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Yoga as a treatment for the wounds of war

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Darryl Charles, 22, participates in a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA on June 10. He lost his right leg above the knee after he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan in October 2011. Other veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries sit on the floor as instructor Barbara Lyon conducts the one-hour class designed to calm the mind, increase flexibility and improve physical strength.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Darryl Charles, 22, participates in a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA on June 10. He lost his right leg above the knee after he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan in October 2011. Other veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries sit on the floor as instructor Barbara Lyon conducts the one-hour class designed to calm the mind, increase flexibility and improve physical strength.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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To help military personnel overcome the physical and emotional wounds from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, hospitals run by the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs are increasingly turning to the ancient Hindu practice of yoga and other “alternative modalities.”

Yoga veterans

Double amputees U.S. Marine Pfc. Isaac Blunt, left, and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Chris Montera lie still during a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego on June 10. Both were gravely wounded in Afghanistan. Other veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries lie on the floor for the one-hour class designed to calm the mind, increase flexibility and improve physical strength.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Yoga veterans

Wounded veterans U.S. Marine Pfc. Isaac Blunt (left) and U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Chris Montera lie still during a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA on June 10, 2013. Both were burned and lost their legs during combat operations in Afghanistan. The one-hour class is designed to calm the mind, increase flexibility and improve physical strength.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Yoga veterans

Yoga instructor Sunny Keays works with double amputees U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Chris Montera, left, and U.S. Marine Pfc. Isaac Blunt during a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego on June 10. Headstands have helped amputees reduce pain.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Yoga veterans

Double amputee U.S. Marine Pfc. Isaac Blunt, 22, does a headstand with the help of instructor Sunny Keays during a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA on June 10. Blunt lost his legs and several fingers during combat operations in Afghanistan.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Yoga veterans

U.S. Marine Sgt. James Bernard, 25, attends a yoga class at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego on June 10, 2013. Preliminary military studies have advanced the use of alternative therapies like yoga.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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