By Bronwyn Ison
Yoga enthusiasts strive to serve a purpose superior than oneself. This often is referred to as Seva. Seva, a Sanskrit word meaning: a service which is performed without any expectation of result or reward for the person performing it. The Warrior Project and participating yoga and fitness studios find exceptional gratification in helping serve our community. The Warrior Project, spearheaded by Alison Harris (Yoga with Alison) will provide an opportunity to give back to our troops for protecting our country.
As one of the participating studios, it was without hesitation that Evolve Yoga joined forces with Alison. Alison’s passion for instructing and giving back to our community exhibits dedication and love. Here is what Alison had to share.
Bronwyn: What interested you in taking on this project?
Alison: I was invited to instruct for Yoga Across America (YAA), a non-profit organization, which brings yoga into areas that do not have access or exposure to yoga classes. One of the areas of focus for YAA is a program for wounded warriors where instructors are trained to work specifically with military personnel returning from active duty who may be suffering physical or emotional trauma. The Warrior Project is actually two-fold; the first is to bring the supplies to the base and the second is to bring YAA’s Wounded Warrior certification program to our desert to train our yoga instructors to provide programs for the Marines at 29 Palms.
Bronwyn: Why is this project important to you?
Alison: I am grateful every day I am able to do yoga. The practice of yoga has helped me in all aspects of my life. The teachings have provided me tools to work through difficult times, get in touch with what is important to me and how I want to be in this world. Who better to share this with than our neighbors at 29 Palms? These brave men and women risk their lives, their dedication and sacrifice is beyond measure. They deserve all the support we can give for all they do to provide us freedom.
Bronwyn: What is the overall goal?
Alison: The current yoga situation at 29 Palms is limited, local instructors volunteer their time to teach classes. They have little to no equipment. The goal is bring equipment and greater awareness to the benefits of yoga. The final phase of this project will be to expand the yoga program at 29 Palms through YAA’s Wounded Warrior program.
Bronwyn: How much/many props would you like to see donated?
Alison: My goal is to collect at least 100 mats, 25 blankets, 25 bolsters, 25 eye pillows, 50 blocks and 50 straps.
Bronwyn: Are cash donations being accepted?
Alison: Yes. Donations are accepted via www.alisonharrisyoga.com , the Warrior Project is not an 501(c)(3) therefore your donations may not be tax deductible. If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to YAA, www.yogaacrossamerica.org, (donations will not specifically go to 29 Palms)
Bronwyn: How will the props be delivered to the base?
Alison: Ideally, we will have the opportunity to go onto the base to host a yoga class and present them with all we have collected. If we are unable to gain access on base, the yoga instructors will come to our final Sunday class at lululemon to accept all of the donations.
Bronwyn: How many Marines will this benefit?
Alison: There are 4 gyms on base where classes are being held; most of the yoga classes are attended by the spouses at this time. There are more than 8,000 residents with access to the gyms; it is the goal to expand the reach of the yoga programs.
Bronwyn: How will they benefit (physically & mindfully) Helpful with PTSD or, other conditions???
Alison: There’s a growing consensus among military doctors, researchers, and veterans themselves, that conventional treatments aren’t always enough to help vets navigate the consequences of PTSD — from unemployment and domestic violence to substance abuse, anxiety, and suicide. In an article from the Huffington Post, “Once dismissed as mere acrobatics with incense, yoga has been found to help ease the pain, stiffness, anger, night terrors, memory lapses, anxiety and depression that often afflict wounded warriors.”
The embrace of yoga — especially among onetime skeptics in “hard-core military circles” — is a step forward in our efforts to give veterans the care they need and deserve. It’s also in line with the latest research and thinking about the destructive force of stress in our lives. The adrenaline-fueled hyper-vigilance that’s so vital to our soldiers in combat zones becomes, for many, a nightmare of anxiety that makes it difficult to function when they come back home. That was the case for Sgt. Senio Martz, a 27-year-old Marine who was knocked unconscious by a roadside bomb when leading his squad through southern Afghanistan in 2011. Today, yoga relieves him from the need to closely monitor his surroundings during the day — an obsession that was also keeping him up at night. “Last night after yoga, I had a good sleep,” he says. “That’s a place I haven’t been in a long, long time.”
Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs researchers have found that yoga’s stretching, breathing techniques and meditation can help calm the part of the brain that the stresses of war kicks into a state of hyper-arousal. And more and more yoga teachers are bringing these practices to the vets who need them. Robin Carnes, who helped develop a program called iRest, found that meditation helps draw patients’ attention inward, away from outside stresses. She also founded “Warriors at Ease,” which trains and certifies yoga teachers to bring calming yoga practices to even more soldiers in need. Using yoga to help returning veterans isn’t as surprising as it might seem. “After all, yoga — a Sanskrit word meaning to ‘join’ or ‘unite’ — dates back to 3,000 B.C., and its basic techniques were used in the 12th century when Samurai warriors prepared for battle with Zen meditation.” [Huffington Post] As more and more skeptics are convinced, and as yoga becomes further ingrained in our military hospitals, that means more veterans will be making deep breathing and Downward Dog part of their recovery regimens.
Bronwyn: What is Namaste’ at 9 on Sunday’s?
Alison: I will be teaching complimentary 1 hour yoga classes at Lululemon in Palm Desert throughout the month of April. Donations of yoga supplies will be accepted at these classes or can be purchased following the classes at a discount.
Throughout the month of April participating yoga/fitness studios will be collecting yoga supplies for donation. Donations can be delivered to any of the following:
Yoga with Alison, Evolve Yoga, Yogability with SueAnn Etebar, Desert Yoga Therapy, Eisenhower Wellness Institute, Quantum Fitness, Urban Yoga, Haute Yoga( offering a free yoga class for those who donate), Haberkorn Chiropractic Yoga Central, lululemon Palm Desert is offering supplies for sale at a discount at point of purchase in April.
Get involved and make a difference for our warriors and their families. For more information contact one of your favorite following participants above or www.alisonharrisyoga.com
Bronwyn Ison is the Owner of Evolve Yoga ~ www.e-volveyoga.com (760)564-YOGA
