Trauma is not an event. It is not something that happens to an individual. Rather, it is an internal response to external stimulus. That stimulus might relate to military combat, sexual assault, witnessing a tragic scene, a childhood experience or any form of distress. There is no continuum or degree of measure. Trauma is trauma.

Dragonfly Yoga currently offers a free Reboot session on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m., for ages 18 and up. Lori Dierig is a fifth-grade teacher in Fort Walton Beach and a certified yoga instructor, including certification in Levels I and II Warriors at Ease Trauma-Informed Yoga.

Reboot is a program that combines simple yoga postures to release physical tension from the body, followed by breathing techniques and Nidra-based deep rest. Together, these strategies guide participants to calm and regulate their nervous systems and, with continued practice, can lead to improved sleep, focus, pain management, learning, decision-making, relationships and general lifestyle.

According to research, military-heavy communities like Northwest Florida can have higher numbers of people who live with symptoms of trauma as compared to the U.S. norm. It has been shown that there are many possible symptoms of trauma including, but not limited to, disturbed sleep and frequent nightmares, angry outbursts, reliving troublesome memories, difficulty with focus and concentration, difficulty learning or remembering new information, pounding heart, difficulty breathing, sweating, emotional numbness, avoiding people or places associated with a traumatic event, feeling highly alert, easily startled or feelings of guilt, shame, depression or worry.