What Veterans Yoga Project does

Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 and headquartered in Alameda, California, that delivers free yoga and evidence-informed Mindful Resilience practices to Veterans, military families, healthcare workers, and community members. Its core methodology, Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery (MRT), is paired with Mindful Resilience for Cultivating Compassion (MRCC) and Mindful Resilience for Yoga Teacher Training (MRYTT), delivered within a "Safe, Predictable, and Controlled environment" (SPaCe) framework. VYP operates in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, distributing more than 100 free classes weekly through VA Centers, VA Hospitals, and Community Centers nationwide, alongside the online Rick Rowan Online Studio and an on-demand VYP Practice Library; it has recorded 42,164 cumulative class encounters.

The product surface spans three delivery channels (live streaming, recorded library, local in-person classes) and three credentialed training programs (MRT, MRCC, MRYTT), supported by a Teacher Alliance Network of trained teachers, VYP Scholarships, and a Blue Star Families partnership for military family outreach. VYP is certified as a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS-200, YACEP), an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No.7255), and an IAYT member school, and holds a Charity Navigator 100/100 Encompass Rating and Candid Platinum Transparency 2026 certification.

VYP's business model is a nonprofit hybrid: free end-user service delivery (no charge to Veterans or families), underwritten by diversified funding — charitable donations and peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, foundation and corporate grants, paid MRT/MRCC/MRYTT training certifications for teachers and clinicians, and contracted yoga services to organizations and VA facilities. Operations are supported by 139 active volunteers and a paid executive team led by CEO Brianna Renner, with founder Dr. Dan Libby and a governance board chaired by Frank Giuliano. Strategic partners include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Blue Star Families, Yoga Alliance, and the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (2026 Ally Program member).

Name

Veterans Yoga Project

Legal name

Veterans Yoga Project

Website

https://veteransyogaproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Veterans Yoga Project is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that delivers free yoga and Mindful Resilience trauma-recovery training to Veterans, military families, and healthcare workers through VA partnerships and a nationwide network of certified teachers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Wellness and Mind-Body Therapy Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Therapeutic/Adaptive Yoga & Clinical Pilates (HSADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guided Meditation Instruction (1:1 & Group) (HSADAJAA), General Yoga Instruction (Hatha/Vinyasa/Flow) (HSADACAA), Yoga & Meditation Experiences (Studio Classes, Guided Meditation, Mindfulness) (THAJAHAA)

Keywords

• Veteran yoga programs
• Trauma recovery training
• Mindfulness for veterans
• Mindful resilience training
• Military family wellness

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, fundraising campaigns, and peer-to-peer fundraising pages. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns including the 15th Anniversary campaign.
2. Grants: Funding from foundations, corporations, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and governmental entities through grant applications.
3. Mindful Resilience Training Classes: Income from training programs including MRT, MRCC, and MRYTT certifications for teachers and practitioners.
4. Contracted Yoga Services: Contracted yoga services provided to various organizations and VA facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Veterans Yoga Project delivers free yoga and Mindful Resilience practices to Veterans, service members, military families, and healthcare workers through daily live online classes, recorded on-demand sessions, and in-person instruction at VA facilities and community centers nationwide. The organization also offers three structured training programs (MRT, MRCC, MRYTT) that certify individuals to teach trauma-informed yoga to Veterans.

Product overview

Veterans Yoga Project operates as a nonprofit service delivery platform offering free yoga and mindful resilience programs for Veterans, military families, and community members. The core offerings consist of three main service channels: (1) the Rick Rowan Online Studio providing daily live streaming yoga classes, (2) the VYP Practice Library offering on-demand recorded classes, and (3) Local Classes Near You providing in-person instruction at VA facilities and community centers. The organization also delivers three structured training programs—Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery (MRT), Mindful Resilience for Cultivating Compassion (MRCC), and Mindful Resilience for Yoga Teacher Training (MRYTT)—which train teachers and clinicians to deliver trauma-informed yoga instruction. Supporting services include VYP Scholarships for financial assistance and the Blue Star Families partnership program for military family outreach. The organization provides over 100 free yoga classes weekly, reaching more than 42,000 encounters annually with Veterans and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rick Rowan Online Studio
• VYP Practice Library On-demand library of recorded yoga and meditation classes available for self-paced practice and wellness routines for Veterans and the military community.
• Local Classes Near You In-person yoga classes offered at VA Centers, VA Hospitals, and Community Centers nationwide through partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs and regional chapters.
• Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery (MRT) Evidence-informed training program teaching Mindful Resilience techniques specifically designed to support Veterans recovering from stress-related mental health challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Mindful Resilience for Cultivating Compassion (MRCC) Training program focused on developing compassion and emotional resilience through Mindful Resilience practices for Veterans and their communities.
• Mindful Resilience for Yoga Teacher Training (MRYTT) Comprehensive Yoga Alliance-recognized (RYS-200, YACEP) teacher training program that certifies individuals to teach Mindful Resilience practices to Veterans.
• Blue Star Families & VYP Program Collaborative program with Blue Star Families providing yoga and Mindful Resilience resources specifically for military families through joint events and outreach.
• VYP Scholarships Financial assistance program supporting Veterans and military community members in accessing Mindful Resilience training and yoga instruction programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 74% reported decrease or no change in pain after taking a VYP yoga session (Veterans Yoga Project, Subjective Pain and Distress Scores Analysis, 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Global War on Terrorism Memorial FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Veterans Yoga Project formally joined the GWOT Memorial Foundation's Johnny Micheal Spann Ally Program. VYP hosts community yoga sessions at the future Global War on Terrorism Memorial Site in Washington, DC, including the 15th Anniversary yoga event on June 27, 2026.
• Department of Veterans AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to bring yoga and Mindful Resilience practices to Veterans at VA Centers, VA Hospitals, and Community Centers nationwide. VYP is a 501(c)(3) working in conjunction with the VA to support Veteran recovery and resilience.
• Blue Star FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Blue Star Families to provide yoga and mindful resilience programming to military families through joint events and outreach.
• Beveridge & DiamondminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 15th Anniversary Skyline Social event on June 26, 2026, providing venue at their rooftop location in Washington, DC.
• lululemonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 15th Anniversary Celebration providing support for VYP events and programs.
• MerckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the 15th Anniversary Celebration supporting Veterans Yoga Project's mission.
• MGM National HarborminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 15th Anniversary Celebration supporting VYP's Veteran wellness programs.
• Ernst & Young (EY)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 15th Anniversary Celebration supporting government and public sector wellness initiatives.
• BLP Serve, LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 15th Anniversary Celebration supporting VYP programs.
• Yoga AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVYP is a certified Yoga Alliance School (RYS-200, YACEP), providing registered yoga teacher training and continuing education programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Yoga Alliance: International yoga teacher registry that accredits VYP as a Registered Yoga School (RYS-200, YACEP). Comparable as the credentialing ecosystem on which VYP's teacher training revenue and credibility depend.
• lululemon: Athletic apparel brand and active corporate sponsor of VYP's 15th Anniversary Celebration with a long-standing 'Here to Be' community-wellness platform. Comparable as a yoga/wellness commercial incumbent whose brand and grantmaking intersect with VYP's beneficiary base.

Emerging players

• Give an Hour: Nonprofit providing free mental health services to Veterans, service members, and their families through a network of licensed providers. Comparable as a Veteran mental-health nonprofit relying on pro-bono delivery, with overlapping beneficiary base to VYP.
• Cohen Veterans Network: Provides confidential, high-quality mental health care to Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost. Comparable as a Veteran-focused mental health nonprofit serving overlapping populations, though delivered via clinical psychotherapy rather than yoga.

Broad incumbents

• Team Rubicon: Large Veteran-led nonprofit serving Veterans through disaster response and community programs. Comparable as a major Veteran-services nonprofit with similar donor base, volunteer-driven operating model, and national footprint — overlapping fundraising and beneficiary universe.
• Wounded Warrior Project: One of the largest and best-known Veteran service nonprofits, delivering programming across mental health, physical wellness, and economic recovery. Comparable as a Veteran-wellness donor competitor and referral source, though substantially larger and broader in scope.

Direct peers

• Warriors at Ease: Nonprofit that trains and certifies yoga and meditation teachers to work with Veterans, service members, and first responders with PTSD and trauma. Most directly comparable peer: same mission, same evidence-based mind-body approach, same target population.
• Mindful Yoga Therapy: Offers a structured, trauma-informed yoga protocol and teacher training program designed to address PTSD and combat stress. Comparable as a trauma-sensitive yoga curriculum sold through teacher training — overlapping product/market with VYP's MRYTT.
• Center for Trauma & Embodiment: Nonprofit successor to the Trauma Center at JRI focused on trauma-informed yoga and embodiment therapy. Comparable as a clinical-grade, trauma-focused mind-body intervention with teacher training components targeting trauma survivors.

Regional players

• Blue Star Families: Nonprofit supporting military families through research, programs, and partnerships; VYP is an active partner via the Blue Star Families & VYP program. Comparable because of shared focus on military family wellness and joint programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/VeteransYogaProject
• Facebookfacebook.com/veteransyogaproject.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterans-yoga-project
• Instagraminstagram.com/veteransyogaproject

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Veterans Yoga Project