A&M-Corpus Christi Hosts Free Exercise Therapy Classes, Including Yoga and Tai Chi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Recent studies have shown 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.

“After researching how yoga and tai chi help individuals, I chose to implement these programs as support to the individual and couples counseling we offer,” said Dr. Yvonne Castillo, director of the Counseling and Training Clinic. “In the short time since we’ve offered yoga and tai chi, we’ve heard stories from participants on how these exercise classes, along with their individual counseling sessions, have bolstered better sleep patterns, brought stress levels down and given them a renewed sense of joy and hope.”

Both yoga and tai chi promote mental focus, breathing, coordination and relaxation, says Castillo. Along with traditional therapy treatments, exercise therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and can improve a person’s perceived quality of life. 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.

The classes will be offered at the following times:

• Yoga Group for Adults: Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.
• Mommy & Me Yoga: Thursdays from 11-11:30 a.m., followed by nutrition training from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Open to moms and kids ages 1-3. Classes comprise of mother and child teams in which either the mom or the child are participating in counseling.
• Kids Yoga: Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. For kids ages 4-8. Classes comprise of mother and child teams in which either the mom or the child are participating in counseling.
• Tai Chi for Adults: Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m.

Classes start the week of June 4 and will take place in the Natural Resource Center, suite 2700, located on the Island University campus (building 2 on this map). All classes are facilitated by skilled and certified instructors. Unlike a traditional gym, it’s recommended that participants make a concerted effort to attend classes for a minimum of three continuous months.

Exercise therapy classes are available to anyone, but will be most beneficial as a follow-up to individual counseling. For more information, visit ctc.tamucc.edu. All participants must call 361.825.3988 to register. Sign up now to start your journey to better overall health.