Phoenix House and Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy Bring Mindfulness to Addiction Services During Pandemic

NEW YORK (06/17/2020) (readMedia)-- Phoenix House announced a partnership today with Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy to bring new mindfulness methods to its therapeutic practice as New Yorkers dealing with addiction cope with the added stresses of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy (YSIT) combines mindfulness and yoga to help lessen the pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, and constipation (PANIC) that addiction patients suffer from. The program emphasizes Phoenix House's goal to treat the whole patient, rather than just an individual's use of drugs or alcohol.

"We are so happy to partner with Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy at this particularly difficult time for New Yorkers struggling with addiction," said Ann Marie Foster, CEO Phoenix Houses of NY/LI. "At Phoenix House we strive to treat the whole patient, helping them out of addiction by understanding that it is a chronic disease and not a moral failing. During a time like this, when anxiety is high and it is easy to feel the pull of addiction, it is even more important to focus on mindfulness and our connection to one another. This partnership will save lives."

The YSIT program uses restorative yoga, breathwork, reiki healing, essential oils, nutrition and meditation. The program was launched in 2009 in collaboration with Donna Karan, Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee and leading medical professionals. They now have programs across the country. Phoenix House is the first addiction treatment center they have worked with. Certified teachers began giving weekly sessions to Phoenix House patients April 30th.

"The integration between Phoenix House and Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy is a synergy that will break new ground in being the awake, compassionate beings that we are. We all need tools for dealing with the hard times that challenge us. Western therapy combined with meditation, breathing work, postures and essential oils can be the very companion we ache for, when we think we are all alone and suffering," said Rodney and Colleen Yee, Co-Creators of Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy.

"After losing our son Bryan to an accidental overdose in 2016, meeting Colleen Saidman Yee and Rodney Yee, the creators of Urban Zen Integrative Therapy and Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy, became one of the first steps toward piecing our family's shattered hearts into new shapes. We knew we wanted our purpose to outweigh our pain and having Yoga Shanti Integrative Therapy at Phoenix House is an extraordinary gift of hope and belief that benefits our clients," Said Linda Bausch, Phoenix House Board Member.

About Phoenix House:

Since 1967, Phoenix House New York has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol abuse in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Phoenix House New York offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, medical, psychiatric, and dental services, and impaired driver programs. These services are designed to meet the individual needs of adults at various stages of recovery, including military personnel, and veterans. In addition, Phoenix House provides educational and supportive services to family members, friends, significant others, and the community.