Coronado, CA – Annika Rustad, a pioneering figure in the U.S. Army and one of the first women to serve as an infantry officer, is bringing her passion for yoga and mindfulness to the Coronado Fitness Club. Known for her resilience and dedication, Rustad will host a free yoga class on Saturday, November 9, at 9 a.m. to celebrate Veterans Day. The class is open to all community members.
While serving in Eastern Europe, Rustad earned her 200-hour yoga certification, overcoming significant challenges, including living in a tent with 60 men. Her journey through the military has been marked by adversity, including two traumatic brain injuries sustained during her service. “Practicing yoga and mindfulness has been instrumental in my recovery,” Rustad said.
Rustad’s military career began after she was inspired by her brother, a West Point graduate. After the Army opened combat roles to women in 2016, she became the first female officer to commission from the San Diego-based ROTC program, graduating in 2019. Her training at Fort Moore, Georgia, was intense; she was one of only eight women in a class of 208 and faced numerous physical challenges, including carrying heavy rucksacks designed for men.
Despite the support from her peers, Rustad encountered significant obstacles from superiors who were less welcoming. After completing her training, she and her fellow female trainees were not allowed to participate in the traditional celebration for infantry graduates. “We were pulled aside and told to sit on our rucks,” she recalled.
Rustad’s military experience included grappling with the fallout from the murder of fellow soldier Vanessa Guillen and navigating a culture that often marginalized women. Following her first traumatic brain injury in 2022, Rustad underwent a lengthy recovery process, during which she returned to yoga to help manage her symptoms.
“I wanted to deploy, so I pushed through,” she said. However, while stationed on the border of Belarus, she suffered a second injury that exacerbated her mental health struggles. To cope, Rustad turned to her long-held desire to teach yoga, leading daily classes for her fellow soldiers despite initial resistance.
As her classes gained traction, she noticed a shift in her tent’s atmosphere. “Everyone seemed to have a better attitude,” she observed. Teaching became her true passion, and she recognized the power of mindfulness in transforming lives, particularly in high-stress environments.
Now based in Coronado, Rustad runs her own business, Siren Wellness, where she teaches mindfulness and resilience techniques to first responders and military personnel. “There’s a real need for these resources,” she said, highlighting the ongoing mental health crisis within the armed services.
Rustad invites the community to join her for the free Veterans Day yoga class at Coronado Fitness Club, emphasizing her commitment to helping others find moments of peace and mindfulness. “If helping someone take a mindful moment gives them a second chance, I’ll do whatever it takes to provide that,” she stated.
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