Meditation and/or yoga for stress relief. Yes or No???

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:31:04 -0400

Do you think these methods are helpful for Vets suffering from PTSD or other mental health issues?

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Jun 4 at 2015 4:33 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:33:13 -0400

Meditation for stress relief. Yoga is not conducive to my physical condition.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 4 at 2015 4:43 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:43:23 -0400

I've done yoga as a form of stress relief. The yoga was specifically designed for people with PTSD and taught in a manner to best set the class up for success and I found it to be great.

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made Jun 4 at 2015 5:59 PM

SGT Kevin Brown — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 17:59:15 -0400

After being on too many meds to count I find alternative medicine to be my best friend. Meditation, Tai Chi and some Yoga have really helped me out. Staying active, working out and getting involved in the martial arts (Taekwondo, Combat Hapkido and Krav Maga) have also done wonders. I can also say that these activities have not only helped with PTSD, but my chronic pain as well. I haven't found a cure for either yet, but I get more relief from the above activities then I ever did downing medication.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 1:26 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:26:51 -0400

I'm happy that this was brought up , but a littel saddened by the lack of repsonses, I'ma 68X( Behavioral Science) NCO and am a HUGE advocate of alternative therapies. this was something I did , along with ear acupuncture when I was deployed in 2009-2010 for many of my guys , the yoga was first just a stress reliever for me as well as pain management for an rotator cuff tear. by the end of my deployment I had upward to 20 plus people , every sunday , and this was something I started at teh back endof my deployment(last 3 months, I truly believe that if mental health is going to not be a problem or a stigman it must be acknowledged and addressed not with talk form higher ups , but my peers here supporting it and having a relationsship . I would love to say that I hav enot met resistance just among my fellow AMEDD fellow NCO's as pertain to BH, so until this is truly a team effort to address and adjust/attack, this will continue to be a team problem

Response by SSgt Anthony Parmenter made Jul 16 at 2015 10:31 AM

SSgt Anthony Parmenter — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:31:12 -0400

Yoga Nidra (yoga for relaxation) has been researched and evidence-based for decreasing the severity of symptoms of PTSD and anxiety, and increasing skills necessary for managing them when they show up (look up iRest Yoga). The program that I work in, as a therapist, is specially designed for Uniformed Service professionals (http://www.brattlebororetreat.org/usp). We use this form of yoga daily along side mindfulness meditation, Qi Gong, and fly fishing as a way to actively practice acceptance-based coping skills for distress. In the past 5 years, I have only witnessed positive results during treatment and many people continue practicing when they leave. This type of yoga is adaptable for anyone, no matter what their physical condition, as long as that person is willing.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 22 at 2015 3:16 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:16:11 -0400

MEDITATION AND BREATH MEDITATION ARE HELPFUL FOR PTSD, TBI, AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES, I know because I have those issues and meditation and Power Breath works for me and those vets that attend.

Response by SGT Scott Curtice made Jul 23 at 2015 2:31 PM

SGT Scott Curtice — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:31:37 -0400

can't speak to PTSD or mental health issues, but for chronic pain yoga has been extremely helpful. Med discharge after 12 years in Army for spinal injury and arthritic body, yoga has been a wonderful find

Response by PO2 Brandon Boucher made Aug 3 at 2015 12:47 AM

PO2 Brandon Boucher — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 00:47:24 -0400

Absolutely! I had such a tremendous experience with healing through meditation that I went and got certified on how to facilitate that Meditations! There are a ton of studies recently released that express the benefits of Meditation and Mindfulness, I'm working with a local Veteran's group to put together a program for the benefit of the guys here in MA.

The type of meditation I facilitate is called Max Meditation, it was created in the 80's and it combines Eastern Philosophy and Western Psychology. The creator was from Europe and traveled to India and Tibet to learn from the ancient masters, what he learned was that Western minds weren't developed or even understood what Mindfulness really meant, let alone how to drop into a meditative state.

Max Meditation is a 5 part guided meditation that features a body relaxation, a Passive Meditation, Active Meditation, a guided visualization, and then a soothing down segment. It is designed so that even the most active mind can drop into a theta brainwave state for a restorative and refreshing experience. Chances are there is a Max Med near you! :)

Response by Thomas Weissmuller made Apr 7 at 2016 7:46 AM

Thomas Weissmuller — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 07:46:50 -0400

Harvard Medical School has done extensive studies on yoga. The studies were instrumental in forging the veterans yoga project. Yoga practice demonstrated lowered cortisol and increased gama-aminobeuteric acid levels immediately upon practicing yoga and substantially modified levels with continued practice. Intensive physical training in calm settings also helps calm the body. Look for free yoga near you.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2017 7:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:54:41 -0400

A great idea!

Response by Cpl Armando Mireles made Jun 30 at 2017 5:26 PM

Cpl Armando Mireles — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:26:49 -0400

Yes, along with music or playing guitar.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 5:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 17:54:51 -0400

I've been doing Yoga since getting off Active Duty in 2015, it's helped me out alot. Alleviates alot of the aches and pains, generally gives me a better mood throughout the week. My wife even noted a distinct shift in my attitude. I recommend it

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2017 6:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:57:45 -0400

Yes, finding ones inner most self can be a vital step in addressing and helping deal with PTSD and other stress disorders. Through meditation, I finally tamed the demons that were eating me inside and I have found a sense of inner peace

Response by HN Tiffany Taft made Apr 9 at 2020 8:27 AM

HN Tiffany Taft — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 08:27:27 -0400

I have a daily practice of both meditation and yoga. One of the best wellness things I ever did for me.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2022 5:08 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:08:13 -0400

Meditation is observing yourself and your thoughts.