ALBANY, N.Y., April 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Healthy Living Center is proud to present a yoga series designed exclusively for active duty soldiers, veterans, and their families. "Yoga for American Soldiers" is a free, six-week program that uses yoga and meditation to help veterans and their families quiet the mind and balance the body.
Taught by Yoga Across America instructors, the 60-minute classes teach service members and their families how to balance the mind and body through breathing techniques, meditation, and traditional yoga poses. Classes are open to all fitness levels and skills.
"Regaining the connection with self is invaluable when dealing with the stress from combat. Yoga has helped me reclaim that connection," offered Doug Hildebrand, a Gulf war veteran from Clifton Park.
"As an Army spouse, I am better able to wade through the heavy muck that everyday life and stressful past experiences bring. I have incorporated breathing techniques on a daily basis," added Doug's wife, Coco Hildebrand.
According the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In clinical trials, the VA reports that yoga and meditation provided moderate to significant decreases in PTSD symptoms among affected vets.
Classes will be held at 10:45 a.m. each Saturday from April 11-May 16. To register, visit www.healthyalbany.org or contact info@healthyalbany.org or by phone at (518) 729-4732. While you're there, click on the schedule for the full list of upcoming classes.
About the Healthy Living Center
The Healthy Living Center is community-based wellness center located inside Hannaford at 900 Central Ave in Albany. The Center is a partnership between the YMCA, CDPHP, and Hannaford.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=31963
