photo courtesy of Bill Amos Photography
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. The anxiety after such trauma may decrease with time but if the person continues to have difficulty adjusting and coping, interfering with day-to-day functioning and causing significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships, finding an effective treatment can be critical. (mayoclinic.org)
Bill Amos is a native of Northern New Jersey who was diagnosed with PTSD following a traumatic accident. His early love of nature landed him a kayaking instructor position creating long hours in beautiful places but in cramped conditions, resulting in tingly toes and tight hamstrings. In 2007, wanting to enjoy all of his time on the water he took the advice of a friend to try yoga.
After years of enjoying the physical aspects of yoga, he realized that things were changing, bringing him in closer to his thoughts. “I found a deep struggle inside from a traumatic accident I was involved in years before that I could no longer hide from.” Recognizing the healing powers of yoga, his doctor advised that he help himself by turning his irregular yoga sessions into a practice.
There is a difference between practicing yoga and a yoga practice – practicing yoga will give you physical achievement of the postures, but a yoga practice will guide you towards self-understanding by seeing your relationship to the postures. With daily practice the physical side of yoga becomes second nature and the mind will gain the ability to focus, trust, and let go. You observe and accept with no expectations.
Wanting to explore this different meaning of practice, Bill enrolled in EverYoga Teacher Training at Highland Yoga in Butler NJ, completing his 200 hr Registered Yoga Teacher training in 2015 and currently continues into his 300 RYT, continuing to learn and share.
With a personal understanding of the values of yoga for those with PTSD, he began a yoga class called Brave Yoga for PTSD, meeting once a month at different locations in the North Jersey area. The meeting is one hour of gentle grounding yoga, meditation and breath work as well as a time to voluntarily share experiences. (There is no fee however donations are accepted.) The next scheduled meetings are May 11th at Highland Yoga in Butler NJ and June 1st at Prana Yoga in Denville NJ. (Check billamosyoga.com/brave-yoga-for-ptsd for times, dates and addresses)
photo courtesy of Bill Amos Photography
“I have lived through and seen what this ancient wisdom can do and this is what inspires me to help others. I bring my life experiences, interests, and studies that are direct influence on my daily practice to the classes that I teach.”
Bill Amos – Inspiring through the ancient wisdom of Yoga.
In addition to the Brave Yoga classes, Bill teaches yoga for Group & Professional Programs, Individual Private sessions and Elderly Yoga. You can check his studio schedule at billamosyoga.com.
If you would like to see another facet of Bill’s life that yoga has a direct influence upon, visit his photography website at https://www.billamosphotography.com
He can be reached at [email protected].