The participants tell
The participants tell
About Us
? who are we
? what are we doing
Our goal
Is to illuminate the path for people to gain control over the remnants of past trauma, with an emphasis on observing and practicing in the present, in this moment.
Along with processing combat experiences through discourse, treatment and sharing, we are learning today that traces of the past can also be changed through physical experiences that contradict and directly change the experiences of helplessness, rage and collapse that are part of the trauma, thereby regaining self-control and inner strengthening.
"Brothers in Yoga" responds to the existing need for a combination of community, practice and imparting confidence to the participants.
Yoga is very helpful in developing mental resilience to deal with PTSD symptoms. Yoga has proven to be an effective and simple tool, available to anyone, anywhere, to help deal with the shock of battle.
BIY's Vision
Our vision is to give an opportunity for healing through yoga, for every current and former combatant who is dealing with post-trauma due to a security background. The program was launched in December 2021 with a first cycle of 9 participants. The goal in 2023 was to open at least 6 more cycles, with 10-14 participants each time. In 2023, 9 more cycles were opened, today over 100 brothers and sisters to yoga, 7 program graduates who were trained as teachers in the team, and the arm is tilted.
The association was inspired by the organization WARRIORS AT EASE, which has been working since 2011 through yoga for combat trauma in the US Army. The program is managed by me, Shivananda yoga teachers, trauma-sensitive yoga and an accompanying clinical treatment team.
BIY's Goals
The goal is to enlighten people on the way to gaining control over the remnants of past trauma, with an emphasis on observing and practicing in the present, in this moment. Along with processing combat experiences through discourse, treatment and sharing, we are learning today that traces of the past can also be changed through physical experiences that contradict and directly change the experiences of helplessness, rage and collapse that are part of the trauma, thereby regaining self-control and inner strengthening.
"Brothers in yoga" responds to the existing need for a combination of community, practice and imparting confidence to the participants.
Yoga is very helpful in developing mental resilience to deal with PTSD symptoms. Yoga has proven to be an effective and simple tool, available to anyone, anywhere, to help deal with the shock of battle.
BIY's Method
The application is carried out through 5 guiding principles, which offer different and varied yoga practices, which create a complete support envelope and the possibility of practical application in everyday life:
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Correct practice: asanas - the yoga postures, stretch and strengthen, stimulate and renew all body systems.
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Correct breathing: Pranayama, breathing exercises that balance the flow of energy in the body and calm the nervous system.
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Proper relaxation: allows the release of physical and mental tension and releases enormous resources of energy.
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Proper nutrition: natural, nutritious and balanced. Leaves the body light and the consciousness calm.
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Meditation and positive thinking: the keys to inner peace by focusing awareness and directing it in positive ways.
The Program
"We offer a long-term process, spanning 4 months, beginning with participants (up to age 14) coming together for a full weekend retreat at the Shivananda Yoga Ashram.
Following the retreat, bi-weekly Zoom meetings are held, dedicated to building and deepening practices, learning, and sharing.
Throughout the entire period, participants receive support and guidance for building a home practice, as well as recordings for self-practice.
At the end of the 4-month continuous practice period, group members return to a concluding weekend retreat at the Ashram, where we can deepen our learning, practical practice, and set personal goals for the future. Program graduates are invited to continue practicing in regular Yoga Brothers and Sisters classes, pursue teacher training and certification, volunteer with the association, and participate in events."
Security - through open sharing, group consent, presence,
and physical structure (circle).
Community - building connections, fostering personal and group trust,
creating a future plan (ongoing weekly activity).
Practice - yoga and meditation, spiritual journaling, consistency,
and establishing a calming routine for the mind and body.
Guiding Values
The Place
The Yoga Mata Ashram is located in Moshav Mata, in the heart of the green and enchanting nature of the Jerusalem mountains, within walking distance of springs and stunning hiking trails. The place provides a special feeling of peace and inspiration. Today, life at the Ashram is run by a family and a team of volunteers (10
people) who operate, practice, and teach on a daily basis.
Neta Margalit
(Ganga)
Sivananda Yoga teacher and trauma sensitive yoga
Co-Founder and CEO of Brothers in yoga,
A Hatha yoga and trauma-informed yoga teacher.
Teaching the spiritual, mental & physical ways of healing, through art, nutriotion yoga and meditation.
Eliav Oval-Naman
(Govinda)
Yoga teacher, musician, ashram director
Creative musician, member of the "Alma" band, has been a yoga teacher for 15 years and treats physical psychotherapy. Combines the world of yoga with the world of emotion and creativity. Manages the "Shibananda Yoga in the Grove" center.
The team of facilitators
Oren Gavriely
(keshava)
yoga teacher, Entrepreneur and manager of a technology company in the field of life sciences.
Oren suffers from post-trauma as a result of his military service in the bomb disposal unit in the Security Strip. The yoga practices are a very effective tool in dealing with it. Oren is a partner in spreading yoga methods in order to help more people.
Keren Ziv
(Sri Devi)
Yoga teacher
and leader of community projects.
Believes in people and the connections between them. Engaged in healing through movement and exploring connections between body, mind, spirit and nature.
members of the association
Prof Eran Helperin
Professor of Social and Political Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University and founder of the Accord Center for Social Psychology for Social Change.
Roni Shir - The management committee.
CEO of the organization of yoga teachers in Israel.
An instructor of Hatha Yoga.
Barak Ben Eliezer - The management committee.
Former commander of the Talpiot program.
Established Network Einstein and served as a special advisor on strategy and technology.
Founder and managing partner of Winnovation DeepInsight.
Former Chief of Police and to the National Security Council.
Eliav Ovel Namn - Guidance team.
The director of the Shivananda Yoga in the Orchard Ashram.
A creative musician, a member of the "Alma" band.
A yoga instructor for the past 15 years.
Engaged in physical psychotherapy.
Netta Margalit - Guidance Team.
CEO of the association.
The founder of the Yoga Brothers program.
An instructor of Shivananda Yoga.
And trauma-sensitive yoga.
Oren Gavrieli - Guidance Team.
Management Committee.
An entrepreneur in the field of life sciences and technology.
Entrepreneur and CEO of Nanosent, developing sensors for radiation detection.
A yoga instructor from the Shivananda organization.
Shares his personal story as a trauma survivor with a background in military service.
Shira Mamia
An architect at the organization Ye'ad Architects.
An artist.
Practices yoga.
Nir Margalit
The owner of Puzzle Israel, Puzzle International, and the founder and CEO of GLOW-GLAMPING (tourism and hotels in Israel and worldwide).
Pnina Gefen
Managed a youth village and additional educational frameworks.
Involved in "Third Sector" activities, especially in welfare and education.
Facilitates using the "Circle" method - heart-to-heart listening and dialogue.
Works therapeutically through breathwork (rebirthing).