About The Connected Warriors Program

We deliver free yoga classes to servicemembers, veterans and their families across the country by soliciting the support of local yoga studios, community veteran centers and other donated spaces in communities where we can connect servicemembers, veterans and volunteers. We rely on local yoga teachers to support the free classes, which often include a number of volunteer assistants based on the age and mobility of the students.

In 2007 Judy Weaver, a Yoga Teacher at Yoga South in Boca Raton, Florida, met a young man who walked into the studio looking to learn about yoga. He had just been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, and was committed to fighting it to the end. He quickly learned asanas (postures) and, more importantly, pranayama (breath control) which allowed him to maintain control of his body and mind using his thoughts and breath, even as this insidious disease attacked his physical body. The benefits were visible and extended the length and quality of his life.

Beau MacVane, deceased, served five tours in the middle-east as a US Army Ranger and inspired Judy to share her knowledge and experience with other servicemembers, veterans and their families. Her vision and hard work resulted in the creation and continued expansion of the Connected Warriors program which now touches the lives of many.

Read letters from our Connected Warriors.

Announcements

Yoga Gives Life Back to Veteran Injured During Gulf War
Press Release - May 17, 2012
Free CW Teacher Training May 12, 2012 at Bindu Yoga, West Palm Beach from 12-4pm.
Join our new classes in Miami, FL - Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Davie, FL - Ocean Springs, MS.
Connected Warriors has received 501(c)3 non-profit status.

Principals

David Frankel, RYT – Executive Director and Co-Founder
is responsible for the general operation of the organization as well as fundraising and veteran and community awareness. He is an attorney and spent 22 years as a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office in Florida.

Judy Weaver, ERYT 500 – Vice President and Founder
whose vision the organization is founded upon is responsible for the content of the yoga classes taught by Connected Warriors as well the training of new Connected Warriors teachers. She is currently the Director of Yoga South's Teacher Training program in Boca Raton, Florida and has been a frequent guest speaker at Lynn University's Mind-Body Medicine classes. Judy's established expertise and knowledge of yoga is sought out by students and teachers alike in the South Florida area.

Bernie Duven, M.S.W., L.S.C.W. (retired)
is a former member of UDT-11 (now Seal Team 5) and Veteran Center Team Leader with over 20 years of service working with and for veterans and their rights. He was a board member of the Homeless Coalition Board of Palm Beach. Bernie continues to participate in many outreach activities for servicemembers, veterans and their families in the Naval Special Warfare Group.

Jeffrey Weaver
is an Air Force veteran who is actively involved with today's armed forces and NASA robotics. He is a well-known wireless engineering consultant for tactical and strategic communications networks currently working for Aruba Networks. He recently spent time in Helmand Province, Afghanistan supporting a Marine deployment. He provides timely armed forces perspectives and contacts resulting from his commercial endeavors.

Ralph Iovino, RYT and Co-Founder
is a Marine Corps combat wounded veteran of the Vietnam conflict who suffered with the symptons of PTSD for over 30 years. He found health and wellness with a daily yoga practice beginning in 2006 and received his 200 Hour Yoga Alliance teaching certificate in 2008. Ralph has worked with combat veterans for over 40 years.

Don Stewart, Phd
is a board certified clinical psychologist in Cocoa Beach, Florida specializing in medical psychotherapy and has worked with WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and other PTSD trauma victims. He worked with 9-11 firefighters and their families for the past 9 ½ years and still continues to consult as needed. As our technical advisor, Dr. Stewart's work with PTSD trauma victims and their families is an invaluable resource.

Nora Smith Parell, RYT
is a certified yoga teacher and has been involved in many aspects of well-being and health over the last 25 years. She teaches yoga in community schools to students and teachers, has coached local sports teams, and organizes community events focusing on yoga as a way to embody total resilience in handling the demands of life. Nora is the founder and creative director of "Miracles in Motion" a small company that produces products that promote well-being.

Odette Worrell, RYT, HHC
HHC work encompasses supporting and empowering individuals to regain their physical health, improve their quality of life and reach their personal goals as a Hatha Yoga Teacher, Holistic Health Counselor, Reiki Master, and a Certified Living Foods Chef. Odette has 20 years of experience in publishing, the arts, historic redevelopment and has served on the board of Miss Porter's School. In addition, she founded the Milagro Center, a non-profit organization that services at-risk minorities and youth in Delray Beach, Florida and "Organic Soul" an online presence offering health tips, individual health counseling, lectures and group programs. As a partner in Illuminated Star Productions, Odette hosts nationally recognized health and wellness educators in local communities.

William Greenfield
is a Certified Public Accountant with a Masters in Taxation and has a long term meditation and asana practice.

Linda Citron BC-DMT, RYT
is a Board Certified Dance Therapist and a Registered Yoga Teacher. Her experience encompasses over 25 years working with emotionally and physically challenged children and adults. Through her work with these populations she has seen the benefits yoga has for people of all ages and abilities. In addition, she has extensive volunteer and work experience, as an Executive Director, in non profit organizations.

Benefits

Read Warrior at Peace Yoga Journal, August 2010

Yoga is an ancient system of physical postures (asana) and movement combined with breath (pranayama) intended to bring peace of mind and well-being. Yoga is not a religion and is completely non-sectarian. People of all faiths and beliefs practice yoga to increase health and wellness.

The mental and physical benefits of practicing asana (postures) and pranayama (breath control) are very powerful in managing short and long term stress. Students of our free classes learn how to handle stressful situations in a more relaxed manner by quieting and focusing their mind, which encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance. By increasing relaxation and lowering stress, students generally feel benefits in the following areas:

• sleep longer and more deeply
• strength, flexibility, balance and focus
• heightened cardiovascular conditioning
• lower blood pressure
• weight management
• stronger bones
• improved immune functions
• manages the symptoms of PTSD and TBI
• an overall increase of oxygen supply to the body

The practice of yoga will bring a sense of calm, increase CO2 which relaxes and helps shift the fight-or-flight hyper-vigilante state (sympathetic nervous system) to the desired parasympathetic nervous system. This practice provides practical daily tools to help control and maintain the mind-body connection.

How does the Connected Warrior Program Operate

Connected Warriors is a charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to teach proven yoga techniques to servicemembers, veterans and their families by establishing a nationwide network of volunteer teachers offering free classes at local yoga studios, community veteran centers and other donated spaces.

We make direct contact with veteran assistance centers, clinics, local and national veteran organizations and maintain a consistent schedule of presentations and lectures to increase awareness of our program. These efforts, our website, www.connectedwarriors.org, and recent media coverage have led to an increasing demand from servicemembers and veterans for classes and inquiries from facility operators and yoga teachers offering to join in our mission.

We engage with case workers, counselors, and therapists working within the VA and the veteran outreach community who understand the therapeutic benefits of yoga for their clients. It is clear that our returning servicemembers will require this type of community support. An important benefit of Connected Warriors participation is that servicemembers and veterans find a sense of community with others who have served.

The need for more classes is clear. Overseas deployments can affect servicemembers, veterans and their families for years. Servicemembers and veterans may have unwelcome thoughts, emotions and memories that create physical and mental trauma. Connected Warriors yoga is used to help them develop the skills to physically and mentally reconnect to everyday life.

Getting Involved With The Connected Warriors Program

If you are a certified yoga teacher and would like to host a weekly Connected Warriors class we ask for a one year commitment. Host and volunteer teachers will receive specialized training in their local area and we will provide yoga supplies and marketing assistance in the community to help get you started.

We continually need volunteers. Please contact info@connectedwarriors.org if you would like to get involved in the Connected Warriors program or call (954) 278-3764.

FAQ

What is yoga?

Is there any cost or donation requested from the servicemembers, veterans or their family members who participate in Connected Warriors classes?

The classes are free and we also provide mats, cushions and other props at no cost. Servicemembers, veterans and their families may simply attend any class without pre-registration or commitment. Participants can give contact information to receive notices and other class related information, if they choose.

What if I have never done yoga or have physical limitations, injuries, tightness, high blood pressure, heart conditions, weight issues or any other personal concerns?

The techniques taught by Connected Warriors teachers are designed for participants of all levels of experience, mobility and physical ability. The classes are intended for anyone interested in participating or even curious. No one will be turned away and individual attention will be given to accommodate any personal concerns of the servicemembers, veterans and their families.

How long are the classes and what can I expect?

Classes are one hour long and taught by certified yoga teachers. Many classes will also have other certified teachers present providing assistance and support. Each teacher is committed to meeting the specific needs of the participants. Because Connected Warriors teachers are passionate about serving this community of servicemembers, veterans and their families, the classes are taught with compassion and respect.

Mission Statement

Connected Warriors is a charitable organization whose mission is to teach proven yoga techniques to servicemembers, veterans and their families by establishing a nationwide network of volunteer teachers offering free classes at local yoga studios, community veteran centers and other donated spaces.

Connected Warriors Is In The News!

Local 10: Veterans Turn To Yoga To Deal With Stress (Video)

The Miami Herald: For Veterans, Yoga Can Offer Peace

Palm Beach Post: Veterans in Palm Beach County Learn Yoga to Clear Away The Post-Traumatic Shadows of War

News Times: Connected Warriors Yoga Class for Veterans Combats Trauma with Mindfulness

Sun Sentinel: Ex-Homicide Prosecutor Now Yoga Guru for Combat Vets

Sun Sentinel: Veterans Find Peace With Yoga in 'Connected Warriors'

Local 6 WSPD: Yoga Helps Change Veterans' Lives

Public Broadcasting: Connected Warrior Yoga Helps Vets Find Center (Audio)

Sun Sentinel: David Frankel Teaches Yoga to War Vets (Video)

CNN: Yoga Heals The Wounds of War (Video)

YouTube: One Silent Warrior (Connected Warriors Joining Forces Submission)

Joining Forces Submission (PDF)

MP3: PTS Treatment Worldwide Radio Show (Audio)

Donate Today!

Since 2010 Connected Warriors has been operating as a self-sustaining charitable organization. Connected Warriors received 501(c)3 non-profit status December 21, 2011. The demand to open new Connected Warriors facilities where free yoga is taught by trained teachers is greater than anticipated. As a result, we are stepping up our efforts to raise the funds needed to provide these free classes for servicemembers, veterans and their families.

We have used local donations to fund the start-up of 18 classes, which serve over 250 veterans monthly. The current start-up costs include outreach activities to solicit local servicemembers, veterans and their families to participate in the classes, teacher training and direct costs to establish these classes. Connected Warriors classes originated at Yoga South in Boca Raton and have grown to include 16 additional classes in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Florida; Murray State University, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee. Connected Warriors has trained 118 teachers in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Connected Warrior's servicemembers, veterans and their families are never charged for our program, all fees and expenses are fully covered through generous financial support from donors, sponsors and benefactors—people like you. Through your support our participants are inspired to greatness. Donate to Connected Warriors and start changing lives today.

We invite you to browse through our care packages and donate with confidence. It is through your support and tax-deductible donations to Connected Warriors that we are able to accomplish our mission of caring for our returning servicemembers, veterans and their families.

A one-time donation:
Make a one-time donation here

Sponsor a servicemember, veteran or
family member for one month or a year
One-time $250 per participant or $3,000 for 12 veterans for a year

Sponsor a class (10 participants) for one month or a year
One-time $2,500 for one month or $12,500 for 5 new classes