Dana Healey enlisted in the Army in 2002. Her three years of service took her to Afghanistan and Iraq. She then left the military but stayed in the Middle East as a civilian contractor for another eight years.
While overseas, a friend gave her a yoga DVD. She then realized she likes the sport, so she went to Thailand to become a certified yoga teacher.
Shortly after returning to Iraq after Thailand, she injured her back, forcing her to return home to Bakersfield to rehabilitate herself. Her injury was healed with the help of her new skill.
"I came home, did yoga, rehabilitated myself, avoided back surgery because of yoga," said Healey.
She decided to share her new knowledge and opened up her own yoga studio, Warrior 1 Yoga.
She offers free classes every Tuesday, all day, for veterans and their spouses. Every Friday, teachers can take class for free at 5 a.m. and first responders can take class for free at 4:30 p.m.
Warrior 1 also offers soul yoga and other services.
If you know a Kern County Veteran who should be featured on A Veteran's Voice, email Leah Pezzetti at Leah.Pezzetti@KERO.com.
