Yoga is an excellent way to relax and keep your body and mind healthy. It can also be used as a form of therapy for people recovering from drug or alcohol use disorder. Learn how yoga therapy benefits recovery at a Tacoma, Washington, yoga therapy program, and why it may be a helpful addition to your addiction treatment plan.

Bayview Recovery offers various behavioral and holistic therapies alongside medication and support to help you achieve lasting recovery. A comprehensive approach to mental health and addiction treatment is the most effective. To find out more about how we use yoga treatment as part of our whole-person approach to recovery, reach out to us today at 855.478.3650.

5 Benefits of Yoga Therapy

1. Yoga teaches you to exercise self-control

Yoga is a form of exercise that is beneficial to both the mind and body. The practice can help you combat addiction by teaching you the importance of exercising self-control. Yoga treatment can help you control your thoughts and actions while increasing mindfulness. This can strengthen your willpower and allow you to redirect your focus from negative thoughts to positive, empowering thoughts.

2. Yoga teaches you to be present in the moment

The practice of yoga is more than just physical exercise. You learn how to be mindful of your body and your breath as well as aware of your thoughts and emotions. You also strengthen your awareness of what is happening inside and outside of yourself without judging or criticizing yourself for it. Being able to focus on the present moment can help prevent relapse because you can notice urges or cravings and choose to engage in mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing or meditating rather than acting impulsively.

3. Yoga can encourage self-compassion

Struggling with addiction can leave you feeling ashamed or guilty. These emotions can lead to unhealthy self-judgment that makes it difficult for you to accept yourself with love. Yoga teaches the practice of self-compassion so that you learn to love and accept yourself despite past mistakes or current struggles.

4. Yoga helps solidify newly learned healthy habits

Yoga teaches you to be more mindful of your body and actions by helping you slow down, pay attention to the present moment, and acknowledge what is happening within and around you. Whether you are looking to abstain from drug or alcohol use or prevent unhealthy behaviors stemming from anxiety or depression, yoga can help you detect triggers early on so you can make a healthier choice.

5. Yoga counters negative thought patterns

Negative thought patterns contribute to destructive behaviors and self-medication. Yoga can help you restructure your thoughts and put your focus on those that are constructive and bring you closer to your goals.

Stress and Yoga Treatment for Addiction

The emotional benefits of yoga are numerous, but one of the most important yoga therapy benefits for addiction is learning new ways of coping with stress. Stress is a major contributor to mental health and addiction, so learning how to manage stress and develop resilience to it can reduce the risk of relapse and help you stay on your recovery path.

By focusing on your breath as you stretch or hold poses over time, you train yourself to stay present in the moment rather than worrying about what has happened in the past or projecting into the future. This also helps improve your self-esteem and self-love, both of which can support a healthy recovery.

See How Yoga Therapy Benefits Your Recovery at Bayview Recovery

If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, yoga therapy may be a good option for helping to manage the symptoms and side effects of withdrawal. There are many types of addiction treatment available at Bayview Recovery, so give us a call today at 855.478.3650 to schedule an assessment and receive an individualized treatment plan.