100% Confidential
Dr. Theresa O’Malley, PhD, PTA, C-YTI
Yoga Instructor
Holistic Therapy
Yoga and meditation are simple, proven practices to help calm your mind and body. Both work by activating your body’s relaxation response, which counteracts the stress response that often drives addiction and worsens mental health conditions.
Yoga and meditation have been shown to ease anxiety, improve focus, and release tension that makes treatment feel overwhelming. For many patients, these holistic options make it easier to stay engaged in treatment and provide lasting skills to use in everyday life.
Yoga, stretching & breathwork credentials
Yoga combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and mindfulness to create balance between body and mind. It’s not about being flexible or achieving perfect poses — it’s about learning to be present in your body and developing awareness of how thoughts and emotions affect you physically.
 |
Reduces stress and cravingsBreathing techniques and mindful movement lower cortisol levels and calm the nervous system, making it easier to manage anxiety, depression, and substance-related triggers. |
 |
Improves emotional regulationRegular practice strengthens the mind–body connection, helping individuals notice and release emotions in healthier ways instead of turning to substances or harmful behaviors. |
 |
Builds physical and mental resilienceBy improving strength, flexibility, and balance, yoga boosts energy and confidence, supporting greater engagement in therapy and other recovery-focused activities. |
| Set today’s intentionPick a focus for this session (steadying anxiety, easing cravings, releasing tension). | |
| Ground with breathSpend 2–3 minutes slowing the breath to shift out of fight-or-flight. | |
| Warm up jointsSimple movements like gentle twists, cat–cow (arching and rounding the back), and shoulder rolls loosen stiff muscles and prepare for deeper stretches. | |
| Move mindfullySlow, adaptable sequences matched to breath to lower stress and improve focus. | |
| Build stabilityBrief holds (e.g., Warrior, Chair) to practice calm attention under mild discomfort. | |
| Cool downSlower stretches bring the body back to calm (e.g., Forward folds, hip openers) to release residual tension. | |
| Rest and reflectGuided relaxation laying flat on the back (savasana) plus one takeaway to use later (e.g., “3 breaths before I react”). |
Meditation is the practice of training your attention and awareness. During meditation, you learn to observe your thoughts without judgment, creating space between yourself and the anxiety, cravings, or negative thought patterns that may have been controlling your life.
|
Changes the brainNeuroimaging studies show that regular meditation increases gray matter in areas responsible for attention, emotional regulation, and self-awareness while decreasing activity in the amygdala — the brain’s fear center. |
|
Interrupts automatic thought patternsInstead of going straight from trigger to craving to use or from trigger to mental spiral, meditation creates space to pause and choose a different response. It becomes easier to notice unhelpful thoughts or urges earlier and strengthens emotional resilience. |
|
Calms the mind and bodyBreathing focus and mindfulness lower heart rate and ease tension, creating a sense of calm that helps reduce anxiety, depression, and cravings — supporting a steadier mood. |
| Find a comfortable positionSit in a chair, cross-legged on the floor, or lie down — whatever posture feels steady but relaxed. | |
| Settle with breathSpend 1–2 minutes noticing each inhale and exhale, letting breathing slow naturally to signal calm to the nervous system. | |
| Choose a focus pointPick an “anchor” like the breath, a repeated word or phrase, or sensations in the body to bring the mind back to. | |
| Notice and name distractionsWhen thoughts, cravings, or emotions pop up, simply label them (“worry,” “craving,” “planning”) without judgment. | |
| Return to the anchorGently shift attention back to the breath or chosen focus each time the mind wanders—this repetition strengthens mental control. | |
| Scan the bodyBriefly check in from head to toe, noticing tension or pressure, and allow muscles to release. | |
| Close with reflectionEnd with a minute of gratitude, intention, or a simple plan for daily use (e.g., “take three breaths before responding to stressful comments”). |
 Substance use disordersThese practices provide healthy alternatives to substances for managing stress and difficult emotions. They also help repair the mind–body connection that addiction often disrupts. |
Chronic pain Yoga improves flexibility and strength while meditation changes your relationship with pain sensations, often reducing the need for pain medications that can lead to dependence. |
|
Depression Movement-based yoga helps counteract the lethargy and disconnection common in depression. Meditation practices specifically target the negative thought cycles that maintain depressive episodes. |
Anxiety disorders Yoga and meditation directly counteract anxiety by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Breathing techniques provide immediate relief during panic attacks, while regular practice reduces overall anxiety levels. |
|
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Gentle yoga helps trauma survivors reconnect with their bodies in a safe way. Meditation practices teach grounding techniques for managing flashbacks and emotional overwhelm. |
Sleep disorders Both practices calm the nervous system and teach relaxation techniques that improve sleep quality — crucial for mental health and maintaining sobriety. |
Yoga and meditation are just two examples of the holistic therapies available. In total, there are more than 20 different treatment options. It’s a place not just to treat symptoms, but to support full healing of mind, body, and spirit long-term.
Accessible Everywhere
Find holistic healing options at any of our treatment facilities. Yoga and meditation are integrated into comprehensive treatment plans at each location.
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Yoga Offered
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Yoga & Meditation Offered
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Yoga & Meditation Offered
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Yoga & Meditation Offered
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Meditation Offered
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Yoga & Meditation Offered
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Space Available
Insurance Accepted
Yoga & Meditation Offered
Yoga Instructor
Yoga Instructor and Lead Client Care Liaison
Real people. Real recovery. Real support that made a difference.
Kara A.
I went there scared and they helped me feel comfortable and relaxed. The meetings and meditation groups were awesome. It’s a great way to start your journey to getting sober.
Jonathon V.
Yoga was the best way to start off the day! Amazing and fun yoga instructor! Really helps you relax and focus on your classes.
James M.
The Haven was a very clean and comforting place that helped me get sober and took care of every need. From washing clothes to food and great downtime activities like yoga.
Affordable Care
Insurance coverage for yoga & meditation
Most insurance plans don’t cover yoga or meditation as stand-alone services. However, these services may be included as part of a broader physician-supervised treatment plan. Because every policy is different, you can quickly and privately check what comprehensive care at our facilities would cost — no commitment.
Frequently asked questions about yoga & meditation
Not at all. Our yoga classes are designed for all ability levels, including complete beginners. Instructors provide modifications to make each pose easier or more challenging. However, the focus is on what feels good for your body, not achieving perfect form.
This is one of the most common concerns, especially for people with anxiety or ADHD. Meditation doesn’t require sitting perfectly still. Walking meditations, guided visualizations, and breathing exercises can work better for restless minds. The goal is training attention, not forcing stillness. Those who struggle with calming their mind have the most to gain from meditation.
No. Yoga and meditation are complementary therapies that enhance (not replace) standard treatment options like talk therapies and medication. The holistic options provide additional tools for managing symptoms and help prepare your mind and mood so that traditional therapies can be more effective.
Many people notice some benefits after their first session — feeling calmer or less “stuck” in anxious thoughts. Longer-term benefits like improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and better emotional regulation typically develop over several weeks of regular practice.
Yoga and meditation can be practiced in completely secular ways. At The Haven Detox, instructors emphasize therapeutic benefits like relaxation, focus, and emotional regulation — not spiritual or religious elements. These practices can help restore a sense of inner peace and strength that often feels worn down after long struggles with mental health or substance use, but they are not tied to any religion or belief system.
That’s okay. These practices vary widely—from quiet guided meditation to gentle movement-focused yoga. One small shift (like trying a trauma-informed class) can feel very different and more approachable. The guide’s experience and session style matter a lot. It’s worth giving yoga or meditation another try, but these therapies are optional.
Let’s talk about what’s going on — no judgement. (We’ve been there before ourselves.) No one will know you inquired, and there is no commitment to call.
24/7 Support
Need someone to talk to? We’re always here—day or night.
No Commitment
Ask questions, get guidance—no pressure, no obligation.
100% Private
Your story stays with us. Confidential support, always.
Why Wait?
Get Answers Now
You’re here because you know you need help. Let’s talk through it together. There’s no commitment and it’s 100% confidential even to check your insurance.
100% Confidential