STAR Well-Kit

The STAR Well-Kit: Tools for Healing ('Simple Tools to Aid and Restore') is a video-based toolkit for learning about wellness practices and integrative medicine tools for Veterans.

• The toolkit features Veterans describing their experiences of how integrative medicine tools and techniques may help. You can also follow along with brief demonstrations of various practices.
• The STAR Well-Kit was created by the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) with funding and support from the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation (OPCC&CT).

Introduction

You can start with any of the videos in the series. If you don't know where to start, or are unsure about trying integrative medicine practices, we encourage you to start with the 16-minute introduction. Closed captioning is available on all YouTube videos.

STAR Well-Kit:

Complete Introduction

Introduction Part 1:

The role of Integrative Medicine for improving Veteran health and wellness

Introduction Part 2:

Veterans explain the benefits of Deep Breathing

Introduction Part 3:

Veterans explain how Guided Meditation Enhances Well-Being

Introduction Part 4:

Veterans explain how Qigong Helps Energy Flow throughout the Body

Introduction Part 5:

There is No Downside to Trying — Veteran words of encouragement

Veterans Share Their Experiences

Amy Dickinson — Yoga, Breathing, Stretching

Veteran Amy Dickinson discusses benefits of yoga, stretching, and breathing.

Patrick Crehan — Mindfulness Meditation

Veteran Patrick Crehan discusses benefits of mindfulness meditation.

Ben King — Deep Breathing

Veteran Ben King discusses benefits of deep breathing.

Brian Bittings — Qigong

Veteran Brian Bittings discusses benefits of Qigong, an ancient martial art that is similar to Tai Chi.

Nina Knight — Yoga, Breathing

Veteran Nina Knight discusses benefits of yoga and breathing.

Nino Morris — Qigong

Veteran Nino Morris discusses benefits of Qigong, an ancient martial art that is similar to Tai Chi.

Demonstrations of Techniques That Work

James Gordon — Soft Belly Breathing

James Gordon demonstrates a breathing exercise.

Richard Miller — Guided Meditation

Richard Miller demonstrates a guided meditation.

Nan Lu — Qigong and Energy Gates

Nan Lu demonstrates Qigong practices.

Danny O'Brien — Chair Yoga

Veteran Danny O'Brien demonstrates chair yoga.

Kim Wade — Mindful Hatha Yoga

Kim Wade demonstrates mindful hatha yoga, a more active practice of yoga.

Views from the Provider Community

US Department of Veterans Affairs medical providers discuss the role of integrative medicine in improving Veteran health and wellness.