Yoga, which means “union” in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India, is a practice that utilizes a series of breathing techniques and postures to create harmony on the levels of body, mind, and spirit. Though commonly used as a form of stretching and meditation in the United States, yoga has far more therapeutic benefit than simple exercise.
Yoga therapy developed in relation to Ayurveda, the five thousand year old traditional medicine of India. Yoga therapy, like Ayurveda, emphasizes the re-establishment of balance in mind, body, and spirit that is lost in those suffering from addiction. The physical movements of the yoga are often combined with lifestyle changes and other holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, and talk therapy, to give the yoga greater effect.
