Serene yoga session in a sunlit courtyard, symbolizing mental wellness and healing.

Yoga for Mental Wellness: Can a Simple Practice Transform Recovery?

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how integrating yoga into mental health treatment could offer a path to improved well-being and recovery, especially in substance abuse programs."

In today's fast-paced world, the importance of mental health and wellness is more critical than ever. While traditional treatments remain essential, there's growing interest in complementary therapies that can enhance overall well-being. Among these, yoga has emerged as a promising practice, offering benefits that extend beyond physical fitness.

For individuals facing mental health challenges, especially those in substance abuse recovery, yoga presents a unique opportunity. It’s not just about stretching and poses; it's a holistic approach that integrates mind, body, and spirit. This integration can be particularly beneficial in managing symptoms of anxiety and reducing cravings, crucial components of the recovery process.

Recent studies have begun to explore the feasibility and potential benefits of incorporating yoga into treatment programs. One such study, conducted within an acute inpatient substance abuse psychiatric unit, examined how therapist-guided yoga sessions could impact patients undergoing detoxification. The results offer valuable insights into how yoga can be a practical and effective tool in mental health care.

How Yoga Calms the Mind and Body During Recovery

Serene yoga session in a sunlit courtyard, symbolizing mental wellness and healing.

The study, titled "Yoga in the Yard," aimed to assess the impact of yoga sessions on patients dealing with substance abuse. Conducted at the Mental Health Hospital Center (MHHC) affiliated with the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center, the project sought to replace traditional 'smoke breaks' with a healthier alternative: yoga.

Researchers trained activity therapists in 'Yoga for Therapeutic Rehabilitation' to lead sessions within the existing program structure. These sessions, offered three times a week, included simple breathing exercises, basic stretches, low-impact poses, and guided meditation. Participants completed the Hamilton Anxiety Inventory (HAI) and the Drug Craving Scale (DCS) before and after each session to measure changes in anxiety and cravings.

Reduced Anxiety: Participants experienced a notable decrease in anxiety symptoms, as indicated by a significant reduction in HAI scores.
Decreased Cravings: The study also observed a decrease in drug cravings among participants.
Feasibility and Acceptance: Yoga sessions were feasible to implement within the inpatient setting, with minimal refusal from patients.
Serene Environment: The unit, typically chaotic, became serene during yoga sessions, with patients engaging in meditative poses.

The outcomes of the 'Yoga in the Yard' project suggest that yoga can be a valuable addition to substance abuse treatment programs. By providing a structured, accessible form of exercise and mindfulness, yoga helps patients manage their anxiety and cravings, fostering a sense of calm and well-being. This approach aligns with the growing recognition of holistic therapies in mental health care.

Embracing Yoga for Lasting Recovery

Incorporating yoga into mental health treatment, particularly in substance abuse programs, offers a promising avenue for enhancing recovery and promoting overall wellness. The 'Yoga in the Yard' project demonstrates that even simple, therapist-guided sessions can yield significant benefits, reducing anxiety and cravings while fostering a sense of calm. As the field of mental health continues to evolve, integrating such holistic practices may well become a standard component of comprehensive care, empowering individuals to achieve lasting recovery and improved quality of life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1176/appi.ps.68901, Alternate LINK

Title: Yoga In The Yard

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Psychiatric Services

Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing

Authors: Aminata Cisse, Candace Giles, Ihsan M. Salloum

Published: 2017-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is yoga in the context of mental health and substance abuse recovery?

Yoga, in the context of mental wellness and substance abuse recovery, is a holistic practice that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. It goes beyond mere physical exercise, offering benefits such as reduced anxiety and cravings. Simple breathing exercises, basic stretches, low-impact poses, and guided meditation can create a sense of calm. This practice is important because it provides a structured, accessible form of exercise and mindfulness that complements traditional treatments, fostering overall well-being and potentially improving long-term recovery outcomes.

What was the 'Yoga in the Yard' project, and why is it important?

The 'Yoga in the Yard' project was a study conducted at the Mental Health Hospital Center (MHHC) affiliated with the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center. It aimed to assess the impact of yoga sessions on patients dealing with substance abuse. Activity therapists, trained in 'Yoga for Therapeutic Rehabilitation', led sessions that replaced traditional 'smoke breaks' with yoga. The significance of this project lies in its demonstration that incorporating yoga into existing treatment programs is feasible and can yield measurable benefits, such as reduced anxiety and cravings, as indicated by the Hamilton Anxiety Inventory (HAI) and the Drug Craving Scale (DCS).

What are the Hamilton Anxiety Inventory (HAI) and the Drug Craving Scale (DCS), and why were they used?

The Hamilton Anxiety Inventory (HAI) and the Drug Craving Scale (DCS) are measurement tools used in the 'Yoga in the Yard' study to quantify changes in anxiety levels and cravings among participants. The HAI measures the severity of anxiety symptoms, while the DCS assesses the intensity of drug cravings. These scales are important because they provide objective data to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga sessions in reducing anxiety and cravings. By using these tools, researchers could determine whether yoga had a statistically significant impact on the participants' mental and emotional states, contributing to the evidence base supporting yoga as a complementary therapy.

Why is incorporating yoga into substance abuse programs considered important?

Integrating yoga into substance abuse programs is significant because it offers a complementary approach to traditional treatments. The 'Yoga in the Yard' project shows yoga can reduce anxiety and cravings, which are major obstacles in recovery. Yoga is a holistic practice that addresses both the mind and body, promoting a sense of calm and well-being. This can enhance the effectiveness of overall treatment, potentially leading to lasting recovery and an improved quality of life for individuals facing substance abuse challenges. Furthermore, yoga is accessible and can be easily implemented within existing program structures, making it a practical addition to mental health care.

How feasible and acceptable is the integration of yoga in mental health settings?

The feasibility and acceptance of yoga in mental health settings are demonstrated by the 'Yoga in the Yard' project, which showed that yoga sessions were easily implemented within an inpatient substance abuse psychiatric unit with minimal refusal from patients. This is important because it indicates that yoga is a practical and well-received addition to treatment programs. The serene environment created during yoga sessions, with patients actively engaging in meditative poses, further highlights its acceptance and potential to integrate seamlessly into mental health care, promoting a calm and therapeutic atmosphere.