Evergreen: A Center for Balanced Living (Formerly Evergreen Cove) is pleased to announce two fall programs exclusively for military veterans and active duty personnel. As a way of thanking those who have volunteered and sacrificed for our country, Evergreen will be offering Yoga for Military Veterans, led by Carolyn Brennan, RN, RYT, Operation Desert Storm veteran and former U.S. Army nurse; and Mindfulness Meditation for Military Veterans, led by Bob Hyman, experienced meditator and Vietnam –era veteran.
Modern science has begun to validate both yoga and meditation’s healing effects. Increasingly, innovative programs and services such as these are being made available to military veterans to help them cope with the stress associated with reintegrating into their communities, as well as with combat-related anxiety and PTSD. However, most of these programs are located in major metropolitan areas or areas with a strong military presence. As a result, rural military veterans have less access to these types of services and resources. Evergreen’s Military Veterans Project seeks to address the needs of our local heroes.
Yoga for Military Veterans is a series of six classes on Monday afternoons from 9/17-10/29 (no class on 10/8) from 12:00-1:15 PM. Carolyn Brennan will help participants explore simple movement and breathing practices that aid in healing the body, focusing the mind and reducing stress. The practice of yoga actually creates mental and physical change, helping soldiers deal with challenges before, during and after deployment. Learning yoga can help with chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression. In conjunction with conventional psychotherapy, yoga can help those dealing with the aftereffects of exposure to combat and trauma. No previous yoga experience is required for this course. There is a $25 fee to participate that is fully refundable upon completion of the program.
Mindfulness Meditation for Military Veterans is a series of five classes on Tuesdays evenings from 9/18-10/16 from 6-7:30 PM. Bob Hyman will help participants learn how to find balance in the midst of change and challenge. Everyone has stress in their lives. Mindfulness meditation provides techniques that effectively help participants deal with difficult past events (even PTSD) and everyday upsets as they occur. This class teaches breath and body-based practices that help to bring balance, resilience and presence to life. To reap the full benefit of this class, participants are asked to complete weekly “homework” assignments by practicing various short mindfulness exercises on a daily basis. There is a $25 fee to participate that is fully refundable upon completion of the program.
All active duty military and military veterans are welcome to participate in either program, regardless of age or physical ability. For more information, or to register, call Evergreen at (410) 819-3395 or visit www.evergreencove.org.
Evergreen Center for Balanced Living is an Easton-based 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for growth and wellness by offering innovative programs, services and resources to the Mid-Shore community. In addition to its regular schedule of classes and workshops, Evergreen has offered special programs, such as a day-long retreat for breast cancer survivors, yoga classes for people with autoimmune disorders and other physical challenges, and weight loss and smoking-cessation programs. Ongoing programs address stress, pain, osteoporosis, injury recovery, and depression.