Teacher testimonials
Student Testimonials
Cheryl, Norwich, CT
"Thank you for such a wonderful experience. I wore my "Yoga Warriors" shirt all day today (my advertising for the area), talking with great passion about the weekend and the vision I have for this area. I feel prepared, ready to go, solid. Your approach is calming and gentle, informative and thorough. The handouts you provided offer great support and provide the opportunity for me to continuously review and practice. If ever you invite interns and need assistants for any workshops, please think about me. I will be there. I have deep respect for you, and now have hope and contentment combined for the path ahead. May calm peace fill your spirit."
Judy, YWI training
"Fascinating, enlightening and very powerful. I recognized certain reactions and responses in myself as we covered various topics and experienced the flow and postures."
Marcelle, Yoga Warriors training in Boston with Lucy
"Great Manual. Great Modeling by instructors. Great experiential experience. Fabulous support!"
Catherine, YWI training
"Loved having the veterans at the training. Michael's talk meant so much. I learned many, many great things. Thank you for sharing your incredible work to teach more of us to do this much needed work."
Jana York, MS, Camp Zama, Japan
"I thoroughly enjoyed the PTSD and the Mind Body Connection training that you recently hosted in Portland, Oregon. I was amazed at how much knowledge I received in two days. You have developed this curriculum with clarity and an ease of understanding and one that motivates us to offer healing through yoga. I am inspired by your compassionate wisdom. Thank you so much for your dedication. The positive affirmations are so instrumental."
Allison, YWI training in Boston
"I feel comfortable that I could teach a class of veterans. I have the knowledge I need and the understanding of what veterans need."
Karen, YWI training in Boston with Lucy
"The classroom was so perfect and relaxing. Having the veterans start class with us! The YWI technique, postures, affirmations, using props was great. This was the first time I have used them! WOW! easy to learn in this type of setting. It was wonderful!"
Raymond Belsito
"The Yoga Warriors Program located in West Boylston, MA has had quite an impact on my life. As an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, I had both physical and social issues upon my return. After attending a few classes provided by Lucy Cimini, Yoga instructor as well as a founder of the Yoga Warriors Program, I found my back pain was no longer the huge problem it had been for me since Vietnam. Her kind words of encouragement and professionally structured program including meditation, relaxed me like nothing before.
I have been attending the Yoga Warriors Program for several years now and have felt the benefits of less physical pain and a more relaxed outlook on life. An additional benefit from Lucy’s program has been the interaction of veteran’s with each other, a common bond is realized. I have made many friends there. If it were not for this program, and Lucy’s dedication to it none of these good things would have happened to me."
Maxine Deutschendorf, certified YWI teacher
"I use YW techniques in classes I teach at two of the hospitals here in the mental/behavioral health departments. Recently I had a veteran who was a former Seal. He was suffering from PTSD . He has latched onto some of the YW techniques and other yogic techniques as well....he LOVES yoga. Thank you for your program."
Sandra Doherty, RYT 500
"Wonderful to hear from you. I was able to teach Yoga Warriors in Afghanistan & the soldiers/officers were incredibly appreciative for the momentary peace & tranquility they gained from the practice. It would absolutely be my pleasure to offer some comments on the experience. Due to the security situation I do not have any pictures. I also taught YW at the Warrior Transition Unit in Fort Eustis, Virginia.
My husband (Active Duty Army) & I are actually moving to Stuttgart, Germany at the end of the month for a 3-year tour and I hope to bring Yoga Warriors to the military base we will be living on. My husband is actually finishing his 200 RYT in the Fall and I would love to bring him to Central Mass Yoga for YW training in the future."
P. Garry (Vietnam)
"I have less stress, more flexibility and feel better being with my peers. My anger and temper is so much more in control."
E. Bussell, Spouse of a National Guardsman
"This is a gentle, non-invasive way to begin dealing with any PTSD or combat-related stress or reintegration stress as a service member or spouse."
P. Malboeuf (Vietnam)
"This is a wonderful program! My sleep and anger management has improved. I have peace of mind and body!"
A Tyson, NC National Guard, Company Commander
"I went to my first class totally burned out and wondering how I was going to make it through the rest of the week. I left feeling put back together, re-energized and totally at peace. I knew yoga was supposed to be good but I didn't know it would be this amazing! Highly recommended to everyone."
M. Zarzecki (Vietnam)
"I am better able to deal with the stress of living in our society. Through the loving kindness taught at the Central Mass Yoga "Yoga Warriors" classes I am better at forgiving myself of the terrible pain I caused as a combat Vietnam Veteran. I am not working on feeling. I deserve it."
M. Patterson, SFC NC Army National Guard Retired 30 years
"This class has been outstanding after coming back from Iraq this has been the best I have felt."
C Rhodes, Army spouse
"What a blessing this yoga class and all those associated (Diane, the teachers and the participants) have been in my life. We are all getting stronger together, it's amazing. Thank you for your courage and strength. Have a blessed day."
Captain Alicia Carey
"I wanted to say thank you for sending the yoga straps to my deployed base in southwest Asia. I attend every Yoga Warriors class I can here, and it makes all the difference."
Edmund DeStefano
"Once I retired from the fire department I was looking for an exercise program to stay in shape, maintain flexibility, strength stamina and to reduce stress. I was informed that the Warrior Yoga program at CMYW has what I am looking for, after considerable consideration I decided to join the Warrior Yoga in August 2015.
In the last four months since practicing Warrior Yoga I have noticed considerable improvements by reaping the benefits of my body complete health. I wish other emergency services personnel could reap the benefits of Warrior Yoga, as they are placed into the most stressful situations.",and personal well being physically and mentally."
CPT B. Wynn, Commander,
B Company 1-252 CAB
"Yoga Warriors has been amazing! It's become a key part of my overall physical training plan, and has given me stress relieving tools that I use every day. I would strongly encourage returning vets to incorporate this as part of their reintegration."
D. Ebron, Veterans wife
"In the beginning it was hard, now I enjoy every class. My husband and I have benefited each class because we are calmer now and it’s helped our marriage. We have learned how to breathe again."
K Matinsen, NC National Guard, Yellow Ribbon Program
"The Yoga Warrior classes helped me to relax and taught me some techniques to use in everyday life not to be so tense."
J Farmer, Army Soldier & Spouse
"Seriously Yoga Warriors is a good way for soldiers to relax and calm their senses through all the things we go through. Highly recommend this."
L. Ebron, Retired Marine
"This class gives you a chance to wind down each week, relax and stretch you mind and your body."