Sometimes, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches can help treat clients struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) and other mental health issues. That’s why The Arbor Experience may include a yoga therapy program and even animal-assisted therapy sessions. The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is dedicated to assessing, diagnosing, and helping clients overcome their issues, no matter where they are in their recovery journey.
However, clients shouldn’t expect a rehab-related yoga therapy program to be the same as regular yoga classes they can take at their local gym. Contrary to popular belief, yoga therapy involves more than just physical poses. Contact The Arbor today by calling 844.413.2690 or reaching out to our team online.
What Is a Yoga Therapy Program?
A yoga therapy program combines physical poses with other techniques to improve clients’ emotional, mental, and physical well-being. A typical yoga therapy session incorporates the following:
- Breathing exercises
- Guided imagery
- Meditation
- Physical postures
- Psychotherapy or talk therapy
Many clients find that yoga therapy reduces the intensity of the symptoms of their issues, which further results in them managing the symptoms better and improving their attitudes. Yoga therapy can also prevent future instances of pain or maintain current health.
Clients struggling with addiction may benefit from a yoga therapy program, but other clients struggling with anxiety disorders or some physical conditions may also find getting into a yoga therapy program beneficial to their recovery.
What’s the Connection Between Yoga Therapy and Addiction Treatment?
Clients struggling with SUDs may benefit from yoga therapy because it integrates mind, body, and spirit. This holistic approach targets not only the SUD a client is struggling with but also how the SUD affects different parts of their being. Yoga therapy also fits easily into addiction treatment programs because it may complement other evidence-based interventions that treat SUDs—such as psychotherapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Researchers believe that yoga therapy increases the production of the body’s neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Because studies show that GABA levels are low among those who struggle with mental health issues—including SUDs—it may be highly beneficial for clients to undergo a yoga therapy program.
A yoga therapy program can also provide clients struggling with addiction the much-needed discipline that some of them may find difficult to cultivate by themselves. Other benefits of yoga therapy for clients like this include the following:
- Developing better sleep patterns
- Developing healthier eating and exercise habits
- Developing self-control
- Encouraging emotional healing
- Improving mental well-being
- Increasing body functions
- Increasing energy and stamina
- Managing and reducing stress
- Providing pain relief
When Should You Consider a Rehab-Related Yoga Therapy Program?
Yoga is a CAM introduced to many rehab facilities because it’s relatively well-known and quickly adapted to clients who may only trust evidence-based interventions. For most rehab experts that support a holistic approach, yoga therapy and addiction treatment go hand-in-hand. After all, a yoga practice can offer both recreational and therapeutic activities. A yoga therapy program adds to the effectiveness of overall addiction treatment.
While it may be tempting to enroll in yoga classes at your local gym, yoga therapy differs from regular yoga practice. You may improve your concentration and flexibility in traditional yoga classes, but you may find it difficult to calm your mind or develop patience without a licensed mental health professional involved.
To experience all of the benefits of yoga, which combine to significantly improve overall health and wellness, clients struggling with addiction must undergo a yoga therapy program as they work on their comprehensive addiction treatment plan.
Ready to Learn More About The Arbor Behavioral Healthcare’s Life Skills Training Program?
If you’re looking for a rehab-related yoga therapy program in Austin, TX, reach out to The Arbor today. Call 844.413.2690 or contact our team online.