Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual exercises that developed long ago in ancient India. It’s a spiritual discipline that bears many benefits. Not only does yoga exercise your mind and spiritual practice, but it also exercises your body. It is a type of movement that is quite simple to ease into for people who may not already do physical exercise. For individuals in recovery from addiction, yoga can be a great form of self-care since it works towards balancing the mind, body, and spirit.
Yoga for Pain ReliefÂ
Practicing yoga can provide a lot of relief for people with chronic pain. It can help people who suffer from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and chronic back pain, just to name a few. Yoga has been said to have better results towards increasing mobility than your standard medical care. It has even been compared to standard medical therapy in helping chronic lower back pain. A study on the physical benefits of yoga found that participants with fibromyalgia and osteoporosis-related curvature of the spine experienced improved daily function. It is a gentle practice that is open to all levels of experience.
Yoga for Mental HealthÂ
Yoga has been proven to relieve a lot of anxiety symptoms. It can even help with depression and stress because it appears to modulate the stress response systems, decreasing physiological arousal. For instance, yoga has been shown to reduce your heart rate. Additionally, practicing yoga can help circulate your blood and regulate your breathing. The repetitive body movements and regular breathing techniques can help people who have a hard time with racing thoughts or sitting still. There is a fluidity to the movements and you can go at your own pace. Upon completing a yoga session, there is typically a period for self-reflection and meditation during which you allow yourself to relax and absorb the benefits of your practice. Learning to be still and mindful can greatly improve mindset and mental health.
It Is Accessible
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The best part about yoga is that it’s accessible. There are many studios that offer different levels or types of yoga. Practices are available that are specific to whatever mental, emotional, or physical ailments you might be experiencing. Furthermore, yoga is easy to do at home. Online video streaming resources like Youtube have countless yoga videos to help you practice.
If you are struggling with mental health and/or substance use and are interested in blending the benefits of yoga with additional therapeutic modalities, consider reaching out to a professional at Avalon Malibu. We offer individualized treatment programs specific to your needs and goals. Call us today for more information at (844) 857-5992.
