HOS esearchers at the V-A Medical Center in Miami, Florida, are studying the effects of meditation on Veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder -– PTSD. And they're seeing encouraging results. MOLLY ASEBEY-BIRKHOL Wecome the body. Welcome the breath." CESAR PASTOR Initially I was very hesitant. I thought it was silly. But once I started to follow through with it, it became something very practical and effective." ASEBEY-BIRKHOL Stretch the body a little bit." VOICEOVE The Miami meditation group is led by Molly Asebey-Birkholm, a professional yoga and meditation instructor." ASEBEY-BIRKHOL To see the way Veterans are open to finding something new and open to meditation as a healing modality. It's just been an inspiration." VOICEOVE The form of meditation that's being used in these sessions is called I-REST –- which is short for Integrative Restoration." ASEBEY-BIRKHOL Shift back to that feeling of calm tranquility." ASEBEY-BIRKHOL It takes them through an experience where they're not trying to change anything. They're just observing the breath. And then they observe emotions. We ask them to take a moment to look at those feelings an just welcome them." VOICEOVE This form of meditation can be a potent form of self-care for Veterans practicing it -- if done on a regular basis." MARIA LLORENT It's a skill set that they've learned to master and that they have readily available." PASTOR Concentration has gone up. I've been able to keep a job and continue with school which I wasn't able to do before." VOICEOVE The idea behind using meditation as a PTSD therapy is to help Veterans like these avoid destructive mental habits. They can regain a degree of peacefulness that's been lost to them until now." HOS isit the National Center for PTSD at www.ptsd.va.gov.