Yoga, an ancient system that balances the mind, body and spirit, helps to maintain physical health while centering the ever-wandering mind. Here at Delray Center for Healing, patients in our care can utilize yoga as a part of their mental health treatment plan. This provides the opportunity to experience the many mental health benefits that yoga has to offer.
At the Delray Center for Healing, yogic practice is an integral part of our many treatment programs, contributing to the relief of anxiety, depression, and stress while helping clients achieve a sense of balance and overall wellness. Our expertly qualified instructors are sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of our clients, adjusting the flow and intensity of each class to create a unique and personal experience.
Clinical research showcases the benefits of using yoga in mental health programs. Essentially, these studies indicate yoga can help individuals diagnosed not only with mental health issues, but those also diagnosed with cardiovascular and respiratory disease as well. As it is an exercise therapy that works to combine both body and mind, yoga has long been known for promoting well being and reducing the impact of stress.
Furthermore, along with studies implicating the success of using yoga for mental health treatments, other studies show how the brain’s chemicals change with the use of yoga. Specifically, how the brain produces more GABA or gamma-aminobutyric levels with the use of yoga therapy. GABA is a brain chemical that is a signal inhibitor. This means that it reduces the number of signals in the brain. It promotes relaxation, reduces fearful thoughts, and helps with both anxiety and depression.
We encourage all of our patients to experience yoga sessions and the many helpful benefits of this practice. Before experiencing yoga sessions at the Delray Center for Healing, many mental health patients don’t know what to expect. While there are many forms of yoga and are various types of sessions available through our program, you can expect sessions to include:
Breathwork: One of the ways that yoga works to promote relaxation is to encourage breathwork. These breathing exercises help to improve respiration and circulation.
Physical Poses: Along with breathing, participants will form into guided poses, which work to stretch and strengthen the body.
Mindfulness Meditation: While posing and practicing various breathing exercises, during yoga, participants practice meditating. This focus allows patients to concentrate on the present moment and further take this mindset throughout daily life.
Guided Imagery: Some yoga sessions may include instructor-guided imagery to assist with mindfulness meditation and the practice of relaxation.
Participants enjoy numerous positive benefits including relaxation, enhanced mood, increased lung capacity, and greater flexibility and strength. Each series of poses challenges muscles to lengthen, strengthen and loosen, while twisting and folding the body detoxifies the organs and increases suppleness in the joints and spine.
Other helpful benefits of yoga for mental health patients include:
Opportunities to learn and practice yoga are offered through Bamboo Garden Yoga. This is a yoga and meditation sanctuary located near the Delray Center for Healing. This tranquil yoga studio offers an impressive variety of yoga styles including Sunrise, Restorative, Pilates, Budokon, Gentle, Vinyasa, Meditation, Aerial, and Open Hatha Yoga sessions. Set in a real bamboo garden, this tranquil studio allows your asanas to truly embrace the natural surroundings. The 750 sq. foot outdoor deck is fully equipped with cooling fans and beautiful lighting, to allow for total comfort while enjoying your practice in the outdoors.
Bamboo Garden Yoga also offers indoor classes. And, extremely popular aerial classes through our partner studio, Delray Aerial Yoga.
For more information about our services, visit bamboogardenyoga.com
The Delray Center For Healing offers Yoga as one of the most comprehensive outpatient depression treatment programs in the country.
Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day. Dr. Rodriguez founded the Delray Center in 2003 and built it on a foundation of core clinical, professional, and ethical principles that are adhered to still to this day.