Yoga as a treatment for the wounds of war

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)

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 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)

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)

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)