Yoga is part of daily holistic programming at FOY Wellness and Recovery, offered alongside clinical therapy in our PHP and IOP programs
What Is Yoga in a Clinical Treatment Setting?
Yoga, as offered in a clinical treatment context, combines physical postures, breath awareness, and mindfulness practice. Trauma-informed yoga specifically adapts traditional practice to be appropriate for individuals with trauma histories, emphasizing choice, safety, and body awareness over performance, intensity, or achieving a particular pose.
The Evidence Base for Yoga in Mental Health and Recovery Settings
Research on yoga in mental health and substance use treatment settings has shown benefit as a complementary tool for stress reduction, improved body awareness, and reduced physiological arousal. Trauma-informed yoga specifically has been studied as an adjunct to trauma treatment, based on the understanding that trauma affects the body’s physical state, not only cognition and emotion. Yoga is not a substitute for evidence-based clinical therapy such as EMDR or CBT, and is offered at FOY as a complement to that clinical work.
How Yoga Works at FOY
Sessions are led by an instructor trained in trauma-informed practice, appropriate for clients across a range of physical ability and prior experience. Modifications are always offered, and no client is required to attempt a pose that feels unsafe or uncomfortable. Instructors use invitational, choice-based language rather than directive commands, a hallmark of trauma-informed instruction.
Benefits of Yoga in Treatment
- Builds body awareness that can support recognizing early signs of anxiety or dysregulation
- Complements trauma-focused therapy by addressing the body’s physical experience of stress
- Supports physical health and energy during a demanding treatment schedule
- Offers a structured, screen-free physical activity during the treatment day
Who Benefits From Yoga
Yoga is commonly incorporated for clients managing anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, and the physical tension and disconnection from the body that often accompanies substance use recovery. Clients with physical limitations or injuries are offered modifications, and participation is always at the client’s own pace.
Yoga vs. Somatic Integration
Yoga is a structured movement and posture practice with breath and mindfulness components; Somatic Integration is a broader body-based approach to trauma that may or may not include formal yoga postures. Many clients benefit from both as complementary parts of a body-based approach to treatment.
FAQs
Do I need yoga experience to participate
No. Sessions are designed to be accessible to clients of all experience levels and physical abilities.
Is yoga used as treatment for trauma?
Trauma-informed yoga is offered as a complementary practice that supports body awareness and nervous system regulation alongside trauma-focused clinical therapy, not as a standalone treatment for trauma.
What if I have a physical injury or limitation?
Instructors provide modifications for physical limitations, and clients are never required to attempt any posture that isn’t appropriate for their body.
Is trauma-informed yoga different from a regular yoga class?
Yes. Trauma-informed yoga uses invitational language, avoids hands-on physical adjustment without consent, and prioritizes client choice and safety over achieving specific postures.
Will I be asked to do anything I’m uncomfortable with?
No. Informed instruction is built around client choice, and clients are never required to participate in any posture or exercise that feels unsafe.
Is yoga appropriate during early substance use withdrawal?
Clients in acute withdrawal may have modified physical activity recommendations from the clinical team; yoga participation is adjusted accordingly based on individual medical guidance.
Does yoga help with sleep issues common in early recovery?
Many clients report improved sleep with regular gentle movement and breath practice, though yoga is one part of a broader approach to sleep issues that also involves clinical assessment when needed.
Can yoga replace physical therapy or medical treatment?
No. Yoga at FOY is a complementary wellness and stress-reduction practice, not a substitute for medical or physical therapy treatment.
Take the First Step
Call FOY Wellness and Recovery at (805) 659-8429 or visit foywellnessandrecovery.com/contact for a free confidential assessment. We are in-network with Blue Shield, Cigna, and TRICARE through TriWest, and accept most other major PPO plans, including Anthem, Aetna, Multiplan, HMC HealthWorks, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, on an out-of-network basis.