The town health department offers a weekly yoga class for people recovering from substance abuse and their loved ones.

PROVINCETOWN — The Provincetown Health Department now offers a weekly yoga class for people recovering from substance abuse and their loved ones.

The program, Yoga for Addiction Recovery, aims to help those who have struggled with addiction — and the people who care for them — better deal with their stress.

“I find, by bringing awareness to the breath and the body, you can reduce stress and anxiety and assist addiction recovery,” said instructor Jennifer Kopec. “My hope for this class is to share these tools with those looking for similar relief.”

The town is trying to build services and support for people addicted or in recovery in Provincetown, said Morgan Clark, the town’s health director.

“Way out here, we’re so removed from the other supports on the Cape,” she said. “Getting help doesn’t have to mean leaving home. We’re trying to create more opportunities here.”

Kopec, who has been teaching yoga for about 10 years, proposed the idea to sober homes and detox centers, but the idea didn’t catch on until she brought it to the town.

“It’s been helpful for me,” she said. “I don’t really know anyone yet, after 10 years, who didn’t feel better after a yoga class.”

There have been other fitness programs to help people in recovery on the Cape — a CrossFit class was offered in Bourne — and the trend seems to be growing, Kopec said.

Her class, which is held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Veterans Memorial Community Center, is split between basic poses, meditation and discussion.

Kopec hopes the class will give people tools to use in their daily life outside of yoga.

The town also offers Crystal Free, a drop-in support group for gay men seeking to overcome crystal meth use, and has a community resource navigator program with Outer Cape Health Services.

Abstinence is not a requirement for any of the Health Department’s efforts, but the class is not a substitute for professional help, according to a statement from the town.

Clark also emphasized that people are not required to bring their own equipment to the yoga class, although they can. The weekly class is drop-in, and a $5 donation is requested but not required.

— Follow Ethan Genter on Twitter: @EthanGenterCCT.