Special Report: Vet yoga

Eddie Brown/Vietnam Vet
"For me, the bad memories will never go away. I live with that stress all the time."

But now a new program is working to relieve stress in our combat veterans. By using yoga.

Lucy Wagner/Central Mass Yoga Institue
"It's gentle stretches. It's breathing. It's relaxation techniques."

Central Mass Yoga in West Boylston started the veteran yoga program last spring. They believe the discipline's calming effects can help with posttraumatic stress. A disorder one in eight former soldiers suffers with.

Lucy Wagner/Central Mass Yoga Institute
"It's a way to quiet the brain. To relax and calm the mind. It gives them a chance to be in a safe environment. To do something with their bodies, minds, and breath so they have a little bit of peace."

By helping them identify anger triggers and teaching them how to calm their minds, yoga offers these vets an opportunity to focus on the present day instead of the past.

Joan Platt/Yoga Instructor
"It's very healing to be able to release, relax and let go. Quiet their minds and find some peace."

While some were reluctant to try it at first, they all now believe the program has worked wonders. And say it's the highlight of their week.

Louis Cargiulo/Korea and Vietnam Vet
"I can leave here and be for the day - totally relaxed. Otherwise, I'm an angry son of a gun."

Paul Malboef/Vietnam Vet
"We can get rid of the stresses of the every day."

John/Vietnam Vet
"I go out of my way to make sure I don't miss a day here."

While the veterans in this class are all from Vietnam and Korea, they believe that the new soldiers, returning home from Iraq, could benefit from a similar program.

Louis Cargiulo/Korea and Vietnam Vet
"I think any veteran--these Iraq veterans coming back, they'd be well deserved. They're going to need it."

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