By Bob Kostanczuk
     Post-Tribune

     New program being offered to NW Indiana police: yoga.

     /Chicago Tribune/ Local police officers are being offered the chance to help counteract the tough aspects of their job through yoga.

     Yoga instructor Shayleen Halloran is starting a Serving the Badge program at the YOUnique Yoga studio at 65 W. 112th Ave. in Crown Point.

     The challenging nature of police work lends itself to the benefits of yoga, a Hindu discipline that is widely practiced for health and mental well-being, Halloran said. Breath control and various body postures are used to achieve relaxation and the union of mind and body.

     "Besides being a great way to exercise, it's a stress reliever," Halloran said in regard to the benefits that can be drawn from her new program.

     She pointed out that those in law enforcement experience a swing of emotions that peaks with the high state of alert their jobs demand.

     "Yoga can help even out the roller coaster," Halloran, a Crown Point resident, said. "Officers are faced with life-and-death situations daily. That kind of stress can have a huge impact on their emotional and physical health. It is my intention to help counter those stresses by offering a well-rounded yoga practice."

     Her new class will be launched at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and continue at the same time the second Wednesday of each month.

     Participants can contribute on a voluntary donation basis, with funds going to police or other causes involving public safety or public service.

     Although Crown Point police officers are the foundation of her program, Halloran said it also is open to other public-service professionals in Northwest Indiana — such as firefighters — who serve citizens in times of emergency.

     "I think all first responders would be able to benefit from it," said Halloran, noting that her new class would accommodate those learning yoga at either the beginner or intermediate level.

     An experienced instructor, Halloran believes that yoga has helped her in her personal life, so she knows it can help others.

Her husband is patrol Officer Jon Halloran of the Crown Point Police Department.

     He plans to attend his wife's new class, and is already familiar with the advantages of yoga.

     "It helps me feel a little more loose and limber," he said. "It helps me relax. It's a good way to bring you back down from that hypervigilance."

     Source: Chicago Tribune

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