An Introduction to Yoga For First Responders

Patricia (Trish) Froehlich has been regularly practicing yoga since 2008, although she fondly remembers her adult education yoga classes from the early 1980s! A doctor suggested Trish practice yoga to help with asthma. She immediately found breath control techniques beneficial, not just with asthma but with the sense of calm the breathwork provided. Trish served as a Connecticut prosecutor for over 26 years, starting in Connecticut’s Judicial District of Danbury and retiring in 2016 as State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Windham. From one end of Connecticut to the other, Trish found immense stress relief not only while practicing but also off the mat, taking to the courtroom and office the deep breathing techniques and focus she learned on the mat. From 2012-2015 Trish represented CT on the National District Attorneys Association’s Board of Directors and often found yoga studios at which to practice while traveling the country to attend meetings. During her career Trish often practiced using DVDs and online programs but has always favored the energy and camaraderie that comes from practicing with others when possible. She earned her 200-hour teacher training certificate at Nadi Om Wellness in Ocala, FL and is excited about continuing to share yoga. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance. Trish is also certified as a Level II instructor by Yoga for First Responders. She is certified by Laskshmi Voelker to teach chair yoga and by Bernie Clark to teach yin yoga. Trish believes that yoga should be accessible to people of every size, shape, age, and fitness level. She currently teaches at four fitness centers in Ocala, FL and is among a small group of teachers offering free yoga at Ocala’s Sholom Park.

Joe Froehlich spent 32 years in Connecticut law enforcement, holding positions in patrol and major crime and was a canine handler, tactical team member, and eventually an administrator. He spent most of his career working for the Connecticut State Police. In 2007 he was appointed deputy chief in the Putnam Police Department. Upon his retirement from law enforcement Joe served as Director of Law Enforcement Services for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. He is recognized by the federal Office on Violence Against Women to train law enforcement and domestic violence advocates across the country in the area of response to and prevention of domestic violence. While serving as a deputy chief Joe discovered that yoga was so much more than just a good stretch. He found yoga to be a great relief from the stressors that face law enforcement officers. Along with support from his wife and friends he found yoga helped him through the challenges of being a deputy chief. Yoga is part of the resilience that has served Joe well throughout his career and into retirement. Joe completed his RYT-200-hour yoga teaching certificate in 2021. He is a certified Instructor 2 with Yoga for First Responders and a member of Veterans Yoga Project Teacher Alliance. He also has certifications in Chair Yoga and Yin Yoga. He currently teaches yoga at four different fitness centers located in Ocala, FL. He enjoys a variety of different practices from a gentle practice to a challenging practice designed to energize the body while regulating the entire nervous system.