PTSD Veterans Use Yoga To Learn To Calm Down Again

Veteran helps other vets through yoga therapy
KRDO News
Emily Allen
Multimedia Journalist
Target 13 Investigator
POSTED: Nov 19, 2014

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.
Students gathered Wednesday for a yoga class aimed at helping veterans and others cope with mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder.

The class is offered at Hot On Yoga and taught by a veteran, Jason Smiley. When Smiley got his teaching certificate for yoga, he wasn't thrilled about the idea of teaching people who were solely focused on the physical aspect of the practice. He looked into therapeutic yoga and found a national program called Yoga For Veterans.

"Everyone can use yoga, that's for sure, but there are so many veterans and their families that are in need of this kind of help at this point in time," said Smiley.

Smiley collaborated with Hot On Yoga studio owner Mike Gumucio to create a class called "Mindful Resilience" focused on mental healing.

Smiley joined the Army right after high school and feels that being a veteran helps him connect with other veterans during yoga.

"I feel like it's very easy for vets to connect with other vets and that's part of the reason I want to be teaching these classes," said Smiley.

Teaching the program has also benefited Smiley.

"I have some of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder so I feel like this class really helped me and I believe that it has the capacity to help other people in the same way," said Smiley.
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