Yoga Warriors!

Reasons Why Yoga Is Helpful for Veterans and Military Personnel 

(I would add "anyone" who has undergone a traumatic experience, in my opinion)

• Yoga begins with the question, "What is right with me?"  not "What is wrong with me?"
• Soldiers in battle are in a constant state of "fight or flight."  When they return home that response does not turn off, making the transition to normal life difficult.  Yoga can help to reduce the hyper-arousal and connect the mind with the body in the present moment.
• Military personnel need to main flexibility in switching from the stress inducing environment of hyper-arousal and vigilance to normal functioning.  Yoga can improve a person's ability to return to a normal state once the stressor has disappeared.
• Yoga gently unlocks rigidly held memory material in ways that normal talk therapy might not.  The feelings may be too complex for words, or the person may be too self-conscious and find it difficult to verbalize their feelings.

• The speech center of the brain often shuts down during trauma leaving the right brain to record the event in visual images or as other isolated sensory events.  
• They may "literally, not have the words to speak of the trauma and can start a tailspin of flashbacks, night terrors, and anxiety"

• Yoga helps release issues by putting us in touch with our emotional body.  It allows us to safely express stored emotions such as guilt, shame, anger, sadness, and grief so we can better understand, make peace with, and manage those feelings.
• Through yoga, the body becomes associated with pleasant sensations.  This is so important for many traumatized individuals who associate their bodies with unpleasant sensations due to war wounds, rape, and so on.
• Through yoga movements, a person can "unfreeze" bad memories and create a new bodily memory.  (Muscles have memory, I often say.)  A person who has been in trauma might re-create a desired response now that there is less danger and fear.
• Specific yoga postures and mantras (things that we say while practicing) can be used for nurturing and comfort.  Oftentimes, traumatized individuals self-impose isolation, struggle with addictions, or battle anger issues.
• An important key to recovery is evoking the relaxation response, the body's antidote to the stress response
• According to Dr. Herb Benson, founder of Harvard's Mind Body Medical Institute, the relaxation response causes the release of neurotransmitters in the body, creating a soothing effect.
• Yoga is one of the activities (along with meditation) that create the "relaxation response."  Taken from my manual, Yoga Warriors International Healing the Wounds of War Breath by Breath

Sunday, January 4, at 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.  Come and practice. No experience necessary, no flexibility necessary; just a willingness to learn.

*****

Sunday, January 4, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 12:00 - 1:15 p.m.  Yoga Warriors (class is open to everyone age 18 and up)
2. 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.  Yoga Mix (class is open to tweens, teens, and adults)
3. 4:15 - 5:00 p.m.  Story Time Yoga (45 minutes) ages 3 - 8 and adults to practice along with children

Monday, January 5, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 7:00 - 7:55 a.m.  Good Morning Yoga - Moderate Level (55 minute practice)
2. 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.  Yoga Mix - Vigorous Level (75 minute practice - Moms can come late if necessary since they are dropping off the kids!)
3. 12:00 - 1:05 p.m.  Healthy Back/Core Yoga - Beginners Level
4. 5:30 - 6:35 p.m.  Power Yoga - Vigorous Level
5. 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.  Restorative Yoga - Gentle Level

Tuesday, January 6, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 7:00 - 7:55 a.m.  Good Morning Yoga - Moderate Level (55 minute practice)
2. 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.  Yoga Mix - Vigorous Level (75 minute class)
3. 12:00 - 1:05 p.m. Yoga Therapy with Lower and Upper Body - Beginners Level
4. 4:15 - 5:20 p.m.  Power Yoga - Vigorous Level
5. 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Happy Hips and Hamstrings

Wednesday, January 7, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 7:00 - 7:55 a.m.  Good Morning Yoga - Moderate Level (55 minute practice)
2. 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.  Yoga Mix - Vigorous Level (75 minute class)
3. 12:00 - 1:05 p.m.  Healthy Back/Core Yoga - Beginners Level
4. 4:15 - 5:10 p.m.  Yoga for All - Moderate/Vigorous Level (55 minute practice)
5. 5:30 - 6:35 p.m.  Power Yoga - Vigorous Level
6. 6:45 - 7:45 p.m.  Restorative Yoga - Gentle Level

Thursday, January 8, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 7:00 - 7:55 a.m.  Good Morning Yoga - Moderate Level (55 minute practice)
2. 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.  Yoga Mix - Vigorous Level (75 minute class)
3. 12:00 - 1:05 p.m. Yoga Therapy with Lower and Upper Body - Beginners Level
4. 4:15 - 5:20 p.m.  Power Yoga - Vigorous Level
5. 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Open Shoulders, Open Chest, Strong Back = Good Posture

Friday, January 9, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 7:00 - 7:55 a.m.  Good Morning Yoga - Moderate Level (55 minute practice)
2. 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.  Yoga Mix - Vigorous Level
3. 12:00 - 1:05 p.m. Healthy Back/Core Yoga - Beginners Level
4. HOT YOGA with Jeanne K 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.  (75 minute class)

Saturday, January 10, the following classes are scheduled:

1. 9:00 - 10:05 a.m.  Vigorous Vinyasa with Handweights option - Seasoned Beginners and Intermediate Level
2. 10:30 - 11:35 a.m.  Chakra Yoga - Manipura Chakra this week - Yellow! Any Level is welcome.
3. 12:00 - 1:05 p.m.  Happy Hips and Hamstrings - Beginners Level

NEW YEAR - NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PRACTICE!  40 Days of Transformation

• Please get all of your supplies:
• props, 
• your final relaxation cloth, 
• your bolster in the reception room as you prepare for class.  
• Blankets are in the cubbies below the sign in desk on the wall in the living room, and straps are on the wall inside the studio.  
• This gives us more room to practice and allows Jeanne K's housekeeper to clean efficiently.  
• (:  P.S.  Jeanne K is the housekeeper.
• Do not forget to sign in; it is our legal representation of all who are here.  Thanks!
• Don't forget our January special is 10% off all Unlimited packages.  Cash or check only.  Please add 4% to credit or debit card purchase for courtesy fee. 
• Thank you for practicing with us.  Namaste'