SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED
Image Source: John Louie Darnell (Cold War Veterans Facebook Page)
"The path of a warrior is lifelong, and mastery is often simply staying on the path." – Richard Strozzi-Heckler.
Every Veterans Day, I honor both my service in the Army and the service of my fellow veterans from all branches of the military. In this post, I will discuss the profound impact of the Warriors at Ease (WAE) program on the well-being of our military community—an organization I am grateful to represent on my path to serving those who have served.
History
In 2011, founding members Robin Carnes, Karen Soltes, retired Colonel Pat Lillis, and Molly Birkholm created the 501(c)(3) non-profit Warriors at Ease, headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. These individuals participated in studies conducted at Walter Reed Army Hospital and several VA facilities that used yoga and meditation as adjunct therapy in the treatment of both the physical and psychological wounds of war - PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Military Sexual Trauma, and loss of limbs. Carnes et al. created the foundational, evidence-based curriculum used today (with revisions).
Mission
According to their website, WAE's mission is to "Integrate transformative mind-body practices into the lives of every member of the military community so they can be empowered to take back their lives and rediscover a life of purpose and service."
"Warriors at Ease is dedicated to ensuring every member of the military community is trained in how to use the practices of yoga and meditation to alleviate the stressors of military life and aid in the prevention and rehabilitation of physical and invisible injuries" (2024).
WAE trains yoga and meditation teachers, physical and occupational therapists, healthcare workers, and psychologists to deliver trauma-informed, mindfulness-based, adaptive yoga classes. For the remainder of this article, I will share my experience leading a yoga class for the military community.
"Curiosity helps to create emotional distance in which people can 'just notice' their internal states, without taking immediate action to try to shift these states." ― David Emerson.
Creating a safe container
Currently, I offer a monthly service dog yoga class in collaboration with the North Carolina branch of Warrior Canine Connection, located in Asheville. I guide both combat and non-combat veterans through a trauma-informed class that includes the presence of service dogs in training.
I begin with a student orientation to the community center, where the class occurs (bathroom location, entrance, and exit to the room). The veterans face the entrance door so they can see everyone who enters or exits the building. I place myself between the students and the door (facing towards them). The students are also oriented to sights, sounds, or smells that could trigger them.
Settling In
After orientation and settling into the practice, I guide the students through a journey of the senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The focus of each sense begins in its personal space (mat), expands further into the room, and finally leaves the room. The purpose of this segment of the class is to offer the veteran an opportunity to reconnect with their physical body and to allow the active mind a rest.
Following orientation, I offer a breathwork practice that initiates the relaxation (rest and digest) response and further enriches the reconnection to the body —respiratory and heart rates decrease, and muscular tension dissolves.
The Practice
In a previous article, I discussed the importance of the psoas muscle and its role in storing physical and emotional traumas. My WAE class focuses on poses that open and relax the hips. I offer modifications through props for students carrying war wounds (back, leg, and neck injuries), including blocks, chairs, and yoga straps when indicated. I ask the students to experience their practice just as it is. They do not have to demonstrate a perfectly aligned Warrior 2—the Warrior 2 they land in is their Warrior 2 for that day. I invite the students to "listen" to their body signals and do what is comfortable for them in that moment.
My classes are less structured than those offered in a yoga studio. In addition to reconnection to the body, a WAE class organically evolves into re-establishing the camaraderie lost at the expiration of a service member's term of service (ETS). Besides, service dogs always take center stage and assist in managing a triggered veteran—a beautiful experience to witness. Engaging the dogs is highly encouraged, and the vets frequently take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to yoga, we laugh, share, and get to know each other at the human level.
Finding a WAE Instructor
My fellow vets, if you are interested in experiencing a WAE-style class, there are several ways to do so.
On the following link, you will note the “Find a teacher” and “Yoga Class Library” (https://www.warriorsatease.org/military-community).
The "find a teacher" button will redirect you to a list of WAE teachers (international and in the USA) with their contact information. WAE instructors lead classes on military bases, at VA facilities, at community centers, at yoga studios, and at vet centers. Many instructors are veterans, military family members, or serve on active duty. WAE training includes extensive instruction on the military lifestyle from both servicemembers' and their families' perspectives.
If you cannot find a WAE teacher near you, the website offers an online library of WAE-style classes to follow at your convenience. Please click on the "yoga class library" button for further information. If you are curious about the WAE offerings, explore the library as a starting point. Please explore the entire website for its complete offerings.
Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. You can reach me through my website at www.timothyggrutzius.com or email me at mindbodybadgeyoga@gmail.com
Until next time -
Be well,
Tim
Warriors at Ease Website