Yoga provides relief to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Sunday, November 17, 2013 by: Antonia
Tags: yoga, post-traumatic stress disorder, veterans

(NaturalNews) It used to be that "yoga" and "veterans" were two words you never heard in the same sentence. But in 2013, yoga for veterans has become a necessary practice for those suffering with PTSD, with classes springing up around the country. In fact, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD lists "PTSD 101 Courses: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and PTSD" on their site.

Its ability to help those affected with PTSD - symptoms of which include sleeplessness, flashbacks to unsettling events during their service, sensitivities to sound and an inability to connect with reality - has been beneficial for many veterans.

Suzanne Manafort and Dr. Daniel Libby run Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans in Newington, CT. There, the mission is "helping Veterans find a steady body/mind to continue productive and peaceful lives through the support of the mindful practices of yoga."

Veterans embracing the calming benefits of yoga

Melanie C. is an Iraq war veteran who used to experience PTSD-related anxiety and panic attacks. She also has mild traumatic brain injury. After incorporating many yoga practices taught at the Newington, CT, center into her lifestyle, including ones from their Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans Recovering from Trauma book and CDs, she's found relief. Now she is trying to help other veterans "gain the same relief and peace" she felt from this program.

Lt. Col Melinda Morgan, who was deployed right after the 9-11 attacks, started teaching to soldiers about going to Afghanistan. She's now a teacher at the Pentagon, where she says yoga classes are full every day.

Research shows that yoga's deep breathing practices elicit a sense of calm throughout the body and mind. In the case of veterans, who are often harboring feelings of anger, guilt and shock, it's helpful in releasing tension.

According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 5.2 million adults (veterans and non-veterans) have PTSD in any given year. Many of the yoga classes for veterans with PTSD are typically free (or have specific days that are).

Sources for this article include:

www.pri.org

www.yogawarriors.com

www.ptsd.va.gov

www.facebook.com

www.huffingtonpost.com

www.ptsd.va.gov

www.givebackyoga.org

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia