Since 2006, Walter Reed Medical Center has been treating
soldiers diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
using a healing practice employed in ancient India: yoga.
Consisting of a series of physical postures, breathing
techniques, and relaxation strategies, yoga is seen as
instrumental in helping to calm down the autonomic nervous
system, or "fight or flight" brain, that has been overly
stimulated by traumas due to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
PTSD symptoms include upsetting memories, flashbacks,
nightmares, and intense feelings and sensations when reminded of
the trauma. "Yoga is a different way of getting in and trying to
address these symptoms," said one soldier with PTSD who
benefitted from yoga treatment. "Yoga can teach soldiers very
concrete relaxation strategies. It's grounded in many of the
same principles that therapy is grounded in."