Mind over matter

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Although the Veterans Yoga Project website uses this lighthearted image of servicemen in uniform as its website cover photo, the organization is serious about the benefits of yoga to veterans. (photo credit: Robert Sturman)

GREENFIELD — “Yoga is about clearing away whatever is in us that prevents our living in the most full and whole way,” says Cybele Tomlinson, director of the Berkeley Yoga Center. Which is why it’s a perfect fit for veterans according to yoga enthusiast Jamie Rousch.

“A lot of veterans have PTSD with a lot of physical and mental issues,” Rousch said. “It just makes sense.”

With the help of Greenfield Fitness, Rousch, who regularly attends yoga classes there, enlisted the support of the yoga community in celebration of Veterans Yoga Month. At 4 p.m. on Nov. 10, 17 and 24, Greenfield Fitness, 20 E. Main St., will open its facility to veterans and members of the public (age 16 or older) for a three-week hour-long yoga class. Admission for veterans is free; freewill donations will be accepted for others wanting to participate. Participants may attend all three sessions or just one.

Greenfield Fitness yoga instructor Tiffany Akins said the class will begin with the basics: poses, breathing and meditation.

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The Facebook page for the event says: “No experience? No flexibility? No problem!” Akins and Rousch encourage everyone to “just come out and try it.”

Rousch’s experience with yoga began five years ago when she began to feel overwhelmed by life circumstances. Her sister and mother had passed away within a 60-day period, and she’d been diagnosed with a painful illness.

“I hated the world at that point,” Rousch said, and so she took up yoga — with positive results. Rousch credits yoga instructor Susan Goodart, who will also be leading veteran yoga classes, with turning her life — and health — around.

“It’s really amazing,” Rousch said. “It kind of sneaks up on you and helps you. It helped my anxiety, my depression, my sleep, my pain — and my focus. There’s bad stuff everywhere, but there’s a lot of good stuff, too. Without Susan, I probably wouldn’t be walking.”

When Rousch saw an article about the Veterans Yoga Project in an issue of her husband’s VFW Magazine, she thought it was a perfect fit. Yoga was being added into veterans’ physical therapy and fitness programs in an effort for them to realize the mind-body connection.

The Veterans Yoga Project a growing national movement, was founded in 2010. A visit to the organization’s website (veteransyogaproject. org) reveals a wealth of positive affirmations and countless testimonials from veterans of their experiences with the program. With a mission statement to “create positive change in the world by supporting our communities’ most valuable assets: veterans,” the keyword is resilience.

Army veteran and veterans’ advocate Kurt Vetters agrees: “Veterans, like everyone else, have to take charge of their own health. If you’re not exercising you’re ensuring a lack of resilience,” Vetters said. “Yoga is a terrific step on this journey. If an old tank commander like me can do yoga, anyone can.”

To get the project underway, Rousch enlisted Akins’ help. Yoga had been instrumental in Akins’ journey to sobriety 15 years ago and is now a huge part of her life. In addition to Greenfield Fitness classes, Akins volunteers her time by sharing yoga with The Landing and the Talitha Koum Recovery Center.

Akins, whose distinctive appearance includes numerous piercings and tattoos, especially enjoys meeting with the teens.

“I can go in there and be different and show them they can be whoever they are and still be cool and have a regular sober happy life as well,” Akins said.

As for the Veterans Yoga Project, it just kind of landed in her lap, Akins said.

“I just dove right in and got really excited about it,” Akins said. “It’s going on everywhere, and we’re trying to get it going on here, too.”

Rousch wants to get the word out to veterans that there is an alternative to medicines.

“It’s not an easy fix,” Rousch adds. “It’s a dedication, but a lot of military people already have that dedication.”

Those wanting to participate should call Rousch at 317-586-0385 to register to attend, but walk-ins are welcome as well.

“It’s not a fad. We’re not doing yoga with dogs or goats. It’s not silly poses,” Rousch said. “It’s realizing there’s another alternative and a commitment to taking control of your own health.”