A Path for Healing & Recovery provides practices that have been proven effective in helping prisoners to gain insight into unconscious patterns of thinking and compulsive behavior. They have also greatly helped in improving their overall quality of life – mentally, emotionally and physically. Although this program has been developed through years of experience teaching yoga to incarcerated youth and adults, it focuses on the self-reflection and personal discipline necessary for one to lead a more conscious life, whether incarcerated or free. It is a powerful resource for anyone trying to break free of negative behavioral patterns. The book contains guides for physical practice (asana), breathing (pranayama) and meditation (dyhana).
This book has now been sent to almost 7,000 prisoners across the country.
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This year the Give Back Yoga Foundation has helped create and distribute empirically-informed multi-media resources developed by teachers through their practical and clinical experience working with veterans coping with PTSD and other psycho-emotional stress. While benefiting trauma patients safely and comfortably, these resources can be used by anyone dealing with stress.
We have distributed these resources to over forty VA hospital facilities, various Soldier and Family Assistance Centers, and wellness programs for wounded warriors across the country. Our goal is to reach 10,000 veterans with our complete suite of resources. Over 2,500 veterans have received our "toolkit".
Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans Coping with Trauma is a collection of simple but effective yoga practices developed by Suzanne Manafort and Dr. Daniel Libby through practical and clinical experience working with Veterans coping with PTSD and other psycho-emotional stress. While benefiting trauma patients safely and comfortably, the practices can be used by anyone dealing with stress.
The Give Back Yoga Foundation is making this manual available for free to Veterans and VA hospitals. It is also available on our website, http://givebackyoga.org/shop/mindful-yoga-therapy-for-veterans-coping-with-trauma, if you would like to purchase the book and support free distribution to Veterans. This practice guide includes a supplement (poster-size) of the yoga practices.
Help our heroes transition back to a civilian lifestyle by giving them easy access to mindfulness meditation. Veterans who take the class at the Washington, DC VA say mindfulness meditation helps them sleep better! Access is easy and anonymous. http://ow.ly/eAj77
Testimonials!
I was introduced to yoga during my time at the PTSD Rehabilitation Residential Program in Newington, CT. The Veterans Yoga Program has been incredibly helpful to me in coping with my PTSD. Yoga is like a gyro that brings me back into equilibrium when dealing with the effects of my disorder. The more I practice, the more my symptoms are mitigated. Yoga has helped to reduce my anxiety and has improved my ability to focus. I like the challenge of doing something that tests my abilities and rewards me with observable progress which keeps me motivated. I think of Yoga as survival training for the veteran’s mind, body, and soul. -Paul, Vietnam War Veteran
I teach yoga for veterans at the VA in Topeka, Kansas. The VA has a 24 bed/7 week program. The Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans Coping with Trauma book and the 2 CD's have been helpful with information about Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). It describes PTS and gives you a tool-box to help veterans break the cycle with breathing techniques, mindful movement with a practice guide, Yoga Nidra, Meditation and Gratitude. It is concisely written with great information. The CDs that come with it are well done and helpful for my classes. -Sidney
I wanted to take a moment to thank you and the organization for the CDs and Veterans Yoga Project practice guide. The audio CDs were great quality, and I think they would be an asset to any Vet or active duty service member looking to use pranayama and yoga nidra as tools in managing PTSD or other trauma. We've been working with Vets in Houston for over two years, and looking to increase our footprint very soon. Harris county (Houston's location) has the second highest population of military Veterans in the US, and our VA medical center is one of the largest anywhere. So, we have a significant population here that needs our help. Thanks again for your interest and great work in this community. -Carl Salazar, Founder and Executive Director, Expedition Balance, Houston, TXCarl is the founder of Expedition Balance, its Executive Director, and a founding boar
"Yoga has helped my racing mind stop racing". –Heather, Iraqi War Veteran
"Yoga Nidra helps me access the true me." -Diane, Saigon 70
"Yoga and this practice guide is my personal pathway to paradise." -D,Veteran
"Mindful Yoga Therapy brings clarity to my life." -Veteran
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