Drive for Gratitude Significantly Impacts Veterans Well-being
Washingtoner/10273619

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Washingtoner -- Veterans Yoga Project (VYP), supported by eleven industry leaders, will host Veterans Gratitude Week from Nov. 8-17, 2024, as a call for greater support of our nation's veterans.

VYP has designated this time for the past eleven years to show gratitude for our 18 million veterans across the country. Throughout the week, more than 500 yoga classes will be offered on a "donate-it forward" basis to support veterans. Classes are free to veterans and open to anyone. All donations go directly to providing more than 4,000 free yoga classes to veterans, their family members and caretakers/supporters as well as Mindful Resilience Training (MRT).

Veteran suicide claims 17 veterans, daily according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs¹. Veterans Gratitude Week encourages yoga studios, teachers, and others across the country, to support their veteran community, especially those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related challenges such as anxiety and depression.

The mindful resilience practices taught by VYP have a significant impact on a veteran's ability to deal with everyday challenges, physical limitations, anxiety, PTS(D), and trauma. Veterans attending in person VYP classes in 2023 reported a 47% reduction in pain and 57% in stress per encounter. Online participants report 53% less pain and 66% less stress per encounter².

More on Washingtoner

• CCHR Report Links 145 Violent Incidents to Psychiatric Drug Exposure, Urges National Oversight and Action
• Statement from District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge on Home in Tacoma Year One
• 'Home in Tacoma' Sparks 62% Increase in Number of Proposed Housing Units in First Year
• Food Journal Magazine Unveils Its Latest 'Best of Los Angeles' Culinary Discoveries
• Boston Industrial Solutions Launches Natron® 717S Series: A New Flexible UV LED Ink for Ricoh GH2220 Printheads

Says VYP CEO and USMC veteran, Brianna Renner, "Offering up resiliency as a way of life to veterans is at a critical juncture. Growth of our online classes, unabatingly high veteran suicide rates, and the post-pandemic drive for belonging to real community amongst veterans demonstrates escalating demand. Mindful Resilience is the prime focus of Veterans Yoga Project, but we need to bring resiliency to a greater portion of the veteran population now."

Signing up to host a donation-based class is a way for teachers and studios to give back to veterans, their families, and caregivers. All of the proceeds benefit VYP's mission to support recovery and resilience in the lives of our veterans, families, and communities.

"I am a retired Navy SEAL and yoga probably saved my life. Soon after retiring in 2010, I felt the uneasiness and worthlessness that a lot of veterans feel. My mind was a mess and my life was in disarray. Luckily, I found my yoga practice and started clawing my way back to a better life. I recently completed a 200-hour teacher training and I look forward to teaching other veterans the benefits of yoga."

More on Washingtoner

• 5 Things NYC Courier Services Won't Tell You About How Same-Day Delivery Actually Works
• Spokane City Council Votes in Support of Moving Forward the STA Ballot Initiative
• Tropidelic Links Up With International Reggae Star Collie Buddz and Eli Mac for Feel-Good Breakthrough Single "Follow Your Nature"
• Save 15 Percent on Florida Keys Accommodations with KeysCaribbean's 'Advance Purchase Rate Discount'
• Atelier 411 Studios and Columbus Fashion Council Present Red Carpet Experience at Gateway Film Center for The Devil Wears Prada 2

–Michael, VYP Veteran Participant

Joining the gratitude movement and the 11th annual Veterans Gratitude Week are eleven VYP partners found on the VGW 24 website.

Visit www.veteransyogaproject.org/vgw24 to donate now, participate, or host a class.

¹https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2023/2023-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdf

²In 2023, VYP completed an evaluation of our programs' effectiveness using Subjective Pain and Distress Scores (SUDS) from encounters for both online and in person programs.