AU News:Each day, 22 veterans of war take their own lives. In fact, more veterans from the past two wars have taken their own lives than have actually been killed on active duty. Staggering.
Acts of war have their effect on everyone who has experienced them whether or not a veteran is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. Chronic Pain continues to be a problem that has not been addressed. Education is crucial for this population. The physiology and nervous systems of people with PTS or challenges with stress are completely different. And they get themselves in more trouble trying to regain strength with conventional exercise similar to their military training, only to intensify their challenges.
Education about self-care is crucial for this population. The smallest changes can provide big relief. Beginning with:
- Acceptance is the toughest thing for most people dealing with the above challenges. It’s not pathology at work. When stress feels too intense, the brain tells us we’re okay so that we can survive. The higher the stress on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, the more the reptilian brain takes over in this regard, in order to keep us moving forward.
- This is a physical condition a person with high stress always needs to manage. Stress will always hit this population harder because of their compromised physiology. They are more susceptible to it.
- Conventional approaches to physical strengthening don’t apply, especially for veterans. Fitness approaches to combat training might be perfect for war but in ordinary life they can intensify challenges with stress and increase combat with their fellow humans. Fitness is an entirely different paradigm for high stress people.
- It’s vital that veterans find relief from Chronic Pain. It’s not only a terrible state to suffer with, but it also weakens the body and exacerbates Post Traumatic Stress/ Stress Disorders.
Align Up offers a series of exercises well-suited for someone with PTS; they address the limbic system, the reptilian part of the brain.
Though this part of the brain does not work with logic and cannot reason, its main mission is to sense threats to survival and take over when things get too intense. The limbic system receives its cues about safety via the way a person is breathing, their nervous system, and muscles that have clenched during trauma or ongoing high stress.
Align Up classes focus on releasing the tension that builds over time. The physical relief also can alleviate the frustrating and alienating aspects of Post Traumatic Stress.
Align Up is offering a four-week workshop at Orange Yoga for Veterans at 1 p.m., Sundays in June, beginning June 7.
Karen Engler from Align Up is available to discuss physical approaches to reducing the intensity or charge for people dealing with Post Traumatic Stress or with stress disorders.
Upcoming workshops:
WHEN: Every Sunday Beginning at 1 p.m. for Four Consecutive Weeks
Sunday, June 7 Introductory Class: 1-4 p.m.
Sunday, June 14 from 1-3 p.m.
Sunday, June 21 from 1-3 p.m.
Sunday, June 28 from 1-3 p.m.
WHERE: ORANGE YOGA STUDIO
7528 4th St NW Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
COST: $40 (for all four weeks).
For more information, visit alignupabq.com.
