Yoga Warriors International Online Teacher Training Program

Welcome to the Yoga Warriors International Online Teacher Training Program!

Our Yoga Warriors teacher training is designed to provide advance knowledge and practical tools for yoga teachers working with combat veterans diagnosed with Combat and Operational Stress Reaction (COSR) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Yoga Warriors method skillfully integrates concepts from yoga therapy, traditional yoga philosophy, and psychology, with current scientific knowledge of the body and mind to promote health and well-being.

This is a 16-hour, self-paced online course. Once enrolled, you will have immediate access to all of the training materials so that you can move through the program at your own pace.

Topics Included:

• PTSD and COSR-definitions, causes & symptoms
• Learn assisting and modification skills.
• The General Principles of the Yoga Warriors Method
• Hatha yoga postures and sequencing strategies specific to PTSD or COSR
• Effective pranayama techniques (breathing exercises) to reduce hyperarousal
• How to integrate positive affirmations for healing into the yoga practice.
• How to integrate some basic treatment principles into your yoga classes to maximize healing.
• How to use restorative yoga in a therapeutic setting.
• How to provide trauma-sensitive yoga, cultivating observational skills and responding to the unique challenges of this population.
• How to set up a Yoga Warriors program in your area
• How to reach out and make contacts
• Ethical guidelines to practice

This program is for certified yoga teachers registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level (minimum).

Open to certified yoga teachers inspired to facilitate healing to those with PTSD or Combat Stress Disorder and to certified yoga teachers who work with (or would like to work with) active-duty military personnel or veterans. Only certified yoga teachers will be qualified to teach the Yoga Warriors program in a classroom setting.

*Those that are not certified yoga teachers are invited to attend and will receive a “certificate of attendance” which may be applied towards yoga certification if you decide to go through a 200 hr program and become registered with the National Yoga Alliance within 2 years.

"The Yoga Warriors Training exceeded my highest expectation. As a yoga teacher and a long time psychotherapist, I was thrilled with what I brought back to my practices with me. I have a new set of tools expertly tuned to this population of military service personnel that I long to serve. This evidence based program is practical and yet at the same time full of heart. I can see how this training will be useful to me for years to come. One additional benefit was the amazing group of dedicated teachers that I met and the inspiration that I received from them. I now have a network all around the southeast of new colleagues!" - J.S.

CLICK HERE for more testimonials!

Meet Your Trainers

Lucy Cimini, BA, ERYT-500, C-IAYT, CZT

Yoga Warriors Founder & Director of Central Mass Yoga & Wellness

Lucy Cimini is the Founder and Director of Central Mass Yoga and Wellness and Founder of Yoga Warriors International, BA, ERYT-500, C-IAYT, CZT. She was RYT certified by the Himalayan Institute-specializes in Hatha, Iyengar, Therapeutic and Restorative yoga.

Lucy is a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has a background in Education and Social Rehabilitation with over 30 years of experience teaching restorative to advanced yoga classes.

Central Mass Yoga & Wellness, founded in 2000, is one of the most popular and established studios in Central Mass. Lucy has expanded her teaching to include a 200 hr. Yoga Teacher Training program, recognized by the National Yoga Alliance.

Lucy is the founder of Yoga Warriors International (2005). She has developed outreach yoga programs for corporate clients, combat veterans, active-duty personnel and their families recovering addicts and prison inmates. She has integrated formal instruction on teaching “trauma-sensitive” classes to yoga teachers across the country. Lucy is the program founder and subject matter expert of the published Iraq study,(Jan. 2012; American Journal Of Occupational Therapy) “The Effects of Sensory-Enhanced Yoga on Symptoms of Combat Stress in Deployed Military Personnel”.

Dharma Richards, ERYT-500

Operations Director of Yoga Warriors International

Dharma Richards, ERYT-500 is founder and owner of Yoga Garden, co-founder of Yoga Garden PBO in North Carolina, and Director of Yoga Warriors International.

A Yoga Alliance Advanced Registered Yoga Teacher, Dharma is an instructor of both the Classical Hatha-Raja style and tantric Kundalini Yoga, Reiki Master, and encourages organic movement and an open heart as she routinely leads students through nurturing practices of pranayama/ breathwork, asana/physical postures, and dhyana/meditation. 

Dharma hosts workshops, intensives, retreats and teacher trainings nationwide and in the Caribbean. She also offers the unique Mindful Muse women’s circle and a variety of online study courses.  Dharma's certifications also include Core Strength Vinyasa, Judith Lasater’s Relax & Renew, Prenatal, Children’s, and Yin Yoga.  Dharma is also a certified Reiki Master and continues studies in Thai Massage (Nuad Boran).  

Dharma was originally certified in the Yoga Warrior method over a decade ago, and as a Yoga Warrior Trainer since 2009, she continues to teach Yoga Warriors Teacher Training programs throughout the US.