Photo By Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kaylin Cornell, a fitness assessment cell manager assigned...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Elmendorf Fitness Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has introduced the Lumena MindGym, a cutting-edge facility designed to bolster mental resilience and cognitive performance for service members and their families.
The MindGym offers a sensory-controlled environment where users engage in guided mindfulness sessions. Participants sit in ergonomic chairs and wear electroencephalogram helmets that monitor brain waves and physiological responses, such as heart and respiration rates. These sessions, typically lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, use light and sound to facilitate relaxation and mental focus.
"At its most basic, the MindGym is another tool in our toolbox for providing resiliency to our members who are living here in the arctic," said Joshua Grieser, director of the fitness center. "Being in this arctic, northern environment, it’s dark and people struggle with seasonal affective disorder."
The MindGym is accessible 24/7 to all registered users of the EFC. To use the facility, individuals can set up a profile during their first visit and reserve sessions through the center's scheduling system. For assistance, staff members are available during regular hours, and a QR code is provided on-site for guidance during unstaffed periods.
This initiative aligns with the Air Force's commitment to Comprehensive Airman Fitness and the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, recognizing the importance of mental health in mission readiness. Similar MindGym installations at other bases, such as Hill Air Force Base, have reported positive outcomes, including improved reaction times and reduced stress levels among participants.
"It reduces anxiety, stress, and helps with your sleep," said Senior Airman Nathan Lai Hamada, a fitness center journeyman assigned to the 673d Force Support Squadron. "I definitely felt the stress relief from the MindGym."
For more information or to schedule a session, visit the EFC's official website or contact the front desk at (907) 552-3624.
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2025 16:08 |
| Story ID: | 492026 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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