Yoga therapy is a holistic approach to healing that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit. At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, we integrate it into our mental health and addiction recovery programs for better well-being and long-term recovery.
Yoga therapy complements traditional drug addiction treatment, offering physical and emotional relief, improving self-awareness, and reducing stress.
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced yogi (someone who practices yoga), Harmony provides a safe space to explore its benefits at your own pace.
The Role of Yoga Therapy in Addiction Recovery
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health disorders, yoga can provide a pathway to healing.
Yoga, as part of a therapy program, addresses physical and emotional challenges. It also can reduce stressors that may set back your recovery process.
The benefits of yoga go beyond physical health. Yoga therapy works alongside other interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to target physical and emotional needs.
Yoga helps you stay grounded in the present moment, reduce cravings, and build resilience. This makes yoga a versatile and effective part of mental health and substance abuse recovery programs, especially if you’re looking for a holistic approach.
What Can Yoga Help to Address?
Yoga can be a powerful tool for recovery. It can help ease withdrawal symptoms during detox and reduce stress through lowered cortisol levels. It also helps you to address addictive behaviors by developing better self-awareness and adopting healthier habits.
Yoga can bring balance to both the mind and body, leading to better coping skills and positive routines. It’s also a great way to manage mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Yoga can be a lifeline at any stage of recovery. It helps build a stronger connection between mind and body, fostering a greater sense of control and empowerment.
How Yoga Helps in Addiction Recovery
Yoga profoundly impacts the nervous system, calming overactive responses and increasing GABA, a neurotransmitter associated with relaxation and reduced anxiety. This calming effect is vital in addressing mental health challenges and supporting addiction recovery.
Here are some other ways yoga aids in addiction recovery:
- Breathing techniques like pranayama ease anxiety and reduce cravings, particularly for substances like nicotine. Yoga also helps lower short-term substance-related cravings, offering immediate relief during early recovery.
- Yoga poses (asanas) rebuild physical strength and flexibility, while self-reflection during sessions promotes emotional healing.
- Practices like Vinyasa and Hatha yoga enhance mindfulness and reduce stress, fostering a sense of control and balance.
- Effects of yoga include improved mental clarity and emotional stability leading to better control over addictive behaviors.
- Studies show yogis maintain healthier brain regions like the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which support memory and cognitive skills, even as they age.
Like other exercise, yoga lowers stress hormones, boosts endorphins, and increases oxygenated blood flow to the brain.
Yoga Therapy Sessions at Harmony Treatment and Wellness
At Harmony Treatment and Wellness, our yoga therapy sessions are designed to create a sense of calm, enhance self-awareness, and support your recovery journey.
Guided by trained professionals, each session ensures safety and provides personalized support to help you maximize the benefits of yoga therapy.
You will focus on key practices such as:
- Breathing exercises: Techniques like pranayama to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
- Postures (asanas): Physical poses to improve strength, flexibility, and overall physical health.
- Mindfulness: Practices to help you stay grounded in the present moment and reduce stress.
- Guided meditation: Techniques to foster self-reflection and emotional healing.
These elements work together to reduce withdrawal symptoms, build mental resilience, and help you achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle during recovery.
Our Treatment Programs Featuring Yoga Therapy
We offer yoga therapy as part of our programs, across various levels of care, including:
Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an intensive level of outpatient care for when you’re facing substance use or mental health disorders and need treatment to find sobriety again.
In PHP, you attend structured yoga sessions during the day and return home in the evening. This program bridges the gap between detox and outpatient care.
The inclusion of yoga therapy helps you manage stress, build physical strength, and cultivate mindfulness as you transition to a more independent phase of recovery.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) at Harmony Treatment and Wellness offer a flexible yet supportive option. IOP includes yoga therapy as an adjunct to traditional counseling.
The practice of yoga helps you manage stress and cravings while addressing the underlying causes of addiction.
It provides a practical tool to keep you grounded and focused, supporting you through this critical phase of your recovery journey.
Our outpatient programs play a vital role in treating substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Typically, these programs come later in the recovery journey, following initial steps like detox and inpatient care.
We offer flexible yoga classes featuring different forms of yoga to support physical health and emotional well-being while balancing daily responsibilities.
These sessions help you build resilience, enhance your quality of life, and maintain progress as you navigate the challenges of everyday living.
Who Does Yoga Help in Addiction Recovery?
Yoga helps anyone facing challenges like drug use, alcohol addiction, or co-occurring mental health conditions. It’s a great addition to a holistic therapy program.
You may consider yoga therapy if:
- You’re living with depression
- Your anxiety or PTSD interferes with daily life
- You’re struggling with a substance use disorder or addictive behaviors
- You’re in detox or managing withdrawal symptoms
- You’re seeking self-awareness, mindfulness, and stress relief
Now is the perfect time to begin to heal!
Payment Options for Yoga at Harmony Treatment and Wellness
The cost of treatment, including yoga therapy, varies depending on how many sessions are needed and which services are being provided.
We work with most healthcare providers to make treatment accessible. Many insurance plans cover yoga therapy as part of a broader treatment program, such as an IOP or PHP.
You can verify your insurance coverage on our website or contact us to discuss financial assistance options.
Most Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance carriers and offer a range of options to fit your lifestyle and financial means
Find Balance with Yoga at Harmony Treatment and Wellness
Yoga therapy is a key part of recovery at Harmony Treatment and Wellness. By combining traditional and holistic methods, the program can help you heal your whole self.
Yoga helps you manage cravings, improve self-awareness, and develop tools for a healthier life. Discover how yoga can empower you to live a more balanced life.
Whether you’re just starting your recovery or looking to enhance your progress, yoga therapy offers transformative benefits.
Contact Harmony Treatment and Wellness today to start your journey toward balance and wellness.
Yoga FAQs
Yoga calms the nervous system, reduces cortisol levels, and increases GABA, which helps manage anxiety and stress. It also builds emotional resilience, aiding in long-lasting recovery.
Yes, yoga serves as a complementary therapy, enhancing the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy and other methods.
Yoga for addiction addresses both the mental and physical aspects of recovery, making it a great addition to a complete treatment program.
No! Yoga is adaptable for all levels, focusing on breathing techniques and mindfulness rather than complex postures. You can start where you are and progress at your own pace.
Yes. Yoga sessions at Harmony Treatment and Wellness are guided by experienced instructors and tailored to meet your needs during recovery. The focus is on safety and creating a supportive environment for healing.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. “Holistic Psychotherapy”. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/wellness/integrative/treatments-services/holistic-psychotherapy. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
- Harvard Health Publishing. “Yoga for better mental health”. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/yoga-for-better-mental-health. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
- Medical News Today. “Everything to Know About Holistic Therapy”. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/holistic-therapy#:~:text=Everything%20to%20know%20about%20holistic%20therapy&text=Holistic%20therapy%20involves%20treating%20the,overall%20health%20and%20well%2Dbeing. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
- Merriam-Webster. “Yogi Definition & Meaning”. Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yogi. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
- National Library of Medicine. “Role of Yoga in Management of Substance-use Disorders: A Narrative Review”. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5812135/. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
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