by Valeria González Montero
Each week Veteran Terps at the University of Maryland have the opportunity to focus on themselves in a yoga class strictly for veterans.
Marine Corps Veteran Hannah Boss instructs the veterans.
“Whenever you get out of the military, veterans have troubles getting out and doing things that are strictly just for themselves,” said Boss, a sophomore neuroscience and kinesiology double major.
This yoga program is part of the Veteran Student Life at UMD, which aims to build a community of veterans and people connected to the military at UMD, according to its website. It aims to help veterans transition from military back to civilian life.
Veteran Student Life advertises the yoga class as a place for veterans to relax and to heal from PTSD and pain. Some elite military teams like the Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets have incorporated yoga aspects into their mission preparation, according to Veteran Student Life. Boss said the yoga sessions are extremely valuable because the veterans are usually focused on others and not enough on themselves.
“Veterans are little superheroes, and so it’s impossible to get them to go out and actually do something for themselves. This is a chance for them to do that.”
Will Jones, a sophomore studying information science and U.S. Army veteran, highly recommends yoga.
“I was skeptical about it when I first started it as many military men are, but after doing it and experiencing its benefits, it’s definitely amazing,” he said. “We, as veterans, are generally far from flexible. Our joints hurt, our backs ache, and cardio is the last thing on our to-do list.”
The yoga class is held every Tuesday and Thursday in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. Two to five veterans attend every class, Boss said
“It’s a good attendance. That way it’s like a nice homey community, we have a little family. A little yoga family,” she said.
Sometimes, Boss does yoga with the veterans, other times she stands at the front of the room and instructs the veterans. Her class begins with mentions about the origins of yoga and the importance of practicing it. It’s promoted as a beginner class that will increase difficulty as the semester progresses.
“It’s suitable for yogis of all experience levels, and is referred to by us as ‘Yoga for Non-Yogis’,” Boss said.
The class opens to the entirety of the university every year close to Veteran’s Day.
“Anybody is welcome, but you get what you get,” said Boss.
Eadon Marstall, a psychology freshman on the pre med track, went to the yoga class that was open for all of the campus community. “I just expect it to be kind of a relaxing and enjoyable experience, kind of a break from class and assignments.” She said that during midterm season things get more overwhelming.
Another non-veteran student in the yoga class was Becky Jones, an information management graduate student and Will Jones’ sister.
“I love yoga, but I haven’t really practiced with other people in a long time. It was really good to get back into practice actually in person and not through video,” Becky Jones said, “I just think it’s a great practice for you to be able to center yourself and just devote a couple of minutes to yourself in a busy day especially for college students.”
Boss emphasized the fact that they have a good community on campus.
“We are so lucky to go to UMD because of how much support there is for veterans and the veteran community.”
Featured image: Veterans doing a yoga pose on Nov. 9. Photo by Valeria González Montero.