Veterans Yoga Project marks 15 years with shared practice for peace

Veterans Yoga Project marked its 15th anniversary with A Shared Practice for Peace, a free June 27 gathering from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. ET at the future Global War on Terrorism Memorial Site in Washington, D.C. The invitation was open to veterans, families and supporters, and the nonprofit asked participants to bring a mat and come as they are for a morning built around moving, breathing and reflecting together.

Founded in 2011, Veterans Yoga Project supports recovery and resilience among veterans, military families and communities through yoga programs, online classes and local resources. It teaches more than 100 free classes each week, and its Mindful Resilience Training has prepared more than 1,500 yoga teachers and healthcare providers since 2010.

In 2025, it logged more than 42,164 encounters with veterans, family members and friends. Its 2023 annual report put its Teachers Alliance at 402 teachers. Its 2022 annual report recorded more than 100,000 veterans and military families served through mindful resilience practices, training and retreats. Its 2024 annual report listed total revenue of $623,420, with $397,026 coming from contributions and grants.

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is leading the effort to plan, fund and build the National GWOT Memorial on the National Mall, steps from the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial and oriented toward Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. On April 7, Veterans Yoga Project formally affiliated with the memorial foundation through the Johnny Micheal Spann Ally Program.

Its work is trauma-sensitive and evidence-informed, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has cited research on trauma-sensitive yoga for women veterans with PTSD related to military sexual trauma. The anniversary page also included parking and hotel accommodations, and a sweepstake for a fall 2027 wellness retreat to Costa Rica.