Dan Nevins Leads Yoga in Canton for Wounded Warrior Project

Canton, MI — Dan Nevins, a highly decorated soldier and double amputee, will lead a yoga session later this month at Heritage Park in Canton to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

Nevins, who lost both of his legs and suffered a traumatic brain injury when an improvised explosive device, or IED, detonated beneath his vehicle in Iraq in 2004, lives with the emotional wounds of war.

He had been an adaptive athlete since 2007, and accomplished such feats as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and riding an adaptive ike around the country.

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“It was great,” he told BuzzFeed, “but what I was actually doing by competing in these ego-boosting, achievement-driven sports was avoiding my invisible, emotional wounds of war.”

He began taking yoga classes in 2014 during a break from competition and recovery from surgery. After learning the technique, he realized that other wounded warriors could benefit from yoga in the same way and become Baptiste Yoga teacher in 2015.

He now incorporates the notion of “yoga for every-body” into his speeches and classes, encouraging people from all walks of life — and veterans in particular — to take up the practice.

“Veterans often feel so isolated because we think we’re damaged or different but yoga can change that because it’s all about being connected with the earth and people around you,” said the 43-year-old Nevins, who lives in Ponte Verda, FL.

Nevins also credits the Wounded Warriors Project with helping with his rehabilitation and instilling a “can-do” attitude, positive outlook and passion for helping his fellow wounded warriors in him.

He quickly became an advocate for the organization, inspiring both his peers and the public to create positive change for themselves and those around them, simply by sharing his powerful story. Nevins’ charismatic personality and relatable, lively approach resonated with audiences of all shapes and sizes, and he soon found himself sharing his story with hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

At the upcoming Yoga in the Park event in Canton, Nevins will talk about how yoga helped him to heal from the invisible wounds of war in a way that nothing else could.

If You Go

What: Yoga In the Park with Dan Nevins to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project

When: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30

Where: Heritage Park, Canton

Sponsors: Old Glory Flags and Canton Leisure Services

Cost: $35 for advance registration; $45 on site (while supplies last, includes a Wounded Warrior Project yoga mat and carrying bag and Wounded Warrior Project supporter wristband.)

What to wear: Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite patriotic or red, white, and blue exercise attire

More information: Click here.

Video and photo: DanNevins.com