News / Health & Wellness
Yoga Benefits Addiction Treatment
Mindful workouts like yoga can play a key role in the treatment process, helping to center and calm those moving toward recovery.
"Yoga treats the biology and the psychology of an addict," explains New York City addiction psychotherapist Mary Margaret Frederick, Ph.D. "Addicts are profoundly out of control internally. They have knee-jerk panic reactions and tempers. The will and determination yoga requires helps people regain control over their body and their mind."
Yoga helps to counteract that. "Yoga treats the biology and the psychology of an addict. The will and determination yoga requires helps people regain control over their body and their mind," says New York City addiction psychotherapist Mary Margaret Frederick, Ph.D.
“Addiction specialists in private practice, rehabilitation programs, and 12-step recovery programs are starting to recognize that the mind-body-spirit approach of yoga is a great adjunct therapy to conventional treatments for drug, alcohol, and food abuse as well as addictive behaviors like gambling and shopping,” according to a recent article in Yoga Journal.
That’s not news to the experts at La Paloma. Activities like yoga have long been used to supplement our main treatment program.
The benefits of yoga to those in treatment aren’t just physical. The calm and mindfulness that yoga encourages tie in perfectly with a holistic treatment program. “By sustaining this state we activate deep-relaxation in which our brain produces alpha waves. These produce a condition known as picture-thinking. In this awareness we see ourselves act without feeling the emotions attached,” according to an article at selfgrowth.com. Mindfulness eschews judgment, encouraging practitioners be forgiving of themselves and others.
“Yoga is an antidote to the extremism that characterizes addiction,” the selfgrowth.com article maintains. By focusing on balance and thoughtful, slow movements, it’s the antithesis of the unhealthy behaviors that lead to or go along with addiction. Practices like yoga aren’t going to cure addiction, but they can be an integral part of the healing process.
Holistic Treatment at La Paloma
If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
