Yoga 4 Change expands opioid treatment program

Yoga 4 Change is expanding its one-of-a-kind substance use disorder treatment program to South Florida and other communities across the state, thanks to a generous grant from the Florida Blue Foundation. The unique, purpose-driven curriculum uses yoga to deal with opioid and other substance disorders, as well as other issues.

Since it launched five years ago in Jacksonville, Yoga 4 Change has helped more than 50,000 individuals dealing with substance use disorder including veterans, incarcerated individuals, vulnerable youth and many others. With the Florida Blue Foundation grant, the organization has recently partnered with several Broward County rehabilitation clinics and now offers programming around Fort Lauderdale. Expansion to Tampa and Orlando is expected later this year. These three additional regions will focus on battling the alarming rise of substance use disorders.

Yoga 4 Change teaches trauma-informed yoga and healing themes such as forgiveness and gratitude to help participants battling addiction achieve lasting, demonstrative change. Specially trained professional instructors lead an evidence-based curriculum that utilizes movement, mindfulness and breathing tools to go directly to the source of the issue. Yoga 4 Change is also credited with lowering blood pressure and blood sugar for many participants, and with increasing self-esteem and sense of peace.

“This grant from the Florida Blue Foundation enables us to spread our impact exponentially,” said Yoga 4 Change Executive Director Kathryn Thomas. “We are able to combat substance abuse with a holistic approach to mindfulness and wellness that has proven to help individuals achieve sobriety, health and independence.”

“We are proud to help empower people and communities through this partnership that uses yoga to save and transform lives,” said Florida Blue Foundation Vice President Susan Towler.