West Des Moines Police Practice Yoga As A Way To Reduce Stress

WEST DES MOINES, IA. -- Training for members of the West Des Moines Police Department this week consisted of a focus on breathing and relaxation techniques as a means to improve the mental and physical health of emergency service workers. The four-hour program was all about yoga.

The session on Wednesday was conducted by the nonprofit program Yoga For First Responders, which bases the lessons on trauma-sensitive yoga and mindfulness while adding physical challenges and mental training.

Olivia Kvitne, founder of the program, has worked with veterans and members of the military on similar yoga programs and taught trauma-­sensitive yoga and resiliency training to the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department. She led the West Des Moines session and will conduct a free session for the public on Saturday at Peace Tree Brewing Co. in Des Moines.

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Kvitne's program stresses the benefits of yoga for emergency personnel because they tend to "witness more trauma, loss, death and destruction than the average citizen will see in a lifetime," according to her website. Kvitne estimated that 25 percent to 30 percent of police officers have stress-based physical health problems and 40 percent suffer from sleep disorders, her website says, adding: "Numbers are rising for post-traumatic stress among all emergency personnel; 18 percent in police officers, 10 to 37 percent in fire service."

Saturday Yoga Program

There is no fee for the hourlong yoga session beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Peace Tree Brewing Co., 317 E. Court Ave., but donations will be accepted to help Yoga For First Responders continue community outreach efforts. Merchandise also will be sold to benefit the organization. Registration is requested in advance. Click here to sign up.

Photo via West Des Moines Police Department website