Yoga
Yoga Instructor
Jessica N. Astorga has been a registered nurse for over 20 years and is currently studying to become a Holistic Nurse Coach and Nurse Practitioner. She is also a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Veterans Yoga Project. Jessica served 13 years in the Air Force as a Critical Care Nurse and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan caring for injured military personnel and civilians. Jessica uses a combination of restorative and yin yoga linking the breath with relaxation and invites all to join her in a safe and calm environment of yoga.
Restorative Yoga
This practice is designed to restore and relax both physical and emotional states. Props or gear are used in this class to support your body throughout the entire class allowing a balance between gravity and gear (props) to release tension and tightness. There is not a lot of moving in the practice as poses can be held for a few to several minutes. All ages, all levels of yoga experience, and all stages of health can participate in restorative yoga. Restorative yoga is about opening, not stretching by finding a position of ease that supports you while consciously letting go and resting.
Yin Yoga
Like restorative yoga, Yin classes are passive. Poses are held for a few minutes to allow for a deeper release within the fascia compared to the more active classes which stretch the more superficial muscles. Yin yoga focuses on stretching deeper connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and deep fascia by centering on stillness and an emphasis on longer, deeper stretching of the tissues that surround your body's moving parts. You are encouraged to relax and surrender to gravity. Gear may or may not be used.
Yoga for Military, Veterans & Family
We envision a future where all those affected by trauma have access to a full range of mind-body practices to facilitate recovery and resilience. We are committed to providing these tools and training in Safe, Predictable, and Controlled environments (SPaCe).
Benefits
Yoga is a complementary and an alternative modality making it adaptable for any individual. Yoga works in all aspects of a person's wellness to include physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual areas. The purpose of yoga is to be in-tune with one's body, breath, and mind while being in the present moment. Slow controlled deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system which decreases heart rate, decreases blood pressure, normalizes stress hormones, improves sleep, improves balance, and reduces muscular pain.
Responsibilities of Teaching:
1. A safe and open space is created for students and instructors by setting healthy boundaries teaching what I know and not causing intentional harm. If I mistakenly cause harm, or if it is brought to my attention that I personally have caused harm or a fellow student has while in my class, I am open to receiving feedback. I will review my conduct or address the conduct of others who caused harm in my class. I do not excuse, ignore, rationalize, nor otherwise defend harmful behavior. ALL ARE WELCOME and I actively promote this. Equity within and access to yoga are not unspoken ideals but rather actively promoted.
2. I speak truthfully to the best of my knowledge. If there is something I do not know, I seek out information from a trusted source and encourage my students to do the same. If I am asked a question I cannot answer, it is ALWAYS okay to tell the person, "I need to do more research before I answer that." 3. I credit my sources, respect my teachers, fellow teachers, and students, and know that the great gift of yoga being passed generation to generation is something to be celebrated and shared, not capitalized on for personal status. I take responsibility to find out where information and practices come from, so I can honor that source. 4. I act appropriately, professionally, and in a trustworthy manner. I respect the student/teacher bond with healthy boundaries that serve everyone to create a safe relationship. 5. Even though I am content with my qualifications, experience, and certifications, I strive to learn more. I am committed to life-long learning, especially being in the seat of a teacher. I am dedicated and consistent in my own personal practice. I am consistent and reliable in my work ethic. I am open to learning from anyone and any situation. 6. I continue to self-study, through yoga philosophy and life, and pursue mentors or teachers when I am stagnant in my personal growth. I humbly learn and teach for the higher good of all as one. |
Veterans Yoga Project is a grassroots educational and outreach organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans. Veterans Yoga Project is an IAYT member school, and a certified Yoga Alliance school (RYS-200, YACEP).
Working in partnership with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans' organizations, and other non-profit organizations, VYP-trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes each week for veterans and their families. By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms, or they are focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, Veterans Yoga Project is doing its part to serve those who serve.
Working in partnership with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans' organizations, and other non-profit organizations, VYP-trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes each week for veterans and their families. By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms, or they are focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, Veterans Yoga Project is doing its part to serve those who serve.