About Us
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Exalted Warrior Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that facilitates an adaptive yoga instruction program which is designed for wounded warriors in the active military, veteran hospital facilities, and veterans within communities around the country.
Faced with the demands of both a physical and emotional recovery, adaptive yoga allows newly disabled veterans to reconnect with both themselves and their loved ones. Warriors with amputations, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries have greatly benefitted since the program began. The gentle movements of a yoga practice support the restoration of the body-mind connection. Practice varies from subtle breath work, accompanied with gentle stretching postures, for beginners to intense exertions, as the parties' comfort with these healing techniques increases. Through practice, the warrior will being to release the "issues from the tissues." While strengthening the body, a warrior is provided new pathways to release tension and frustration. By the use of tools learned from their yoga practice, the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are also addressed. For example, forward bends and inversions deliver great benefits to those suffering from insomnia and depression. Breath work helps alleviate the PTSD sufferer's hyper vigilance by slowing the heart rate and giving them a tool to regain a sense of control from a seemingly uncontrollable situation. These methods of yoga exercise, relaxation, and meditation are keys to wellness that the warrior can practice for a lifetime. These keys of wellness will help the warrior reintegrate into their community after leaving the care of the military —returning home to a potentially fuller and more productive life. If you are a wounded warrior or work at a facility interested in having an Exalted Warrior Adaptive yoga class for your wounded warriors please contact us. |
Annie Okerlin
Nicholas Caris
Nicholas grew up in Uhrichsville, a small town in Ohio. When he turned 18 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman. His first deployment was in 2008 to Ramadi, Iraq where he trained the Iraqi police force and encouraged them to take pride in securing their city’s safety. Shortly after he returned home from Iraq, his unit deployed to support the Drug Enforcement Agency on a mission in the seas of South America. He came home just before Christmas in 2009 and immediately started training for his third and final deployment. Six months later he was in Marjah, Afghanistan where his unit was engaged with the Taliban to secure the safety of civilians and the city’s farmlands. In August 2011, after five years of service and three deployments, Nicholas was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and moved to Tampa Florida.
Nicholas tried his first yoga class within a few days of being in his new city and was sure that he would never go back again. Shortly after he began to notice some serious physical problems and they started to negatively impact his life. He also was struggling with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries from his time in service. He had become friends with his yoga teacher and she urged him to come back to maybe a less intensive class. After a few classes Nicholas started to feel the physical benefits of yoga and after long talks with his teacher and more yoga Nicholas fell in love with the practice.
Listen to Nicholas Caris tell his powerful story on the Veteran Resource Podcast.…CLICK HERE!
Still struggling with his physical and mental challenges Nicholas decided to take it further and in 2014 he signed up for a 200 hour RYT teacher training. This particular training was 8 months long and he knew his journey had just began. Today Nicholas teaches yoga with Exalted Warrior Foundation providing adaptive yoga to veterans who are struggling just like he is. Yoga for him isn’t just a class in studio, it is a tool for every moment in his life to battle the physical and mental challenges he still faces every day.
Nicholas tried his first yoga class within a few days of being in his new city and was sure that he would never go back again. Shortly after he began to notice some serious physical problems and they started to negatively impact his life. He also was struggling with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries from his time in service. He had become friends with his yoga teacher and she urged him to come back to maybe a less intensive class. After a few classes Nicholas started to feel the physical benefits of yoga and after long talks with his teacher and more yoga Nicholas fell in love with the practice.
Listen to Nicholas Caris tell his powerful story on the Veteran Resource Podcast.…CLICK HERE!
Still struggling with his physical and mental challenges Nicholas decided to take it further and in 2014 he signed up for a 200 hour RYT teacher training. This particular training was 8 months long and he knew his journey had just began. Today Nicholas teaches yoga with Exalted Warrior Foundation providing adaptive yoga to veterans who are struggling just like he is. Yoga for him isn’t just a class in studio, it is a tool for every moment in his life to battle the physical and mental challenges he still faces every day.
