also help people to quit smoking? On this year’s International Yoga Day, let’s take a look at how yoga can support the journey to becoming smoke-free. Research suggests that yoga is slowly making its way into quit-smoking plans and with good reason.
Those who smoke know that smoking isn’t just about nicotine; it’s also about stress, routine and emotional triggers. This is where yoga might help. Through calming postures, breathing and mindfulness, yoga can help smokers become more aware of their habits and manage withdrawal symptoms better.
According to some studies by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 227 people trying to quit smoking were divided into two groups. One group attended yoga sessions, while the other joined wellness classes. Both groups received standard weekly counselling. At the end of the 8-week programme, the yoga group was 37% more likely to have quit smoking than the wellness group.
Nevertheless, six months later, researchers found no significant difference between the groups. This shows that while yoga helps with short-term quitting, staying smoke-free needs more extended support and lifestyle changes. Another 2020 study also found that just one yoga session can help reduce cigarette cravings compared to a simple health education session.
It helps calm anxiety and restlessness; when quitting smoking, people often feel jittery, irritated or restless. Yoga’s breathing techniques and slow, steady movements can soothe people’s nerves and quiet the mind.
It improves people’s self-awareness. Yoga encourages mindfulness, being more aware of what people are doing and why. This can help people notice when and why they crave a cigarette, allowing them to respond differently. Instead of lighting a cigarette out of habit, people can roll out their yoga mats. This new, healthier habit can slowly replace the old one. Yoga builds strength, balance and control, not just in the body but also in their choices. That growing sense of inner control can boost people’s willpower to resist smoking.
Many people join yoga classes not just to stretch, but also to heal and support one another. Feeling part of a non-smoking, health-focused community can keep people motivated.
