“As I continue to think about policing and our mission, it is ever clear why yoga and its practice and principles are essential for law enforcement. Police officers are sworn to the keep the peace outside, but the peace is needed on the inside. Policing is a para-military organization and the mantra in this profession is to be tough, to never let them see you sweat, never lose, no pain, no gain,” Belles said.
“Most people could never imagine the level of stress, tension, and anxiety inherent in law enforcement. The consequences are deadly for many of our brothers and sisters in blue. Yoga combats the stress of the job, releasing tension and relieving anxiety and depression. The quality of my life since practicing yoga has exponentially increased,” she said.
Belles joined the Tuckahoe Police Department as a patrol officer in 1994 at the age of 25 and became a yogi at 33.
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