P.O.W. — Pugilistic Offensive Warrior Tactics — is a unique approach to group therapy, involving two very different disciplines: mixed martial arts and yoga.

[lz_jwplayer video=”EMfojtWy” ads=”true”]

Former Army sergeant-turned-social worker Todd Vance founded the San Diego-based nonprofit group in 2010 to help his fellow combat veterans transition to life at home. Many of his students have physical and emotional wounds and benefit from the physicality of cage fighting with the added zen of yoga.

Related: Veterans Coping Through Cage Fighting

P.O.W. member Jordan Myers says, “The breathing exercises that we do during yoga, you can take that anywhere. So if you find yourself in a crowd and you can’t deal with crowds easily, just start doing those breathing exercises — the same ones you try to work through that stretch, work through that crowd. Work through your problems that you’re dealing with at the time.”

Recently, Vance moved to Arizona to be with his fiance and continue his career in social work. But he says P.O.W. is still thriving in his absence, telling LifeZette, “I think the importance, significance, and effectiveness of the P.O.W. program is expressed in many ways…P.O.W. continues to not only survive but continues to grow and serve more students each week. The solid leadership I put in place has really stepped up and taken the day-to-day operations by the horns. I believe that this speaks volumes.”

Members say P.O.W.’s combination of physical release, peer support and career mentoring has changed — and even saved — their lives. Vance says he is hoping to start another P.O.W. chapter to serve veterans and active duty military in Phoenix.