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Friday, March 11, 2011
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The Army Starts to Om |
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As part of an overhaul to Army physical fitness training, yoga is being incorporated into new training protocols intended to minimize injury and optimize physical performance, endurance, and recovery time among trainees and soldiers. This is partially in response to research indicating the limited utility and detrimental health effects of pushing soldiers to the max in training and the field without affording adequate recovery or conditioning.
While the reasons cited for incorporating yoga into the military appear largely physical, research increasingly suggests yoga’s potential for other health concerns relevant to those in the armed services. Given yoga’s promise as a therapeutic intervention, The DoD has awarded a grant to explore its efficacy in treating PTSD among returning veterans, and the Walter Reed Medical Center currently offers Richard Miller’s iRest Yoga Nidra protocol to veterans suffering from PTSD. Beyond the undisputed utility of yoga to the military, however, are potential ethical concerns. Optimistically we can argue that yoga may foster compassion, resilience, and stress management, which could hypothetically result in less sexual harassment and assault within the military, less PTSD (and improved ability to cope with the symptoms of PTSD), and fewer reports of torture, crime and abuse. On the other hand, giving yoga to soldiers to turn them into more effective agents of unjust wars may be problematic. The Bhagavad Gita, the seminal yogic scripture, speaks to this. In the orthodox view, battle is a necessary evil, and so long as one is battling in integrity with a just cause and does so in an honorable way, for those whose dharma is the warrior caste, it’s a noble—if also irrevocably tragic--endeavor. In the mystical view, the battle depicted in the Gita in no way condones literal battle, but refers to the conflict between one’s higher and lower self. Many in the armed forces feel they are serving for a cause that is personally meaningful. Rather than fall into the trap of dualistic thinking and condemn yoga in the military in the fear that it implicitly endorses war, a more inclusive perspective may be in order. Aside from its injustice and requisite suffering, war is a reality of our world today. Yoga empowers individuals to make choices that are in integrity and alignment with their core values, rather than perpetuating the status quo. Awakening some to the awareness that they have a choice to make a difference in the challenging circumstances of war would seem reason enough to champion its inclusion in military settings. Do you think it is a good idea to incorporate yoga into the Army's physical fitness training? 4 Comments
What amazing news! It speaks volumes to me that an institute which evokes imageries of brute force and aggression to embrace yoga as a therapeutic alternative is simply wonderful. Our troops are in need of so much support from us; it's good to see that more is indeed being done to help heal wounds: the physical and psychological.
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March 11, 2011
I think it's great to add yoga to the army's training. The men and women will benefit in mind body and spirit from yoga. I have been practicing yoga since 1992 and it is something I will continue to do for life. Yoga helped me give up drinking in 1996 and it has helped with the stresses of life since. Namaste Troops!
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March 11, 2011
I think it's great. How wonderfully healing to have the ability to find your center amid chaos!! Jai!
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March 15, 2011
i think its really great that yoga is being put out there like that. thats really amazing
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August 18, 2011
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Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted--a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. Rabbi Harold Kushner |
Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
