Yoga for Veterans
We provide free classes in partnership with the Veterans Administration Hospital System, nonprofit organizations and private yoga studios. Attention is given to finding spaces that allow for, and teachers who provide a sense of safety.
Participants will find a supportive community, with yoga teachers trained in the nuances of military service and trauma to the mind and body. We actively seek to build partnerships to offer classes of this nature that are welcoming and comfortable for military personnel and veterans.
Our weekly yoga and meditation classes
All our classes are suspended until mid-April. Stay in touch via You Call This Yoga Facebook page and our newsletter.
Other yoga opportunities
The Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham has yoga classes on Thursdays with Laura Phoenix in the Occupational Rehab Clinic. Check with the hospital clinic to register for this trauma-sensitive class. Megan Grable leads classes on Thursdays at the Veterans Administration Hospital Clinic III in Raleigh. A doctor’s referral in required.
History of YCTY helping veterans
YCTY has partnered with Laura Phoenix for over 5 years to offer weekly classes at the Durham VA Hospital. Laura had started the initiative on her own two years before meeting Howie and YCTY. After reviewing the long term needs to keep the program sustained, YCTY committed to provide funding to create a teacher stipend to support Laura’s skills and passion.
From this base, YCTY ran pilot programs at the One Heart Yoga in Fuquay Varina (2016), VA Centers in Brier Creek (2017), and the Triangle region of NC (2019). We found that it is a significant challenge to recruit veterans to yoga classes. To address this, we co-sponsored a 4 month pilot with Team RWB (Red, White, Blue) a veterans’ support group in 2019 with 8 locations across the Triangle region of NC. We are now continuing this program in two locations in Wake County and one location in Johnston County. Our most recent outreach with a support group for female veterans in Garner, NC has resulted in a pilot program for women-only in Wake Forest.
We are open to bringing yoga where our service people may best receive it.
Funding for veterans yoga has been secured from Tobacco Road Marathon, Lululemon Athletica, Wake County Community Foundation, and individual donors. We are grateful to all of them.
Please contact Howie for details: Howie@youcallthisyoga.org.