Anuradha Bhagwati, the first South Asian woman officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, is now out of a former Marine and a writer in Brooklyn. She is also doing something unique: Teaching yoga to military veterans in NYC. Details about the course below.
Asked why yoga would benefit veterans, she told SAJAforum:
The military doesn't teach you how to stand on your feet and deal with the world after you're out. a lot of veterans carry the weight of their time in service with them. They wear the stress and anxiety in their bodies, on their faces, even in their voices. Yoga helps by teaching them to breathe all over again, to listen to stuff that's happening inside the body and not to ignore it--or fight it--like you are trained to do in uniform. The vets are so calm and relaxed after yoga, It's like layers of chaos and worry have literally disappeared.
If you know veterans in the city, please let them know about the details below. Journalists interested in contacted Bhagwati can write to anukristina[at]yahoo.com.
YOGA FOR VETERANS
WINTER CLASSES
Taught by a veteran, these beginning classes are designed to reduce stress and anxiety. Classes include gentle and therapeutic yoga poses, breathing techniques, guided relaxation and meditation. No flexibility or prior experience with yoga is necessary! We can work with injuries—please call if you have any questions. The teacher is a former Marine and close combat instructor trainer.
THURSDAY EVENINGS: JANUARY 8TH – FEBRUARY 26TH
7:00-8:30 pm
ONLY $5 per CLASS at
INTEGRAL YOGA INSTITUTE, 227 West 13th St btw 7th Ave & 8th Ave
To register, call the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) at 212-929-0586 ext 0
IYI offers discounts for Veterans on all classes, workshops, and bookstore items; more info at www.iyiny.org
Post your comments below.
Dear SAJA,
''The military doesn't teach you how to stand on your feet and deal with the world after you're out.''
With due regards to Ms Bhagwati,these lines aptly describe the armed forces.
warm regards,
yours,
ashish dimri
Posted by: ashishdimri | January 10, 2009 at 03:33 AM
a couppla marine friends of mine have on occasion displayed a hair-trigger temperament. one, a vietnam veteran and a commodities trader, disturbed by an economy diving south, ripped into opposite argument almost physically without warning. the other marine, an iraq veteran, a diehard democrat, wouldn't tolerate the presence of a republican on this planet, let alone the argument john was trying to make on behalf of bush a year ago. both marines are bound by their code (sempre something something) and a ferocious but stressful loyalty to this code, which remains internalized for the rest of their lives. it must find an outlet or be subsumed by a self cleansing internal mechanism.
anurada bhagwati's direction will point these guys to the right middle path without converting them to buddhism. she could even recruit richard gere's help to spread the word about the benefits of this ancient indian practice just like 'bikram yoga' did with the help of raquel welch.
moral: yoga is the stepping stone to feeling jolly good, before you get to bollywood and come in contact with your soul that makes you simply a child, which christ said one should be.
Posted by: exsqueeze me | January 10, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I am a Certified Kundalini Yoga teacher in Phoenix Arizona who would like to help our veterans by providing yoga classes. Please advise if you have a contact here at Luke AFB or somewhere where I might volunteer.
Many Thanks,
sayenjole.
Posted by: yoga schools | January 19, 2009 at 03:42 AM
If you are a vet or a concerned yoga teacher, please go to www.yogaforvets.org to see how we are helping vets practice yoga...for free.
Shanti (Peace),
Paul Zipes
Director/Founder
Yoga For Vets
Posted by: Paul Zipes | January 24, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Dear Mr. Zipes,
Good to know about your good deed!
Yoga can help in many ways.
I would suggest you to teach dhyana(meditation) and pranayama(breathing exercises).
warm regards,
yours sincerely,
ashish dimri
Posted by: ashishdimri | January 25, 2009 at 07:02 AM
Ashish,
Of course. Thanks for the suggestions.
Shanti,
Paul
Posted by: Paul Zipes | January 27, 2009 at 02:08 PM