Yoga is a 3,000-year-old tradition and is regarded as one of the Top 10 Complementary Health Approaches, with over 13 million adults in the US practicing it. This mind and body practice has ancient beginnings and combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation.
How Does Yoga Benefit Mental Health?
Often used for overall health and well-being purposes, mind-body fitness, such as yoga, helps to promote strength, endurance, and flexibility, and sustained practice leads to changes in life perspective, self-awareness, and an improved sense of energy to live life to the fullest.
Research has shown yoga to be beneficial in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and has also proved helpful in relieving anxiety and depression symptoms. Mental health professionals also see yoga making a positive impact on parts of the mind and body susceptible to addiction, as yoga positively boosts the neurotransmitter GABA, which is statistically low in those suffering from substance abuse, anxiety, and depression.
Physically, yoga is often used to treat back pain, heart conditions, chronic fatigue, and multiple sclerosis.
Therapeutic Yoga
In treating specific mental health disorders, yoga therapy can complement other forms of treatment and can range from simple to advanced. Practiced in a wide range of formats, and unlike standard yoga classes, yoga therapy sessions are conducted one-on-one or in small group settings.
At Pasadena Villa, therapeutic yoga is used to help clients get in touch with their bodies and begin to understand the mind-body connection. Before starting each yoga therapy group as part of the treatment program, a needs assessment is conducted to identify any health problems, recent injuries, and physical capabilities. This allows the therapist to tailor each session to meet the group’s needs.
Self-discovery, insight, and practical coping skills are used to empower clients to not only increase mental and physical strength but to embrace their best selves. Therapy sessions often include the following components:
- Breathing Exercises: A series of breathing exercises ranging from energizing to balancing breaths.
- Physical Postures: Proper yoga poses to address problem areas. For example, laying on the back with legs positioned up against the wall helps with anxiety and insomnia.
- Meditation: When combined with yoga, relaxation and mindfulness are the focus of meditation.
- Guided Imagery: Intending to bring inner peace, the therapist tries to calm the body and mind through a guided visualization.
Yoga postures should be changed based on an individual’s ability, and having a certified yoga therapist is a crucial step in practicing yoga safely. In combination with evidence-based therapies, therapists use yoga to help lead clients with addictive behaviors toward more respectful, caring, and loving practices.
To establish good mental health, it’s essential to slow down and fact-check what your body and mind are telling you rather than simply being reactive. Using yoga as part of a customized treatment program helps our clients implement healthy changes during recovery and will stay with them once they leave treatment.
Help is Just a Call Away
Your mental health is equally important as your physical health. If you or a loved one have questions regarding a mental illness, call us or complete our contact form, and an admissions specialist will be happy to provide more information.
