Kit Up Trails Found: Training SOF to Operate on Horseback

Yoga Helps Recenter Nation's Returning Vets

Memorial to honor Native American veterans is coming to Washington 

 The Washington Post

Jamey Johnson - Rebel Soldier - YOUTUBE

Jamey Johnson with his moving version of "Rebel Soldier" from "Divided & United: Songs of The Civil War" released in 2013. The album shows songs of the Civil War era & how music permeated society at that time..

Metro Daily Local pioneer for veteran suicide prevention dies at 33

This article appeared in 2015 but its concern is timeless.

Here is a great article from YWI at Central Mass Yoga Institute in West Boylston, Massachusetts where I got some of my teacher training:

Veterans, PTSD and Yoga

A Soldier’s Heart

https://yogainternational.com/article/view/veteran...

Yoga warriors photographed by Robert Sturman

Photos and info on Veteran yoga

Texas Army National Guard Armory “Yoga PT”
AFTER ACTION REVIEW: 7 February 2015
840th MAC, Weatherford, Texas

Yoga Joes in training! February brought another opportunity for ‘Yoga PT’ at the Texas Army National Guard in Weatherford. Aside from building strength, balance and flexibility, a regular yoga practice for military personnel teaches breathing and centering techniques that are beneficial practices when the sympathetic nervous system cannot shut down. Yoga helps bring a sense of calm back.

In the extreme cases, and all too common, Soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress have a greater aptitude toward understanding yoga in a unique way. Breath work replaces the ‘fight-or-flight’ response with the relaxation response where blood pressure, heart rate, digestive functioning and hormonal levels return to normal. It is powerful when a person can regulate their mental and emotional status on a conscious level without any drugs or alcohol.

There are numerous studies and programs actively engaging troops deployed and at home. The Department of Defense is now supporting this training. Yoga training promotes entrains additional preparation before the traumas of war occur. Capt. Brock at the 840th MAC unit is utilizing Lone Star Yoga Warriors training in the months leading up to future deployments to enhance his troops resilience. Kudos!

Texas Army National Guard Armory “Yoga PT”
AFTER ACTION REVIEW: 19 July 2014
840th MAC, Weatherford, Texas

Always ready, always there.

There is an innate motivation that makes a person step away from familiar patterns taking personal risks to support an ideal. This sets humans apart from other creatures on earth. They choose to leave jobs, family, friends, comforts and beloved pets to go into the unknown, the unpredictable. They volunteer to face the physically, mentally, emotionally and dangerous challenges of circumstances with the goal of making the world a safer and better place. And, after the mission, they return home to enjoy the balance of life again – or try to, if at all.

As I looked into the faces of the men of the 840^th MAC Texas Army National Guard unit in Weatherford, Texas, I knew my commitment to lend a hand in preparing our military troops for the unseen is vital. Because of the continued aftermath of “the long war ”, this work is critical. What you see when you walk into this armory (or any military operation), is a change of landscape – from bright colors to ones that blend with the earth. The sounds are distinct – from the motor pool to command and responses resounding to lead, organize and carry out specific tasks. This world is clearly at attention preparing for deployments months ahead. Yet they coexist within our community, training just yards – or a universe away – from the town’s middle school. What you don’t see is the internal collateral damage that often occurs with a reluctant consciousness of what happens later….

Standing at attention, the Soldiers fell out for Yoga PT. It was a new experience for most. I knew there were plenty of preconceived notions and I was grinning inside eager for the opportunity to dispel them. We were three female teachers with ninety male reservists convening in two back-to-back classes. Capt. Brock originally set aside 40 minutes per class but extended our allotment to 50 minutes. It allowed great opportunity to teach breathing, balance, flexibility and strength building forms to these warriors.

The focus of yoga in military communities is more than just exercise. Like boot camp yoga trains the mind to have a Situational Awareness. However with yoga, the S.A. is soulfully directed to train Soldiers how to recognize the sympathetic nervous system’s behavior (changes in emotion, stress level, physical tension and breathing patterns). The intention of class is to acknowledge breathing, emotional and mental shifts while performing specific physical movements and holding postures, then taking it to a higher level to consciously manage and maintain an optimum level of internal control using breathing techniques and mindful movements. With this practice our bodies learn to more appropriately respond to situations in a healthy way. In short, we teach resilience.

Similar to the intention of volunteering for National Guard, yoga addresses a person’s primal need to be balanced, strong and content. To be a yoga warrior is to use one’s own body as a resource for finding the important balance between being a soldier and a private citizen. Tapping into this inner resource can give individuals the strength to alleviate the symptoms of combat stress, post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injuries by increase their resilience on the job and during redeployment. Teaching these techniques through yoga is what Lone Star Yoga Warriors is all about. Hooraah!

“Call Me Maybe” - Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders & U.S. Troops in Afghanistan

Warriors At Ease Yoga for Post-traumatic Stress

The Vault Yoga for Men

Vital Warrior Former Navy Seal Awarded For Non-Drug Solution for Vets - Mikal Vega

Vimeo Yoga: it must be done

(this is beautiful and one of my favorite videos - enjoy!)

Filmed at Les Courmettes, near the Lux Yoga villa in Tourrettes-Sur-Loup, France, featuring renowned New York yogis Ben Sears and Isaac Peña.

Directed, photographed and edited by Niels Alpert

Yoga : It Must Be Done from Niels Alpert on Vimeo.

http://m.imgur.com/a/5XE90

Billy Waugh Afghan Pics m.imgur.com Imgur: The most awesome images

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TZO8cYjlfco

The Lonely - Trey Stevens m.youtube.com The Lonely By: Trey Stevens A tribute to our Service Men and Women

Rhythm of Breathing Affects Memory and Fear

Summary: A new study reports the rhythm of your breathing can influence neural activity that enhances memory recall and emotional judgement.

Source: Northwestern University.

http://neurosciencenews.com/memory-fear-breathing-...