Veterans Yoga Project

The instructor for today's yoga class was great! Although far more dexterous than I, she is a very good instructor. I will look forward to the next class!

I came across Veterans Yoga Practice at a time in my life when I needed it the most. I have not always been a fan of yoga or even open to having this as a regular practice in my life. Over eight years ago, an amazing friend of mine, who is more like family than a friend, introduced me to yoga. I tried it once and decided that it wasn't for me. Now at 50, and during a transitional period of my life that is embracing slowing down, self care and a calm spirit, yoga shows back up exaclty when I needed it and was open to it. I love that VYP is available 7 days a week and at various times of the day and offers a variety of yoga practices and instructors to suit everyone's needs, including my own. I have now been practicing yoga for a few months now and cannot see myself not having yoga be a part of my regular routine. Thank you, VYP and a shout out to all of the instructors for doing such an amazing job leading all of the yoga practices. I am praying that one day, I will be able to share my newfound love for yoga as an instructor, after my training, of course. Thank you all, have a blessed day. If anyone is interested in yoga, VYP is the place to go. Namaste ������������

I have been taking the classes off of veterans yoga projects for a few months now and I thoroughly enjoy them. I feel better than I did prior to this and I enjoy working out with instructors that are friendly and knowledgeable in the classes. I'm just so happy that you guys are offering these for veterans and their families. and I hope it continues well into the future.

I was trying to take it easy after having a dental procedure yesterday. The chair yoga class offered both sitting and standing options. I found out I can do regular yoga. Enjoyed the class today.

Thanks for providing this virtual Yoga class. I have being dealing with chronic back pain for over 15 years. I have had physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, tai chi; this Yoga class definitely helps. Gail is definitely the best instructor and her instructions are easy to follow. Blessings

Gail Pickens-Barger is an outstanding instructor. The Tai Chi class and instructional program was easy to follow along. My pain level definitely decreased with the exercises. Thanks Gail for all you are doing for our military veterans, blessings.
Jose,

Val does a great online Core and Strength chair yoga class for the Veterans Yoga Project. Appropriate for all levels of yogi’s. Val has a great pace and melodic voice, encourages and invites her students to participate and explore the chair yoga poses. Treat yourself to this class when you can, you will love it!

So glad that I found VYP. All of the classes fill my needs of physical and mental health. Thank you

I am very grateful for this opportunity . I live in a town where monthly fees for gyms and/or yoga classes would be too expensive on me.
I am very impressed with the variety of classes and teachers.
Thank you very much for the Vetrran’s Yoga Project. It is invaluable to me.

I’m a 68-year old Air Force veteran who just discovered this non-profit. After just three breathing, meditation and chair yoga sessions, I can proudly say that this is an amazing and truly valued service! I plan to continue and regain strength, flexibility, and calm through these classes. Each one is different and all are top notch. A million thanks!!

The Veterans Yoga Project has gotten me back into yoga with stress free online classes. My wife attended as well, and I expect that we will both attending more together. The focus on making the classes accessible to people of all fitness levels is a testament to doing it right.

I only wish there were studio classes in Greenville, SC. I would like to connect to more vets in the area with the same yoga interests. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the online classes.

As a Vietnam vet with PTSD I have found some help with the offered yoga sessions. I'm new at yoga and still trying to find the best practice since my body is falling apart a bit. My joints are painful and tight. I'm very grateful that the free service is offered since there aren't that many options where I live.

I did my first ever chair tai chi class with Gail Pickens-Barger on 01/01/2025 and it was a GREAT experience. The movements are kind of fast and you have to pay attention but overall the class was 5 out of 5 and I would highly recommend. Especially for anyone who just needs some gentle physical movement in their life and some thought provoking ideas about self care. Gail is also great with follow-up for her classes and provides resources that will help you expand your practice if you so choose. Thank you Gail for a great first experience with chair tai chi. Mark Sullivan Veteran of the USMC and Army.

Amazing program for self care and recovery, I hope more veterans are aware of it! I have gotten into yoga after my last deployment and diagnosis, so for this to be offered to veterans for free is beyond amazing. I am so grateful this nonprofit organization exists for our community and can’t wait for others to join in and benefit from this incredible initiative.

This was my first class and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for bringing this free service to veterans. I appreciate it.

Much appreciated opportunity to practice yoga privately but with guidance. Great instructor.

Very hard to follow = camera tilted to the ceiling. Instructor told that and so she stood up to show some of the positions, but only half of her body was seen,

I have taken several classes of yoga Nidra with different teachers. I have also taken a slow stretch yoga class. Tuesdays I take an hour-long Tai Chi class. I'm very grateful that the VA is doing all of this for veterans. This is really very valuable to me.

This is the first full class that I have participated in. So just getting a feel for it, the class was relaxing.

Clarissa offers a highly effective and therapeutic Yoga Nidra practice. I am a veteran with PTSD and insomnia. The sessions help to relax me and reduce my exhaustion. Clarrisa's engaging and lovely voice enhances her skilled teaching methods! I highly recommend you take this class to boost your mental and physical health.

Lin yoga is the best! Raeann is a great teacher and provides a safe place to relax and reset.

A year ago I broke my right knee cap and left shoulder, because of my age they didn’t do surgery. Did rehab, PT etc, the yoga classes have been helping more than PT. Pain in my left shoulder is much less, walking better.

Fantastic service to veterans and their families! Easy, accessible yoga practice with a variety from day to day. So grateful for this nonprofit!

I discovered Veterans Yoga Project after I returned from my last deployment. I have a few minor physical injuries (mainly my back), and this is a great program to work on that. It's also great for my mental health, which is the most significant benefit. My stress and anxiety decrease for the workday when I start with a VYP morning session.

The platform for signing up and managing your yoga sessions is easy. The courses stream on Zoom. I am grateful for a robust digital platform to manage my yoga sessions on; it's one less thing I have to worry about in life.

The best part? VYP is FREE for veterans. THIS is the program I need as a vet, so THANK YOU for making it happen.

I have done a few virtual yoga sessions with Veterans Yoga Project and my mind and my body are extremely grateful for the results I'm seeing. As a veteran with significant disabilities, having the convenience of participating in virtual yoga sessions works wonder for me. Thank you for offering this service to those who need it. It means much more than I can express in words.

I missed last week and it was evident in the amount of stress I felt before class. I was a 10/10, but afterwards was a 4/10. I enjoy the ability to participate in my home at no cost since a Veteran. I live in Eagle River Alaska and often having to travel during the winter months adds an additional barrier to participating regularly. VYP solves this issue. Cortez is a great Yoga leader, I appreciate his personal nature and professionalism.

As a Veteran practicing yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, and qigong has helped me deal w anxiety after retirement and musclesckeletal pain. The slow stretch class helped me get restful sleep. Its an awesome feeling.

Another great Yin Yoga class led by Raeann! Thanks!

Love the concept and the work this group does! Bringing the many benefits of yoga to our deserving veterans at no cost to them. Especially the virtual option for those who don’t have access to local programs or prefer to practice in private. Well done VYP!

I am a retired sailor who served in the Navy and the Army. I want to share with you my experience with Veterans Yoga Project and their Mindful Resilience Yoga Programs, because I am no longer just surviving in the darkness.

Mindful Resilience is comprised of 5 tools that include breath, meditation, mindful movement, guided rest, and gratitude.
Veterans Yoga Project have 3 Guiding Principles: Support Precedes Action, SPACE, and Mindfulness and Acceptance.

I found Veterans Yoga Project as a widow and retiree who was isolated, depressed, and struggling with PTS from combat experiences and MST. Learning Mindful Resilience Yoga and meditation felt like a lifeline back to the surface, out of darkness and into fresh air. The staff of VYP has been present and engaged, and it's because they have walked this path themselves and understand the struggle to rebuild inner resilience.

The Second Guiding Principle of VYP is creating and holding SPACE (Safe-Predictable-Accessible-Controlled-Environment). The dedication to this mission is real, and every VYP member has been authentic, caring and incredibly knowledgeable. I am so thrilled to be a yoga instructor now and to have the opportunity to help fellow veterans, first responders, and caregivers find ease in yoga and meditation as well.

When I retired from the military, I wasn't prepared or trained to transition from either the service or from my combat and wartime engagement/deployments. I don't regret my service, but I felt deserted at my finish line. I was, in a sense, blown apart as a person, and never taught how to piece myself back together to function well. The VA in my Florida region has not reliably helped. What Veterans Yoga Project has managed to do is identify, organize and deliver a program that provides recovery tools for veterans to more effectively deal with stress, TBI, PTS, and a myriad of other ailments. VYP has shown us how to start gathering up our blown apart selves, and carefully put our pieces back in place, and has given us training to not only help keep our pieces in place, but to teach and train other soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen how to do this as well. That is something amazing. VYP can help a lot of people learn tools to help in the healing process. Yoga isn't a cure, but it can be a tool that helps us transition from surviving to THRIVING. (Mindfulness and Acceptance).

The First Guiding Principle of VYP is Support Precedes Action. Supporting Veterans Yoga Project is a worthy endeavor and an investment with TREMENDOUS human returns.

I credit the Veterans Yoga Project with saving me after my 95-year-old WWII veteran died 2 years ago. Their online classes remain a life line.

Raeann held the perfect space, to both gracefully awaken, and embody joy. Highly recommend starting the day with one of her classes. Thank you Veteran Yoga Project.

Love this non-profit! Certified yoga instructors provide free classes to veterans and first responders - giving them tools to help with trauma recovery and resilience.

Phenomenal. So many options, it’s hard to say “not today”.

An outstanding organization dedicated to serving veterans!

VYP changed my life. It gave me purpose and more importantly the skills and passion for sharing these powerful practices with other veterans and first responders.

I discovered Veterans Yoga Project about 2½ months ago and have immersed myself wholeheartedly into taking at least 2 classes every day. The instructors are amazing; enthusiastic in their practice and encouraging to all of their students. It is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. My yoga regimen provides purpose as well as exercise. Having the same classes each week is very good for my body and mind. I encourage all veterans as well as families and friends of veterans to check it out and you might discover an activity that is so good for the psyche and the body.

I am in my seventh year of sharing the practice with my fellow Veterans, servicemembers, their families, and the community. The VYP approach has made me a better human and sharing these tools has helped many others. I hope to continue for many more years.

I love being a part of an organization populated by people with a shared, selfless passion for the special community that they serve. Our nation owes an ongoing debt to our heroes, our veterans & those who have sacrificed because they love & support a hero. Being able to share the many benefits of yoga to support the recovery & resilience of that special group of our population is beyond rewarding, one class at a time!

Doing amazing work helping veterans and first responders and their families recovery from PTSD. This is a free service and has shown great benefit.

I am a big fan of yoga and the many ways it has helped me on my journey of healing. Veterans Yoga Project understands the healing potential of yoga and does a great job of tailoring how yoga is taught to be invitational, empowering, and self-driven. Their approaches maximize how mindful movement, rest, and befriending the body can greatly reduce symptoms of past trauma.

I have been teaching slow mindful yoga since 2013. I became interested yoga for trauma and learned about the amazing work that Veteran’s Yoga Project is doing. I decided to become involved at the State level, and my volunteer outreach work has been very rewarding. Slow yoga calms the nervous system so that when stressful situations arise, you know what to do. The practices provide agency, and the research on slow yoga practices suggests that they help Veterans, their families and first responders come back to themselves.

This experience is shared by knowledgable, caring and very skilled people. They are in it because they know the benefits yoga has to offer. A dedicated & inclusive program is at the heart of the Veteran Yoga Project.

I felt called to teach Trauma Yoga and was referred to the Veteran's Yoga Project (VYP). After taking their Mindful Resilience training, and continuing my training, I was given an opportunity to teach at veteran's retreats in my state. This was my dream come true!! All of my VYP contacts have not only been encouraging, but they've supported me in being selected to teach at these retreats! Because of VYP, not only have I had the opportunity to teach, but I've referred many, many veterans to the classes resource and they've found it to be extremely helpful in their journey!!

Amazing non-profit that strives to provide services for veterans. They are committed to growing and are focused on an organization that is for everyone. The amount of volunteers they have working and giving their time and energy shows the value and commitment of the organization.

I didn't know other veterans were doing yoga too until I found the Veterans Yoga Project. This organization has given me a purpose and a mission to continue after my time in service. The collaboration with other veteran servicing organizations, the support each veteran and military family member gives to each other, and the profound difference this work makes in the lives of so many is heartening and worth supporting.

My daugher is the new CEO of Veterans Yoga Project, so I am a little partial. But I can tell you I've been volunteering for them for over seven years, when it was just the founder and a few of volunteers dedicated to bringing yoga to veterans suffering from PTS. I've been a purchaser; I made sure training materials were printed and sent to training locations; I'm their Editor-in-Chief. I've watched them grow and expand and spread the word, and I've watched them help veterans every single day. They have always done this with integrity and heart, mindfulness and kindness. Their main goal is the mission to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families, and communities. This is VYP. They depend on twice yearly fundraisers to keep the mission going: The Light-A-Candle campaign in the days surrounding Memorial Day in May, and Veterans Gratitutde Week in the days surrounding Veterans Day in November.

I have been volunteering for about a year with these wonderful people. It is great! They are flexible, knowledgeable, and professional. I am lucky to be a part of such an important organization to help veterans.

Veterans Yoga Project does so much for veterans, families and first responders. They helped me engage with my breath, and mindfulness throughout the day. VYP gave me moments of calm in mental storms.

The Breathwork and Active Yoga class with Brian has helped me so much. It was very relaxing while also a great workout! I learned alot of new poses as well. Thank you for doing this!

It provides wonderful yoga classes for Veterans and their families to enhance their physical and mental well being. Love the classes. Very helpful.

Every single instructor for the yoga sessions that I’ve had the joy of meeting is personable, knowledgeable, supportive and helpful. I have told many other veterans about this program and encouraged them to join classes. Through these classes I have gained confidence in my abilities to manage my stress and pain levels in a new and better way.

As always VYP Classes are awesome and engaging. In the 3 months I’ve been doing it, it has made a significant lifestyle impact.

I enjoy a variety of Veterans Yoga Practice sessions - it has been an important part of my daily routine. I appreciate the dedication and skill of the VYP instructors that are committed to helping Vets. I started VYP several years ago and can say that the practice has greatly helped me manage stress. Thank you!

Amazing Organization with an amazing Mission. 10 Stars!

Veterans Yoga Project has been an amazing opportunity for me to merge my passions for Yoga and the Veteran community after my transition from the service. Their Mindful Resilience for Compassion Fatigue training has given me the tools to take control of my own life to avoid burnout, fatigue, and reignite my passions. I am so excited to be involved in this organization and helping fulfill their mission!

When it comes to organizational skills this non-profit is definitely on top of the game. Materials were delivered on time, reminders were sent regularly and the classes actually followed the days program.

For the most part the staff was on point and professional. A few members of the staff could benefit from diversity training to avoid offending BIPOC and a few could probably benefit from taking a public speaking course or perhaps joining toastmasters to lessen the usage of , uh, um, and right as fillers in their talks and teacher led yoga classes.

For this to be their 2nd year offering this program overall I felt that they did a good job. However, many of the students in my class spent more time asking questions that were in the days reading rather than reading the material prior to that days class. I personally found this irritating and felt that perhaps next time, questions should be left until the end of the session instead of the constant interruptions from the “lazier” students. Yes, I know that these students are veterans that face many problems however that is no excuse for not doing the reading or even practicing yoga on a more regular basis particularly if you want to be a yoga teacher. As one student told me upon arriving at the Himalayan Institute, “why should she do her homework when she can just ask questions.”

There should be a way to ensure that the class is doing the work and practicing yoga on a regular basis to uphold the accountability. Would I recommend VYP to another veteran- probably. With the caveat that if they wish to learn more they will have to do it on their own.Fortunately I already had a thirst for yoga so I continued to read, to practice and to visit studios to learn how to apply what I was reading with what I was seeing.

This a couple made up of quality people who are making in a change in veteran's lives.

Veteran’s Yoga Project (VYP) is an organization that is passionately committed to its values, and so mindfully supports Veterans and the Veteran community. VYP offers a wide range of free yoga practices, and it’s always evident to me that the instructors have been invested in and supported! I am a newly certified yoga teacher with VYP, and I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given to continue to serve.

I've been volunteering with VYP since 2013. It is by far the best nonprofit I've ever worked with. It's staff are the best at fulfilling the mission of bringing mindful resilience tools to Veterans and their Families. Their trainings are superb!

Veterans Yoga Project saves lives. The classes bring yoga and meditation to veterans, their families and communities which positively impacts mental and physical health. Everyone involved with VYP is an angel.

After I deployed to Afghanistan I was struggling to feel like I was back home. Drinking, going thru the motions of my life. Marriage fell apart couldn’t focus on work. Not sleeping. Mentally I could see I was a slow motion train wreck but I didn’t know what to do about it. I discovered Yoga and found some peace and pain relief and increased mobility. That journey led to the Veterans Yoga Project and they believed in me enough to give me a scholarship to become a Certified Yoga Teacher. The program is run by Veterans. I got to spend a week at the Himalayan Institute with over 20 other veterans. Everything was covered. The online training, food, housing, travel I think total was around $10,000. It was an opportunity I never even thought I could do. I learned a lot about Yoga and myself and to be able to share that experience with a bunch of other veterans I can’t even put into words. Thanks VYP

Veterans Yoga Project provides Veterans the relief and support they deserve.
This happens on many levels. VYP teachers are providing a safe, predictable and controlled environment so that our veterans, their families and others in the community can learn and practice techniques proven to be effective in managing stress and improving quality of life.

This organization changed my life. Because of their mission, passion, and drive to heal veterans, I am now a Registered Yoga Teacher. VYP's mission to help veterans recover through yoga and breathing and forming connections between participants makes this organization stand out. Thank you VYP!!!

Hello, my name is Carol Cherich, a female veteran owned business who just completed a 200-hour yoga certification by Veterans Yoga Project (VYP). The (VYP) is an awesome program that works specifically with Veterans of all ages. As a recent breast cancer survivor, VYP helped me to focus on my mind, body and spirit and being more present in myself as well as others. VYP is a train the trainer program and one become a lifelong member after graduation. I highly recommend all veterans to go thru the program. Thanks for allowing me to expression my opinion. With gratitude. Carol Cherich

The Veterans Yoga Project is an amazing organization that supports the psychological and physical daily maintenance and recovery of veterans, active duty military, and their families through various no-cost yoga classes! The staff and volunteers are certified in yoga, Mindful Resilience, and Compassion Fatigue. If you or someone you love needs peace and focus, please, encourage them to check out the Veterans Yoga Project.

I was hooked when I came across VYP during the Mindful Resilience Training course I attended. Not only did I identify with the mission and felt the deep need such an organization plays in the life of people that serve the country and allow us our freedoms, but appropriateness of the tools/methodology by which the need is addressed is simple yet very apt.
Yoga, breathing, meditation, and mindfulness practices all work at the root level of the issues our veterans face. The scientific validation of yoga through numerous studies has channeled the adoption of yoga based practices as integral part of treatment for many health issues.
Veterans Yoga Project has a unique model - we conduct classes taught by specially trained teachers and in addition also train veterans themselves to become VYP yoga teachers. This model fosters deeper outreach into the veteran communities and equally as important, facilitates a sustainable improvement in the quality of life of our venerable veterans.

I have volunteered with VYP for a number of years and love the organization. It is a great community of passionate volunteers who are committed to providing high quality and scientifically backed yoga and mindfulness to an often underserved and overlooked segment of the population. VYP is welcoming and works hard to make everyone feel comfortable, regardless of your experience level.

VYP has made a huge impact in my life from facilitating my 200 Hour Mindful Resilience Yoga Certification, to providing opportunities to network with other Veterans. The passion they have for Veterans, Families, and Communities are second to none. The tools they teach are invaluable, and the clinical approach is proving to be helping, and saving lives.

I'm a long-time volunteer and have worked with so many dedicated and inspiring people in the VYP family. Everyone I've encountered is so passionate about healing our nation'd wounded veterans. VYP is dynamic and does great work - its all heart.

I am walking proof of the success and work of this organization. I served as a Special Forces Medic for most of my career deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and other numerous locations throughout Asia and the Middle East. After retiring from the military, I started working as a fire fighter/paramedic and have been doing that since 2013. I found Veterans Yoga Project at the perfect time while recovering from post-traumatic stress. The Mindful Resilience Training (MRT) gave me the tools to help understand and regulate my nervous system and build resilience. Increasing my quality of life and improving personal and professional relationships. I’m very grateful to have found such an organization and staff dedicated to assisting our veterans, first responders and their care givers. Veterans Yoga Project’s support has also been instrumental in my efforts to bringing mindful resilience to my fellow veterans and first responders.

My role has grown throughout my relationship with VYP because the people and their impact invigorate me. VYP makes an impact at many levels: individuals who need skills to self-regulate, people who desire to give back, programs that want to expand their care offerings, people who want to connect with community, and many more. VYP is an important non-profit.

My experiences with VYP from several different views as a student ,teacher,and volunteer confirmed what an incredible organization this is !
I was so impressed with the training and evidence based results I went on to get more involved .
It’s a privilege to part of dedicated team of people with a mission to serve those that have served ,their families and communities in such an authentic and effective way .

They live their mission statement and truly make a difference in the lives of so many .
It’s a nonprofit you can count on to use their resources for the greater good

Ever since I took the MRT training with VYP a few years ago, I've been obsessed with helping to further their mission. Everyone is so passionate about the work, you can't help but get involved. Not only are they truly serving those who have served, they go above and beyond to reach out to their families, caregivers, and communities too. Everyone is constantly supporting each other and making sure each other succeed. They inspired me to become a yoga teacher, and I started volunteering for them teaching yoga to veterans anywhere my husband was recieving treatments. The classes I taught changed my life and theirs, and I've been volunteering and working for VYP ever since. I'm so honored and proud I found an organization fully in line with my own values as a human yogi, a volunteer, and as a veteran caregiver.

Veterans Yoga Project is a fantastic organization that offers services to veterans  and strategies to cope with the stress they faced while serving our country. They provide them the skills they need to overcome anxiety and trauma, as well as assist prevent suicide among our veterans who have sacrificed so much for us. It aids many veterans in overcoming obstacles in their life.

Veterans Yoga Project, Inc. is a wonderful organization that provides services such as healing retreats to veterans and ways to deal with the trauma they experienced while they served our nation. They provide them with the tools to overcome the nightmares, stress and help prevent suicides to our veterans who have given so much to us. Almost all of the teachers and staff volunteer their time and offer their services in this wonderful cause. It is a great charity.

Truly an amazing organization committed to getting Mindful Resilience tools and practices to active-duty and veterans of our Armed Services! Through their online studio and in person classes, VYP staff and volunteers lead those living with PTS(D) through breathing and physical work that creates calm, peace, reconnects body and mind, and so much more! That they have been able to pivot during the ongoing pandemic to meet people where they are and with what they crave has been nothing short of remarkable.

I have never worked with a nonprofit where everyone involved was quite so passionate as the people at Veterans Yoga Project. Volunteering or working with the VYP Family means you get to experience a team where everyone truly has the nonprofit's mission at heart, and everything they do revolves around the people they serve.

The difference made in the lives of veterans, active-duty service members, their families, and their communities speaks for itself!

This organization provides support to our veterans and their families. They provide veterans, their families, and their care-givers with the support they need to overcome the physical and emotional scars they incurred from their service to our country. By supporting Veterans Yoga Project, you will help support the veteran community in a big way. Time to give back to those who have served.