“The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.” – Alcoholics Anonymous
At Cirque Lodge, the 12-step program is at the heart of our treatment offering, and the core of any 12-step recovery program is the importance of spiritual growth. This does not need to be a religion per se, but a spiritual component that gives you a greater perspective and understanding in your life.
“Cirque Lodge gave me the opportunity to dig down deep and figure out what was going on inside of me and why I was doing the things I was doing.” ~ Anon.
Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on poses, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote physical and mental well-being. There is a lasting impact when you establish a yoga practice during the first few weeks of recovery.
Yoga has numerous physical and mental benefits, all of which support our clients' journey to wellness, including:
Our clients often come to Cirque Lodge disconnected from their bodies. Yoga therapy sessions are a brilliant way to slowly introduce someone to physical sensations and listen to what their body is telling them.
Yoga is also a relaxing, grounding activity that helps navigate stresses and anxieties which may arise during detox.
There are many styles and ways of practicing yoga, ranging from relaxing to meditative to aerobic. They include:
We take an individualized approach to yoga therapy, taking into account experience levels, abilities, confidence, and comfort. The goal is for the activity to be relaxing and pleasurable rather than hard work.
Substance misuse often arises from an inability to cope with challenging situations and painful emotions.
Drugs and alcohol can provide relief and escape from difficult mental states; however, this can lead to numbness in the body and mind over time. During rehabilitation, a person will become more alert and in tune with themselves and may struggle with new sensations and emotions.
The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are associated with PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse. Yoga is highly effective at regulating these stress hormones and creating a sense of equilibrium and calm.
Yoga is also a valuable tool for people in recovery to fill their time positively – it can be a new hobby that also improves physical, cognitive, and social abilities. Yoga therapy is one of our clients’ favorite activities, especially with the glorious backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, and clients often continue to practice outside of their therapy sessions in solitude or with friends.
Mindfulness is about living in the present moment with full awareness.
Yoga cultivates mindfulness as it requires you to be in the moment as you move through the various yoga poses. It is a gentle aid for practicing mindfulness without the need for great effort or concentration.
Meditation is beneficial in cultivating mindfulness; however, it can be challenging for those with mental health conditions. Meditation also requires you to sit still for extended periods, which can be painful or challenging for those in rehabilitation. Yoga combines breathwork and movement with meditation allowing for simplicity and a sense of calm to arise.
Substance users often feel like there is a disconnect between their mind and body.
Yogic tools allow you to get in touch with all aspects of yourself; spiritually, physically, and mentally. As the practice centers around cultivating a peaceful connection with oneself, it allows for deep integration, restoring a sense of calm and inner peace.
Withdrawal symptoms can be especially difficult for clients in rehabilitation; however, yoga encourages acceptance of physical sensations, emotions, and feelings. Yoga therapy offers relief from withdrawal symptoms, especially if the practice is started early on in the treatment program.
Substance users often report an element of enjoyment to the ritualization of taking drugs or consuming alcohol.
That the purchase, unwrapping, and preparing of it gives a sense of calm and pleasure.
Yoga is an ancient, holistic ritual that can replace old destructive habits with healthy new ones. Yoga therapy also requires consistency and dedication, which are helpful elements to master throughout the recovery journey.
Additionally, the spiritual aspect of the yoga ritual can encourage people to discover their sense of purpose and focus on how they wish their new lives to be.
One of the benefits of yoga is changes to your brain chemistry.
When you perform yoga, chemicals such as GABA, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are released, lowering stress levels and creating calm.
GABA is a neurotransmitter that suppresses neural activity such as stress, anxiety, nervousness and even fear. During yoga, GABA can increase by as much as 27%.
The other chemicals that are released are known as the “happiness hormones.” These chemicals alleviate stress and create a sense of pleasure, happiness and connectivity.
Yoga therapy is an essential part of all of our treatment programs as it is key for our clients to feel as relaxed, calm and stress-free as possible while cultivating a healthy mind and body.
Yoga therapy is just one of the therapies offered at Cirque Lodge.
We offer a combination of holistic, evidence-based, and cutting-edge treatments in a program tailored specifically to your needs.
You will find our treatment centers in Sundance, Utah. We deliver the privacy and space you need to begin your recovery journey and the ongoing support to continue. We provide continuing support in our Alumni program and include the entire family in the healing process.
