Whole Health

In this 2-hour introductory workshop, Veterans explore their mission, aspiration, and purpose with the guidance of a Veteran Whole Health Coach or Partner. Veterans have the opportunity to learn about using a Whole Health approach in their own lives, explore Whole Health resources, and begin making a plan to support their health and well-being based on what matters to them.

When: Mondays 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (in person)

                Wednesdays 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (VA Video Connect)

                Thursdays 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (VA Video Connect)

How to Join: Contact us by emailing VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov, calling 713-770-1548 or requesting a Whole Health consult to join the next available Introduction to Whole Health workshop. Classes are available virtually or in person, morning or evening.

Whole Health includes all areas of health: body, mind, personal development, community and surroundings, spirit and soul, relationships, sleep, and nutrition. In Personal Health Planning, a Veteran Whole Health Partner invites you to explore these areas of your life, and to reflect on what matters most to you using a Personal Health Inventory. They will also guide you in developing a plan for your health that fits your vision and values – and this plan is shared with your healthcare team.

How to Connect with a Whole Health Partner for Personal Health Planning: Contact us to get started by emailing  VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov or calling 713-770-1548, or by requesting a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team.

Whole Health includes all areas of health: body, mind, personal development, community and surroundings, spirit and soul, relationships, sleep, and nutrition. Health and wellness coaches partner with you in exploring these areas to help you live your best life. They support you in focusing on goals, identifying your strengths and values, finding motivation, and working toward what matters most to you. 

If you’re not sure about your goals yet, your coach can help you find an area to focus on. Coaching is available to all Veterans enrolled in VA, at no cost. 

Learn more about Health and Wellness Coaching here:   Whole Health Coaching - YouTube

How to Connect with a Whole Health Coach: Contact us to get started by emailing  VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov, calling 713-770-1548, or by requesting a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team. 

Taking Charge of My Life and Health is a nine week Whole Health course facilitated by Veterans, for Veterans. The class helps you do exactly as its name suggests: take charge of your health and well-being. This course takes Veterans on a journey into the Circle of Health (see below), exploring what matters to you, and discovering your personal mission, aspiration, and purpose in life. This course also allows for a “deeper dive” into the 8 areas of self-care. The Veteran facilitator will guide you in creating goals and action plans, and will support you as you work toward those goals.

Learn more about this and other Veteran-to-Veteran Whole Health classes here: The Pathway To Whole Health - YouTube

When: Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. or Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Where: VA Video Connect
How to Join: Contact us by emailing VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov or calling 713-770-1548. This class and others can also be accessed by requesting a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team.

Cultivating Empathy through Music and Storytelling

This 90-minute workshop, offered through a partnership between Whole Health and the Houston Grand Opera, creates an opportunity for Veterans to connect through music and its meaning in their lives. Participants will explore the experience and emotions of different kinds of music, and will reflect and share about music that has had meaning for them. The workshop promotes self-awareness, community, and connection to others through art.

When: Tuesday, May 30, 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: MEDVAMC Building 108A, Room 129
How to join: Call the Whole Health direct line at to register for this special event.

Opera To Go! 

Veterans and their families and friends are invited to experience a fully staged, high-energy, 45-minute opera at no cost, thanks to a partnership with Whole Health and the Houston Grand Opera. Experience Katie: Strongest of the Strong, which celebrates women’s strength and confidence through the inspiring true story of Katie Sandwina, a circus strongwoman who defied expectations and helped lead the US women’s suffrage movement. 

When: Friday, April 19, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. 
Where: MEDVAMC 4th Floor Auditorium
How to join: No tickets required! Audience members are welcome to join the day of the event.

Strumming Strong

Led by music therapist John Smith, Strumming Strong is an 8-week program providing guitar instruction, a new acoustic guitar, and a guitar accessory kit at no cost to Veterans who complete the program. Each weekly session is created to keep you engaged and on pace to becoming a guitarist by the end of the program. The class-based format creates a space for connection, community and accountability in learning with other Veterans. At the completion of the program, participants will showcase their new talent to an audience at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

When: Tuesdays at 11:00 am starting April 9th 
Where: On site at MEDVAMC or virtually for Veterans located 40 miles or more away from MEDVAMC

How to Join: To get connected or learn more, please call the Whole Health direct line at or email JeMarques Handy at JeMarques.Handy@va.gov

Biofeedback is real-time technology that makes it easier to see how stress shows up in your body by providing “feedback” about your body’s signals, such as heart rate or body temperature. 

“Building Better” is a series of two 4-week classes that teaches stress management using HeartMath-based biofeedback and Problem Solving Therapy skills. Veterans learn to monitor their stress using a HeartMath “Inner Balance” biofeedback device, which pairs with an app on their smartphone to make stress management easy and convenient.

Series 1 (4 weeks) focuses on building a foundation of emotional awareness and self-regulation using biofeedback. Series 2 (4 weeks) continues to build on biofeedback training, incorporating additional universal skills for managing stress and solving everyday problems. 

Veterans may choose to attend Series 1 only, or may continue building on their skills by also attending Series 2. 

When: Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 am 

What: Two consecutive 4-week groups, meeting weekly for 60-minute sessions

Where: Virtual via VA Video Connect

How to Connect: Please call the Whole Health direct line at to join the next open group. The facilitator will meet with you individually before starting the class to help ensure it is a good fit for your personal goals.

Learn more about biofeedback here. 

Whole Health at MEDVAMC is offering a 6-part series on “Spring Vegetable Gardening: Growing and Nourishing Healthy Communities,” in collaboration with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension and funded through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

Through this series, Veterans will have the opportunity to get their hands dirty while learning to grow vegetables in containers and raised beds. 

When: Fridays on April 5, 12, and 26, and May 3, 10, and 24, 10-11 a.m.

Where: MEDVAMC Peaceful Garden (located outdoors between main hospital building and Old Spanish Trail – green side – near the Gazebo)

How to Join: Drop-in participants are welcome! For more information, call Carmichael Khan, Social Worker at or Lazaro Seriale, Peer Support Specialist, at .

Guided imagery involves using a series of multi-sensory images designed to trigger specific changes in physiology, emotions, or mental state for the purpose of increasing healing response or unconscious changes. Guided Imagery often begins with a series of relaxation techniques, although this is not always so. Often guided imagery is performed as a self-help option without the involvement of a guide.  

Whole Health offers guided imagery in a personalized, individual appointment with an instructor certified in guided imagery. Sessions are usually 20-30 minutes long, and can be either in person or virtual. Session content will be designed for you specifically based on an initial interview, and adapted along your journey as you progress. 

While more study is clearly needed, Guided Imagery has shown particular promise with the following:

• Anxiety (in multiple conditions)
• Cancer: Better outcomes with chemo- and radiotherapies
• Childbirth
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Improving athletic performance
• Reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1c levels
• Managing chronic illness in general
• Nightmares
• Pain, including from arthritis and other rheumatic diseases
• Parkinson’s disease tremors
• Post-operative pain
• Preparation for surgery or procedures
• Speed up fracture and burn healing
• Stress management
• Tobacco abstinence
• Weight loss

How to Request:  Contact us at our direct Whole Health line at to get started, or request a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team.

Guided Imagery Meditation (Virtual)

Join us for an adventure in the mind, where the focus is on creating a visually immersive experience for the purpose of entering a state of reverie/trance.  This state can be used for reducing stress, increasing focus, or simply to empower you to see beauty everywhere.

When: Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. (15 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

Skill Level: All Levels
Focus: Visual Enrichment, Reverie/Awe

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or 713-412-5236.

Making healthy food choices is the number one thing you can do for your health. Learning how to cook can be one step toward getting healthier foods on your plate. The Healthy Teaching Kitchen (HTK) provides live, virtual cooking classes to learn more about nutrition, cooking skills, and to build your confidence in cooking healthy meals from minimally processed foods at home.

When: 3rd Thursday of every month, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: VA Video Connect
Sign Up: Contact Nutrition and Food Services at 713-791-1414, ext. 226166.

VA Houston’s LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator team and Whole Health have partnered to offer classes supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Veterans’ well-being and personal development. These classes are virtual and open to all Veterans.

Pride and Courage

A 75-minute group providing education and support to all Veterans identifying as LGBTQ+. The focus of this group is supporting all LGBTQ+ Veterans in living their fullest lives as their authentic selves.

When: Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Where: Zoom platform, by referral
How to Join: Contact Hiram Rivera-Mercado, PsyD at 281-217-9028 or Hiram.Rivera-Mercado@va.gov

Gender Group: 60-minute group providing education and supporting ongoing personal development for transgender and gender-diverse Veterans. This group incorporates elements of Whole Health to support Veterans in connecting with and caring for themselves, and in living their lives in alignment with what matters most to them.

When: Thursdays, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: VA Video Connect, by referral
How to Join: Contact Mallorie Carroll, PhD at or Mallorie.Carroll@va.gov 

Learn more about LGBTQ+ Veteran care at VA Houston.

The ACT on Health Lab at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center offers the following workshops teaching life skills to strengthen well-being and relationships. They are free to attend, and will be held either online via Zoom or at a local community center, Vet Center or VA.

Wellness and Enhancing Life Workshop

A One-day Veteran-only workshop aimed at teaching skills that help to improve everyday life, and skills that help with adjustment to civilian life. Each workshop will include 5-8 other Veterans.

Strengthening Relationships Couple’s Workshop

A one-day workshop designed for Veterans and their partners. This workshop was developed in response to feedback from Veterans who asked for the opportunity to invite their spouses or partners to workshops that would help them learn new skills, techniques, and information that would enhance and build a stronger relationship. The workshop will include 3-5 other veterans with their partners.

For more information about either of these workshops, contact Ken Woods at 713-440-4612.

Both workshops are part of research projects supported by the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt) at Baylor College of Medicine, and funded by the VA Office of Rural Health, supporting Veterans in rural communities. As part of the research, participants will be asked to complete some surveys and will be compensated for that time.

These classes are virtual, live, and interactive. Try out a brief mindfulness exercise here: #LiveWholeHealth: Mindful Awareness - YouTube

Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop

A 60-minute workshop offering an overview of mindfulness and its benefits, opportunities to try out mindfulness exercises, and resources on ways to begin a mindfulness practice or to go deeper after the workshop. No appointment needed.

When: 1st Tuesday of every month, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Join WebEx meeting
Meeting Number: 2762 450 9480
Passcode: umGjgeu@325
Dial in: Join by video system. Dial 27624509480@veteransaffairs.webex.com. You can also dial 207.182.190.20 and enter the meeting number.
Join by phone: 1-404-397-1596 (USA toll number)
Access code: 2762 450 9480
Sign up: No appointment needed! Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact us by emailing VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov or calling 713-770-1548 for an iCalendar invitation. This class and others can also be accessed by requesting a Whole Health consult.
Questions? Contact us directly at VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov or 713-770-1548.

Mindfulness Meditation

Join us for this Zen-style meditation. During this session, we go through 3 phases: A body scan, an introspective silent meditation, and a sharing of the energy.

When: Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

Skill Level: All
Focus: Meditation, Calm, Self-Observation, Breath

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or .

Four-Week Mindfulness group

Virtual mindfulness group open to all Veterans by appointment.

When: Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sign up: Contact Sharanya Udipi at 281-578-4600

MOVE! is a weight-management program designed to help you live a longer, healthier life. With the help of your MOVE! care team, you can eat a healthier diet, get more exercise, reduce your health risks, and improve your quality of life. 

Learn more about MOVE! weight management at VA Houston.

Ompractice is a digital well-being platform that has partnered with Houston VA Whole Health to provide a wide variety of virtual wellness classes at no cost to Veterans and employees. Yoga, Tai Chi, mindfulness, breathwork, yoga nidra, sound meditation, and other wellness classes are available all day every day, from early morning through evening hours. Ompractice offers Veteran-only classes, and also classes led by instructors who are Veterans themselves. Register for a free account at the link below.

Learn more about Ompractice virtual wellness classes.

Project Re-Connect is a class designed to support Veterans in re-connecting with their sense of identity, with others, and themselves after separation from active duty. This program helps Veterans to find tools and resources to improve life at any point after the transition from military to civilian life, and teaches mind-body skills to manage stress and connect better with themselves. 

When: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

What: 8-week group meeting weekly for 60-minute sessions

Where: 6 of 8 sessions are virtual via WebEx; 2 of 8 sessions are in-person at MEDVAMC

How to Connect: Please call the Whole Health direct line at to join the next open group. 

HunYuan Qigong (Virtual)

This Qigong gongfa practice is focused on the cultivation of vitality through nurturance by the original nature. In symbolism, it is a restorative form that returns one to be receptive of complete support – like being returned to the womb, allowing for vital restoration.

It is the foundation for Li, the application of force. It is an ideal form for recovery from chronic, inflammatory patterns. We welcome you to return to you and feel the deep nourishment of this practice.

When: Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. (15 minutes)
Where: Webex Meeting

Skill Level: All Levels
Focus: Restoration and Detox of Bodily Systems

If you have any questions, please contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov.

Hun Yuan Qigong (In-person)

HunYuan Qigong is a gongfa practice focused on the cultivation of vitality through nurturance by the original nature.  In symbolism, it is a restorative form that returns one to be receptive of complete support – like being returned to the womb, allowing for vital restoration.  

It is the foundation for Li, the application of force.  It is an ideal form for recovery from chronic, inflammatory patterns, such as cancer.  We welcome you to return to you and feel the deep nourishment of this practice. This session is held in the main building. Take the green elevators to the 4th floor Cancer Center conference room.

When: Wednesdays at 8 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: Cancer Center Conference Room in the Houston VA main building. Take the green elevators to 4th floor.
Skill Level: Beginner+
Focus: Restoration and Detox of Bodily Systems

If you have any questions, please contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov.

This virtual group is tailored for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Veterans to address race-based stress and trauma, and to find empowerment in a safe and validating environment. 

Racism negatively impacts both physical and mental health. Day-to-day incidents of racism can also have a cumulative negative impact on one's overall stress and well-being. This group explores topics including the impact of racism on overall health; power and privilege; systemic racism and oppression; race-based stress in the context of the military and combat; empowerment and resilience. The group also teaches coping skills for managing race-based stress and fostering empowerment.

When: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

What: 8-week group meeting weekly for 90-minute sessions

Where: Virtual via WebEx

How to Connect: Please call the group facilitator, Dr. Metari Hunt, at to join the next open group. Your healthcare provider can also contact Dr. Hunt directly through VA messaging to request a phone call to you.

Whole-person spiritual and pastoral care, tailored to Veterans’ individual needs, are available through the Chaplain Service at MEDVAMC, including 1) discussion of spiritual needs and desires, 2) addressing spiritual injuries, and 3) enhancing personal spiritual health. Spiritual and pastoral care services emphasize the balance of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of human experience.

How to Join: Call the MEDVAMC Chaplain Service at 713-794-7125 or 713-791-1414, ext. 224296

Learn more about MEDVAMC and national VA Chaplain Services.

Intro to Tai Chi (begins in April)

Learn about our Tai Chi offerings for Veterans, ask questions, address concerns and get to know your instructor.

When: Second Monday of the month, 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: Meeting Link

Tai Chi

Whole Health offers 30 and 45 minute Tai Chi classes four times a week, which are open to all Veterans. Virtual classes (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday) are live and interactive through VA WebEx. In-person classes on Tuesdays are held on the main VA campus in Houston. Classes are led by Jacob Glassmeyer, Whole Health Wellness Instructor. 

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that today is practiced as a graceful form of mindful movement. It involves a series of movement performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. Each posture flows into the next without pause, keeping your body in constant motion. These classes are accessible to Veterans with physical limitations who are medically stable, and the instructor is prepared to offer modifications for a wide range of mobility levels.

When: Mondays, 2:00 p.m. (45 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting

When: Tuesdays, 8:15 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Building 108A, Room 129

When: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. (45 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting

When: Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. (30 minutes)
Where:  WebEx meeting

Every other Saturday beginning March 2, 2024
When: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting

When: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting

How to Join: No appointment needed!

Follow the link above to join the class directly or call 713-770-1548 for an iCalendar invitation. This class and others can also be accessed by requesting a Whole Health consult.

VA Houston’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program offers 60-minute virtual or phone-based group support for quitting tobacco, led by a health behavior expert. Feel free to drop in any time, no referral required. There is no co-pay for attending.

• When: Thursdays, 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Join Webex meeting
• Phone: 404-397-1596
• Access code: 276 145 58532#

Need extra support during the week?

Call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838), 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Monday-Friday to speak to a tobacco quit coach in English or Spanish. QuitVET connects Veterans to a trained counselor who can help develop a quit plan and provide ongoing counseling and support.

Prefer to text or find support online?

• Text VET (or VETesp for Spanish) to 47848 to receive texts with tips and tools to beat cravings.
• Text URGE, STRESS, SMOKED, or DIPPED to 47848 for extra support.
• Follow the SmokefreeVET Facebook page for tips and encouragement from other Veterans.
• Download Stay Quit Coach, VA’s interactive quit tobacco app. Available for IOS or Android in your app store.
• Find more VA resources on how to quit.

For more information, please contact Dr. Zina Peters at 281-797-8662.

Learn more about Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at VA Houston

Whole Health Maternity programming provides well-being classes for new and expecting mothers. Offerings include prenatal yoga therapy, health and wellness coaching during pregnancy, and Resilient Relationships classes for mothers and their partners, which focus on navigating the relationship changes that come with welcoming a new family member.

Prenatal yoga classes are offered virtually at 7:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays via WebEx. Health coaching and Resilient Relationships classes are available virtually or in person at the MEDVAMC hospital. All Whole Health Maternity services are open to any pregnant Veteran enrolled at MEDVAMC.

How to Join: Contact us at VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov or 713-770-1548, or if followed by MEDVAMC Maternity Care, ask your Maternity Care Coordinator to place a Whole Health consult.

Yoga is a mindful movement practice originating in India. It brings together the mind and body by incorporating breathing and meditation with movements and body poses designed to encourage relaxation and reduce stress. These classes are accessible to Veterans with physical limitations who are medically stable, and the instructor is prepared to offer modifications for a wide range of mobility levels.

Intro to Yoga (begins in April)

Learn about all our yoga offerings for Veterans. Tune in to ask questions, address concerns and get to know your instructor.

When: First Monday of the month, 9:30 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: Meeting Link

Yoga in the gray

This yogic session focuses on the union of opposites, represented by the color gray, neutrality. Through the body, we can choose equanimity, or balance, a primary principle in yoga.  In this session you will invite your attention to focus on a tight muscle, spending more time opening and relaxing the tension, while balancing its complementary opposite.  Leave the session feeling refreshed, balanced, and clear.  Join us on an empowering journey of self-discovery and well-being.

When: Mondays at 8:15 a.m. (45 minutes)
Where: Join Mondays at 8:15 a.m. WebEx meeting
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Focus: Mental-Emotional-Physical Harmony

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or 713-412-5236.

Yoga in the red

This practice teaches you to consciously direct your individual desires, symbolically the red root of the material world. This yoga encourages you to take full responsibility for your actions. The personal awareness developed in this practice will empower you to make better and maybe even the best choice you can in other activities.  

Visualization and mindfulness will carry you from one yoga pose to another.  This session increases stamina, releases mental barriers, and develops composure, so that you can sit calmly in a meeting, drive peacefully in traffic, and listen heartfully to your loved ones without losing your cool.

When: Tuesdays at 11 a.m. (45 minutes)
Where: Join Tuesdays at 11 a.m. WebEx meeting
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Focus: Self-Empowerment

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or 713-412-5236.

Yoga Qi

Restore your vitality with Qigong and Yoga.  In this class, we harness Qi in the environment to energize our cells, clear our minds, and rekindle our spirits.   You will be asked to hold poses for longer, stronger periods of time. This yoga calls for both mental and physical stamina, challenging participants to sculpt, refine, and harmonize.  Embark on a journey to renew and balance your energy in this invigorating experience.

When: Thursdays at 11 a.m. (45 minutes)
Where: Join Thursdays at 11 a.m. WebEx meeting 
Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Focus: Strength, Flexibility, & Energy

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or 713-412-5236.

Yoga in the black

In this restorative yoga practice, we enter space, the deep dark black tapestry that supports the entire universe.  Here, we allow ourselves to surrender, shedding both inner and outer judgements, moving deeper into compassion and understanding.  During this session, you can expect to spend your time in long periods of relaxation, as we move gently into and out of various restorative poses.

When: Every other Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (60 minutes)
Where: Join  other Saturday at 10:30 a.m. WebEx meeting 
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Focus: Nurturing, Restoration

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or 713-412-5236.

Chair Yoga

Enjoy the benefits of yoga while sitting down.  Increase flexibility and strength in this welcoming practice.  It is ideal to use a chair without arms or wheels, but any type will do.  Hope to see you there.

When: Mondays at 9:15 a.m. (15 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

When: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. (15 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

Skill Level: All Levels
Focus: Flexibility, Strength, Stability, & Calm

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or .

Women's Health Pelvic Floor Restorative Yoga

Yoga for strengthening and restoring the pelvic floor. Whether you suffer from prolapse, chronic inflammation, or mobility issues due to pelvic issues, you can help heal them here.

When: Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

Skill Level: All
Focus: Restoration, Strength, Flexibility

Follow the link above to join the class directly or contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or .

On-Site Yoga

Yoga for balance

From injuries to regular wear and tear, we lose balance between our paired limbs and/or muscles, causing low back instability, chronic neck pain, and ankle to knee problems.  This session is for you if you want to improve flexibility of mind and body, while restoring and healing the imbalances in your tissues. You can expect a kind, yet challenging series of poses that will aid in your overall performance. 

When: Wednesdays at 1 p.m. (50 minutes)
Where: Building 108A, room 129.
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Focus: Physical Balance with an emphasis on restoration and tissue repair

If you have any questions, please contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov. 

Acupuncture is one of several techniques that make up the system of care provided by those trained in traditional medicine from China and other Asian countries. Most frequently we think of acupuncture as the penetration of thin needles into the body at acupuncture points to effect a change. Acupuncture is used to restore or maintain health.

Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) is a limited auricular (ear) acupuncture protocol taught by the Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense (DoD) for the purpose of pain management. Acupuncture and BFA are available through a referral to chiropractic care within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services at VA Houston. For treatment of spine-related issues, Veterans may also receive comprehensive assessment and care (including acupuncture) through the 2nd floor Spine Clinic at the main hospital. No referral is required for the Spine Clinic.

The chiropractic approach to health care is holistic. Natural drugless, non-surgical methods of chiropractic treatment rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities to promote healing. Chiropractic care restores, improves, and maintains your function, activity, and health. Chiropractic care is available through a referral to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services at VA Houston. For treatment of spine-related issues specifically, Veterans may also receive comprehensive assessment and care (including chiropractic) through the 2nd floor Spine Clinic at the main hospital. No referral is required for the Spine Clinic.

Learn more about chiropractic care at VA Houston. 

Whole Health has partnered with Sunny Creek Ranch, a Veteran-operated local ranch offering “Horses for Heroes,” an Eagala-certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapy program. “Horses for Heroes” helps Veterans to reconnect, de-stress, and communicate more effectively through the horse-human connection.

Through a VA grant and other funding, Sunny Creek Ranch is able to offer this holistic healing service to Veterans, first responders, and their immediate family members at no cost. Veterans can connect with this service through the Whole Health consult, or by calling Sunny Creek Ranch directly. 

Learn more about “Horses for Heroes” at Sunny Creek Ranch

The Integrative Headache Clinic within the department of Neurology provides holistic, Whole Health-informed clinical care for the treatment of chronic headaches and migraine headaches. Request a Neurology Headache Clinic consult to access these services.

Clinical massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body for therapeutic purposes. Based in ancient traditions, massage therapy is a professional health care discipline in the United States. Massage therapy is available through community care, managed by the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (OIVC). A referral can be entered by any licensed healthcare provider.

Whole Health Recreation Therapy plays a vital role in supporting the VA’s mission of serving those who served. Recreation Therapy helps Veterans lead more fulfilling lives through active therapy, while addressing the physical, emotional, and social needs of veterans, aiming to improve their overall functioning and quality of life.  

Recreation Therapy fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among Veterans, providing them with valuable social support networks and connections. Whether it's through sports, outdoor activities, art therapy, music therapy, or other recreational activities, Veterans engage in activities that promote healing and rehabilitation. 

Programs supported by our Recreation Therapist include, but not limited to:

VA National Rehabilitation Programs, Veterans Sports Clinics, Leisure Resource Education, Equestrian Therapy, Horticulture, Adaptive Sports, Pickleball, Bowling, Sailing, Fishing, Group Exercise, etc.

How to Join: Contact us at VHAHOU_WholeHealth_Pathway@va.gov or , or by requesting a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team.

Recreation Resources

The purpose of Therapeutic Recreation is to restore a person’s level of independence in life activities to promote health and wellness. This group assists veterans in exploring community leisure resources. Participants will be oriented to local resources including museums, festivals, retail stores, restaurants, parks and sports. In this setting, a Recreation Therapist will help you establish skills that you can apply in a real-life situation.

When: Occurs the fourth Friday of every month effective 4/26/2024 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m., Central Time (50 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

For more information, please email JeMarques Handy at jemarques.handy@va.gov or call .

Intro to Recreation Therapy

The purpose of Therapeutic Recreation is to restore a person’s level of independence in life activities to promote health and wellness. In this class, veterans are oriented to the benefits of being involved in the practice and the opportunities available through Whole Health Recreation Therapy.

When: Occurs the third Monday of every month effective 4/15/2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Central Time (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

For more information, please email JeMarques Handy at jemarques.handy@va.gov or call .

Sit Fit

A seated 25-minute low impact workout. This class is designed for those who desire a slow-paced exercise, are aging, and/or dealing with chronic pain and other disabling conditions. Routines contain elements of movement, stretching, and breathing. No equipment needed.

When: Occurs every Tuesday, Thursday effective 4/9/2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Central Time (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting

For more information, please email JeMarques Handy at jemarques.handy@va.gov or call .

While all yoga is potentially therapeutic, yoga therapy applies yogic tools (breathwork, movement, meditation) to heal the mind-body system for specific medical or mental health conditions. Yoga therapists train for 1000 hours or complete a Master’s in yoga in order to provide treatment-based yoga.

Yoga Therapy for Trauma

A virtual class designed for mind-body healing after trauma. It is open to all Veterans who are recovering from trauma.

When: Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Join Wednesday 12:00 p.m. WebEx meeting

When: Fridays at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Join Friday 12:00 p.m. WebEx meeting

How to Join: No appointment needed! Follow the links above to join the classes directly or call us at 713-770-1548 for an iCalendar invitation. These classes and others can also be accessed by requesting a Whole Health consult.

Yoga Therapy for Headaches

Available through the Integrative Headache Clinic, and includes both individual and group yoga therapy sessions designed to alleviate chronic headaches and migraine headaches. Request an Integrative Headache Clinic consult to access these services.

Yoga Nidra or iRest

A group yoga therapy class sponsored by the Integrative Headache Clinic, and is ideally suited as a complementary offering for Veterans with chronic headaches, PTSD, trauma, pain or stress. It is open to any interested Veteran. It is a meditative class with no movement or stretching. No special tools or materials are required. Participants can be in a comfortable seated position or laying down during the class.

When: Fridays at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Join WebEx meeting
How to Join: No appointment needed!

iRest was developed by Dr. Richard Miller in 2003 as part of a request by Walter Reed Army Medical Center to study the effects of the ancient yoga practice of Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) in facilitating healing for military personnel and veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).    Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) in modern usage is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, typically induced by a guided meditation. 

According to the iRest Institute, "Yoga Nidra is a process of meditative self-inquiry derived from the teachings of yoga.  Yoga comprises a vast array of techniques designed to bring about first-hand knowing of who and what you actually are when you are free of psychological, cultural, and philosophical conditioning."  iRest is "designed to bring the healing benefits of yogic and meditative practices to a wide variety of people", and "based on current studies in the military the Defense Centers of Excellence has approved iRest as a Complementary and Alternative medicine warranting continuing research for its use in the treatment of PTSD.  In addition, the U.S. Army Surgeon General has listed Yoga Nidra (based on research with iRest) as a Tier 1 approach for addressing Pain Management in Military Care.”

Integrative Headache Clinic Light Mobility Yoga

A group yoga therapy class sponsored by the Integrative Headache Clinic (IHC).  Veterans must go through the IHC to be assigned to this group class.

The Light Mobility class involves light movement and stretching, targeting areas that typically contribute to headaches and migraines (such as neck and back), as well as relaxation practices. The goal is to relieve tension and pain in the areas that contribute to the development of migraines and headaches, and to continue breathwork and relaxation practices as  part of headache and migraine mitigation.

For more information about the Integrative Headache Clinic (IHC) Yoga Therapy, contact Dr. Archana Purushotham, Kelly Oxios-Sauls (C-IAYT)  at Kelly.Sauls1@va.gov  , or Jennifer Bell (C-IAYT) at Jennifer.Bell@va.gov.

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
22001 Northpark Dr., Suite 200, Houston, TX, 77339

Join us for a symbolic journey in self-exploration.  In this class we will cover the primary ingredients for a unified archetype, reflect on our own needs, and create an image of a personal archetype with which to meditate.

Mixed media: paper, pen, colored pencil, magazine cut-outs
Focus: Meditation, Creativity, Empowerment

If you have any questions, please contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov.