It is probable that most if not all veterans returning from conflict experience some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can vary from mild to extreme. Subjective experience in training veterans has shown that training in Shou' Shu' can be very therapeutic for PTSD.

In an effort to help returning soldiers more easily assimilate into society after returning from duty, the Sheng Chi Training Center is offering free martial arts training to veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Classes will be offered for the remainder of the year.

Everyone can realize tremendous benefits from martial arts training but these benefits are even more pronounced in those dealing with stress. We've seen a number of veterans drastically improve their lives through training over the years. There are many reasons martial arts are beneficial in the treatment of stress disorders but the main one is the total absorption in the activity. The motions of kung fu are complex. Although they are fun to learn they completely involve the mind and the body. The student is completely involved in body awareness and focusing on the lesson. There simply is no room for stress.

Students typically leave the school feeling energized and stress free. This is a welcome mental break for anyone suffering from cyclical negative thought patterns. Simply being able to be free of those mental patterns for a while often helps in ridding oneself of those patterns. This phenomena has been noticed by martial arts teachers for years.

Training in a safe and welcoming environment can be very helpful in assimilating back into society and the training itself is a nice great outlet for stress.