Reservist’s yoga class keeps deployed troops centered

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Soldiers learn to loosen up with yoga

Breathing exercises, postures help forces find focus — and peace



PENSACOLA, Fla. - When Marine Lt. Alan Zarracina finally did the splits after months of struggling with the difficult pose in yoga class, the limber women around him applauded.

Zarracina, a 24-year-old Naval Academy graduate and flight student, admits he would have a hard time explaining the scene to other Marines.

Each class ends with a chant for peace. Then, instructor Nancy La Nasa hands students incense sticks as a gift for their 90 minutes of back bends, shoulder stands and other challenging positions.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13890826/

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Reservist’s yoga class keeps deployed troops centered

By Kelly Kennedy
Staff writer, Army Times

In Iraq as a medic trainer, Maj. Michele Spencer teaches Yoga to soldiers in Baghdad. —

Just after the Muslim evening call to prayers wafts through Baghdad, Maj. Michele Spencer and her students add their own chorus:

Om.

Spencer, a medic training officer with the multinational security transition command in Iraq, teaches about 20 soldiers to channel their energy in her yoga class.

“I believe that I teach with more conscious intention to create peace and share a space where people can come and ‘be one with their breath’ — away from the cacophony of war,” Spencer said by e-mail. “With all that focused intention, I believe the energy synergistically creates healing for all.”

Two years ago, Spencer began teaching yoga as a personal trainer from her home after studying Ashtanga Yoga, and then Power Vinyasa Flow yoga.

Six months ago, when the reservist went to the Green Zone in Iraq with the 9th Brigade, 108th Division out of Charlotte, N.C., she decided the class could provide a calming effect for soldiers facing daily battles with stress. She said at least one other yoga instructor teaches at the embassy.

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http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2436060.php

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1. Great picture in this editorial from Yoga Fit

Didn't know how to extract just the picture to post here, so here's the whole article:

http://www.fityoga.com/006%20FitYoga%20Aug06.pdf