Whole Health

In this 1-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.

How to Join: Call 713-770-1548 or request 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: Call 713-770-1548 or request 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: Call 713-770-1548 or request 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: Call 713-770-1548 or request a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team.

Creative Writing

Join us for some time to self-express, gaining mental freedom from outside stimuli.  This form of active meditation is ideal for clearing the mind from the endless outside possibilities and focusing on you. 

Dates: Starting May 20, the class will be held every other Tuesday. 
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Where: WebEx Meeting
 

Guitars 4 Vets

Whole Health has partnered with Guitars 4 Vets to offer free guitar instruction to Veterans in Houston and surrounding areas. G4V is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing relief to struggling Veterans through the healing power of music.  Through the unique, 10-week structured guitar instruction program, G4V puts the healing power of music in the hands of our nation’s heroes, helping to foster renewal, connection, and community.

Weekly private guitar lessons are individually tailored. They’re designed to help Veterans learn at their own pace, while accommodating any physical and/or emotional challenges. After completing 10 lessons, each Veteran is presented with a new acoustic guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, strings, picks, method book and a certificate of completion.

Learn more about “Guitars 4 Vets” at https://guitars4vets.org/ and contact Lissa Poalino at tx.houston@guitarsforvets.org to get started.

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 5-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 (5 weeks) focuses on building a foundation of emotional awareness and self-regulation using biofeedback. Series 2 (5 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 a.m.

What: Two consecutive 5-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 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

Fin$Power Works is a series of workshops led by Veteran Health and Wellness Coaches, designed to empower Veterans to achieve greater financial well-being. Veterans meet in small group settings to discuss and set personal goals to help them achieve healthier spending, saving, and borrowing habits. Veterans who have completed the 9-week series report positive experiences and have made changes that improved their financial outlook. 

When: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
Where: VA Video Connect

How to join: Call our direct line at . You can also ask your VA healthcare team to submit a Whole Health consult.

Note: Veterans who are unable to use VA Video Connect because they lack a device or access to the internet may also request a Digital Divide consult from their VA healthcare team. 

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 and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Central Time
Where: WebEx Meeting

For more information, please email JeMarques Handy at jemarques.handy@va.gov or call 713-770-1548.

Taekwondo Basics

When: Saturdays at 11:30 am
Where: Combined Arms Gym, 2929 McKinney St, Houston TX 77003

Boxing Fitness

When: Saturdays at 2 pm
Where: Combined Arms Gym, 2929 McKinney St, Houston TX 77003

Introduction to Strength Training

When: Saturdays at 4 pm
Where: Combined Arms Gym, 2929 McKinney St, Houston TX 77003

Additional one-on-one practice and instruction available on Saturdays between scheduled classes. For more information, please email Jacob Glassmeyer at Jacob.Glassmeyer@va.gov  or call 713-770-1548.

Every spring and fall, Whole Health offers a 6-part series on vegetable gardening in collaboration with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension and funded through USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

While the series is concluded for spring 2025, a weekly Hands-On Gardening Group continues year-round where Veterans have the opportunity to get their hands dirty while learning to grow vegetables in containers and raised beds. 

When: Wednesdays from 9:30 – 10:30 am

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 Yolanda Welcome Nikiema, Peer Support Specialist at or Carmichael Khan, Social Worker at 713-293-2387.

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 713-770-1548 to get started, or reach out to either Jacob Glassmeyer at jacob.glassmeyer@va.gov or 713-438-5155  or 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, trans-identifying 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

LGBTQ+ Support Group

When: 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: VVC platform, by referral
How to Join: Contact Mallorie Carroll, PhD at 281-796-2849 or Mallorie.Carroll@va.gov.

Learn more about LGBQ+ 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

Mindfulness and meditation help us to cultivate a greater ability to be attentive to ourselves and our surroundings in the present moment. This increased awareness allows us to make healthier choices moment-by-moment, and to choose more adaptive responses in stressful situations. Research has suggested that practicing mindfulness can heal the mind and body by helping to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. 

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: 3rd Monday of every month, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Join WebEx meeting
Meeting Number: 2
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: 2
Sign up: No appointment needed! Follow the link above to join the class directly call 713-770-1548 for an iCalendar invitation. This class and others can also be accessed by requesting a Whole Health consult from your healthcare team.

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, 10 a.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 .

Setting Intentions

In this 15 minute meditation, we will prepare ourselves for the coming 2 weeks, going day by day through imagery, feeling, and focus to establish a stable foundation for our activities.

When: Every other Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Where: WebEx meeting 
Meeting number: 2
Password: akTR5YE4a*2

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

ZaZen

ZaZen, which translates to "Seated Meditation" is focused on quiet observation with non-action.  Join us for some quiet time without seeking results.

When: Every other Thursday @ 6:30 p.m. (15 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 .

Ten-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group

Virtual mindfulness group open to all Veterans by appointment. MBSR is an evidence-based mindfulness program that has shown to improve the overall health of participants – both physical and mental. 

The program involves light yoga and various guided meditation activities such as breath meditation, walking meditation, and eating meditation. MBSR also includes education about how mindfulness supports making healthier choices and choosing different responses in stressful situations. 

Participants who benefit most from this class are those who can join virtually from a safe space allowing them to fully engage in the mindfulness practices without interruptions.

When: Fridays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Sign up: Contact Dr. Sharanya Udipi at 346-217-2191 to join the next open cohort.

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.

As part of your Whole Health, share your Life Story with our team of writers.  You will be interviewed and your story will be told in a First Person narrative.  You will have the opportunity to edit and approve all facets of your story.  

This information is not only priceless for your team of caregivers, who can access it in your medical records (upon your approval), but also for you and your loved ones.  For a more in-depth look, here are stories from other Veterans.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out to Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or call for more information.

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.

Prenatal Yoga

Wednesdays at 10 a.m., & 6 p.m.

Prenatal Yoga is a practice tailored for pregnancy, focusing on breathing, stamina, pelvic floor exercises, restorative poses, and core strength. It offers emotional and physical support, helping to increase resilience during and after pregnancy.

Prenatal Yoga – Individual

Individual, personally-tailored virtual sessions are available from a certified prenatal yoga instructor.

When: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. or 6 p.m.
Where: Virtual via VA Video Connect

How to Join:  Please call the Whole Health program at to schedule your session, or contact your Maternity Care Coordinator for more information.

Prenatal Yoga – Group

An open, drop-in class teaching prenatal yoga practices accessible for all stages of pregnancy. Feel free to join in whether or not you’ve attended an individual session!

When: Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Where: Virtual via WebEx – click the link to join: Webex Meeting

How to Join: No need to schedule ahead! Drop in to the class directly at the link above.

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 (90-minute) sessions spread across 10 weeks 

Where: Virtual via WebEx

How to Connect: Your healthcare provider can refer you to the RBSTE group by reaching out to Dr. Metari Hunt with a request. You can also contact Dr. Hunt directly at  for information on joining the next group.

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: Call 713-770-1548 or by request 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.

For more information, please email JeMarques Handy at jemarques.handy@va.gov or call 713-770-1548.

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 first Wednesday of every month at 2:00 p.m. and third Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m., Central Time
Where: WebEx Meeting

For more information, please email JeMarques Handy at jemarques.handy@va.gov or call 713-770-1548.

Beyond the Call is a one-day retreat 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.

Beyond the Call is led by Dr. Jeremiah “Jei” Pearcey, US Air Force Veteran and cognitive psychologist. Dr. Pearcey has extensive experience in stress management and psychophysiology. His work focuses on building resilient minds through integrative modalities like guided meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. 

When: Nov. 7, 2025 & Jan. 6, 2026 / Additional dates to come
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Lifeline Chaplaincy, 1415 Southmore Blvd Houston TX
Beyond the Call Retreat Registration: Register Online Here

Integrative Restoration™ (iRest) is an evidence-based, mind-body approach that offers tools to help you relax deeply, release stress, increase resiliency, improve your interpersonal relationships and empower you to practice self-regulation and self-care to support your health and wellness.

When: Thursdays at 5 p.m. (45 minutes)
Where: Virtually on WebEx
Meeting number: 6

More Info: Email Jacob.glassmeyer@va.gov.

Self-hypnosis is a technique where individuals enter a deeply relaxed and focused state of mind, similar to meditation or guided imagery, but with the purpose of influencing thoughts, behaviors, or feelings. In this state, a person becomes highly receptive to suggestions, which can help in achieving personal goals, reducing stress, or breaking unhelpful habits. 

Here are some key highlights of self-hypnosis:

1. Empowerment through focus: Self-hypnosis enables individuals to tap into their subconscious mind, making it easier to influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors positively.
2. Stress reduction: It’s a powerful tool for relaxation and stress management, allowing people to calm their minds and bodies effectively.
3. Behavioral change: Self-hypnosis can support breaking habits, reinforcing positive behaviors, and overcoming challenges such as procrastination or anxiety.
4. Versatile application: Whether improving sleep, building self-confidence, or managing pain, it can be tailored to suit a wide range of personal or therapeutic goals.
5. Ease of practice:  With just a few techniques – like deep breathing, visualization – and affirmations – people can master self-hypnosis with practice and consistency.
    

When: Mondays from 2:00-3:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. or 2:30-4:00 p.m.
What: 4-week virtual groups meeting weekly for 90-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.

SHINE Hope

Feeling hopeless comes from both emotional despair (sadness, anger, fear) and feeling helpless or powerless. We all experience moments of these feelings every day. ​

SHINE Hope helps Veterans to connect with their strengths to overcome feelings of hopelessness by exploring their personal sense of meaning and purpose and activating skills to build up hope. Believe it or not hope is something we can actively practice, and we learn how to do that here.

This class is co-led by Whole Health and Chaplain Service, and is open to Veterans of all spiritual walks.  

When: Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
Where: VA Video Connect

How to join: Call our direct line at . You can also ask your VA healthcare team to submit a Whole Health consult.

Chaplain Service

Whole-person spiritual and pastoral care tailored to Veterans’ individual needs is available through the Chaplain Service at MEDVAMC. Services include 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.

Adaptive Tai Chi

Adaptive Tai Chi will empower those with limitations to find creative ways to move
through Tai Chi. Explore ways of moving through an adaptive approach using
the ancient discipline of Yang style Tai Chi.

When: Monday & Wednesday at 11 a.m. (Beginning April 21, the Monday offering will be held every other Monday. The Wednesday offering will continue to be held each week).  
Where: Meeting Link

Intro to Tai Chi

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

The Whole Health Program offers 30- and 45-minute Tai Chi classes multiple times a week, which are open to all Veterans. Virtual classes are live and interactive through VA WebEx. In-person classes are held on Tuesdays at main VA campus in Houston, building 108A, room 129, and on Saturdays at the Combined Arms gym at 2929 McKinney St, 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 your instructor is prepared to offer modifications for a wide range of mobility levels.

The benefits of Tai Chi include but not limited to lower blood pressure, lower resting heart rate, decrease in stress, better balance and proprioception, improves mobility and more.

When: Every other Monday
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: Wednesdays, 5 p.m. (45 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting

When: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting or Combined Arms Gym, 2929 McKinney St., Houston

When: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. (30 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting or Combined Arms Gym, 2929 McKinney St., Houston

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.

Tai Chi for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

Wednesdays at 3 p.m., 30 minutes

This seated or standing 30 minute Tai Chi class is an equipment‐free, multicomponent mind–body, light‐to‐moderate intensity activity that can help with cancer-related fatigue, chemo brain, decreasing muscle and joint pain, relaxation and stress, anxiety and depression, and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence!
 

Please email Jacob.glassmeyer@va.gov for virtual meeting link.

Richmond Clinic Tai Chi Class

When: Every other Thursday
Where: Richmond VA Clinic, Conference Room #200-15

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: 2#

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

Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain

Whole Health offers the first FDA-authorized Virtual Reality (VR) program for chronic lower back pain. The self-guided, in-home therapeutic program can reduce your discomfort while teaching you skills for managing your everyday chronic lower back pain. The program is self-administered over 56 sessions, averaging 6 minutes each, in the comfort of their own home. 

Sessions include proven pain management techniques and immerse you in vivid environments that calm your nervous system for lasting pain relief. To get started, participants start with an in-person visit to trial the VR program at the main VA hospital in Houston – call our direct Whole Health line at to request an appointment.

Virtual Reality for Mental Well-Being

Whole Health offers a 90-day home virtual reality program to support mental health and well-being. This immersive, self-paced program can be customized to support personal goals for growth related to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, trauma, and/or chronic pain.

Participants receive monthly support from a telephone navigator, including guidance with exploring virtual reality activities and developing a personalized program. 

To get started, participants start with an in-person visit to trial the VR program at the main VA hospital in Houston – call our direct Whole Health line at to request an appointment.

VR for Social Connectedness* 

Innerworld is an anonymous, avatar-based app providing live and interactive social support 24/7. Participants can join the open community space to connect with others anytime, or join over 200 scheduled support groups per week that teach mental health tools on varied topics such as anxiety, depression, and recovery, meditation, mindfulness, neurodiversity, recovering from narcissistic relationships, as well as groups that are purely social-focused and fun, including ones that are Veteran-only.

With a community of over 3,000 Veterans, Innerworld has made the app available to Veterans at no cost through a partnership with VA. The program can be used with virtual reality headsets or on smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers. Visit this website to redeem your free Veteran’s account.

Whole Health Maternity programming provides well-being classes for new and expecting mothers. Offerings include 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.

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: Call 713-770-1548, or if followed by MEDVAMC Maternity Care, ask your Maternity Care Coordinator to place a Whole Health consult.

Virtual Yoga Offerings

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

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: Every other Monday at 8:15 a.m.
Where: WebEx meeting
Meeting number: 2
Password: GNmuQ87yS5
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: Every other Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Where: WebEx meeting
Meeting number: 2
Password: FhfjssE2*38
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.   This yoga is inviting and restorative, a perfect blend of East and South Asian mind-body practices.

When:  Every other Thursday at 11 a.m.
Where: WebEx meeting 
Skill Level: Intermediate
Focus: Energy, Integration, Attention, Flow

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 Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (45 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting 
Meeting number: 2
Password: d3X5Y3KVJM
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.

Sun Salutations - 10 Minutes of Yoga Flow

Join us for 10 minutes of Sun Salutations to keep your yoga focused and accessible.  This routine is repeatable daily in as short a period as 5 minutes.

When: Every other Tuesday (request invite for dates) | 11 a.m. (10 minutes)
Where: WebEx meeting 

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

Chair Yoga

Please join us for a simple, restorative, strengthening yoga practice while seated.  This is good for all levels and is a great refresher/maintenance exercise.

When: Every other Thursday (request invitation for dates) | 10:30 a.m. (10 minutes)
Where: WebEx Meeting
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Focus: Flexibility, Strength, Relaxation

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

On-Site Yoga (Houston VA)

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 11 a.m. (50 minutes)
Where: Building 108, inside the Fitness Center Aerobics room (behind the weight training area)
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. 

On-Site Yoga (Combined Arms)

Yin Yoga

In this restorative session we practice with the intention to nurture ourselves and open to receive nurturing.  You can expect to spend your time in long periods of relaxation, as we move gently into and out of various yin poses.

When: Every other Sunday, 4 p.m. to  4:45 p.m.
Where: In-person at Combined Arms (2929 McKinney St, Houston)
Skill Level: All levels
Focus: Restoration, Recovery, Relaxation

Contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or call for more information.

Hun Yuan Qigong

In this qigong practice the focus is on restoring the "vital essence", meaning to return the body to its original design before DNA damage from years of stress and modification.  It is deeply helpful to reduce inflammation, so is ideal for various auto-immune disorders, including cancer.

When: Every other Monday, 11 a.m. to  11:30 a.m.
Where: In-person at Combined Arms (2929 McKinney St, Houston)
Skill Level: All levels
Focus: Restoration, Flow, Harmony, Balance

Contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or call for more information.

Yoga for Emotional Intelligence

In this practice the focus is on taking emotional wisdom, whether gained through direct experience of stress or from cultivation of awareness and applying it to our bodies.  This yoga puts your attention on being fully present with all of your sensations, including associated thoughts, and helps you strengthen your body-mind-soul relationship for harmony inward and outward.

When: Every other Monday, 12 p.m. to  12:30 p.m.
Where: In-person at Combined Arms (2929 McKinney St, Houston)
Skill Level: All levels
Focus: Peace, Integration, Flow

Contact Anne Bartell at anne.bartell@va.gov or call for more information.

On-Site Yoga (Tomball Clinic)

Flow & Stretch Yoga Class

Perfect practice to awaken the body and prepare the mind for the day. Moving through dynamic Asana, building body heat, strength & flexibility creates a balanced relationship between all senses.

When: Tuesday 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
Where: In-person at Tomball VA Clinic Room 223, Virtually 
Skill Level: All levels
Focus: Flexibility, Strength, and Energy

Click here to join the class directly or contact Alana Padgett at Alana.Padgett@va.gov.

Stretch Yoga for Veterans

Perfect practice to awaken the body and prepare the mind for the day. Moving through dynamic Asana, building body heat, strength & flexibility creates a balanced relationship between all senses.

When: Thursday, 3 p.m. to  3:30 p.m.
Where: In-person at Tomball VA Clinic Room 223, Virtually 
Skill Level: All levels
Focus: Flexibility, Strength, and Energy

Click here to join the class directly or contact Alana Padgett at Alana.Padgett@va.gov.

Women's Trauma-Informed Yoga

Trauma-informed yoga is a yoga practice that is adapted in several ways for the unique needs of women working to overcome trauma.

When: Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: In-person at Tomball VA Clinic Room 223 & Virtually
Skill Level: All levels
Focus: Self-Empowerment, Restoration

Click here to join the class directly or contact Alana Padgett at Alana.Padgett@va.gov.