MERIDIAN, Idaho — Dan Nevins lost both his legs and one of his best friends in an IED blast while serving in Iraq as a U.S. Army soldier in 2004.
After that life-changing incident, Nevins turned to the Wounded Warrior Project, and years later a friend suggested that he should try yoga.
“I remember saying that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, I was so mad what do you mean yoga?" said Nevins. "I was literally offended at the comment and she recognized that and said what about meditation.”
Dan gave yoga a try and it worked. Years later he credits yoga with giving his life meaning, purpose, and a chance to help other people through Baptiste Vinyasa Power Yoga.
“The cues are to put your body in the proper alignment so your circulatory system, your nervous system, your brain and your gut have the chance to act and operate at optimal conditions," said Nevins. "I’ve never met a single person who hasn’t left a yoga class not feeling better than when they walked in the door.”
Nevins flew in from Florida for a special two day clinic at Authentic Yoga in Meridian and the people who attended the yoga session did feel better when the class ended.
"Really emotional, but mostly happy it is a great feeling of community and it makes you feel like you are all brought together for one reason," said Taryn Ankenman. "You really feel like you are all in it together after a class like that.”
Both sessions on Friday and Saturday did cost money, but all the proceeds raised went directly to the Wounded Warrior Project.
