Photo By Kristen Wong | Marine Chief Warrant Officer Stephanie Zarate (left), the deputy finance officer with...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM — Active duty service members may be used to the physically grueling mile runs and hikes with loads of gear attached to their backs. For two consecutive days this week, however, special strength training was dedicated to the mind.
The Armed Services YMCA of Honolulu offered a brain-training program for eligible service members and civilians at the Navy College Office aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 1 and 2, 2015.
For three hours each day, participants engaged in both group and individual activities designed to improve brain function.
“Using strategies that maximize brain performance, minimize stress and improve productivity, service members see improvements in their professional and personal lives,” said Laurie Moore, the executive director of the ASYMCA of Honolulu. “This has positive implications for their families, their professions, their branches of service and ultimately our great nation.”
Participants from several branches attended the sessions, which were taught by three instructors from the Brain Performance Institute at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Moore said many service members are interested in taking the training and there is currently a waiting list for the next available training session, which they hope to offer in the winter.
“It’s pretty impressive,” said Chief Warrant Officer Stephanie Zarate, the deputy finance officer for Headquarters Battalion at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “Learning how to slow down and focus (is) going to help me out and (I’ll) be able to take (the knowledge) back and encourage my Marines to do the same thing.”
Zarate said she found it surprising when the instructors talked about focusing exclusively on each daily task.
1st Sgt. William Conner, the Alpha Company first sergeant with 3rd Radio Battalion, said he signed up for the class to see if it would help him increase his brain capacity and aid him in his daily work.
“It’s pretty good so far,” Conner said. “(I’m) looking forward to the rest of today and tomorrow.”
According to the institute’s website, the training helps improve multiple brain functions such as decision-making and problem solving. The website also stated that the training helps with life skills, from organization to productivity. The institute has also conducted training with other military organizations such as Veterans Affairs facilities, the Navy SEALs and several military installations.
Jennifer Zientz, the head of clinical services at the Center for BrainHealth, was one of the instructors at this week’s sessions. She said the relationship with the ASYMCA began in the spring of this year, and the team will be teaching sessions in Altus and Fort Sill, Okla., as well as San Diego. She said eventually there will be sessions held at all ASYMCA locations. The ASYMCA of Honolulu was the first location.
“The mission of the Armed Services YMCA of Honolulu is to enhance the lives of military members and their families in spirit, mind and body through programs relevant to the unique challenges of military life,” Moore said. “The Brain Performance Training really helps meet some of these challenges head on by providing effective ways to keep our brains healthy.”
For more information, visit brainperformanceinstitute.com/warrior-training.
| Date Taken: | 07.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2015 22:47 |
| Story ID: | 169740 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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