The Body’s Natural Detox
Drug and alcohol addiction compromises the mind and the body’s ability to function properly. Toxic buildup reduces the brain’s ability to regulate and produce neurotransmitters, creates an imbalance in the glandular system and weakens the nervous system. As a result, the client becomes detached from their body and challenged in executing basic physical, mental and emotional functions.
Yoga provides techniques that help our clients deal with the uncomfortable physical sensations that arise during the detox process. The benefits are many as Yoga will help detox organs, reduce stress, increase energy, improve physical fitness, repair brain chemistry, achieve balance, maintain self-discipline and learn how to cope with difficult moments. Through Yoga, the client can reset the relationship with their body, helping them release toxins in a less stressful manner and begin to interact with the world with a “ new biological operating system“.
Our yoga program is designed specifically for the client who is in recovery. A steady practice may help to:
Improve the function of blood chemistry, food metabolism and the nervous and glandular systems.
Provide nutritional guidelines on proper ingestion of foods that cleanse and rebuild the body system.
Reinvigorate the stamina and cleanse the system of those in recovery. Clients are restored along with their spiritual energy.
Plant the seeds for a new lifestyle that will be adopted and used to help improve the quality of life for each recovery center graduate
Stretch, Sweat, and Remove Toxins
As the body is going through an intense medical drug detox process, it is important to support it in natural ways. Specific asana (poses and stretches) challenge the body to stretch, sweat and remove toxins lodged in the organs, muscles and tissues. Yoga postures, when combined with breathing techniques, have a direct effect on organs (liver, kidney, lungs, digestive tract, etc.) assisting the body to execute its own natural detox functions.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Yoga has a direct effect on the adrenal and glandular systems and has proven to be effective at regulating the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. When these hormones are at high levels they add to the body’s toxicity, triggering anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorders – all of which can lead to more intense cravings and potential relapse. With an integrated Yoga regimen, these hormones are reduced and balanced, assisting the client to relax, stay calm and remain grounded throughout the detox process.
Using New Coping Mechanisms
People who suffer from addiction often begin taking drugs as a means of escape from challenging life situations or a relief from past traumas that do not seem to resolve. Without the proper tools and knowledge about how to process and control their own stress and anxiety through healthy means, they turn to substances like alcohol, pain relievers, street drugs, sedatives, etc to help them cope. The answer is to be mindful and aware in how they respond to life’s negative stimuli. Yoga helps clients gain control over negative thoughts and emotions.
Develop Self-Discipline with Yoga
A steady Yoga practice has amazing effects on one’s ability to enforce self-discipline. Most people who suffer from addiction display a similar trait of being impulsive; a feeling of not being able to control urges or follow through on their well-meaning intentions. Yoga helps transmute the noise of negative impulses and trains the client on how to reinforce positive intentions with positive action. Over time, new actions will become positive habit.
