Category: Veterans Yoga Project

Empowering Veterans: Weekly Online Movement Classes with Gail Pickens‑Barger

Empowering Veterans: Weekly Online Movement Classes with Gail Pickens‑Barger

Join me on the Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio, via the WellnessLiving platform, for free weekly classes designed to enhance strength, flexibility, balance, and resilience. These accessible sessions offer physical, emotional, and mental support for Veterans across the nation. In 2024, 76% of participants reported decreased distress, and 72% saw reduced pain.

Chair Tai Chi with a Splash of Yoga with Gail PB
Chair Tai Chi with a Splash of Yoga with Gail PB

📅 Wednesdays — Alternating: Chair Tai Chi & Gentle Yoga for Back Care

Every other Wednesday (1:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM PST), I alternate two foundational classes:

🔹 Chair Tai Chi for Beginners

A 45 to 60-minute seated class that blends:

  • Yang-style Tai Chi forms, Shaolin muscle-sinew exercises
  • Qigong detox movements, mobility drills for fingers, hands, eyes
  • Acupressure and gratitude-based breathwork relaxation

Benefits:

  • Helps relieve chronic pain
  • Enhances posture, balance, strength, and sleep
  • Boosts circulation, lymph flow, digestion, and emotional regulation

Gear needed: Just one sturdy chair

Beginner Friendly Gentle Yoga for Back Care class online through Veterans Yoga Project
Gentle Yoga for Back Care Beginners Class on Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio

🔹 Gentle Yoga for Back Care

This 60-minute class is designed for all levels and especially beneficial for people with back pain, arthritis, or joint limitations.

What to Expect:

  • Gentle yoga stretches and flows, either seated or on the mat
  • Tools and techniques that support spinal alignment and mobility
  • Breathing practices for stress relief and better circulation

Helpful Props:

  • Yoga strap, block, mat or chair
  • Optional: blanket, wall, or table for support
Fall Prevention Yoga Class using Two Chairs, Yoga Strap and Blocks for Improving Strength and Balance
Fall Prevention Yoga Class. Using Two Chairs, Yoga Strap and Block for Improving Strength and Balance

✅ Fridays — Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention

Join me every Friday at 1:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM PST for this energizing 60-minute session designed to improve balance, body awareness, and strength in a safe and supportive way.

Key Features:

  • Chair-supported balance exercises
  • Strength-building movements to reduce fall risk
  • No floor work required—great for people with limited mobility
  • Mindful breathing and body awareness to calm the nervous system

What You’ll Need:

  • Two chairs (one for movement, one for support)
  • Strap, yoga block
  • Optional: TheraBand, blanket, wall

💬 Side Note: Recent Student Reviews

Here’s what students are saying about these life-changing classes:

⭐ “I was experiencing level 6 pain in my hip and leg… After Gail’s class, my pain dropped to level 1. So grateful!”
— JA, July 25, 2025 – Fall Prevention Chair Yoga

⭐ “Gail PB is amazing! I’ve had two knee replacements and still get a great workout.”
— RM, July 24, 2025 – Gentle Yoga for Back Care

⭐ “Fantastic teacher! The practices make me feel better after class. The 3-step is really helpful—thanks Gail!”
— LC, July 12, 2025 – Fall Prevention

⭐ “Gail’s Chair Tai Chi is wonderful—good for both body and mind. Would love to see even more of these classes!”
— NW, July 16, 2025 – Chair Tai Chi

⭐ “I love Gail’s classes. They challenge me to get stronger and improve my balance. I’m thankful these are free.”
— DA, multiple reviews from June–July 2025

⭐ “Gail’s knowledge is deep, and she presents with humor and warmth. Her Chair Yoga is one of my weekly must-do’s!”
— DL, July 2, 2025 – Chair Tai Chi

🧘 Why These Classes Matter

  • Free for Veterans: Sponsored through the Veterans Yoga Project & VA partnership
  • Accessible and inclusive: No need to get on the floor
  • Safe and effective: Gentle movements adapted to your body’s needs
  • Whole Health support: Stress relief, pain reduction, emotional balance

📋 Weekly Snapshot

DayClassDurationFocus Area
Wednesday (alternating)Chair Tai Chi45 minMind-body connection, mobility
Wednesday (alternating)Gentle Yoga for Back Care60 minBack pain relief, strength & stretch
FridayChair Yoga for Fall Prevention60 minBalance, fall risk reduction

📝 How to Join

  1. Visit VeteransYogaProject.org
  2. Register for a free account on the WellnessLiving platform
  3. Reserve your spot for the class—and let’s move, breathe, and heal together

Let’s make mindful movement a part of your weekly wellness!
Reach out anytime if you have questions or need help getting started.

Upgrading My Computer to Windows 11 Using FlyBy11 + Post-Upgrade AV Testing

🖥️ Upgrading My Computer to Windows 11 Using FlyBy11 + Post-Upgrade AV Testing

After years of running smoothly on Windows 10, I decided it was time to upgrade to Windows 11—even though my PC wasn’t on Microsoft’s supported hardware list. Thanks to the FlyBy11 method, I was able to complete the upgrade without a hitch. Here’s a quick overview of my upgrade experience and how I verified my audio and video systems afterward.

✅ Step-by-Step: How I Upgraded Using FlyBy11

I followed the instructions in a video guide that walked through upgrading unsupported PCs to Windows 11 using the FlyBy11 script. This method bypasses Microsoft’s hardware checks in a safe and controlled way.

Here’s a quick summary of the process:

  1. Backed up important files.
    Always a must before any major upgrade.
  2. Downloaded the FlyBy11 script from GitHub.
    (It automates bypassing the TPM, Secure Boot, and CPU checks.)
  3. Ran the script and initiated the upgrade.
    I used a Windows 11 ISO downloaded directly from Microsoft.
  4. The install process was smooth—no hiccups or compatibility warnings.
  5. After reboot, I had a fresh Windows 11 desktop with all my apps and settings intact.

🔊🎥 Post-Upgrade Testing: Audio & Video

After the upgrade, I made it a priority to test everything related to my workflow—especially audio and video, since I use my computer to teach yoga and chair tai chi both online and in person.

Here’s what I tested and verified:

🎤 Audio Tests

  • ✅ Microphone detection in Zoom, OBS, and Audacity
  • ✅ No latency issues or audio dropouts
  • ✅ Speakers and Bluetooth earbuds connected without trouble

🎥 Video Tests

  • ✅ Webcam recognized in Zoom, OBS, and Camera app
  • ✅ Background blur and virtual backgrounds worked smoothly
  • ✅ OBS Studio scene switching and virtual cam all functioned as before

All audio/video settings and customizations I had on Windows 10 carried over without needing reconfiguration. I did though have an HP printer notification pop up during a recording LIVE on YouTube, so I’ll need to check into suppressing notifications.

Here’s one of the “Live” videos I did to test both the audio and video after the upgrade!

🧘‍♀️ Why This Matters for My Work

I teach Chair Yoga, Tai Chi, and Guided Meditation virtually, so reliable audio/video is crucial. The upgrade allowed me to enjoy the sleeker interface of Windows 11 and improved multi-window features, without sacrificing stability in my teaching platforms.

If you’re a fellow wellness educator, you’ll appreciate the importance of:

  • Smooth streaming (no lag)
  • Clear voice capture for cues and instruction
  • Visual clarity for demonstrations

So far, Windows 11 is delivering.

📌 Final Thoughts

If you’re still running Windows 10 on an older machine and wondering whether an upgrade is possible, FlyBy11 is a viable solution—just be sure to back up and follow each step carefully.

💡Pro Tip: After upgrading, take the time to recheck every tool you rely on—especially audio and video apps—to ensure everything transitioned properly.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this method, or if you’re considering upgrading and have questions!

Chair Tai Chi & Gentle Beginners Yoga for Back Care Classes – 2025

Chair Tai Chi & Gentle Beginners Yoga for Back Care Classes

February 2025. For Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio, Gail Pickens-Barger, Yoga Instructor/Chair Tai Chi Instructor. New schedule update.

Wednesdays Gentle Yoga for Back Care/ Chair Tai Chi. 11:00am PST(60 min) | Wednesdays | 1:00pm CST(60 min)

Fridays Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. 11:00 am PST (60 min) | Fridays | 1:00 pm CST (60 mins)

Gail Pickens-Barger

Yoga Teacher, Chair Tai Chi & Yoga Nidra Meditation Teacher

Class Description: Chair Tai Chi / Gentle Yoga for Back Care for Beginners. One week will be chair tai chi, the next week will be gentle yoga for back care for beginners.

Chair Tai Chi Class Description:
 
Chair Tai Chi is a 45 minute class, consisting of a blend of Yang Style Tai Chi forms (singled out for adaptability in a seated position), Shaolin muscle and sinew exercises, qigong (“chee-kung”) detoxing techniques, hand/finger/eye exercises, acupressure point stimulation, and guided rest & relaxation & gratitude practice.

Benefits: Chronic pain reduction, improved strength and flexibility, range of motion, posture, blood pressure, sleep, digestion, and immunity. Relieves stress, anxiety, and aids in overall well-being. Chair Tai Chi is a unique therapeutic modality being offered in the online Veterans Yoga Project studio.
 
*Special instructions for Chair Tai Chi:
Please have a sturdy chair available.

*******

Gentle Yoga for Back Care Beginners Class Description:

This 60 minute class is formatted for those of all ages and levels who experience low back pain, whether chronic or due to injury. The use of gear is encouraged to help support you through class which is presented every other week with our resident VYP expert, Gail Pickens-Barger. Class can be done on a yoga mat, or seated on a chair.

Special Instructions
Please have on hand:
* a strap
* a block
* access to a non-stick surface (a.k.a. yoga mat) or be seated on a chair

Optional items to have on hand are:
* a blanket/cover
* access to a wall or chair/table.  

You don’t have to bend like a pretzel to do yoga!

Example of Back Yoga for Beginners. Ease your back challenges with simple, effective movements.

Check out my latest “Live” video. I was testing the video quality and sound at a remote location. Sound is not as crisp as I would like, but is tolerable. Movement sequences for hands and fingers for easing pain and arthritis.

How to see Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio on my big TV Screen

How to see Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio on my big TV Screen

I often get asked how I setup for teaching online yoga classes. I’ll just briefly give you an outline of what equipment I use, etc.

My teaching online Chair Tai Chi, Yoga and taking classes setup.

A quick photo of my setup for teaching online, and for taking classes online. Left to Right. Ipad, Adapter Lightening Cord, Laptop, Surge protector with my PC, and Apple Charging cord connected, HDMI cord connecting to the back of my TV, Roku device plugged into the other HDMI port, and my older not so smart (ha ha) TV, with the VYP app displayed from my ipad onto the tv.

I teach from my PC and attached camera.  Then I have a second screen, where I can do gallery view, to watch the students on my somewhat bigger TV Screen.

A little background, about nine years ago, when I was teaching some educational classes in my home, I would use the apple adapter cord into my ipad/pc, and my televisions’s hdmi cord to view onto my TV.  I had a different type of adaptor that I would use for my PC/Mac.  

Since then I use the same cord to use as a connection, to display larger onto my Smart TV.

  1. One needs a Smart TV.  You use the Roku app on the Smart TV to connect to an iphone/ipad device app.  This might be a bit difficult to figure out, as one needs to look at the “streaming store” and find the appropriate “app” for the HDMI hooking up service.
  2. Roku device hooked up to the back of their TV, or a Smart TV that has Roku integrated within the system. ~ $45
  3. A HDMI cord – which plugs into the Apple adaptor cord and into the HDMI port on the smart tv. ~ $10
  4. An Apple cord https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MW2P3AM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter  $49
  5. An apple charging cord dedicated to this system.  
  6. I use a surge protector strip to plug in for power to the apple charging cord.

When I started teaching online for VYP almost five years ago, I just used the same cord system.

There are other methods to connect to a smart tv, depending if you are using a PC, an android.  I’ve used Chromecast, but it was rather cludgy.

When I teach in person at a gym, I sometimes play indoor walking workouts for my clients, prior to the tai chi or yoga class.  The facility has an overhead projector system.  I’m able to use the cord again, and “cast” onto the large theatre display, using their bluetooth connection technology.   

Apple Adapter cord. 

Apple Lightening Adapter cord

Apple adapter into my ipad, with the hdmi cord, and my apple charger cord coming out.  

My cord connection from my Ipad

My setup for teaching and taking online classes.

My Online Teaching Setup.

Left to Right.  Ipad/Apple adaptor cord, PC, Camera, surge protector strip cord.  My PC, Apple Charger cord in the strip cord.  Smart TV with a Roku in the back plugged in (it is an older Smart TV), then on the screen I have the VYP app on screen, as it shows up on the Ipad.

One must turn off the audio on the Ipad, or you’ll have reverb/echo noise.  I also turn off the volume on the TV, and only use the volume from the PC.  Their setup may be different as they will not have the PC or the Ipad both running at the same time.  So the sound could either be from their Ipad/Iphone or PC or the Smart TV.  It takes a bit to figure this stuff out.

Questions? Complaints? Comments? Complements? Let me know!

Gail

My Roku Streaming Services

Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention with Gail P-B.

Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention with Gail P-B.

Teaching a new time slot and a new style of class. Starts on Friday, January 17, 2025. Will reside on the online studio platform for Veterans Yoga Project. Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention.

Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. Fridays at 1 PM CDT on Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio.

Recently Veterans Affairs, announced its partnership with Veterans Yoga Project to have VYP provide yoga, meditation, Yoga Nidra Meditation practices. The full story can be found here.

Here’s a little snippet from the article.

VA offers free online and in-person yoga classes and mindfulness training to Veterans across the nation. VA hosts these classes through a partnership with Veterans Yoga Project, Inc., which is maintained by the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP).

The classes provide a no-cost opportunity to Veterans seeking to improve their mental, physical and emotional health through yoga and mindfulness practices.

VA and Veterans Yoga Project are working together to make more Veterans aware of the benefits of yoga while offering more classes. This partnership also provides local VA medical centers with opportunities to connect with Veterans Yoga Project instructors to provide yoga classes and mindful resilience training to Veterans, either in-person or virtually through VA-approved telehealth platforms.

“Through this partnership with Veterans Yoga Project, we are addressing top VA priorities, expanding Veteran access to care and enhancing the overall health of Veterans,” said Kimberly Pugh, health system specialist within VHA National Center for Healthcare Advancement & Partnerships. “Including yoga and mindfulness into their health care routine provides Veterans with additional tools to manage stress, improve physical health and build resilience.”

72% of Veterans saw a reduction in pain

The Veterans Yoga Project is a nonprofit organization that helps Veterans, their families and communities recover and build resilience through yoga and mindfulness training. In 2023, Veterans Yoga Project reported that 75% of Veterans who took part in their programs felt less distress and 72% saw a reduction in pain.

The partnership between VA and Veterans Yoga Project focuses on several key goals:

  • Teaching Veterans about the benefits of yoga and mindfulness for their mental, physical and emotional health.
  • Making access to yoga classes and mindful resilience training easier for Veterans.
  • Encouraging local partnerships between VA medical centers and Veterans Yoga Project instructors.
  • Offering free yoga and meditation classes to Veterans in their communities.

Classes reduce pain and stress

“Veterans Yoga Project is proud to partner with VA and deliver yoga and mindful resilience practices as a primary service to America’s Veterans,” said Brianna Renner, CEO of Veterans Yoga Project. “As an integral part of VA’s Whole Health initiative, together we have the ability to empower more Veterans to live, thrive and actively belong. With a robust teacher network and over a hundred free yoga classes weekly, we are dedicated to growing the impact of our classes to reduce pain and stress and support as many Veterans as possible.”

This partnership shows VA’s commitment to changing the way health care is delivered to Veterans, focusing on personalized, whole-person care. Yoga is part of VA Whole Health System of Care, which gives Veterans supportive health options.

I teach the Gentle Yoga for Back Care, and alternate that time slot with Chair Tai Chi. Both have been popular with some of the older Veterans.

Now we are hosting a new class, Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. It is Fridays at 1 PM CDT (think Texas time). Some gear is needed for this class. Two Chairs, a Yoga Strap, a Yoga Block. Optional, if you have a yoga strap with a buckle, or a TheraBand (stretchy strap).

Here’s the registration link, then you “Book” the class! https://veteransyogaproject.org/vyp-classes/

Here’s the online description of the class.

Class Description

Discover the benefits of yoga without the need to get down on the floor in our Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention class. This gentle and accessible yoga practice is designed to improve balance, flexibility, and strength while keeping you comfortably seated or standing with support.

Our chair yoga practice includes:

Seated Balance Poses: Enhance stability and coordination through modified yoga poses performed while seated.

Gentle Stretching: Increase flexibility and joint mobility with easy-to-follow stretches that reduce stiffness and improve range of motion.

Strength Exercises: Build muscle strength in the core, legs, and upper body to support daily activities and reduce the risk of falls.

Mindful Movements: Boost body awareness and confidence with slow, deliberate movements and guided breathing techniques, all performed with the aid of a chair for safety and comfort.

Perfect for seniors, those with limited mobility, or anyone seeking a low-impact exercise routine. Our skilled instructors will guide you through each pose, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Embrace a healthier, more stable lifestyle with Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention!

Chair Yoga for Fall Prevention. Beginners yoga class to strengthen the body, and build better balance. With teacher, Gail Pickens-Barger