John Vonk

US Coast Guard Veteran

John started his meditation practice in early January 2014 as a way to manage working in a high stress career field. In 2016 after an on-the-job lower back injury, his Physical Therapist recommended that he start yoga, which he did right away and experienced immediate positive and live changing results.

In 2018 while attending the Yoga for PTSD training workshop at the Sedona Yoga Festival, John met VETOGA founder Justin Blazejewski and was introduced to VETOGA for the first time. In May of that year, he attended the VETOGA teacher training and still has vivid “very profound” memories of his experience of the teachings it provided him.

“I currently live in Montana, I’m a veteran of the USCG and am semi-retired from a public safety career with a federal agency. Over my career I became an advocate for Veteran/First Responder health and wellness- including using yoga and meditation as healing and stress management tools. I’ll talk to anyone about VETOGA who will listen.”

ACT NOW:
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to prioritize your mental well-being. Register now and embark on a journey to find inner peace and balance.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at:  nahaku (at) vetoga.org

We look forward to having you on board and taking this transformative journey towards greater mindfulness and inner peace. Click the link to find out more!

Serving With Aloha,
Nahaku McFadden

P.S. The next Amazon VETOGA 5-Day Yoga challenge will be during Warrior Week (November 5 – 11, 2023). The challenge starts November 7th — sign up here for free!

P.P.S. Unsure if this offer will be available in the future at this level, so take advantage of it while it lasts!

Nahaku McFadden

VETOGA Corporate Outreach Director
US Air Force Veteran

Nahaku leads VETOGA’s online corporate yoga challenge programs bringing healing to more than 10,000 veterans, providing community and belonging. She raised over $200,000 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 and continues to lead the way for VETOGA’s corporate partnerships and fundraising efforts.

“After being in uniform for 30 years, I wanted to continue to serve in a meaningful and impactful way and VETOGA provided that opportunity. To be able to give back to those who have sacrificed so much means a lot to me by making a difference in other veterans’ lives through yoga, volunteering, corporate fundraising and combatting veteran suicide. I am thankful for the friendships and connections I have through VETOGA. I look forward to continuing to serve for many years to come!”

Sponsor a Veteran

Help sponsor a veteran to attend a teacher training program!

DONATE HERE

Stephanie Alvarez

United States Army Veteran

Stephanie United Stated Army Veteran Stephanie is a graduate of the VETOGA 500 RYT training. She is currently building a garden to teach monthly classes to the VETOGA community. “My yoga journey started in 2015. I dealt with a lot of mental health symptoms before VETOGA, and was disconnected from mind, body, and spirit. VETOGA helps me stay present, gives me peace and helps me stay connected to my community. Being a part of VETOGA keeps me grounded and has given me more than I can write.

“Now you have a light it never has to be dark again.” Even in the dark I can see a way out, I have gratitude in the struggle, and no matter what happens I have a family with VETOGA.”

“Now you have a light it never has to be dark again. Even in the dark I can see a way out, I have gratitude in the struggle, and no matter what happens I have a family with VETOGA.”

What you can expect…

During the 14-day challenge, there will be daily meditation, pranayama (breathing), asana (movement), yoga Nidra (guided relaxation), and journaling. You will start the first five days with 5-mins of practice in each category and work your way up to 15-mins by the end of the challenge.

Winning Prizes!

For those who complete the 14-Day challenge and upload their personal video describing their transformation and awareness during this challenge, there will be a top prize of FREE tuition (sponsored by Amazon Global Military Affairs) to an upcoming VETOGA Teacher Training. Other prizes include: beautiful Mala Beads from MalaforVets, and other VETOGA t-shirts and swag bags.

By participating in this challenge, you are making a commitment to increase awareness of mental health issues in general and prevent suicide for all Americans.

Become and advocate for suicide prevention: Click here!

This will be fun and challenging and we are excited to invite you into our community to spread awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

Dorothy Moore

United States Navy Veteran

Dorothy retired from the Navy Reserves and Civilian Service in 2015. She served 29 years in the Navy and 41 years in Civilian Service. She was looking for something that she could be a part of to help people cope and feel good about themselves. A friend recommended that she try VETOGA. She then researched and found information that led her to become a 200-hr VETOGA yoga instructor. Dorothy teaches Yoga at the Whitaker YMCA in Lexington, KY on Tuesday and Thursday regularly. She offers free VETOGA yoga classes and also teach Aqua Aerobics classes and volunteers at her local Veterans Hospital to help Veterans learn how to navigate the MyHealthyVet program.

“The VETOGA training experience changed my life! I have always been a fitness enthusiast but as I aged not so much. I was looking for something that I could do at my age and share with others in and above my age group, active aging adults like me! There are hundreds of us! I am a baby boomer and although I love a good solid impact workout my body does not. I was grateful my instructors at VETOGA developed a Simple Yoga Practice that I could bring back to my students, at the YMCA. I am grateful that I found VETOGA.”

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.”

Watch VETOGA in Action!
Wellness Retreat 2022

Pictured: Class of Fall 2021

Cassie Boblitt
US Army Veteran, Invasion of Iraq in 2003

Watch Cassie’s Story

Cassie has built a lifestyle and career through exploring the outdoors; whether planning and leading adventures, playing disc golf, or backpacking with friends and fellow veterans. She is deeply committed to the veteran community and sharing opportunities and experiences that will lead to a healthy, happy lifestyle.

“VETOGA holds a significant place in my personal story on my journey towards healing. Through yoga and meditation I was able to look deep into my soul and find the path that makes my heart sing. It is through yoga and my connection to the outdoors that I am able to live a present life of love and happiness.” -Cassie