Why is yoga and breathwork in the mental health space anyway?? As clinicians we know that our breath and breathing process is a big part of ability to reduce impacts on the body of diagnoses such as: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety and stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), and much more. There are many brain and chemical reactions occurring in the body when the brain is suffering with mental health activation. Mostly that presents in mental health as anxiety, panic, disregulation, and dissociation. When we have these symptoms, it can be jolting and most of the time we either start fighting against it to “fix it” or “make it go away” but that ends up making it worse. You are fighting against your bodies natural way of trying to protect you against danger. And this inner part of the brains limbic system including the amygdala and the hippocampus cannot tell the different between real danger and perceived danger.
Yoga and breathwork are not a cure all for symptoms of these mental health concerns but provide an open door to feeling in control. This is a holistic way to tame the inner turmoil of mental health. Who doesn’t like feeling in control of their own body huh?
- Provide Wellness
- Help you Heal
- Enhance your wellbeing
- Holistic
You do not need any equipment, wear comfortable clothing, show up ready to be open to using your body in a natural state. When we tune into providing our body a space to cope and not “fix,” you can create a relationship between mind and body. I know, I am losing some of you right now into the hippy dippy world of yoga. But, yoga is more than just moving and holding poses. I think a lot of people have preconceived notions about yoga and meditation. We leave these practices to those who are good at doing them. There are many ways that meditation, mindfulness, and yoga differ from each other. Often we see the best yogi’s in amazing and difficult poses and then judge ourselves when we can’t do it. Yoga is more about the breath, meditation, and poses. You don’t have to do it perfectly. Even if you were to lie down the entire time, that can be your yoga and breathwork. See how much the mind can judge a simple class and what you are “supposed” to do.
We have collaborated with Erin of Blades of Grass Healing Arts to integrate Eastern healing practices into the therapeutic work we do with our clients and the community.
We encourage you to come try this additional way to support your mental health recovery and healing journey.
