The quiet room smells faintly of eucalyptus and lavender, the lights are low and combat veterans are lying on mats, their eyes closed. The veterans are part of the Medical Center’s (DCVAMC) Yoga Nidra Class.

The classes are offered by the DCVAMC’s War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) through its new Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) program.

Nidra, which translates to "yogic sleep", is one of the strongest forms of relaxation techniques. Preliminary results from a Walter Reed Army Medical Center study show Nidra Yoga is helpful to soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. This ancient style of yoga which resembles guided meditation is just one facet of DCVAMC's new healing therapies provided to veterans.

The classes are offered on Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. These classes are exclusively targeted for combat veterans at this time. No physical exercise is involved.

DCVAMC is also offering acupuncture sessions to combat OEF and OIF veterans with a consult through WRIISC. Acupuncture can provide temporary relief from chronic pain and is an adjunct to other traditional therapies. Group classes are available to any veteran Thursdays at 12:30 pm. Group classes open only to OEF and OIF veterans are available Thursdays at 3:30 pm.

Although yoga and acupuncture have been practiced for centuries, they are fairly new to Western traditional medicine. Veterans have been asking for complementary therapies and medical practitioners at DCVAMC are adding them in a more holistic approach to medicine. Plans are in the works to offer massage therapy services to qualifying veterans in the near future. Contact Bonnie Benetato, 202-745-8000 x7124 for more information.