24.6K
Downloads
84
Episodes
Podcast weblog: A career in law enforcement is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and selfless professions out there. The Guns and Yoga podcast explores the intersection between the impact a first responder career can have on those on the job, their families, and the importance of adopting and maintaining a holistic lifestyle. Wendy Hummell is a seasoned law enforcement officer in the Midwest with close to 25 years experience. She is a LEO spouse, mother, and wellness enthusiast. She knows first-hand the difficulties this line of work can bring. For the past decade, Wendy has been exploring various ways to improve her emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well – being. She continues to learn and has a passion for sharing these tools to improve the quality of life not only for herself and her family, but for all first responders. Wendy is a certified yoga and meditation instructor. She teaches yoga, mindfulness, and resiliency to first responders at her current agency where she works as the Health and Wellness Coordinator. She also teaches throughout the state of Kansas and other national platforms. Wendy retired from the Wichita Police Department in 2019 at the rank of Detective where she spent a majority of her career working persons crimes. The intention of this podcast is to add value, provide support, and share resources by providing a platform for honest conversations with first responders, family members, retirees, and wellness experts. Whether you are a law enforcement officer, work in corrections, dispatch, Fire, EMS, The Prosecutors Office, the Coroners Officer, are a member of the military, family member or anyone who supports front line workers, please subscribe today and hear hear the stories of these brave men and women, the challenges and difficulties they have faced; the wonderful programs, people, and resources available to support first responders.
Episodes
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Welcome to the Guns and Yoga Podcast. Today I am sharing a conversation I had a while back with Jennifer Boileau. It’s a bit longer than our usual podcast because in the second half Jen leads us through a practice, so keep in mind that at around the 1 hour and 10 minute mark we transition into the practice.
Jen is a trauma informed yoga and mindfulness instructor who teaches to the first responder population. She is married to a now retired police officer so she knows first-hand the stresses the police profession can have on the first responder, but also on the family. Jen shares how the anxiety she felt as a result of worrying about her husband led her to take her first yoga class, and she also shares the impact his job had on their daughter.
As I mentioned, at around the 1 hour and 10 minute mark we transition into a practice that Jen will lead which is called iRest Meditation. It is based on an ancient practice called yoga nidra, one my favorites to both teach and practice.
iRest which stands for Integrative restoration meditation is a 10 step protocol developed by Dr. Richard Miller, a clinical psychologist and yoga teacher. He started the protocol with veterans returning from war in hopes to find success with a non-pharmaceutical intervention for PTSD, chronic pain, and overwhelm. The protocol teaches you that you have everything you need within you and all 10 steps can be practiced in their entirety or can be practiced in shorter sections.
The steps are:
- Connect to your heartfelt desire
- Set an intention
- Your Inner Resource
- Feel your body
- Become aware of your breath
- Welcome your emotions
- Witness your thoughts
- Experience joy
- Find lasting peace
- Reflect on your practice
I recommend finding a quiet place to either sit or lie down and enjoy this practice with Jen.
Enjoy the show.
LINKS:
**Follow the link below to register for your chance to win a FREE Guns & Yoga hat on October 31, 2023:
Click Here to Subscribe to the Guns & Yoga Newsletter for a Chance to win a FREE hat!!
Comments (0)
To leave or reply to comments, please download free Podbean or
No Comments
To leave or reply to comments,
please download free Podbean App.