VA Women Veterans Call Center — Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET).

VA Caregiver Support Line — Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET).

Together We Served — Find your battle buddies through unit pages.

George W. Bush Institute  — Need help or want to talk? Check In, or call: 1-630-522-4904, or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org

Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes — Join the Community.

American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network — Peer Support and Mentoring.

Student Veterans of America — Find a campus chapter to connect with.

Russ Owens

United State Navy

Russ is a recent graduate of the VETOGA 200-hour teacher training. Since certification, he has shared yoga in a variety of settings, including the local studio, at which he regularly practices and at several veteran service organizations. Teaching yoga and meditation in the veteran community has been an incredibly rewarding experience. He has had the privilege of guiding veterans through practices designed to transform struggle into strength, using yoga as a tool for post-traumatic growth. He has witnessed the profound impact of yoga and meditation on veterans managing PTSD, anxiety, and depression. He is honored to support these heroes on their journeys toward healing and self- discovery.

“James Baldwin wrote, ‘The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.’ VETOGA and those who represent it have been that light for me.”

Watch Video: VETOGA Wellness Retreat

VETOGA Teacher Training

Help sponsor a veteran to attend a VETOGA teacher training program with a targeted donation.

Antonio Williams

US Navy Veteran

Antonio is a graduate of VETOGA 200-hour teacher training in 2022. He completed his training with the veteran’s community in Los Angeles, ca teaching classes weekly to underserved vet with PTS(D) and disabilities. Now partnering with the VA Antonio has already gone on to take on a mentorship with one of the VA’s senior yoga teachers Mrs. Liza Ortiz this November and December. His mission is to be able to connect with veterans across the globe digitally; to serve vets with PTS(D)and depression and help hold space so they can be a part of this yoga practice we share.

“After failing 3 times to get my yoga teacher training done on my own, I found and turned to VETOGA after coming across them online. The VETOGA family reminded me what i set out on a mission for 3 years ago. It’s not just about teaching yoga it’s a way of being. Yoga for me is so intricate to my life and the foundation of who I am and want to become. Yoga has been my silver lining on times when it’s too hard to understand what’s going on. Yoga for me brings me a mental clarify and excitement that i can’t replace and that’s what i want to share with people. I didn’t find VETOGA, VETOGA found me again, it pulled me away from the edge and reminded me what yoga really means to me.”

Micah Norgard-Salas

United States Marine Corps Veteran

Micah is a graduate of the VETOGA 200. He currently teaches a practice once a month at his family’s homestead, Leroy’s Farm. At Leroy’s Farm, Micah continues to practice and deepen his understanding of self and purpose through farming with goats and chickens or having a hand with carpentry and woodworking.

“My journey started five years when I was suffering from extreme disassociation from the body and mind. It took me some social media posts and seeing a pattern of happiness or peace in those practicing yoga. Simple, but this set me on my path, which finally led me to VETOGA. Yoga taught me that we can achieve anything, but it takes time and patience. I have been able to translate this to every aspect of my life, and I couldn’t be more thankful for what this organization has given.”

Mike Stickley

United States Marine Corps Veteran

Mike is a graduate of the VETOGA 200 & 300-hour teacher trainings and LOAY Dharma Mittra 500-hour program. He is a Senior teacher at the VETOGA 200-hour teacher training programs and the Washington D.C. Regional Leader for VETOGA. Mike brings the disciplined skill sets from the Marine Corps while combining with the “Big Teddy Bear” softness of his years of practicing yoga to our community and continues to be a true leader and bright light across our military and veterans communities!

“My journey started 5 years and who would’ve known that 1 yoga class could change my life. All the time and effort I give to VETOGA is because i love our mission and the people we meet throughout the process. Sri Dharma says, “Learn how to enjoy the silence inside. When you are quiet, you see everything with love.”

Bernadette Kilcer

US Navy Veteran

Bernadette is the senior mentor for the Western US and OCONUS (Asia, Australia). In addition, she is the lead for VETOGA Colorado (VETOGA CO) chapter. She is developing and co-leading VETOGA’s first SUP Yoga retreat this July in Colorado. Bernadette has been an active student, volunteer, and VETOGA teacher since 2018. Her goal for next year is to help bring VETOGA to the first responder ski patrol communities of Colorado and northern New Mexico.

“What makes VETOGA different is the shared experiences across the veteran and first responder community. No matter how or when you served you are welcomed into class. There is no judgement and definitely no expectation to touch your toes.”

Watch Nahaku’s Story

Nahaku leads VETOGA’s online corporate yoga challenge programs bringing healing to more than 4,000 veterans, providing community and belonging. She raised over $100,000 to help veterans, active military members and their family attend VETOGA teacher training and yoga retreats at no or low costs. Nahaku is deeply committed to our community and a valued member of the VETOGA family.

“VETOGA has changed my life because it has given me a lot of direction after I retired from the military. It has allowed me to be able to be focused on something of service and for me to continue post military service. It’s changed my life by allowing me to give back and continue to do something that I love.”

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What Your Gift Will Accomplish

With your support, veterans will be able to find the opportunity for healing and post traumatic growth during VETOGA’s first annual Wellness retreat.

The Impact of your kind donation:

• Your gift of $25 covers daily meals for a veteran during the VETOGA yoga retreat.
• Your gift of $100 covers the cost of yoga props (mat, bolster, blanket..etc) for a veteran during the VETOGA yoga retreat.
• Your gift of $250 covers the costs of lodging for a veteran during the VETOGA yoga retreat.
• Your gift of $1000 covers the travel cost for several veterans to travel to and attend the VETOGA yoga retreat.

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