Testimonials
Afghanistan
A few weeks ago shooting, cars exploding, screaming, death, that was your world. Now back home, no one knows what it is like over there so no one knows how to help you get back your normalcy. They label you a victim of the war. I AM NOT A VICTIM… but how do I get back my normalcy? For most of us it is booze and Ambien. It works for a brief period then it take over your life. Until this study, I could not find right help for me. BREATHING like a champ.
– Nathan Hruska,
US Marine Corps,
Operation Enduring Freedom
This workshop has done more than I ever could have imagined. Not knowing there were any underlying issues made it hard to even acknowledge or accept them. After doing the workshop and continuing my home practice, I have opened the door to my emotions. I am happy to say that I can feel happiness as well as sadness, and both are great. Just being able to feel has been an amazing experience for me, and has made me become connected with friends and family. I have been given a new life, and I feel empowered to share my new self with everyone. It has been a very interesting journey for me, coming from a cold person who judged and criticized everyone to an open and loving person who is dedicated to serving my community and helping others make the same transition that I went through. Thank you for giving me a life worth living.
– Travis Leanna,
U.S. Marine Corps,
Operation Iraqi Freedom
I stumbled upon The Power Breath workshop a couple years ago now, at the time I didn’t realize the impact it would have on me. The experiences I had, the people I met, and the things I learned truly changed my life! I’m not sure words can really describe the shift I have felt… I have found an inner contentment and peace that I had not experienced before the course. I learned to be more accepting of myself and others. I learned the POWER the breath has… and how it is the key to surviving any and every situation life throws at you. I have repeated the course a few times and have encouraged everyone I know to consider it. Make the time, see for yourself, it will be worth every breath!
– Jennifer Kannel Ambord,
WI Army National Guard,
Operation Iraqi Freedom
I feel as if I can finally move on with my life. I’ve just completed a 6 day warrior breathing program and I’d recommend it to everybody. It really helps you to release issues you have, sometimes stuff you didn’t even know you had, so go ahead and do it!
– Mike Masse, Wisconsin National Guard, Operation Iraqi FreedomBattlesight Zero or BZO’s are the sight setting that allows a shooter, while they’re wearing all of their gear, to hit a target between 0-300m. But I can relate breathing to a BZO. Sights can get thrown off by jarring them, by elevation changes, atmospheric pressure changes, changes to the gear that the shooter is wearing, etc. It’s good to take the time and confirm one’s BZO from time to time to get you back on target. Breathing is like taking 25 minutes a day to re-establish my zero. Things change to some degree every day in my life. When I do my breathing it lets me calm down enough to assess my person and maybe relieves just a little bit of those otherwise influential factors.
-Active Duty US Marine Corps Gunnery Sargent & OIF Veteran
Gulf War
After getting out of the Army I did not adjust well to civilian life. I was short-tempered toward everyone. After learning the breathing techniques most of my anger dropped away. Now I approach life with a calmness I never had before. On the rare occasions when I do get angry, I have easy-to-use techniques to relax and get rid of the stress. I have a new-found confidence to meet any challenge that arises.
-Ron Bayes, U.S Army, Desert Storm
The course really puts you in touch with your breathing and how it affects your stress levels. You become calm and relaxed with less stress… It is an extremely useful tool for individuals who suffer emotional trauma.
– Shad Meshad,
Vietnam Veteran,
Founder & Director, National Veteran’s Foundation
The course was very beneficial for me uncovering things about myself that I never realized had been bothering me. It helped me be at peace with myself from issues, feelings and the things that I participated in at war… Through that I have been able to come to peace with some of the things that I did and the way I felt about them. I wish I could have learned this breathing 40 years ago.
– Noel,
Vietnam Combat Veteran
I’m a vet from Vietnam with a lot of stress and trauma. In 6 days I’ve felt quite a change in my body, and my attitude, and my life. I don’t know if anyone wants to believe me or not, but if you get chance to try this I think you should.
-Robert, Vietnam Combat veteran
Peacetime
My experience with power breathing has been great! I look forward to the group sessions as it means I am going to sleep well that night. As I continue to develop my daily practice, my frame of mind becomes lighter, brighter and more peaceful. I also know that if things start to get hectic with a little bit of “Victory Breath”, I can get centered quickly and stay in control. I really recommend this program for all our Vets. You owe it to yourself. Goodness knows you have given enough – give to yourself.
– Norm Moore, Air Force, 20 years of service
I have found an inner contentment and peace that I had not experienced before the course. I learned to be more accepting of myself and others. I learned the power the breath has… and how it is the key to surviving any and every situation life throws at you.
-Jennifer Kannel Ambord, WI Army National Guard, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Letters of Recommendation
Rich Low, Infantry Platoon Leader & Headquarters Company Executive Officer
4th Battalion 23d Infantry Regiment, Iraq
I would highly recommend the course be given serious consideration by you and your command as an effective tool to help with reintegration of Marines and would suggest your FRG approach John to consider working with the families as well.
Read Full Letter of Recommendation
December 12, 2010
Rich Low
2306 County Road AB
Mc Farland, WI
608-579-1182
Major Usery:
I hope this letter finds you and your Marine’s doing well. I wanted to take a minute and write to you in regards to the Project Welcome Home Troops course that Leslye Moore and John Osborne have been discussing with you. I have been in combat, and have been through the course and can tell you with out reservation, it is a very valuable tool for each Soldier, Airman or Marine to have available to them.
I served in 4th Battalion 23d Infantry Regiment as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Headquarters Company Executive Officer for a long 15 month deployment on the streets of Mosul and Baghdad. I have always considered myself to be a very strong-minded individual that can get through anything with out being any worse for the wear. I participated in many after action briefings from our Chaplin Corps designed to help us cope immediately with traumatic events from the loss of a friend to the detonation of a large IED. These may help in the short term, but there is no substitute for the simple breathing techniques that are acquired from the Project Welcome Home Troops course that can be applied long after the smoke clears.
The fundamentals of marksmanship involve breathing control. Most people will tell you the first thing to do when faced with stress is take a deep breath and relax. Society and the Military have recognized the power the control of breath can bring to an individual. John and his instructors cover this in a little more detail and help create rhythm and energy that if I had the chance to share with anyone from my Platoon or Company upon redeployment I would have.
I cannot share with you enough how this has changed my life and shown me that I did have things to deal with and events that had shaped and formed who I am. For a few days investment in this course, the payoff is tremendous. I would highly recommend the course be given serious consideration by you and your command as an effective tool to help with reintegration of Marines and would suggest your FRG approach John to consider working with the families as well.
Please feel free to contact me with any and all questions. I have chosen to get out of the Army, but remain dedicated to helping with all I can. I wish you and your Marines a safe and successful deployment. I hope you will have this course available to help them return physically and mentally from all you have endured.
Sincerely,
Rich Low
