Our Story

Project Yoga MOV – Serving Our Community One Breath at a Time

Project Yoga MOV is a nonprofit organization devoted to bringing the healing practices of yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness to individuals and communities who may not otherwise have access to them. Through compassionate teaching and inclusive spaces, we offer opportunities for people to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and experience moments of peace in the midst of life’s challenges.

Our programs are offered free of charge or at a discounted rate so that finances are never a barrier to care. Donations are always welcomed and deeply appreciated, as they allow us to support our teachers, provide mats and props, maintain space for practice, and continue expanding these offerings throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Together, we are building a community where healing is accessible to everyone.

Classes are currently held at The Wellness Loft, located at 298 Lubeck Road in Parkersburg, WV, just upstairs beside Lubeck Elementary School and above Lillie’s Childcare Center.

Women’s Veterans Yoga

This gentle and welcoming class is created especially for women veterans and the wives or partners of veterans who are seeking a supportive place to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with their bodies.

Sponsored by Project Yoga MOV and offered free of charge at The Wellness Loft, this class is taught by Christina Payan, a certified yoga instructor and veteran. Her intention is to create a calm, grounded environment where women connected to military service can experience rest, nervous system regulation, and gentle strength without pressure or expectations.

No yoga experience is necessary. Mats and supportive props are provided, and you’re encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring water.

This is a space to move slowly, feel supported, and practice self-care alongside others who understand the unique rhythms and experiences of military life.

Donations are welcome but never required.

 Men’s Veterans Yoga

This men-only yoga class is designed specifically for military veterans who are looking for a grounded, supportive way to move their bodies, reduce stress, and build strength and mobility.

Sponsored by Project Yoga MOV, this class is offered free of charge at The Wellness Loft, 298 Lubeck Road in Parkersburg, and is led by a certified yoga instructor who is also a veteran. The class focuses on functional movement, steady breathing, and practical tools that support both physical and mental well-being.

For many veterans, the transition from military life can bring physical strain, mental stress, and a need for connection. This space offers a place to slow down, rebuild strength, and reconnect with the body in a supportive and respectful environment.

No yoga experience is necessary. Mats and supportive props are provided. Wear comfortable clothing, bring water, and come exactly as you are.

This class is free and open to men veterans only and is currently offered once a month. Donations are always welcome and help us continue providing these programs to those who have served.

 Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR)

Yoga of 12-Step Recovery is a monthly gathering designed to support individuals on the path of recovery, as well as those who have been impacted by a loved one’s addiction.

This offering blends the wisdom of the 12-step philosophy with the healing power of trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices. Together we create a safe, compassionate environment for reflection, connection, and personal growth.

Participants are invited to explore gentle movement, breathing practices, and meditation techniques that help release stored stress, regulate the nervous system, and build resilience on the path of healing.

No yoga experience is needed. You are welcome exactly as you are.

This program is offered free to the community through the support of Project Yoga MOV. Donations help us continue holding space for those seeking recovery and healing.

Because healing happens in community—and everyone deserves support along the way.

Pride Yoga

Pride Yoga is a monthly gathering created to celebrate, support, and uplift our LGBTQIA+ community.

This beginner-friendly class offers a welcoming space where all identities, expressions, and bodies are honored. Through gentle movement, mindful breathing, and grounding relaxation practices, participants are invited to release tension, reduce stress, and cultivate a deeper sense of belonging within themselves.

But Pride Yoga is more than a class—it is community.

When we gather with shared intention, we create space for connection, empowerment, and healing. Showing up for yourself becomes an act of self-care, and showing up with others becomes an act of collective care.

Come as you are. Leave feeling supported, grounded, and connected.

Open to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Ages 16+. Beginner friendly.

These gatherings are offered freely through Project Yoga MOV with donations welcomed.

How Project Yoga MOV Serves the Community

Project Yoga MOV was created with a simple belief: that the practices of yoga and mindfulness should be accessible to everyone, especially those facing life’s greatest challenges.

Over the years we have brought yoga into recovery homes, correctional facilities, veterans groups, and other community spaces where people are often navigating high levels of stress, trauma, or transition.

Our team of compassionate teachers provides structured programs that introduce gentle movement, breathing practices, and meditation techniques designed to support emotional wellbeing, physical comfort, and nervous system balance.

For many participants, it is their first experience with yoga.

Over the course of a project, students learn tools they can carry with them long after the class ends, simple breathing techniques to calm the mind, movements that release tension in the body, and moments of stillness that help them reconnect with themselves.

Our classes are welcoming, light-hearted, and inclusive. Every pose can be modified so that participants of all abilities can take part comfortably and safely. Mats and props are always provided so that no one is excluded from participating.

Most importantly, we remind every participant that yoga is not about perfection. It is simply a practice of returning to the breath, again and again.

Looking Toward the Future

As Project Yoga MOV continues to grow, we hope to expand our outreach and bring yoga and mindfulness to even more members of our community who may benefit from these practices.

With the support of donations and community partnerships, we hope to offer additional programs for at-risk and underserved populations, including:

• Yoga for cancer survivors
  • Kids yoga programs
  • Family yoga opportunities
  • Prenatal yoga for expecting mothers
  • Yoga for caregivers who often give so much of themselves to others

Each of these offerings is designed with the same intention that has always guided Project Yoga MOV: creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and empowered to care for their physical and emotional well-being.

Every new program begins with community support. With your help, we can continue expanding these offerings and bringing the healing practices of yoga and mindfulness to more people throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

 Your Support Makes This Possible

All Project Yoga MOV programs are offered free of charge or reduced rate so that financial barriers never stand in the way of healing.

Community donations allow us to:

• Compensate the dedicated teachers who offer their time and expertise
  • Provide yoga mats, blankets, and supportive props
  • Maintain safe and welcoming spaces for practice
  • Reach more people through outreach and community partnerships
  • Continue expanding programs to those who need them most

Every contribution, large or small, helps us continue sharing these practices throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Because sometimes the greatest gift we can offer another person is simply a moment to breathe.