Warrior Spirit Project helped me heal after I was injured on my last deployment in 2017. They ignited my passion to help others through yoga and meditation where I became a trauma informed yoga instructor through their program. I will never be able to thank them enough.
I met Charla several years ago at a trauma training and we connected instantly. I knew I wanted to be involved with their nonprofit. Charla and David are sincerely kind and compassionate. They are acutely aware of the great need to help military, veterans and first responders struggling with trauma, post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. They have dedicated their lives to guiding this community to find health and healing. Whether you come to a class, iRest meditation, yoga with horses, a workshop, community gardening or just need someone to listen, you will feel like you’ve known them forever and you will have found true friends in them and this safe and loving community.
Warrior Spirit Project is the only organization in the Dallas Ft Worth area that provides yoga and meditation/iRest courses at no cost to Veterans, their families and first responders via online and in person group classes. The "motto" "You are not broken. You are whole." describes the attitude of openness, acceptance and compassion that emanates from every volunteer and leader I have met in my role as a yoga teacher with the organization. I am very proud and very humbled to be a part of the Warrior Spirit Project.
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I met the leaders of Warrior Spirit Project through my veteran friend, Gene, who introduced us after my having led a small group of vets through a bi-weekly yoga class at the Dallas Vet Center. I was honored and excited to join ranks with this group as a yoga teacher, this group that exudes the warmth and camaraderie of a family. They are working constantly and tireless to bring their services to veterans and first responders all over North Texas through the "Yoga, Dirt & Dogs" programs. Equine therapy is another arrow in the quiver. They are vets with a deep caring and passion for service.
If Charla & Dave & the team at Warrior Spirit can get me to a yoga session AND I enjoy it, you know they are pretty amazing. They did, I did, and they are...
Warrior Spirit Project is truly a great organization. They provide yoga that heals the mind, body and, soul.
I am not an armed services veteran but regularly contribute to and attend online yoga classes with this non-profit. That service alone goes a long way toward soothing the spirit and calming the nerves frazzled by this trying pandemic time. Leader Charla Truesdale and her assistant Shelley Grove are compassionate and caring souls who go the extra mile by starting the session early to welcome each attendee and listen to any personal sharing that needs to be done, within the time limits of the class.
Charla and David are so incredibly special. They have hearts of gold and give, give, give in so many ways to our vets and first responders. Charla's grace is endless, and they are both incredibly genuine, accepting, and nonjudgmental. They are faithful with their time, talents and funds, and all who know them are blessed!
Warrior Spirit Project has been at my side and supporting me on my journey through mending a battered mind and body! Through their mindful meditation, iRest, chair yoga, and some moderate yoga (love it when we do horse yoga) this organization has helped me and countless other veterans, first responders, and families regain strength and peace through their outstanding programs! Love them!
Great online yoga classes. Welcoming and caring instructors. Highly recommend to veterans and their caregivers and families.
The Warrior Spirit Project is such a great outreach for veterans and family members. Charla, David and Leslie are kind, nonjudgmental, wholesome and filled with God's graces as they truly care for us veterans. The Warrior Spirit Project is very much appreciated. Ray
Warrior Spirit is a wonderful nonprofit that has been a huge blessing to me and many others. Their efforts have resulted in physical healing, spiritual and emotional healing and support, and they have helped me to connect with other veterans, support groups, and allied professionals. They are very worthy of your support, thank you.
WSP is a wonderful nonprofit which works with veterans through yoga to provide support on their journey to civilian life and recovery
I'm a PTSD Veteran and the WSP is something I look forward to doing. It's helped me tremendously and I've been in the program for approximately four years. The instructors are wonderful and at the end of each session you'll be happy, grounded and glad you took the time for yourself.
WSP is full of amazing people doing amazing work. Founders Charla and David Truesdale are passionate about the veteran and first responder community and work diligently to provide them and their families with support, community, and multiple paths to healing.
No finer people in all the world! Charla and Dave are truly other centered servants, willing to sacrifice and serve with the utmost professionalism, training and expertise, providing compassion, connection and courage to all who participate.
Warrior Spirit Project takes care of the whole Veteran. Dirt, dogs, and yoga are three of the focuses. We have participated in indoor yoga and equine yoga. WSP uses scientific based yoga that promotes healing. Many times, at the end of a yoga session, Veterans will be asleep. WSP gathered Veterans at our house to create a garden bed. They provided the dirt and seeds to start the garden. We tend to it each day, which allows us the opportunity to slow down and connect as a family. We are grateful for the heart of WSP and all they do!
As owners of Kulae (yoga mat/towel/accessory company), my wife and I (a veteran) are always keeping our eyes open for charities that are doing good work for our vets and first responders. We've been supporters and donors of WWP (Wounded Warrior Project) for many years, and when the pandemic hit we knew we had to help as best we could. We began posting lists of virtual yoga classes provided by our very generous studio customers and soon realized that a lot of their clients were previously renting mats from their studios which were now closed.
A light bulb went off and I contacted WWP who in turn introduced me to Charla and Dave Truesdale, two of the Co-Founders of the incredible organization Warrior Spirit Project. We were blown away by what the do for our vets and first-responders suffering with PTS and/or TBI. WSP is a 100% volunteer organization with specially trained and certified yoga teachers. Their approach to healing these injuries rather than managing a disorder is very powerful and really struck a cord with us. Yoga, Dogs, and Dirt provide such a broad range of programs available at no cost the the Warriors and their Families. We happily donated a number of mats to help them keep their Warriors engaged through their virtual programs.
I've just touched on the tip of what they do and the services they provide. Please, if you have the means, donate and/or get involved with Warrior Spirit Project and the incredible people who work tirelessly to provide the help and healing our Warriors need and deserve. God bless and keep up the great work WSP!
I was never much of a fan of yoga until I began attend the online classes with David and Charla Truesdale. The target audience is military, vets and first responders and their class is suitable for all ages and levels of yoga experience. The I-rest meditation helps with relaxation and stress relief and the stretching, just what I needed during our Covid seclusion. For me the stretching, breathing and balance movements were all very helpful. Members of the class can participate standing or sitting which makes it appropriate for nearly everyone. Highly recommended.---rwb
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Vietnam Veteran. I have been a runner for 40+ years and depended on that activity to relieve stress and maintain physical fitness. I was somewhat skeptical about the benefits of Yoga, but after getting to know David and Charla, I decided to give it a try. I began weekly Yoga sessions about 6 months ago, primarily interested in improving flexibility and balance, but have found that I also really enjoy the IRest meditations as well. The physical exercise of the Yoga (which is more than I realized) paired with the mental relaxation of the IRest provide a good balance for mind and body stress relief. I also appreciate David and Charla making the sessions very "user friendly" to accommodate all levels of Yoga experience. No doubt they are both very knowledgeable, caring people who are truly dedicated to serving the best interests of our veterans and first responders. I would highly recommend their sessions. rwb513
As a retired Marine officer in north Texas, I have joined Warrior Spirit Project's many programs. They are inspiring, rejuvenating, and a great gift to the military, veteran, and first responder community. Their communications are clear and helpful, and the programs are reliable and well run. They coordinate well with the local community, and I hope they become a north Texas institution.
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I retired as a US Marine officer after twenty years of service, and I am a former federal prosecutor. I went to Warrior Spirit Project because I knew the Truesdales from my time in the Marine Corps. I was not particularly interested in yoga, but I found their program to be very beneficial; physically, mentally, and spiritually, for me and for all the veterans and first responders who joined with me. The Truesdales are selfless leaders, serving those who serve or who have served. This is a vital program in north Texas for the many veterans and others whose work is demanding and full of trauma, both direct and secondhand. They have inspired others in so many ways; not only with yoga programs but in equestrian work and farming. There is 100% reward to the participants and those who support them. Semper Fidelis, Patrick McLain
The folks at Warrior Spirit Project are outstanding. They are knowledgable, compassionate, and really understand veteran and first responder culture. These aren't the kind of people that "check the boxes" or "count you as a number;" they truly, passionately care about those they serve. As both a veteran spouse and a clinical psychologist, I can say with confidence anyone they serve is in exceptional hands.
For a small organization, Warrior Spirit Project does great work. They work with injured veterans using yoga, eye rest meditation, horses, dogs, kittens now, and even baby goats sometimes. Everyone in the organization is extremely friendly and cares about veterans. You can join them in the yoga classes by contacting them for times and locations (even online). Give them a try - you won't be disappointed!!!
I am the widow of a vietnam veteran. I started yoga classes with Charla and David at a local church and then added their classes at a community center.
Since all the covid19 restrictions and inperson classes were cnacelled, warrior spirit project started online yoga/meditation classes.
There are several other instructors that Charla has enrolled to teach the online classes. I am so impressed by the generous, kind, judgement free, supportive, and so knowledgeable people associated with warrior spirit project . It has been such a huge support for me especially during this time that isolation could have been much more of an issue.
I have gained both physical and mental flexability and look forward to our classes everyday.
Very grateful for their presence in my life!
I got involved with Warrior Spirit though a community center in Cedar Hill, TX. I started attending class there and really enjoyed practicing yoga and found a community of very loving and supporting people. I am now training to be a yoga instructor with them so I can give back some of what I've received!
I am a retired 20 year AF veteran, and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in 2012. Having a newly found interest in learning more about neurology and the brain, including brain trauma and recovery, and neuro plasticity, I met Charla, David and Gene at the University of Texas at Dallas’s Center for Brain Health where they were introducing Yoga Nidra iRest training as an adjunct therapy for PTSD. Certain symptoms of advancing PD sounded similar to PTSD - (anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances). I worked with the WSP team for several months to learn and practice, and found it helped me immeasurably. iRest has since become an important part of my combined therapy for living well with PD. For anyone looking to retrain their brain and body to improve overall health and well being, I strongly recommend giving the Warrior Spirit Project a try.
Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding People and Program. I was a client of Equest Horses For Heroes and was introduced to the Warrior Spirit Project. David and Charla provide a feeling of calmness over you when you are in their presence. Then between the Yoga (which I thought I would never do) and Guided Meditation (which David always has watch over the door so you can relax) it brings a feeling of "Calmness" that most Veterans have never felt.
I wish I could give 6 stars.
Jimmy Welch
President
Veterans R&R 501c3
I am a Vietnam Veteran who thought Yoga was for wimps. I decided I would give it a try and found I was wrong. This program has helped me physically and mentally. It has helped me be more flexible and helps relive stress and anxiety. David and Charla are excellent and genuinely care for the Veterans. They are committed to the program enjoy helping others.
Warrior Spirit Project is an exceptional non-profit organization and family! Personally, being a part of WSP has changed my life in so many ways. The services that they offer the warrior community are so unique and effective. 5 stars! I am so thankful for their continuous service and support!
Charla and David (and their staff) are amazing. If you are an experienced yogi or not, you'll find their classes comforting, welcoming, and they will help you feel at ease. Yoga is so much more than a physical practice and the WSP staff help portray that idea more than I can say. Their work with veterans, first responders, and others who've suffered trauma is important and has made a huge different both in my life and the lives of many others.