After a stressful shift, a first responder needs to rest, recover, nourish with good food, exercise to burn off anxious energy, and sleep peacefully. A practice like yoga is powerful in helping the body and mind return to a state of regulation and cope with hypervigilance. First responders who practice yoga on the job can learn to regulate their breathing and avoid going into fight-or-flight mode as quickly.
Yoga at South County Fire
Implemented in 2021, the department has three certified yoga instructors who specialize in working with first responders. Contact the Peer Fitness TAG to schedule a class at your station.
Academy Yoga Feedback
"Yoga was important on the difficult days to help keep the body from getting stiff."
"The best part was yoga by far!"
"As many have said, we loved yoga, the flexibility and mobility was huge for me."
"Liked yoga for mobility, thanks for the body movement time and exercise instruction"
"The best part was yoga by far!"
"As many have said, we loved yoga, the flexibility and mobility was huge for me."
"Liked yoga for mobility, thanks for the body movement time and exercise instruction"
Benefits of Yoga
- Decrease stress
- Reduce anxiety and depression by decreasing cortisol levels
- Improve mood and reduce fatigue for an overall better quality of life
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve cardiac health by reducing heart rate and blood pressure
- Reduce chronic pain
- Improve sleep quality
- Increase flexibility and balance
- Improve breathing and lung function
- Reduce headache frequency and intensity
Yoga for First Responders
Providing first responders with traditional yoga training that is culturally informed and job specific for the purposes of effectively processing stress, building resilience, and enhancing performance. Check them out here.
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Virtual Yoga Classes
20 Minutes
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30 Minutes
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