A FORMER soldier who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving three back-to-back tours of Bosnia has found solace in the calming practice of yoga.

John Noble, 52, who attends the sessions at Help for Heroes-run Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison, credits the meditative and relaxing aspects of yoga for boosting his rehabilitation.

Mr Noble, a veteran who served with Royal Logistic Corps, said: “I thought yoga was for tree-huggers and hippies but now I know the benefits.

“It helps me with my breathing, opening up my chest and I have been sleeping better.

“I was very nervous before my first yoga session. It was the unknown but, once I had my first session under my belt, I loved it.”

Mr Noble has been taught by Kelly Bostock, health and well-being coordinator at Phoenix House, which has recently started offering yoga classes to wounded, injured and sick veterans and serving personnel to rebuild strength, manage pain and PTSD and help them sleep better.

The yoga and relaxation programme is run every day at Phoenix House in the new health and wellbeing room and has proved very popular with veterans and serving military personnel as well as staff.

Ms Bostock said: “Yoga helps our wounded manage their physical and emotional state, regain a sense of calm and peace and see obstacles as manageable challenges. It can improve flexibility, strength and help circulation.”

To find out more about the yoga and relaxation classes for wounded, injured and sick veterans and serving military personnel, contact Phoenix House on 01748-834148.