It has long been true that certain types of exercise can drastically improve the mental health benefits already enjoyed by those receiving regular therapy.
With this in mind, the Counseling and Training Clinic at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is now offering free yoga and tai chi classes meant to complement ongoing individual, group or couples therapy sessions.
Through these new exercise therapy programs, staff at the clinic hope members of the local community will improve their mental health while increasing their physical health.
Classes include:
- Yoga Group for Adults: Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
- Mommy & Me Yoga: Thursdays from 11:00 to 11:30 AM, followed by nutrition training from 11:30 AM to Noon. This class is designed for moms and their kids (ages 1 to 3), in which either the mom or the child are participating in counseling.
- Kids Yoga: Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, classes are for children ages 4-8, and are comprised of mother and child teams in which either the mom or the child are participating in counseling.
- Tai Chi for Adults: Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Along with traditional therapy treatments, exercise therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and can improve a person’s perceived quality of life. Both yoga and tai chi promote mental focus, breathing, coordination and relaxation.
These classes are easily accessible to a wide range of ages and health statuses due to their low-impact nature – meaning they induce less stress on joints and muscles when compared to other exercises.
Classes begin the week of June 4th and will take place in the Natural Resource Center (6300 Ocean Drive, suite 2700) located on the Island University campus (building 2 on the attached map).
All classes are facilitated by skilled and certified instructors. Unlike a traditional gym, it is recommended that participants make a concerted effort to attend classes for a minimum of three continuous months.
For more information, visit ctc.tamucc.edu.
All participants must call (361) 825-3988 to register.