First responders highlight the benefits of yoga

BOYNTON BEACH, Florida. This is not typical police training. In fact, officers like Cody Evans ridiculed the idea. Now, he says, he feels the benefits of yoga.

“I really like it,” Evans said.

Recently, police officers came from all over the country to take part in a week-long course at the Boynton Beach Police Department. One of these was a program called Yoga for First Aiders.

“Here we can find another way to reboot, both physically and mentally,” said Taylor Gomez, a course participant.

“Statistically, suicide among first responders outnumbers deaths in the line of duty by 3-400%, so it’s wild. This is a problem and we are solving it,” said Jamie Yeager, Yoga for First Responders instructor.

In a job where burnout seems inevitable, many see the benefit of putting mental health on the mat.

“I could notice while recording with a body camera or just talking to other officers. The ability to remain calm in situations of great stress is only due to what I learned about breathing techniques and how these things helped people get out of this state. situations are safe,” said Karime Massarro, who traveled to the course from Iowa.

Police departments see yoga as a way to improve mental health. Many hope this will grow into a hold and then into the big picture by building better relationships with the communities they signed up to serve and protect.