International Yoga Day: Yoga becoming more common in US military

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Yoga is becoming a common part of some US military programs. The movements of yoga and meditation can help veterans find inner peace. And for some diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the practice gives them spiritual solace, bringing them refreshment and strength. Frances Kuo reports from the US state of Virginia.

"I was active duty Army for 7 and a half years."

Corinne Bazarnyj was a proud member of the US Military.

But when she got out of the service, she faced a different battle with herself.

CORINNE BAZARNYJ US MILITARY VETERAN "There's a lot of pressure put on soldiers or military personnel. There's not a lot for you to take that pressure back off."

Far from the front lines, she discovered solace in this yoga studio outside Washington. The calm and slow movements, a welcome respite.

CORINNE BAZARNYJ US MILITARY VETERAN "Suddenly, you get this clean slate to work from. I always feel lighter, I feel taller, I feel relaxed. I feel ready to face everything that was too much for me."

For Air Force and Navy veteran Christian Villalas, "Honest Soul Yoga" is a place where he found peace.

CHRISTIAN VILLALAS US MILITARY VETERAN "I used to be that crazy road rage kind of guy, but with the meditation and yoga practice, I'm not that guy anymore."

Yoga and other forms of meditation have become an increasing presence in US Military programs. Some say it's badly needed.

According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, nearly 12 percent of veterans have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD - or post-traumatic stress disorder.

CHRISTIAN VILLALAS US MILITARY VETERAN "In the military, it's high stress, it's high performance, if you don't have an even keel, you could make mistakes."

FRANCES KUO WEST SPRINGFIELD, VA "Service members aren't just coming here for the classes, but the camaraderie. This yoga studio was started by someone who really understands what they're going through."

SUZIE MILLS FOUNDER, HONEST SOUL YOGA "I did have active duty time in Afghanistan."

Suzie Mills comes from a long line of service in her family.

After returning from duty in the Air Force, she found yoga to help with the after-effects.

SUZIE MILLS FOUNDER, HONEST SOUL YOGA "If I hear a loud banging of a water bottle, metal bottle hitting the ground or fireworks or a big rumble, I feel the trauma in my body, I feel my body responding even though my mind's like 'I'm safe.'"

Then she began teaching yoga in her basement and in 2013, she founded "Honest Soul Yoga" which has morphed into three studios with 10-thousand customers and counting - more than half of them with ties to the military.

They also offer free classes at a local military base.

SUZIE MILLS FOUNDER, HONEST SOUL YOGA "What they've learned from us has inspired them to take it everywhere in the world, it's been really amazing."

Teaching those who've served requires some special care to avoid triggers that may do more harm than good.

MARIA PEREIRA TEACHING DEVELOPMENT MANAGER "You come up behind someone who's not expecting you to come up, and there could be a response that neither one of you wants to happen. So you need to be cognizant of where you are in the room and make sure their eyes are on you at all times."

There's also the challenge of winning over skeptics in the service, particularly men who may not see yoga as "macho".

CHRISTIAN VILLALAS US MILITARY VETERAN "I think men should man up and do yoga because it is really, really tough."

But so are these service members as they take on a new mission for themselves and each other.

Frances Kuo, CGTN, West Springfield, VA.