MURRAY, Ky. — Right now, more than 11 million Americans enjoy the health benefits of yoga.

It's been known to improve things like strength, posture and flexibility.

But starting Wednesday, yoga is helping local military veterans and their families in ways some might never expect. The practice is doing a whole lot more.

"It's about opening up spaces and letting go of tightness," said Kathry Rogers.

If you're like most people, the thought of starting a yoga program might seem scary.

That's especially so for those men and women who may be more comfortable on the front lines or in high-stress environments.

"You learn to breathe. You learn to quiet the mind, slow the body down and yuu open up everything. You hold tight and tense inside. That brings health to the mind and health to the body," Rogers said.

It's a lesson she learned almost by accident.

She started yoga to stretch a hamstring but it ended up changing the Army veteran's life.

"The pace we keep on a regular basis is fast and it's one thing right after another and when you take that away, you don't know what to do with that energy."

Rogers used yoga to help her transition back to civilian life.

Now, she's helping others to have the same success through the Connected Warrior Program. The program uses volunteer teachers to share benefits of yoga to help military veterans and their families increase energy, exercise and cope with stresses of life.

Michael Prymula is just starting yoga and said veterans can especially benefit.

"I think a lot of us have experienced some terrible things in our lives and I think yoga will allow those individuals to get past that trauma," he said. "This is a good way of healing from the inside."

Murray State is the first university to start a pilot program aimed at strengthening mind, body and spirit, one lesson at a time.

"It does a lot for me but it's really the giving back, the teaching yoga," Rogers said."Watching the yoga students I have benefit from it and it benefits them in every aspect of their life."

Connected Warrior classes are free for all student veterans and those in the community.

Classes meet every Wednesday night from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Carr Health Building south gym on Murray State's campus.