Mindfulness is not only about personal healing — it’s also about helping others find peace in their own lives. This week, I’m excited to share a major milestone that embodies this mission: our new partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to bring mindfulness training and resources to veterans and those who serve them.
Here are this week’s 5 Mindful Musings on trauma-sensitive mindfulness, healing, and service.
What I’m Celebrating: Partnering with the VA
We’ve officially partnered with the VA to teach mindfulness to veterans — a collaboration that perfectly aligns with our mission to empower those who help others. Many of you in our community already work with veterans or trauma survivors, and you know how transformative mindfulness can be for those navigating PTSD, stress, and emotional wounds.This partnership makes it easier for VA professionals and wellness organizations to access bulk certification discounts — so together, we can bring mindfulness into more healing spaces across the nation.
What I’m Learning: Teaching Mindfulness with Trauma Sensitivity
Teaching mindfulness to veterans requires a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. I’ve learned that grounding and anchoring techniques such as focusing on the sound of the environment, or the feeling of feet touching the floor can help participants safely reconnect with the present moment. These methods reduce the risk of dissociation or overwhelm, especially for those managing PTSD.
Simple practices like mindful breathing or sensory awareness can:
- Improve emotional regulation
- Enhance sleep quality
- Support stress recovery
Even 5–10 minute guided sessions can create a lasting impact when practiced consistently and safely.
What I’m Reflecting On: Curiosity and Compassion in Teaching
Mindfulness with trauma survivors isn’t about fixing, it’s about witnessing. When we teach with curiosity and compassion, we invite participants to observe thoughts and sensations without judgment. This builds self-compassion and emotional resilience, shifting the focus from past pain to present empowerment.
Try beginning your next session with this gentle reminder:
“You are safe here. Take this moment to simply notice what’s present, without needing to change it.”
What I’m Integrating: Evidence-Based Tools for Veterans
Research continues to show how mindfulness reduces stress and builds resilience for veterans — especially for women facing military sexual trauma and chronic pain. Programs like the VA’s Mindfulness Coach app use grounding practices to manage difficult emotions, while studies on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) highlight significant improvements in mood and wellbeing.
As teachers and coaches, we can integrate these tools into secular, accessible practices while always emphasizing choice and agency — allowing participants to open or close their eyes, adjust posture, or opt out when needed.
What I’m Honoring: Safe Spaces for Healing
Creating a safe, supportive environment is essential. Trauma-informed mindfulness prioritizes empowerment over pressure — helping participants feel seen and in control. Over time, this approach can decrease hyperarousal, depression, and insomnia while fostering trust and self-awareness.
By modeling presence and vulnerability, we don’t just teach mindfulness — we embody it. Together, we are helping those who’ve helped us, expanding a movement of healing through mindfulness.
Closing Reflection
Mindfulness for veterans is a powerful reminder that presence heals. When we teach with empathy, sensitivity, and evidence-based care, we offer a lifeline to those navigating unseen wounds. Our Mindfulness Teacher Certification Program equips you with trauma-sensitive tools, expert mentorship (from teachers like Rick Hanson, Gabor Maté, and Susan Kaiser Greenland), and the confidence to share mindfulness with integrity and heart.
