A new workshop has launched in the United States, following its successful two-year run overseas. Mindful Movement is a 45-minute experiential workshop designed to teach practical relaxation techniques through gentle movement and breathing exercises. It’s an adaptation of the popular Mind-Body Workshops, created specifically to support U.S. military members and their families at home and abroad.
This past November, Red Crossers representing 14 regions across the Pacific, Southeast and Caribbean and Northeast divisions, convened at the Red Cross Los Angeles, Santa Monica Chapter for a training with the goal of turning all participants into confident, mindful movement coaches, capable of leading the workshop in their own regions. Guiding them through the two-day training was Alana Wilson. For Alana, the event marked a milestone she and workshop creator and Deputy Director for the American Red Cross Asia Pacific Division, Katherine Jones had long envisioned.
“I was excited to be a part of bringing this program CONUS (inside the continental United States) because I've been a part of it and watched it grow OCONUS (outside the continental United States) for the last couple of years,” Alana shared.
Alana’s Red Cross journey began while she and her family were stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany during Operation “Allies Welcome” where the American Red Cross assisted the U.S. military evacuate tens of thousands for Afghan refugees.
“I started volunteering because I heard the Red Cross needed help, and I literally fell in love with SAF (American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces),” explained Alana.
But when her family received new orders to South Korea, Alana, like many military dependents, found herself starting over, looking for new employment and opportunities to get involved in her community. She continued volunteering with SAF in the Asia Pacific Division and also backfilled as a SAF program specialist at Camp Casey, South Korea. It was at a Division conference in Japan in 2023 that she encountered Mindful Movement.
“Katherine Jones approached me to see if I wanted to be her volunteer partner,” shared Alana after wrapping up her interim role at Camp Casey.
The two partnered and quickly grew the program across all military branches and continents, from Asia to Europe and Africa. It’s now in the U.S.
That November weekend in Santa Monica, Alana got to reap the rewards of their hard work by teaching the Mindful Movement curriculum to 14 Red Crossers in who will now roll it out across 14 regions in the U.S.
“I really enjoy watching how everybody that we trained... they really learned what they were doing. They put their heart in it and you could tell that they were passionate about learning the program and how best to deliver it to our communities,” explained Alana. “Military families go through a lot ... The intent is to give our participants movements and breathing techniques that they can take away.”
Alana sees immense potential for Mindful Movement, especially in regions like Alaska, where she now works as a Community Disaster Program Manager. With high military presence and unique challenges such as long, dark winters, she believes the program can make a meaningful impact. One day, Alana would love to bring Mindful Movement to disaster responses to support shelter residents. For now, she’s excited about recruiting more coaches to join her while she rolls it out in her region.
The success of Mindful Movement underscores a simple truth for her.
“I’ve just learned that when Red Crossers come together and they have an idea of something that can be done to better serve our clients, the sky’s the limit, and this program just kind of proves that if there are people willing to do the work, we can come together and make incredible programs,” Alana said.
Watch the Mindful Movement video here!
Want to learn how you can support the whole health of the military community? Contact your local Red Cross by scrolling down to the bottom on redcross.org/saf.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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