BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – This week, Bryan firefighters are participating in tactical yoga sessions designed to enhance their physical and mental health, as part of the city’s Well(th) Initiative program.
Firefighting is a demanding profession that can take a significant mental toll on first responders. In an effort to mitigate these effects, the City of Bryan has introduced the Well(th) Initiative, aiming to help firefighters stay mentally and physically fit to continue serving the community effectively.
The tactical yoga sessions, a core component of the Well(th) Initiative, will be held from Tuesday through Thursday at Bryan Fire Stations 1, 2, and 5. The sessions are open to the entire Bryan Fire Department.
Greg Propst, co-founder of the Well(th) Initiative, emphasized the program’s focus on three key areas: fitness and prevention, nutrition, and injury rehab and recovery. “The science says that there is quite a bit that we can do with yoga, with meditation, with breath work, with resetting our neurological system, and that’s where we are now – bringing that piece in and really focusing on that,” said Propst.
Sheila Schmid, a tactical yoga instructor from Washington, was brought in to lead the sessions. Schmid explained that tactical yoga is a specialized movement system designed specifically for first responders, aimed at reducing stress and preventing injuries to improve job performance. “This yoga is particularly designed around standing balance poses that are held. There’s no music, no bells and whistles, just utilizing the 3-part breath. It is a very focused training tool, particularly for first responders,” said Schmid. “It gives them tools that will help them be more effective on the front lines, but in particular prevent some of the merely physical and physiological issues that come with being a first responder.”
Firefighters who took part in the sessions reported finding the experience both enjoyable and stress-relieving. “Just a good time to shut your mind off, work on your breathing, and maybe just kind of shut the world off around you,” said probationary firefighter Erick Torres. Probationary firefighter Cole Gibson added, “Seeing the senior guys who are tougher guys, seeing them get into those poses, it was nice to see. Just kind of learned something new, just kind of relaxed. We do a lot of hard training around here so it’s a good change of pace to stretch and decompress a little bit.”
The Well(th) Initiative plans to extend beyond this one-week program by offering virtual yoga sessions for firefighters to use in the future. The Bryan Fire Department hopes to continue the program beyond its initial three years and potentially expand it to include all first responders in Bryan.
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