Dealing with addiction is never easy. Once people leave rehab, they have to deal with the problem on their own. It’s essential for them to learn coping skills that they can use to better deal with stressful situations. One coping therapy that rehab centers often use is yoga therapy.
What Is Yoga Therapy?
This counseling method fits into the holistic category of treatment. It differs from evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Therapeutic yoga helps with mindfulness training. Psychologists describe it as a modern blend of traditional yoga and psychological knowledge. Combining these two elements makes it easier to revitalize the body, mind, and spirit.
This counseling technique is holistic because it heals the mind, body, and spirit. The term “holistic” comes from the Greek word “holos,” which means entire or whole. These treatments focus on healing the whole body, not just the physical or mental aspects.
However, rehab centers haven’t always used yoga during addiction treatment. It has existed for more than 5,000 years but didn’t significantly impact the United States until the mid-1900s. Then, it didn’t emerge in addiction rehab until years later.
What Are the Benefits of Therapeutic Yoga?
To understand why yoga therapy is effective, people simply have to look at the benefits of yoga in general. Yoga stimulates the body in many ways.
First, it promotes blood flow, which stimulates healing. It’s the reason why yoga is an excellent option for people who struggle with addiction and chronic pain. They can use yoga as a natural pain reliever instead of prescription medication.
Yoga helps people clear their minds too. Meditation and yoga go hand in hand. They both reduce stress and help people relax as well. Studies show that those with less stress have a far lower risk of relapse. This is particularly important for people with stressful occupations.
Yoga as a Coping Skill
Unlike some forms of therapy, people can continue to use yoga even after rehab. This aspect makes it an excellent coping skill and hobby after treatment.
In fact, experts recommend that people find hobbies when they get out of rehab. Engaging in new hobbies helps them meet new people and fill their spare time. In the case of yoga, it also keeps stress levels down.
Yoga and Other Mental Illnesses
Addiction doesn’t typically show up alone. It’s common for it to appear with other mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Thankfully, yoga therapy helps people manage other psychiatric conditions.
Experts say that dealing with underlying issues is the key to preventing relapse. Yoga is an exercise that not only improves blood flow but also increases the release of endorphins in the body. These endorphins trigger a reward response in the brain that enhances mood.
Providence Treatment Offers Holistic Therapy Options
At Providence Treatment, we take great pride in thinking outside of the box. We don’t just provide the traditional therapy options that other outpatient centers offer. Instead, we provide holistic options as well, taking a whole-person approach to healing. Our holistic treatment options include yoga therapy, spiritual counseling, and exercise therapy.
Providence Treatment staff members work hard to create a unique treatment plan for you consisting of different types of addiction therapy. In fact, we have a wide range of programs to ensure that you have access to the services that fit your needs. Our programs tackle not only addiction but also underlying problems such as trauma. Some examples include:
- Trauma therapy
- Intensive outpatient rehab
- Partial hospitalization program
- Family therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Aftercare
Don’t settle for a rehab center that only offers traditional therapy. Learn more about how yoga therapy can help you defeat addiction. Reach out to Providence Treatment for more information at 866-247-3307.