So, what happens when today's warriors — our soldiers, Marines and Navy SEALs — actually strike the Warrior Pose?

I'm pretty sure that planets tilt off their axes and collide into each other.

Okay, not quite. But stereotypes and subcultures sure do get shaken up.

The news [1] that some U.S. soldiers are practicing yoga [1] seems capable of sending fissures of surprise and/or alarm through both the Armed Forces and peace-loving yoganiks.

The rigidity of military life (salutes, marching formations, razor-sharp bed-making habits) doesn't really compute with the supple, meditative world inhabited by yogis. An editor at Fit Yoga [1] noted, that, "At first it seemed a little shocking — soldiers practicing such a peaceful art." It is kind of jarring — the idea of GIs invading a serene studio in the hopes of perfecting their downward-facing dog.

And I gather that soldiers — who admit they get mocked by their buddies — maintain a sheepish "don't ask, don't tell" [2]policy about their habit. As one Marine/yogi put it: "It's not necessarily considered masculine."

Or maybe it is. One yogi/Navy SEAL says that yoga has much in common with boot camp; several aspects of Navy SEAL basic training are "yoga-like in nature."

Hmmm. In any case, it's heartening to see our troops gravitate towards mind/body/spirit goodness, chant for peace, breathe deeply and strive for inner peace.

And, who knows, maybe that'll lead to outer peace...