Can Yoga Help Soldiers' Mental Health?
The shooting at the army base at Fort Hood that resulted in 13 lives lost and 30 people wounded was a tragedy that saddened the nation. But in the last year, the leaders at the base have been experimenting with new ways--including yoga--to help soldiers deal with the stress and pressure that comes with their jobs. In the aftermath of the shooting, they hope the "resiliency campus," which in a huge facility that offers programs like yoga, aromatherapy, and video games with traditional counseling, will help troops recover from the tragedy, reported the Wall Street Journal."The campus ... is designed to impart a new army philosophy focused on nurturing soldiers' body, mind and spirit," Brigadier General William Grimsley told the Wall Street Journal. "It marks a radical shift from the philosophy under which the army operated for years."
As a yoga student, I feel like any shift toward nurturing "body, mind and spirit" is a good one. What do you think?
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Comments
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Wow. I guess if Yoga works in that challenging situation, it will work anywhere.
Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com
Posted by: Bob Weisenberg | November 12, 2009 5:37 PM
I suffer from non combat PTSD and yoga was the only treatment that really helped on a large scale, reconnecting with you body and getting out of the anxiety and panic ridden mind is key to progress when you have PTSD. I reccomend Yoga, particulary hatha to any and all people i meet with PTSD, it changed my life
Posted by: samantha | November 13, 2009 6:59 AM
Sat Nam, (reverent greetings)
Yoga is good for every occupation ! Unite Body, Mind and Spirit. If all soldiers practiced yoga they would realize that "the other person is you" and maybe no one would show up for war. When I read articles like this I am reminded how the consciousness is shifting as we draw closer to the Age of Aquarius !
peace and love to ALL,
Catalyst Yogi
http://twitter.com/catalyst_yogi
http://budurl.com/2jjr
Posted by: Catalyst Yogi | November 13, 2009 9:43 AM
Having been subject to the stress of active duty military life, I can say that yoga was my salvation especially in the last three years of active duty! There was nothing I looked forward to more than my yoga classes when stationed overseas.
Not only did it improve my personal health, it put me in contact with other like-minded individuals within the military. Through my exposure to yoga in the military, I went on to become a Kundalini yoga teacher!
The military has a reputation of hardness that is not entirely accurate. Therse women and men need the same, if not more, encouragement to nurture their physical, psychological, and spiritual wellness as anyone!
Thank you and Sat Nam :)
Posted by: Guy Duffner | November 13, 2009 10:21 AM
Improve mental health for soldiers!
MOST YOGA TEACHERS need to IMPROVE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH!
Posted by: Lido Balboa | November 13, 2009 12:32 PM
Interesting post, thanks. It is encouraging to see how groups, communities and organizations are paying attention to the stresses of everyday life and the interrelated connection between body, mind, soul and spirit. And yoga seems to serve as one type of lens to draw on in healing. Maggie Mahar, of healthbeathblog.com recently stated, "This tragedy calls attention to the fact that as we send young men and women into what many now realize are unwinnable wars where they will see unimaginable horrors, we are risking, not only their young bodies, but their minds." I think it's easy to loose site of not only the work these individuals are doing but also the work that some industries, or types of work - like military -demand of individuals. Even more, for citizens to continue raising awareness about the connections between work and health...
Posted by: Carey | November 15, 2009 8:58 AM
Yoga helps to keep mind and body fit and healthy. It helps to relieve us from stress. Yoga is general for every person. It gives a peaceful and healthy life. Thanks for providing such useful information. It will be very useful for the readers, By the way i got more information about the yoga from the http://www.yogasuppliesonline.com. They are dedicators to yoga and any type of information about yoga.
Posted by: Charles | November 17, 2009 4:27 AM
Yoga has great power to strenthen your body and mind.
Here is an article-
Naga Baba pulls heavy stones with genitals
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Naga-Baba-pulls-heavy-stones-with-genitals/articleshow/5258171.cms
This article might look funny but if you think deeply it says how much yoga cna give you strength.
Posted by: EnlighteningWord | November 23, 2009 8:31 AM