YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- For a year and a half, Shelly Trimble, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the 910th Airlift Wing and an iRest Level 2 teacher, has been guiding the Airmen and Key Spouses of Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Yellow Ribbon Event participants through iRest’s body-centered meditation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she could no longer hold her courses in-person to abide by physical distancing measures. So in late March she adapted and moved them to Zoom video conferencing after a 910th Medical Squadron Airman deployed to assist New York City in its fight against the Coronavirus reached out to her wishing to attend a class.
Trimble, looking for a proper channel to provide YARS’s deployers with the class links, reached out to Air Force Reserve Command. In response to her request, AFRC provided the link to all deployed Reserve Citizen Airmen and all of the AFRC Wings across the nation.
In April, Trimble had 92 people attend her iRest sessions. Each of two weekly sessions continues to grow as Airmen share their experiences and invite colleagues. “All are welcome to attend,” said Trimble. “I offer iRest classes to build self-regulation, self-efficacy and resilience. It’s also a good opportunity to connect with others and take a minute to step away from your telework.”
The Zoom meetings are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday as well as the Saturday and Sunday of every Unit Training Assembly. The class will be held even if only one person signs on that day. Reservists looking for the link should reach out to their installation’s helping agencies or reach out to Trimble directly.
iRest is a simple self-paced program offered in a group or individual setting which focuses on overall well-being. It is intended to reduce stress, improve interpersonal relationships, increase energy levels, support well-being and increase restful sleep.