Combatting PTSD, stress for vets and community

Yoga event offers free fitness for those who served along with rest of Jefferson City

A Baby Box sits on display at the Harry S Truman VA Hospital in Columbia. Combat Boots & High Heels has paired up with Baby Box University to provide these kits and educational resources in their area and be a supportive network.
A Baby Box sits on display at the Harry S Truman VA Hospital in Columbia. Combat Boots & High Heels has paired up with Baby Box University to provide these kits and educational resources in their area and be a supportive network.

About 20 percent of soldiers who served in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and veterans made up about 18 percent of all suicide deaths among U.S. adults in 2014.

These alarming statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have prompted calls to action for fellow veterans, soldiers and organizations who want to assist them, including Jefferson City resident Ashly Cox.

A U.S. Army veteran and current Missouri National Guard member, Cox was deployed in 2013 and 2014 to Afghanistan while with the Guard. She completed her master's degree after returning home. With marketing and graphic design among her duties with the military, she also teaches health and fitness.

She has seen how alternative methods can help veterans and soldiers with PTSD and depression.

"I have friends with PTSD, and some don't make it past that. Veteran suicide is a huge issue," she said. "In seeing people struggle when they come home from deployment, they may turn to alcohol or prescription medications. They don't prescribe you a vacation, natural medicines or yoga, which all can really help veterans."

Personally using yoga for stress relief, Cox decided to implement a Yoga4Vets event with the backing of Combat Boots & High Heels, a Mid-Missouri nonprofit comprised of veterans supporting veterans.

From 1-4 p.m. Saturday on the south Capitol lawn, Yoga4Vets is open for veterans, military supporters and everyone of all skill levels who love yoga.

"It doesn't matter if three or 300 people show; I hope this opens up the door to a holistic approach to health and ties in the community to support PTSD and veterans," Cox said.

Combat Boots & High Heels is pairing up with one of Cox's close friends, Mandy McAmis of Elation Odyssey Yoga in Wentzville, Missouri, to lead 30-minute sessions with live music at the free event, which requires registration for participants. Cox said McAmis understands how yoga can provide stress relief and has some specialty training for prenatal and youth in trauma health.

"I hope this opens up not only a new veteran population for her, but encourages more veterans to look at doing yoga," Cox said.

Some holistic vendors will be on site at Yoga4Vets, offering snacks and services. Even though the event is free with registration, donations are encouraged to help veterans through Combat Boots & High Heels. The first 60 participants who make a donation will receive free yoga mats and T-shirts, depending on donation selection.

Those monetary contributions and proceeds raised at the event will benefit area veterans in need, which is a main focus for Combat Boots & High Heels.

The primarily female veteran nonprofit organization advocates in battling the negative effects present in today's veteran community, such as depression, suicide, homelessness, unemployment and poverty. They look for opportunities to assist local veterans regardless of the size of their need.

"A veteran may not be able to pay their mortgage or has experienced a fire. Maybe the husband is deployed and the family van has flat tires, or a veteran needs to get to work on time and needs a ride. If there is a way we can make a veteran's life easier, even when they are dealing with cancer, trauma, paralyzation we help," Cox said. "If a soldier or veteran needs something and may think it is too small, it is not too small for us. That is where our fundraising comes in."

The organization contributes to community activities and hosts five or six events annually. Regular fundraising events include Combat Boots & High Heels 5.56K in Columbia, Ripcords and Rifles, and a fall coat drive.

Combat Boots & High Heels organizes events across the state. For example, the organization is hosting Swing Into Action for Veterans on May 20 at Shamrock Hills Golf Club in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The organization also doubles its efforts for female mentorships and recently joined forces with Baby Box University to promote the Baby Box Initiative, which is a new baby starter kit for expecting mothers received upon completion of a free online video viewing, quiz and certification receipt.

"The whole collaboration helps camaraderie," Cox said. "We are like a second family. You come home from deployment. your (personal and professional) life may be affected; you miss that camaraderie. This organization gives you that sense of belonging and community, letting everyone know that veterans are people, too."

For more information or to register for Yoga 4 Vets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yoga4vets-tickets-32521412420 or email [email protected].