Becoming a Connected Warrior Words can sometimes be tricky, said in a certain way they can be taken differently, especially with teachers. I've had many. What did they say? Did I hear that right? Is what I'm thinking really what was said? One way I know I heard the words the way they were meant to be heard was when I was in the military. No misunderstanding there. Those words were interpreted form the vocal to the physical by responding with the mind and the body working together to perform a certain action. Not too complicated. It's all in the delivery... As time passed and more teachers crossed my path, I learned to hear words differently. Again, sometimes tricky. Was it in the delivery or was I ready to hear in a different way? One day I was invited to experience a yoga class, a class that was especially for military veterans. I thought, hey, this could be good for me. I'm really not getting proper exercise and it would not hurt to work on myself, so I went... Once again, all in the delivery... You could feel right away that this class was different. Maybe it was in the planning, the meetings, the prayers and meditations andthe compassion that seemed to be the foundation and WOW! It was FREE! What's this? Someone had the desire to give back to those who had served their country. How HONORABLE! Anyone can learn through rote, especially me. If I do something enough times I can get fairly good at it as long as I'm shown in the correct way. Once again, all in the delivery... Judy Weaver's class is the epitome of "all in the delivery." No misunderstanding there. The vocal transcends to the physical with the mind and the body working together to perform a certain action except, there's another dimension added in, "Spirit." Hmmm, different... When one of the teachers puts a hand on you, guiding you to the correct position and whispers in your ear, "Breathe," your inner self resonates to that. It's all in the delivery… During one class, going through the practice, some memories came to the surface--some good, and some not so good. Listening to the words, I realized at that moment, my experience allowed me to acknowledge those thoughts that had been buried and was able to release them. It seems that the healing process is a work in progress. My thanks to Judy, David and Ralph for honoring myself and my brothers and sisters by giving of themselves. To assist us to hear those tricky words expressed in a way which opens us up to hear in a different way. Thanks to all those teachers who also assist us with words of encouragement and guide us to reach out. Thanks to James for being instrumental in creating a sacred space that allows us to share and bond in solace without judgment or expectations. It's all in the delivery... The Words "You Are Not Forgotten," I feel, are not just for the Prisoners of War and the Missing in Action but for those of us who were able to come back to this country. My hopes are that this mission endeavors and more veterans will have the opportunity TO HEAR THE WORDS... Namast'e.
How I Met “Yoga”! Although the specific details as to how Ms. Stefanie Gross, a Yoga and Language Arts teacher at Boca Raton High School, approached me to incorporate yoga into my NJOROTC (Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps) program are unclear, the impact she has had on our program is unforgettable. Without a doubt, in hindsight, incorporating yoga into our psychical training was the best thing I could have done for me and my cadets this year. I have been the Commanding officer of the NJROTC program at Boca High for over 15 years. We have been chasing the national title for quite some time, such that it unfortunately became almost routine to come in second or third place. What Ms. Gross brought to our program this year was a way to break the routine. Ms. G and I decided that the cadets would meet twice a week at 7 in the morning. Admittedly, I went to the first couple yoga sessions with common preconceived perceptions about what yoga was and what we were going to do during our time together. I went in the first couple of times expecting one thing, but I always left with something different. I left every session with a sweaty shirt, and eventually, a greater sense of calm, and control of my body and breath. Each time I felt better about myself and definitely appeared to be a less stressed. I knew that if the cadets were going to practice with Ms. “G” twice a week, I had to commit myself to being there – not just in body, but in mind as well. Eventually, being the old guy in the room wasn’t an excuse anymore. I welcomed and met, to the best of my ability, every challenge given. Soon after our sessions began, I was tempted to be upside down in a handstand! As a retired pilot, I have always found comfort in being upside down. When Ms. “G” started instructing the cadets how to do handstands, I was eager to follow. Even though it is with Ms. G’s and the cadets’ assistance, I am able to once again able to see things from an upside down perspective. After winning the State Title, Ms. “G” decided to introduce us to her mentor Judy Weaver from Yoga South. The first class with her was spectacular. Each class with Ms. G and with Judy was different. Some movements were the same, while other new movements were also instructed. No matter the movements, it required control of my breath. I started to do a little research on yoga and came across a lot of information confirming that different military branches were now incorporating yoga into their physical fitness training. With the confirmation that other military branches were practicing yoga and seeing the countless benefits, I knew that Boca High NJROTC had to continue offering yoga to its cadets. At some point towards the end of the year, Judy brought Ralph, a Viet Nam Marine Veteran and partner in the Connected Warriors program, to class. He told us what yoga did for him. I was more convinced, than ever before, that Yoga is what I needed to get fit both mentally and physically. I was elated to hear that the cadets began expressing their enjoyment with program as well. One Friday when we didn’t have school, I decided to visit a Connect Warrior class at Yoga South. I was afraid at first - no Ms “G” (she was late!). But Ralph welcomed me, then other instructors and veterans followed. They all offered me friendship, encouragement and in the end another hand stand! I have noticed the physical improvements in myself including sleeping better, feeling less ankle pain, and seeing better muscle tone. I also noticed that I have a greater sense of balance again. Although still a bit off balance at times, yoga has brought back my ability to balance. I am doing physical things like push ups or chaturanga and planks, which I haven’t done in years! I’d like to think it was the yoga, but it was also the inspiration from Ms “G”, Judy and Ralph. I have seen notable improvements in the Cadets; from their pushups and running, to their academics and drill, the cadets are more focused. They aren’t holding their breath while doing sit-ups or pushups. Overall, yoga has surely enabled them to be more focused. I am a firm believer that yoga helped us win both a State and National Title. I was so proud of our program’s accomplishments that I even did a handstand in front of the General during the award ceremony at Nationals. I want to thank Ms. “G,” Judy and Ralph for their dedication to helping me and the cadets on so many different levels. The hard part about yoga is getting there. Once there, be it Ms. “G”’s, Judy’s or Ralph’s class you will feel better after wards. Finally, “Namaste”! Connected Times Reflections on 60 years of life bring many smiles to my memory. I cherish many loves in my life. I was blessed with so many wonderful people, starting with my adopted parents to the most wonderful gifts the birth of my children and then blessed by the love and friendship of my soul mate, my wife, Betsy. I think the saying is "wherever you go there goes I." Bob always had a habit of being Bob and he was always there. Maybe not having the right thoughts or ideas but he was fun. I fought aggression, wrongdoers (sounds like GW huh?) and unhappy places and people. The problem was the idea that I had to fight. As a Marine you are taught to fight, protect and kill if necessary anybody that is not part of your objective of keeping your fellow Marines, or your Country's ideals or yourself safe. A few years short of 40 years I surrendered my struggles and the fight. Living in peace with the demons of war and hatred and cruelty are an enemy that will not make living pleasant. They have ruled my kingdom for all these years they continue to terrorize to regain the power. In order to survive I now embrace my demons, I know what they are and where they are. Triggers and flashbacks do not, EVER, go away. But through education, love, and trust have helped me to begin realizing how to confront daily non-stop memories. Breathe Bobby, breathe. The aisle in the grocery store is only 250 feet long, but if you see me half way down the aisle, alone, I know your there, behind me, I know how many there are of you and I know that you are not carrying rifles, but know I have to be careful of booby traps, breathe Bobby breathe. Whew I am out of the cereal aisle. And nobody tried to harm me in that aisle (as usual) but the same thing happens in the next aisle. Sometimes I'll just leave. This is an example that I think most of us can relate to. Not the fear of the grocery store aisle but the craziness that PTSD magnifies more and more everyday. I mean come on, when was the last time that you can think of that a North Vietnamese battalion attacked Publix? How about walking around the house at all hours in the night or the inability to sleep because nobody is standing guard duty? Breathe Bobby breathe! A tree line 400 meters away, the same tree line I see everyday now for 10 years It is totally hiding a small force of enemy soldiers, well-trained and ready to kill and die for their beliefs and I am their target. Breathe Bobby, breathe. Do you know tht for the last ten years nobody has ever fired one shot out of that tree line, not one shot. Breathe Bobby, breathe. So what's different? I think I mentioned the word trust. I have a lot of trust in people that have offered to help. A lot of help has come from the V A. But through the VA and some exceptional placed people in my life I am smiling at the tree line and snickering in the grocery store. Still cautious but more relaxed. I recently was introduced to a Yoga class called Connected Warrior. The chemistry was so right for me. The instructor of the class, Judy Weaver began this for one reason and only. Her heart and love were too big not to begin this program for Veterans and their families. A room full of US Veterans, anyone of them I would take a bullet for and them for me. It's understood. Never being involved in any structured Yoga classes I didn't know what to expect. I got more than I expected. Peace! Connected Warrior was started by Judy because of her experience with a young US Army vet who did four tours in Iraq. His body was inflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease. But the soldier never would give up so Judy helped him through Yoga to keep his mind strong. And that is the key that I have taken from this program for me is the importance to keep your mind strong and gain peace however little each day, but find peace, not struggle or fight every way you can. What's better than a room full of Vets and volunteers to gain peace and inner strength? I am different now. I don't walk nightly patrols. I drive safely on 95; I'm no longer a patriot missile in a Mitsubishi. I understand that the fight is over and I am no longer the center of the Universe or the one that they are all trying to kill. It has been a long journey, I don't know why I felt compelled to write this other than it is my way of saying thank you to Judy for her love, time and dedication to assist a son or daughter that may have the same troubles that so many before had to suffer but through this large heart of Connect Warrior do not have to suffer anymore. Bob |