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Written by JoAnn Geiger, LPC Trainee of YFFR Instructor School Class 037 “How we breathe influences nearly every system in our body—our heart rate, blood pressure,...

Written by Lieutenant Ryan Velazquez Trainee of YFFR Instructor School Class 037 “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”— Simon Sinek, Start With...

Written by Detective Amanda Rhodes, Ellisville Police Department Trainee of YFFR Instructor School Class 037 “It is not the demands of the job that cause the most...

Jason Downey, Mental Health and Wellness Officer Hello all, my name is Jason Downey, and I have been a Law Enforcement Officer for 24 years.

Ann at Instructor School hosted by Miami Dade FPD I have been thinking about this essay for weeks now.

Discover a revolutionary approach to authentic goal-setting for teams that boosts motivation and alignment. Learn how YFFR transformed their

At Yoga For First Responders® (YFFR), part of our Training Protocol includes elements from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reframe how we perceive and respond to...

This blog will unveil the vital connection between sleep, ultimate human performance, the significance of focusing on recovery, and how brea

In the podcast episode titled "Creating Confidence from On Air with Yoga for First Responders, Olivia Mead and Eric Brenneman interview Rachel, a writer,...

In the latest episode of "On Air by YFFR," we had the pleasure of hosting Katrina Marsh, the founder of Busy Bee Studios.

A Police officer is involved in a foot chase. He sprints for about 400 meters and tackles a subject.

In this episode, Olivia and Eric explore a topic close to our hearts - the challenges and dynamics of online yoga training compared to traditional in-person...

In this powerful episode, Olivia and Eric join Jeremy Sanders on the Crew First Culture podcast to discuss the importance of breath work and breathing techniques.

First Responder learning Three-Part-Breath As we enter a new year, it's a time of reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for what lies ahead.

I was NEVER going to put YFFR Instructor School online.....and then I changed my mind.

In the last week of October, we highlight two YFFR instructors and Squad Leaders who share similar resilience and outlook around the battle

In the last week of October, we highlight two YFFR instructors and Squad Leaders who share similar resilience and outlook around the battle that got them there.

In a recent episode of "On Air" by Yoga For First Responders, Hosts Olivia Mead and Eric Brenneman were joined by Maggie Eastman and Sarah Hall, both YFFR certified...

In this episode of "On Air" by Yoga for First Responders with hosts Olivia and Eric, the spotlight is on the powerful practice of incorporating yoga and mindfulness...

On October 23rd, 2023, YogaShield®Yoga For First Responders® (YFFR) will launch its first Instructor School geared to the medical provider population.

In the latest episode of "On Air," hosts Olivia and Eric dive deep into the profound significance of self-care and self-work as essential tools for effectively...

How our society and your Self-worth are affecting Resilience The services provided by Yoga For First Responders are easy to access, and we continue to improve and...

by Jess Gannon In this episode, Olivia and Eric had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Captain Jeremy Sanders and his podcast, Crew First Culture.

Hey everyone! I hope you're ready for another incredible episode of our podcast because this one is a game-changer.

by Jess Gannon In Episode 002 of the podcast, cognitive declarations take center stage as hosts Olivia and Eric delve into the science-backed practice of using...

by Jess Gannon In the world of yoga, there is a prevalent stereotype of spiritual bypassing and inauthenticity.

We often find ourselves chasing what is trendy rather than focusing on what is necessary for our personal growth and well-being.

“I’m good enough, I’m strong enough, and doggone it, people like me.” This line goes down in history as one of Saturday Night Live’s most classic and relatable...

The YFFR Podcast debuts on May 1, 2023. Your hosts for the first episode: Olivia Mead & Eric Brenneman

If you’re searching for “trauma-informed yoga near me,” Yoga for First Responders is here for you and your department.

If you are a firefighter, police officer, EMS worker, or military personnel, it's time to consider yoga-based mindfulness training.

If you're a firefighter suffering from depression, there are actions you can take to combat it. One of these actions is yoga training.

Did you know that yoga is the quintessential dispatcher stress training tool? Keep reading to learn how to prevent long-term trauma.

Just in case you weren’t aware: yes, EMS burnout is real. Learn the most effective method to get some relief.

Navigating group yoga classes during a pandemic can be quite tricky for our first responders.

Keep reading to learn how depression in firefighters can develop how to extinguish it before it has a chance to take hold.

Just in case you weren’t aware of how important first responders mental health is, we’re going to spell it out for you. Keep reading!

You just finished a call and are walking back to your vehicle. As you have done after every call, you begin working on your regulation by focusing on your breath.

This week I have been reflecting on "KINDNESS" I know it's been a while since I sent out the SHEEPDOG Leadership thoughtof the week.

When I ask my students (first responders and military) what “resilience” means, I typically get answers that are a variation of “bouncing back.” I want to challenge...

That was the question posed to a recent class I attended. I raised my hand along with about 7 other people in a class of 25.

If you are reading this, chances are you may not know any breathing techniques other than your standard automatic breathing that occurs without you having to think...

As a 911 dispatcher, I often feel like it’s the isolated profession of first responders.

Happy Friday! I sent this out about a year ago, and some people have come and gone; but it felt like a great time to reflect on this one.

Over the past year and a half, the word resilience has become a catchphrase to describe essential workers.

We often think of our body as five different systems: circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, digestive, and nervous, with the mind being on its own.

This week I have been reflecting on "HONOR" I'm sure most of you have seen the news, that 11 Marines and 1 Navy Corpsman were killed in Afghanistan. RIP HEROES!

As members of the National Guard, we have very similar lifestyles as other service-oriented jobs, including first responders.

Edited: August 20, 2021 Happy Friday YFFR Teammates! I wanted to share some thoughts on Sheepdog Leadership.

YFFR's Development Director, Brenna Vidal, was invited to attend ASP Inc. Instructor Certification (AIC).

Victims focus on what they do not control. Survivors focus on what they do control. \-Gilmartin Victim or survivor, we are all bound by the essence of control.

Imagine having a job where your life, the life of your colleagues and those in your community depend on you being alert at all times to avoid danger and possible...

I would like to pose the following question to you; have you ever found yourself really fascinated with something that you never thought you would?

Although there has been a shift in First Responder culture, for a long time the norm in this community has been to “man up.” And if you’re manning up on a regular...

YFFR Warriors, Happy Friday! This week I reflected on what it means to be a SHEEPDOG: "There are three types of people in this world: sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs.

I have practiced yoga for many years. I am that typical skinny white girl that yoga in the west seems to attract.

Starting with Class 007, YFFR implemented the "5 C's of Success" as part of YFFR's organizational culture.

When I started my journey in public safety 20 years ago, never did I think in a million years my career path would lead me to yoga, or teaching yoga for that...

I am at a Fourth of July celebration in Waco, TX. a couple decides to park their car close to where we are sitting, gets out of the car and walks away.

I just wanted to send some thoughts on D-Day. Let us NEVER FORGET those that sacrificed for us; they not only SERVED before us; they SERVED FOR US!

"I went into this week with the expectation of laying on a mat and spacing out for a week while worrying about what I wasn’t getting done"

Hey First Responders, who wants to cure stress, live a magical life, and get the body you have always wanted? Raise your hand.

A couple of years ago while stationed Holloman AFB, NM, I had the honor to be the Memorial Day guest speaker in the small town of Tularosa, NM.

I went through one of the first YFFR Train the Trainer classes back in June 2016 at the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCMO PD).

First responders face more death and destruction in a typical shift than most civilians will encounter in an entire lifetime.

It’s 4:30am on a brisk November morning in Phoenix. Brisk for the Sonoran Desert that is.

As a company officer it became clear that my crew, just as yours, had to learn basic skills before moving on to advanced tasks.

“A 59-year-old state welfare worker died Thursday of injuries she received from a beating more than four months ago while attempting to remove a 2-year-old from his...

On April 9, 1942; 60,000 – 80,000 American and Filipino Soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces and were forced to march more than 60 miles in the scorching...

A persisting stereotype of yoga in the U.S. is personified as a young, lithe female who flexes and stretches her body into positions that would be impossible for...

This is a passionate call to action for all first responders to take responsibility for their own health and well being by utilizing YFFR.

These days you may be seeing an increasing number of brothers and sisters in your public safety agency coming to work and checking for their masks, their guns…..and...

2020 was an unprecedented year for everyone. Life as we knew it changed and we were all required to adapt in order to survive.

Updated: March 12,2021 When I was the little girl of a police officer, I liked police tv shows.

My journey to be the person writing these words began in October 2005 when 16 year old Ali took her first steps into the volunteer fire service.

Updated: Feb. 26, 2021 We’ve all seen “natural” leaders in action. They float around the agency or the office with some sort of magical touch.

Learn more about our Program Manager - Samantha Wines.

“If you don’t take time to consistently practice relaxation and stress-reduction techniques, you’ll find it difficult to overcome the hypervigilance cycle.

First responders face an enormous amount of stress. Responders are continually barraged with stressful situations and receive training to externally control and...

Welcome to our our Team Member Spotlights! Our team has been changing and growing this past year, which is why we wanted to re-introduce our team members to you,...

On Thanksgiving weekend, in cities and towns across the country, 5Ks and family strolls - often referred to as "Turkey Trots" - bring together thousands of runners,...

even in the midst of chaos, take a moment to express gratitude. A 2017 study on those who engaged in consistent gratitude practices found that “those who wrote...

We'll all be so glad when hindsight is 2020, #amiright?!? For now, take a look at this round-up of fun Thanksgiving activities for you to still make the most of the...

As the Volunteer Coordinator, I recruit volunteers and connect the talents of the volunteers with the needs of YFFR to complete our mission.

Halloween safety tips from CDC.GOV Make trick-or-treating safer Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters. Give out treats outdoors, if possible.

When the western filter is removed, we see yoga as a tool to increase physical strength, perform well under pressure, process stress...

The month of October packs a punch for all of the national observances related to our mission here at Yoga For First Responders® (YFFR): National Depression...

Help us raise funds in support of El Paso firefighters. Donate October 8-15 through El Paso Giving Day and Walmart will match up to $10k.

"...Working with an organization geared directly toward helping the helpers speaks to my truest instinct to serve."

Turns out, practicing yoga in a mask heightens the awareness of breath as well as mental outlook on the challenge at hand.

"As a guy, the one time I tried yoga I very much got the impression everyone thought I was just there to be a creep.”

Today, we remember their selflessness, tremendous courage, and unwavering dedication.

Welcome to our our Team Member Spotlights! Our team has been changing and growing this past year, which is why we wanted to re-introduce...

The goal of meditation is not to totally clear the mind.

The public depends on these individuals to be present and engaged in life and death situations. That’s a tall order for any human being...

Yoga Roadblocks is a series of blog posts that dives into and dismantles some of the most common reasons that individuals might not try yoga

Welcome to our our Team Member Spotlights! Our team has been changing and growing this past year, which is why we wanted to re-introduce our team members to you,...

It's the last day of July and another month of 2020 is complete as we flip our calendars to what feels like month 2346 of quarantine.

First Annual 108 Challenge It all started with an idea from YFFR Advisor and CFO, Eric Brenneman, that he would complete 108 sun salutations in full firefighting...

https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/post/the-benefits-of-yoga-for-first-responders-instructor-2-essay-by-michelle-boot

You don’t need to invest hours a day to receive the benefits of a yoga practice like decreased stress and improved cognitive function.

As the Chief Financial Officer, it is my job to ensure the stability and sustainability of the organization financially.

Imagine you are a Deputy Chief of Training. You have a limited budget for training, and a limited amount of time in which to get it done.

Why is Yoga Made for First Responders? After the powerful week of training in Pflugerville, Texas in September, 2019, it is more than clear why yoga is made for...

As a yoga instructor who works in public safety, Katie Carlson frequently chats with public safety professionals who are curious enough about yoga that they bring...

Welcome to our our Team Member Spotlights! Our team has been changing and growing this past year, which is why we wanted to re-introduce...

Several people sat in a room waiting to participate in a very stressful and career-defining job interview.

Welcome to our our Team Member Spotlights! Our team has been changing and growing this past year, which is why we wanted to re-introduce our team members to you,...

60 DAYS, NO COST TO YOU DESIGNED FOR THE FRONTLINE CYBER ACADEMY TRAINING TOOL Yoga is proven to process stress and build resilience.

Yoga For First Responders Announces Platforms for Proactive Support During Covid19 YogaShield® Yoga For First Responders®’ (YFFR) Founder and CEO, Olivia Mead, has...

One of the most limiting and torturous ideals we could have is remaining attached to a plan, expectation, belief or desired outcome without allowing any room for...

You'll find a brief synopsis of event details here, with links to resources for more information.

2019 has been a record year for YFFR. We reached over 12,000 first responder participants in our classes and trainings across the country and around the world.

Have you ever listened to a vehicle pursuit on the news? Imagine being the person in charge of that on the police radio.

What is a “Non-profit” organization? Let’s start by changing the phrasing to something more accurate yet easily interchangeable.

I’ve done many extreme things in my life. I moved to Australia by myself at the age of 18. I moved across the country on a whim.