How yoga helped me overcome drug addiction and gave me a new life...

A Stillpoint Portrait of Stian Rysjedal, a yoga practitioner who lives in Stavanger, Norway. Stian is a yoga teacher, educator and former member of Back In The RIng, a Norwegian charity set up by Alexander Medin that supports drug addicts and former inmates to change their lives through the practice of yoga.
Stian talks about the moment that yoga changed him, were he found the strength he needed to let go of a life of drug addiction, drug dealing and prison. He shares how dark and lonely his days of addiction were but how, through the practice of yoga and the support of BITR, he was finally able to come to terms with the loss of his twin brother at fifteen, the catalyst for his fall into addiction. Stian’s story offers a beacon of hope for those who find themselves in a similar place in their lives…
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This portrait was filmed by Scott Johnson at Nøsen Yoga Retreat in Norway, the home of Back In The RIng. You can find out more about Nøsen here: tinyurl.com/mrjja3tb
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If you know of anyone who may need similar help to Stian you can find out more about Back In The RIng here:
Website: tinyurl.com/58s6v33k
Instagram: tinyurl.com/58xx2j5r
Facebook: tinyurl.com/yc2rwezp
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Follow Scott Johnson on Instagram: tinyurl.com/yck4zj2u
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Join us for 06.30am morning Ashtanga yoga classes in London bridge or online here - tinyurl.com/mryssnae
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Stian is from Bergen and has over 20 years of drug and crime behind him. He had essentially given up on life, but by chance he came into contact with BITR when he listened to a lecture organized by the MO center and the ND court in Bergen. This resulted in Stian coming to Nøsen, later joining India and receiving training in yoga. Stian is now one of the main teachers in BITR and travels a lot and talks about the project in various places in Norway. He has the main responsibility for all BITR members who come to visit Nøsen together with May Rita. Stian now feels a deep gratitude for life and has now been drug-free for 5 years.

[@mari.westad]

Such a beautiful conversation. Thank you for your honesty and courage, Stian 🥰

[@stillpointyogalondon]

Thank you Mari 🙏🏼

[@andreadahan6813]

Wow! Amazing guy! 📿💜📿

[@stillpointyogalondon]

Stian IS truly amazing. Thank you for commenting 🧡

[@peacetoyourlife]

Inspiring ❤

[@stillpointyogalondon]

Thank you for watching 😌

[@may-ritastervoll5695]

Beautiful❤ "Just breed and everything will be fine" ❤

[@stillpointyogalondon]

He has such beautiful words to share.... You soon too May-Rita ;-)

[@Coreself8]

This talk is very moving. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. We need examples of people like you in the world. I am wanting to do yoga now because of this talk and want to be more real like you . I also am attracted to the beads around your neck.what are they made of? 🙏

[@stianrysjedal3716]

Thank you for saying that. Life is beautiful and the people we meet make life worth living in full. ♥️