"Yoga for Peace" Stresses Relief for Troops in Iraq

Yogadownload.com, an online virtual yoga studio, has launched "Yoga for Peace," an initiative to help relieve some of the stress on U.S. troops and peace workers in Iraq and other war torn areas of the world. Beginning in November 2006, Jamie Kent, Yogadownload.com's founder and owner, began offering troops and peace workers unlimited free access to the virtual studio's extensive library of classes, meditations and music.

"I came up with the idea when I was watching news coverage about the emotional trauma experienced by our troops in Iraq," Jamie explains. "I was thinking how much those men and women could benefit from a yoga class when I realized that our classes at Yogadownload would be really easy for them to use, even with their limited resources."

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition increasingly experienced by soldiers and other personnel engaging within and working under the conditions of combat. According to an article in the April/May 2006 issue of Yoga International, "Yoga therapy has proven effective for combat veterans with PTSD in terms of positive physical, mental and emotional growth."

The response to "Yoga for Peace" has been phenomenal. Since the program's inception, dozens of military personnel and peace workers have downloaded hundreds of classes. "[Yogadownload.com is] a god-send to so many of us stationed here [in Iraq]! Such a stark contrast to the incredible stress and pressure we find ourselves subject to on daily basis," writes one Sergeant stationed in Iraq, whose name has been withheld for security purposes. Similarly, Tracy Dush, a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in the Federated States of Micronesia, writes, "My main form of stress management is through Yoga. I still can't get over Yogadownload.com's generosity and care. You are truly an amazing group of people."

Military members practicing yoga

Credit: YogaDownload.com

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