Do you practice meditation or yoga? Does it help you manage your symptoms?

Lauren Marsh — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 11:36:02 -0400

PatientsLikeMe members talk about using meditation or yoga to manage their anxiety or pain. Share your experience in the PatientsLikeMe forums - Join in today at http://www.patientslikeme.com/join/rallypoint (it’s free)!

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Response by PO2 Sybil "TT" I. made Nov 4 at 2016 12:09 PM

PO2 Sybil "TT" I. — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:09:54 -0400

When tense, performing yoga positions help stretch the muscles and automaticly forces you to take deeper breathes. So, I find it useful at times. But, really I use it as my excuse for exercise. :) https://goo.gl/images/pVOC50

Image: 1000+ ideas about Funny Yoga on Pinterest | Yoga, Squats Funny and ...

Found on Google from pinterest.com

Response by SGT David Ortiz-González made Nov 4 at 2016 12:19 PM

SGT David Ortiz-González — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:19:46 -0400

When I returned from deployment I had a little bit of anxiety and was able to get through it with meditation and yoga.

It helped me so much so that it has become part of my daily life and as a Behavioral Health Specialist I recommend it to others. Below a link to a post I wrote dedicated to Mindfulness.

http://ptsdchat.org/2016/06/14/mindfulness-ptsd/

Response by Cpl Jerry Millar made Nov 4 at 2016 1:28 PM

Cpl Jerry Millar — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 13:28:53 -0400

YES!
I practice Yin Yoga which limits head-down positions... great for those of us with a history of concussions/TBI! There are also quite a few places here in WA State that will offer reduced/free classes for Service Members and Vets that were deployed (see link below) so I encourage you to take advantage if you can because I pay out of pocket and it is NOT cheap :0/

http://threetreesyoga.com/classes/class_yoga_for_veterans.html

Aside from going to a formal studio though, there are also Yoga groups on meetup.com that you can join where instructors hold classes for free... I have even bartered basic gun safety classes for yoga instruction so get creative and don't take for granted the knowledge that you have to share!

Yoga for Veterans

In collaboration with the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Deployment Health Clinic,Three Trees supports veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD from a recent deployment by offering free yoga classes.

Response by COL Scott Pacello made Nov 4 at 2016 2:08 PM

COL Scott Pacello — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:08:49 -0400

Yes, it helps and is very good for Veterans. I went off antidepressant meds and yoga (hot yoga) helped me greatly and still does today. Also check out connected warriors.org. free Veterans yoga in various places in the country and overseas.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 4 at 2016 6:20 PM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:20:26 -0400

interesting story...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2016 10:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 22:35:08 -0400

I do flotation therapy. It works absolutely amazing for me!!!

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Nov 5 at 2016 4:35 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 16:35:17 -0400

My last year in the Army I did Yoga once per week. It would challenge my body but also help relax the mind.

I also like swimming long distance. About 2 to 3 miles. It is something that helps with my back but also relaxes the mind.

I do want to get back to Yoga. Since I started civilian employment the work hours do not let me do everything I would like. Playing calendar Tetris.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2016 10:28 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 10:28:33 -0500

I tried meditation at one point because of my overall stress level. I just felt really really tired afterwards, not refreshed. I've tried the hypnotizing stuff as well but nothing really comes from it. Yoga and meditation differ with a lot of people; it's just not for me.

Response by 1LT Mike Cogswell made Nov 10 at 2016 12:47 PM

1LT Mike Cogswell — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 12:47:07 -0500

I've done yoga for the past fifteen years. The key is to find a class and teacher(s) that work for you. My experience is that yoga studios tend to have better classes than gyms. The yoga itself can be a type of meditation if done correctly, in that you focus on your position (and the stretching muscles) so much that it's impossible to think of other things. Good therapy for me.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 7:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:55:51 -0400

Lauren Marsh - Like Mindfulness and or CBT.