Research indicates that Yoga helps lower anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. Painful or unprocessed feelings are stored in the body. Sometimes we cope by learning to ignore or numb our bodies.
Yoga therapy, slowly and gently, helps us to notice our breathing and focus on our internal cues. Therapeutic yoga (which includes breath, postures and meditation) can help enhance self regulation, because we notice what we are feeling while engaging with neutral stimuli. Therefore, a body-centered approach such as therapeutic yoga can help us more directly access the stored source of the trauma, mental health condition or addiction.
For people in recovery from addictions, this model is utilized to help with relapse prevention. These skills of awareness and distress tolerance can enhance our felt sense of well being in the world.