How one wellness habit redeemed a life of addiction

Perth Now

20-06-2025

At 23, John Ogilvie hit rock bottom.
After years of substance abuse, he made the painful decision to end his life because he felt like a burden to everyone around him.
Thankfully he survived and that moment became a turning point.
Mr Ogilvie slowly rebuilt his life. After exploring spirituality, he eventually took a leap of faith into a new path and says he's never looked back.Today, he's in a much better place and lives and breathes yoga.
But it was not always this way.
The now 68-year-old was only 12 when he first turned to alcohol.
As a teen, he felt like he didn't fit in. Drinking made him feel different, it was his way of finding connection and a sense of belonging.
It was about five years later when Mr Ogilvie went from taking speed, acid and other hallucinogens to dabbling with heroin.
This sparked the beginning of a relentless cycle that had him in its grip for a decade.
"From 17 to 27, I was swinging between using narcotics obsessively to trying to get off narcotics, particularly heroin," he says.
"It became a merry-go-round ... a very unhappy life."
Hitting a wall of darkness, Mr Ogilvie began to think there was "no purpose to live".
"I was lost and in a deep depression," he says.
"I had buried myself in debt. I was at a physical low and not capable of working. I couldn't see anywhere else to turn to other than to just end my life."
Despite his intentions, Mr Ogilvie woke days after falling into a coma.
Some time later, he found himself in a detox centre and speaking with a priest who told him he'd survived for a reason.
"Maybe there was a purpose in my life," he remembers thinking.
It was at Victoria's Pleasant View Centre that he was first introduced to yoga.
He recalls one night in the facility, a staff member photocopying sheets of yoga poses. He he went on to practice them daily.
Although subsequently relapsing, Mr Ogilvie eventually entered another residential rehab facility that changed everything for him.
The Buttery, in NSW's Northern Rivers region, supports people dealing with alcohol and drug addiction as well as mental health challenges, helping them recover and rebuild their lives.
During his five-month stay in 1986, everything finally began falling into place.
He credits a combination of the spiritual guidelines of the centre's program and the practices and philosophies of yoga for his transformation.
It was during this time he began to truly heal and discover his purpose.
"The Buttery really taught (me) life skills I hadn't developed in adulthood like how to clean the house, cook meals and socialise in a sober way with other people," Mr Ogilvie says.
"The 12-step program gives people tools to continue with their recovery after they leave there."
The year before his stay, the centre was referenced in Paul Kelly's hit To Her Door, which would eventually go seven times platinum and ranks among the top Australian songs of all time.
Chief executive Leone Crayden says The Buttery has helped thousands in residential rehabilitation and 20,000 in its community outreach programs over its 50-year history.
"Many people stay within the area and this assists in nurturing a special community of people who believe in sober living and giving back to the community," she tells AAP.
"Our graduates are entrepreneurs, lawyers, clinical psychologists, Aboriginal artists and mentors to many people seeking recovery."
Ms Crayden says the centre is also home to a community and lived experience program.
"The counsellors, case managers, co-ordinators and managers of the rehabilitation program have been through The Buttery themselves and gone on to obtain qualifications in social work, nursing and counselling, and are valued for their lived experience."
After completing his time there, Mr Ogilvie moved to Sydney and obsessively attended classes to become a yoga instructor.
Soon after, he found himself back up north where he opened his own studio, the Byron Yoga Centre.
It specialises in Purna yoga, a holistic practice combining physical posture with philosophy, meditation, breathwork and ethical living.
The centre also offers eco-friendly accommodation and a mindful vegetarian diet.
Mr Ogilvie remains connected to The Buttery, supporting others on their journey.
"Yoga has so much depth and interest to it and that's where my passion is," he says.
"People can come and I can give them skills that can really help turn their life around.
It's jus not for recovering addicts but also big-time CEOs who are stressed and feeling unhealthy in their life.
"Yoga is really for everybody."
It sounds simple but Mr Ogilvie remains hopeful for the future and vision he's built.
As living proof yoga is truly life-changing, he wants to continue teaching and promoting it for everyone.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636