When it comes to rehabilitation, the more tools a person has in their toolbox, the better. Yoga is an effective treatment intervention that a person can do on their own. Once a person learns the basics of yoga, they can utilize it on their own – no therapist or prescription necessary.
Utilizing yoga as a coping skill for recovery not only helps with addiction. But practicing yoga is also excellent for mental and physical health.
Yoga has a sacred and ancient history. The exercise is a traditional practice stemming from Indian philosophies. In Sanskrit, the word ‘yoga’ means ‘to unite.’ Yoga strives to establish a union between the body, mind, emotions, and energy – allowing all parts of a person to unify and become whole.
Through its poses and practice of mindfulness, yoga encourages control and calmness. Although yoga was originally a spiritual discipline, it’s utilized by many people worldwide to achieve general well-being.
Throughout its evolution, different schools of thought formed surrounding yoga practice. Achieving unity within the body remains at the core of all yoga philosophies. The differences lie within the practice of yoga poses from school to school.
The form of yoga an individual gravitates towards depends on personal preferences, needs, and goals. For example, individuals seeking restoration and a calm environment may prefer Hatha yoga over Kundalini yoga.
With a history that spans 2,000 years, yoga’s benefits are many. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), approximately 21 million people in the U.S. practice yoga. People practice yoga to maintain both their physical and mental health. Yoga continues to grow in popularity and is now incorporated into physical therapy programs, schools, and rehabilitation centers.
Ancient practitioners of yoga poses developed yoga poses that are still used today. These yoga poses merge the mind and body. Interestingly, research into yoga shows this to be true.
The journal Brain Plasticity published a 2019 literature review and found that yoga directly impacts the following brain areas:
Yoga changes the brain by increasing blood flow throughout the brain structures above. This improved blood flow may help boost alertness, focus, and memory.
Yoga improves the body’s physical health without strenuous impact or stress. Yoga poses encourage healthy breathing patterns that build up lung capacity. Furthermore, yoga also builds muscle, enhances flexibility, and improves endurance. Yoga also stabilizes blood pressure and reduces lipid levels (fat in the blood) by promoting increased blood flow.)
Where yoga really shines, however, is through its positive benefits on mental health. The American Psychological Association (APA) encourages yoga as an excellent avenue to improve mental health. Regular yoga practice lowers cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.
Lower cortisol levels reduce the risks of high blood pressure, obesity, and inflammation. Perhaps most importantly, however, a reduction in cortisol results in a reduction in stress and anxiety.
Although yoga significantly improves brain function, yoga benefits the body in many other ways. Most types of yoga are categorized as light-intensity activities, according to the American College of Sport Medicine. Yoga is an exercise that is relatively healthy for all ages. This is because Yoga does not impact the muscles, bones, and heart as many exercises do.
Many individuals struggling with alcohol or drug addiction also carry the effects of unresolved trauma, including members of the LGBTQ+ community who may experience identity-related trauma, discrimination, rejection, or abuse. When trauma is left untreated, it can make recovery more difficult and increase the risk of relapse. At No Matter What Recovery, we provide LGBTQ+ affirming care and specialized support for LGBTQ+ clients, including queer and trans individuals seeking a safe space for authentic healing. Yoga can help individuals develop greater control over their thoughts, emotions, and stress responses while promoting emotional balance throughout recovery.
Practicing yoga also encourages deeper awareness and connection with the body. For individuals who have experienced physical or emotional abuse, yoga can support the process of rebuilding trust in themselves, reclaiming a sense of safety within their bodies, and reconnecting with their physical and emotional well-being in a healthy, empowering way.
The connection between yoga and addiction recovery may not seem obvious at first, but many of the underlying causes of substance abuse are tied to mental health challenges, trauma, and emotional distress. For many individuals, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, improving emotional well-being is an essential part of long-term recovery. We provide LGBTQ+ affirming care and specialized support for LGBTQ+ clients, including queer and trans individuals seeking a safe space for authentic healing.
Yoga has become a valuable tool in addiction recovery because it supports emotional regulation, stress reduction, mindfulness, and overall mental wellness. Through breathwork, movement, and self-awareness, yoga can help individuals manage cravings, cope with emotional triggers, and strengthen the mind-body connection throughout recovery and beyond.
No Matter What Recovery offers holistic treatment to every patient, including yoga. We believe that you or your loved one deserves all the tools they need for a successful recovery.
Contact us today to start the journey toward a life without addiction.
