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yusra@warriorsforhealing.org808-927-6566

www.warriorsforhealing.org

Warriors for Healing empowers veterans and service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to redevelop their mind/body connection, find calm and ease the symptoms of combat stress. We do this by providing free yoga classes to veterans, their families and caregivers on military bases, in yoga studios and in community centers.

Resources and supplies are also provided to those attending yoga classes.

W4H also reaches veterans by providing free yoga classes and specialized workshops through other veteran organizations.

W4H also works with studios and trains certified yoga teachers to tailor their skills and teach more effectively in a military/veteran environment.

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Our Mission

Warriors for Healing was Founded in January, 2015, by former NBC News foreign Correspondent, Brad Willis.

W4H launched with a premiere event at Yoga Journal LIVE! San Diego, 2015, where hundreds of yoga practitioners joined veterans for a yoga class on the Windsor Lawn of Hotel Del Coronado. This class was held as a show of support and appreciation for our nations service men and women.

In August, 2015, the Warriors for Healing Training for Yoga Teachers launched with 30 teachers in attendence for the first session.

Since September 2015, Warriors for Healing has been 100% run by active duty service members and veterans.

Our History

According to the National Institute of Health, PTSD affects some 7.7 million American adults including veterans, first responders, and victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Some 500,000 American veterans suffer from what is termed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that PTSD afflicts:• More than 30 percent of Vietnam veterans• As many as 10 percent of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans• 11 percent of veterans of the war in Afghanistan

• 20 percent of Iraqi war veterans

At Warriors for Healing, we reach veterans from all eras and their families.

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Why Yoga for PTSD?

Yoga decreases physiological arousal by modulating the stress response systems. Thus, reducing perceived anxiety and stress. This results in a reduction in heart rate, a lowering of blood pressure and eased respiration, which counters the body’s PTSD symptomology.

How it Works

With the funds raised in 2015, we were able to accomplish the following:

• Over 68 yoga instructors in four different countries have been trained in specific Warriors for Healing yoga practices.

• Eleven weekly classes have been established on military bases, in yoga studios and at community centers.

• Five full veteran scholarships were provided to yoga instructors to attend our Warriors for Healing Training for Yoga Teachers

• One partial-scholarship was awarded

to a Navy veteran to send him to Ashtanga Intensive at Miami Life Center.

• Our instructors have taught yoga to Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride participants and participants at Health and Wellness Mini-Expo summits.

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Highlights from the Past Year

Looking forward to this next year, we will continue to grow and serve even more veterans and their families. Here is a glimpse of what’s to come:

• Yoga instructors will continue to be trained to work with military members, veterans and those who have suffered trauma. At each training, full scholarships will be provided to veterans in attendance.

• W4H will continue to assist and encourage instructors to establish yoga classes on military bases, in yoga studios and at community centers.

• Warriors for Healing is excited to provide yoga to Wounded Warrior Project alumni and their caregivers at Independence Program conferences. The Independence Program is designed to help warriors live life to the fullest, on their own terms. These are warriors who rely daily on their families and/or caregivers due to moderate-to-severe brain injury, spinal-cord injury, or other neurological conditions. Specially trained Warriors for Healing staff will create injury-specific, individualized yoga plans, authentic to each warrior in attendance. Caregivers will receive personalized instruction and be given resources so they can replicate this yoga practice at home.

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Looking Forward

Thank you for your support in taking the time to learn more about the mission of Warriors for Healing. All donations are tax-deductible. W4H is a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization serving veterans. We are fiscally sponsored by Big Heart Ranch. Big Heart Ranch does not receive an administrative fee, therefore 100% of your donation goes to support the mission of Warriors for Healing.

For any further questions please contact Yusra Kauppila, a Marine Corps veteran and the Executive Director of Warriors for Healing.

808-927-6566 | yusra@warriorsforhealing.org

In Gratitude

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In order to accomplish our many goals over the next year we will need support in the following areas:

• 4’x8’x2” Eco folding mats

• Yoga mats, blocks, bolsters and straps to provide to both veterans and their caregivers.

• Mass-produce the resources being given to veterans, first responders and their families that attend a W4H yoga class.

• Continue to produce individualized yoga resources and training to those who suffer from traumatic brain injuries as well as other debilitating injuries and the caregivers that support them each day.

• Website build-out: A more functional website is needed with an interactive database in order for W4H instructors to be contacted easily and established yoga classes to be located.