Urbaca Salon has joined forces with California-based Diamond Way Ayurveda (www.welcomingwarriorshome.com) and Warrior Water Center Project (conceived and directed by Brig. General James Cook of the U.S. Army Reserves, www.warriorwatercenter.org) to announce a community-based initiative to help the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Soldiers are a real and necessary part of society, committed to defend what is cherished in daily life and the world. The stress, wear and tear on the women and men returning from Iraq and Afghanistan is immense. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the more visible wounds of warfare changes these men and women forever. No one goes back to the way things were. We need to integrate these new life experiences in a healthy and meaningful way so that they can emerge as productive, happy and engaged citizens in everyday life.
What has been learned by health care providers, including those in the Veterans Administration treating PTSD, three of the most effective therapies to help these men and women are massage, yoga and meditation. Community-based follow-up services are vital and essential to make a difference. This is especially true for U.S. Army reservists who are sent back to their home communities where they often find their work and family life radically changed with few or no Veterans Affairs services available.
In support of armed service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, Urbaca Esthetician Sherry Okamura Leonard has created the Tranquil Warrior Treatment. This balancing and regenerative treatment incorporates Urbaca’s signature massage-heavy facial treatments with hands on energetic healing to calm and integrate the overstressed and fatigued.
Though a typical self-described liberal Portlander, Mrs. Okamura Leonard has very close ties to the United States military. Her youngest sister is a retired Army Captain and her brother-in-law is an active Army Major who has done two tours of duty in Iraq, in addition to sustaining injury from attack. This initiative is intended to support the warriors, even if one does not support the war.
Urbaca is proud to donate at least one complimentary Tranquil Warrior Treatment per month (based on availability) to support service men/women returning from duty. Please call 503.241.5030 for more information.
