IYENGAR YOGA ON A MILITARY BASE HOW ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIERS, VETERANS, AND RETIREES ARE TRANSFORMING THEIR FITNESS ROUTINES—AND THEIR LIVES BY DIANA MARTINEZ
F
rom the beginning of my yoga studies, the sloka at the top of the next page has been ingrained in my memory. The remembrance of its truth has helped me overcome obstacles, both spiritual and practical, in my yoga path, and has helped me stay focused so that I might persevere to see the results of my passion for the art of yoga.
When I first began my journey as a yoga instructor in 1998, my classes were held at Fort Lee, Virginia, a military installation, teeming with soldiers and their immediate families. These first classes had an attendance of two students. I persevered through those humble days, refined my craft, and worked to foster a new community. Now I teach three classes per week with an average of 18 students per class.
Fort Lee is the home of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, the U.S. Army Ordnance School, the U.S. Army Transportation School, and the Army Logistics University. Many of the soldiers stationed here don’t stay for long. Within this transient community, I have seen scores of my students depart Fort Lee, but many return to my yoga classes when they are restationed at Fort Lee to further their military education.
The classes are a mixed group: active duty soldiers, retirees, veterans, spouses, and civilians.
On Aug. 12, 2015, I had the great opportunity to teach about 1,100 soldiers as part of a Fitness Awareness week in conjunction with former Lakers’ basketball player, John Salley.
Preparing for Urdhva Hastasana: Diana Martinez teaches, and John Salley follows instructions.
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Yoga Samachar Spring / Summer 2016
