The 'Ripple Effect' of Resilience: My Journey from the Battlefield to the Mat

The Invisible Battlefield

Eighteen years ago, I was one of the first women to serve in a combat role in the Israeli army. We were pioneers, focused on the mission, fueled by adrenaline, and determined to prove ourselves. What I didn't realize then was that the toughest battle wouldn't be fought on the field, but inside me, years later.

Like so many veterans, I found myself battling an enemy I couldn't see: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For years, the symptoms were a weight—sleepless nights, hypervigilance, and a creeping sense of isolation. I was officially recognized as a trauma survivor, but the real fight was accepting that I deserved healing and finding the tools to do the work.

Finding My Foundation with "Sisters in Yoga"

A few years ago, I finally decided to fight for my healing, not just against my past. That's when I found my way to Brothers and Sisters in Yoga.

Joining the "Journey to Life" program was transformative. Here, I wasn't just a veteran or a diagnosis; I was Roni, a woman finding her way back to her foundation. The most profound tool I gained was the daily practice of yoga.

Every single day is a commitment—a renewed choice for my better self. It's a daily act of defiance against the shadow of trauma, a fight for a calmer environment for my children and my family. This daily struggle, this conscious choice, is where real growth begins.

From Participant to Pioneer

My healing didn't stop with me. After completing the program, I felt a deep calling to give back. Now, I volunteer monthly, helping in the kitchen during retreats and supporting new participants as they nervously step onto the path of recovery. Seeing their eyes, I see my own past self, and I know the path ahead is worth the effort.

Once, I brought my daughter to a retreat. Watching her connect with the community, witnessing the impact our space has on the whole family, was one of the most moving moments. We aren't just healing individuals; we are strengthening the social fabric around them.

My New Mission: Leading the Healing

Today, my personal fight has expanded into a public mission. I am speaking out—for the tens of thousands of women, many of them veterans, who suffer in silence, who don't understand what is happening to them, or who feel ashamed and believe they are alone. They are not alone, and they deserve support.

That's why I am stepping forward to join the organization's first-ever Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training course.

This course is a dream realized for the organization and a huge step for me. I am not just joining to become a teacher; I am joining to become a leader in healing. Our society desperately needs our warriors—male and female—to become the next generation of resilience leaders, guiding others with wisdom that comes from lived experience.

By supporting this Teacher Training, you are not just funding a course; you are investing in the Ripple Effect—allowing people like me to take our hard-won experience and multiply the capacity for healing across our community. Thank you for making my continued fight, and our collective future, possible.