The Veterans Yoga Project
Mindful Yoga Therapy
for Veterans Coping with Trauma
A Training for Yoga Teachers
Join Suzanne Manafort and Daniel Libby as they share their experience working with Veterans with PTSD.
In this three day teacher training, we'll cover
- what is PTSD;
- how yoga works for PTSD;
- core elements for working with trauma-affected Veterans;
- special considerations when working with Veterans; and,
- specific techniques and yoga practices for Veterans suffering from PTSD, including asana, pranayama, yoga nidra and meditation.
Program Dates and Details
Please check the menu at left for program dates and links to more information.
Daniel J. Libby, PhD
As a Postdoctoral Fellow for the Department of Veterans Affairs and Yale University, Dr. Daniel J. Libby conducts research and psychotherapy with Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related psychiatric disorders in the Connecticut VA Healthcare System, West Haven. He conducts two weekly mindful yoga classes for Veterans suffering from PTSD and chronic pain and leads a study for the Evaluation Division of the National Center for PTSD examining the use of yoga and other “complementary and alternative medicine” practices in VA Specialized PTSD Treatment programs.
Daniel is currently participating in the Newington Yoga Center embodyoga® Teacher Training and serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Feathered Pipe Foundation, the nonprofit educational foundation and yoga retreat center.
Suzanne Manafort
ERYT-500
Suzanne Manafort, Director and Founder of Newington Yoga Center, is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She studied at Yoga Center Amherst with Patty Townsend, completing her 200 hour and 500 hour programs in embodyoga®. She completed 200 hour and 500 hour programs with Beryl Bender Birch and a teacher training with David Swenson. Suzanne also completed the year long Living Tantra program with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait at the Himalayan Institute.
Suzanne co-teaches the 200 hour embodyogaŽ Teacher Training program at Newington Yoga Center.
For the past several years, she has worked with Veterans with PTSD in a program called PPRP (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Residential Rehabilitation Program). The program teaches Veterans yoga and its many practices to help them manage the effects of PTSD.
This work led her to study and learn the practical aspects of what benefits Veterans in a yoga program receive. Her experiences along the way taught her that teachers require additional training tailored to the specific needs of Veterans. With Dr. Daniel Libby, Suzanne co-founded The Veterans Yoga Project and Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans with PTSD. The program trains other yoga therapists to effectively use yoga to help Veterans. Trainings are offered nationwide.
Suzanne currently offers two CDs:
- Yoga Nidra by Suzanne Manafort
- Breathe In, Breath Out - a group of short breathing practices designed for Veterans with PTSD.
In 2009, she was designated a Wells Fargo Second Half Champion℠ for her work with Veterans with PTSD. Please view the video for more on her journey.
Suzanne also serves on the board of the Give Back Yoga Foundation.
Continuing Education Units
15 CEUs are available upon request.
Media
- Zeus radio interview with Dan and Suzanne about the Veterans Yoga Project. (Dan and Suzanne come in at about 30 minutes into the program.)
- Video of Suzanne receiving a Wells Fargo Second Half award for her work with Veterans with PTSD.
Donations
As a nonprofit, the Veterans Yoga Project accepts your tax-deductible donations. Please visit the Veterans Yoga Project site if you wish to contribute.
