Paralyzed Veterans of America launched a new virtual health and wellness program for disabled and injured veterans, their families, and caregivers.

A new program by Paralyzed Veterans of America – a nonprofit for disabled veterans, their families, and caregivers – is rolling out a new virtual program tailored to help ill and injured veterans and their loved ones improve their health and wellness.

PVA’s Sports and Recreation Department’s Health and Wellness program will begin hosting a variety of virtual, 6-week classes focusing on everything from movement to mindfulness.

While new sessions will stream throughout the year, the entire catalog of courses will also be available on-demand, allowing participants to prioritize their physical and mental well-being when and where it’s most convenient.

“PVA’s new Health and Wellness program is designed to foster inclusivity and bring greater awareness to the incredible benefits that physical activity and mental resilience provide to a person’s overall health,” said Charles Brown, PVA national president. “What’s more, our online platform will increase accessibility and cultivate a community of encouragement and support for the disability community.”

PVA’s Health and Wellness program will host the first three courses in its Winter series, with two designed solely for women. Each class is free and open to paralyzed veterans, their families, caregivers, and all people with disabilities. The classes include:

  • Vinyasa Yoga for Adaptive Athletes. This women’s-only class focuses on building strength, improving flexibility, balance, relaxation, and stress management. The class teacher, registered yoga instructor Corynne Smith, is trained in adapting traditional yoga movements and postures for a wide range of abilities.
  • Health and Wellness Coaching. In this women’s-only class, Dr Audrey Lee, a previous nutrition and yoga instructor for PVA, explores topics such as stress management, nutrition, healthy sleep habits, and creating and achieving health and wellness goals for the year.
  • PVA’s Health and Wellness program has also introduced Strength Training for Adaptive Athletes. The class is led by Adaptive Strength and Conditioning Trainer Regina Stone. The course is designed to help individuals improve their physical strength, endurance, and flexibility through adaptive fitness exercises using hand weights, resistance bands, and functional movements.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this new program,” said Fabio Villarroel, director of PVA’s Sports and Recreation Department. “Utilizing technology maximizes PVA’s ability to reach more of our members and the disability community at large in rural and diverse locations around the US. This access alone will help relieve feelings of isolation and extended periods of inactivity.”

Photo 154117683 © Grejak | Dreamstime.com