Part of the job of any good drug and alcohol rehab facility is to arm its patients with tools and methods they can use to stay on the recovery path following residential rehab. A large reason why relapse is so common in recovery is that many addiction therapy facilities fail to adequately prepare their patients for life on the outside. A way that rehabs may prepare their patients is by offering amenities like yoga, which is commonly identified by its exercise postures and focuses on balance, mobility, and flexibility. It also focuses on breathing techniques, meditation, and increasing self-awareness. For these reasons, our Florida luxury drug and alcohol rehab offers yoga for addiction recovery, which helps patients ground themselves throughout the process.
The History of Yoga and Addiction Treatment
Body-centered therapies, such as yoga and Qigong, have been increasingly used in addiction treatment over the last two decades. The origins of using yoga as a treatment for addiction can be traced back to ancient India where it was first practiced as a spiritual discipline. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that yoga began to be used as a tool for addiction recovery in the Western world. In the 1960s, Satyananda Saraswati founded the Bihar School of Yoga in India, which emphasized the therapeutic benefits of yoga for various health issues, including addiction.
This approach was later adopted by Western addiction treatment centers during the 1980s and 1990s. Today, yoga is widely accepted as an effective complementary therapy for addiction recovery, helping individuals to manage stress, enhance their physical health, and develop greater inner peace and self-awareness. As a result, the ancient Indian practice – dating back to the BCE era – has been linked to an increase in mind-body awareness – an area where many addicts struggle, often leading them to substance abuse during times of high stress and adversity.
The Benefits of Yoga Therapy for Addiction
Yoga therapy has been increasingly recognized as a beneficial and complementary approach for individuals dealing with addiction. Some benefits of yoga for addiction include:
- Stress reduction: Yoga incorporates breathing exercises and meditation techniques that help individuals manage stress and anxiety, which are often triggers for addictive behaviors.
- Mind-body connection: Yoga therapy can help individuals reconnect with their bodies, which can be beneficial for those who have disconnected from their bodies through addiction and substance abuse. Regular practice of yoga can help individuals cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, leading to improved physical health, mental clarity, and overall wellbeing.
- Improved self-awareness: Through practicing yoga, individuals can develop a greater sense of self-awareness, allowing them to recognize and manage triggers and cravings.
- Better sleep: Sleep disturbances are common among individuals with addiction. Yoga therapy can improve sleep quality and quantity, leading to better overall well-being.
- Enhanced mood: Yoga therapy has been found to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals in recovery.
Types of Yoga in Addiction Recovery
There are several popular types of yoga, each with its unique characteristics and benefits. Hatha yoga, for instance, is a gentle form of yoga that prioritizes slow and controlled movements, along with breathing techniques to improve flexibility, balance, and relaxation. Vinyasa yoga, on the other hand, involves more dynamic movements and synchronized breathing, creating a continuous and fluid sequence of poses.
Bikram yoga, or hot yoga, requires performing a specific set of 26 poses in a heated room, usually at 105°F. Ashtanga yoga is a physically demanding practice that focuses on building strength, flexibility, and endurance through a fast-paced sequence of poses. Iyengar yoga emphasizes proper alignment and incorporates props like blocks and straps to prevent injuries.
Kundalini yoga, a spiritual form of yoga, combines physical poses, breathing exercises, and meditation to awaken the dormant energy centers of the body. Finally, restorative yoga is a gentle and calming practice that involves holding poses for a long time to promote deep relaxation and reduce stress. It doesn’t matter which exact type helps you find recovery, so long as the relief is achieved.
Access Yoga for Recovery With Our High-End Rehab
If given the choice, most substance abusers would choose not to be addicts; unfortunately, mental health issues and poor stress management often lead them down this destructive path. By educating our patients on yoga techniques and their many benefits, we not only help them stay motivated and inspired during rehab, but we also empower them to successfully continue their recovery after leaving our facility.
Before that can happen, however, patients must complete one of the luxury treatment programs that best align with their personal needs. Aside from utilizing yoga for addiction recovery, we also make use of a variety of other holistic therapies to accentuate the treatment process.
Patients can also access some of the best mental health treatment in Palm Beach, giving them a real chance at overcoming the mindsets that contributed to their addiction in the first place. From massage therapy to aromatherapy, there are many ways the professionals of Seaside Palm Beach can help you reach recovery.
