Our Ambassadors

Yoga Gives Back’s global community of Ambassadors is the key to our grassroots outreach. Through our international network of Ambassadors, we are able to share our mission with #OneMillionYogis around the globe and give back to the practice which has given us all so much. YGB Ambassadors commit to hosting at least one annual activism class or charity event on behalf of YGB, and to raise awareness for YGB’s mission throughout the year.  Please email us if you are interested in joining this powerful global community of leaders at

Ambassadors of the Year

2016 Anouk Prop
The Netherlands
2017 Maneesh Kalra
Japan
2017 Wendy Chan
Signapore
2018 Juee Yew-Crijns
UK
2018 Lauren Peterson
USA
2019 Gwen Tan-Wynne
Malaysia
2019 Emery Bryant
SPRINGFIELD, MO
2020 Kino MacGregor,

Miami, Florida

2021 Daphne Tse,
USA
2021 Jocelyn Solomon,
USA
2022 Harmony Slater
Calgary, Canada
2022 Jeanne Heileman
Los Angeles, USA
2022 Kia Miller
Topanga, USA
2022 Michelle El Khoury
Pennsylvania, USA

Advisory Committee

Anouk Prop

EMERY BRYANT

SPRINGFIELD, MO

Emery is a certified yoga instructor who has been registered with the National Yoga Alliance since 2008.  She has been teaching yoga in southwest Missouri since 2007 following the completion of yoga teacher training in the VariYoga style at the Arkansas Yoga Center in Fayetteville, AR. In 2009 she continued her education with a teacher training in Ashtanga yoga at Maya Yoga in Kansas City, MO. Her most recent training in Power Yoga for Sports gave her the tools to apply her knowledge of yoga to develop sport specific yoga sequences helping athletes move more efficiently and avoid injury. Her diverse training background allows her to adapt the practice of yoga to all levels from beginner to advanced practitioner.  Each class with Emery is a well rounded experience for the mind and soul.

 

“I want to support YGB to show my gratitude for the many lessons yoga has taught me that have made my life better in every way. I want to pay it forward by helping to make someone else’s life a little better as well.”

HARMONY SLATER

VICTORIA, BC

Harmony Slater has been teaching yoga for almost 20 years. After completing two degrees in Philosophy and Eastern Religion, she made her first trip to Mysore, India, to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She spent the following five years living in Asia, with long periods dedicated to practice and exploration in Mysore.

Harmony lives in Calgary AB, where she resides with her son. She has visited India on 18 separate occasions, and continues to return regularly to deepen and enrich her own practice of yoga. She has spent time expanding her knowledge of yoga under the attentive guidance of R. Sharath Jois, Sri O.P. Tiwari along with several other teachers of Philosophy and Sanskrit.

“Yoga Gives Back is an inspiring, transformative organization that invests in one of India’s most valuable and yet, underrated resources: women. By empowering these motivated women to create something for themselves, their families, and their communities, and by encouraging them to further invest in their children’s education, this simple act of micro-financing becomes powerful enough to change the lives of many generations. As a daughter, wife, and mother, my heart was deeply touched by the testimonies of the women whose lives have been forever changed because of their involvement with this non-profit organization. India is a place that is very close to my heart, and I, personally, have been forever changed because of my connection to Her, and Her gift of Yoga. India is a country where my spirit feels very much at home, and my heart breaks for so many women there who work so hard to support their families, and yet, are often victims of abuse and inequality. My life has been blessed by India in more ways than I can express, and by several great Teachers, Gurus, who have brought me out of darkness and into the light. I feel that Yoga Gives Back is an opportunity to share this light with the people, the sisters, who reside in the country of my heart and truly need our assistance. It is a tangible way for me to say “thank you” to Mother India for all that She has given to us, and continues to share.”

Julie Choi Trepkau

Encinitas, CA
http://www.juliechoitrepkau.com

Julie Choi Trepkau is a teacher and mother living in Encinitas, California.  Julie started teaching yoga over 18 years ago, unexpectedly stepping upon this path after completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in Art History, Anthropology, and Development Studies, and then working in the art and corporate marketing communications fields in New York, London and Hong Kong.  Julie has been a student of yoga since 1995, and began the daily practice of Ashtanga yoga in 2000. She became a mother for the first time in 2008,  a yoga teacher in 2003, and a teacher of elementary age children in 2013.  She made her first visit to India to study Ashtanga yoga in 2006, and continues to return to study yoga in the place where it was born.  Julie is grateful to her teachers and fellow students and seekers she’s been enriched by on this path.

“Yoga Gives Back is a truly inspiring organization, both visionary and effective in delivering its mission and making a real difference in the day-to-day lives of women and children.  It is an honor to represent YGB as an Ambassador, and it feels like a full circle moment: over two decades ago, as a student of Development Studies researching the dire challenges of women surviving poverty, I learned about the ways in which women could overcome poverty and thrive by by utilizing their knowledge, skills and talents to create their own businesses.  As such, micro-financing is a powerful way to offer life-changing entrepreneurial opportunities to women.  After sharing yoga for many years as a way to heal and thrive, collaborating with YGB feels deeply aligned with a cause that I have long been passionate about.  India has given the world the gift of yoga, which has been transformative for so many people’s lives, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back by contributing to the empowerment of women, which in turn, empowers whole communities.”

 

Kathleen Kastner

Kansas City, MO

Kathleen Kastner is the Owner of Maya Yoga in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Wade Mortenson. She has a B.S in Journalism and a M.S in Exercise Physiology and has been teaching yoga since 1996. She practices ashtanga daily and her long distance teachers are Tim Miller and Jorgen Christiansson. She is vegan, an animal advocate and loves placing homeless pets in forever homes.

“I want to help the women and children of India to have financial independence and an education, so they have the opportunity to achieve their dreams in life.”

Katsu

Japan

Katsu was raised in New York, Shibuya (Tokyo), London and Bangkok. He has 18 years of  experience practicing YOGA.  10 years of  YOGA teaching and  8 years of chiropractic treatment. During this time he has experienced various styles of YOGA and has studied anatomy, pathology, and nerves.  In addition to YOGA instruction, he also provides meditation instruction and muscle, nerve, and lymphatic massage.

“Through yoga I learned to love myself, love others, love nature, and feel a part of the earth and the universe. My wish is to make a contribution to India, the root of yoga, as a way to to give back to Yoga which has had a great influence on me and the people around me.”

Pennsylvania

Michelle El Khoury

Richboro, Pennsylvania
yogamazia.com

Michelle El Khoury, PhD was personally drawn to yoga whilst pregnant with her second child and noticed the positive mental and physical effects it had, not only on herself but later on with her children. Her journeys led her to become a certified yoga teacher and after a rewarding 20-year published career in the healthcare industry, she followed her dream and incorporated her background and learnings into the passion she had for yoga and founded Yogamazia.

“Yoga is a powerful vehicle for creating a fairer and more equal world and, women and children are vital ambassadors for this change. This is why I am grateful to support Yoga Gives Back and join in their mission to collectively demand positive social change to have a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world for everyone.”

 

United Arab Emirates

Nea Ferrier

neaferrieryoga.com

NIHAN HANTAL

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Nihan was born in Istanbul and studied political science and international relations at university in Istanbul and New York. She has been doing yoga since 1999 and took her yoga teacher training course at OM Yoga Center New York in 2008. After the course, she quit everything in return for a life of Yoga. She does yoga, teaches yoga, and teaches workshops and teacher trainings all around the world including UK, India, Italy, South America, Cyprus and Turkey. She’s based in Istanbul, Turkey where she teaches in a healthy life center named D-Life. She is also the brand ambassador of Adidas Turkey for their yoga clothing line.

 

“I start my day with a thanking session for the breath that I take in the morning, for living healthful and blissful with everything that I have. Some people weren’t born as fortunate as we are, but they also have simple needs and beautiful dreams as ours. I believe that it is our duty to share what we own with the community in any conditions which can be financial help or just a motivational conversation or just a big hug and smile, what ever available for us. This was my starting point for creating charity events in my own country, then Yoga Gives Back found me, when I decided to spread my gratitude to global area. Yoga gave me a lot that can take a book for me to write down, now it is my turn to give back by yoga. “

California

Jeanne Heileman

jeanneheileman.com

WENDY CHAN

SINGAPORE

Founder and director of Yoga Seeds, a yoga events, retreats and training company based in Singapore, Wendy hosts regular yoga retreats in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. When she’s not traveling, she’s back home in Singapore, teaching in various settings, including corporate yoga classes, yoga for children, private yoga sessions, regular studio sessions and also community classes for the underprivileged. In fact, she teaches anywhere that she can unroll her mat! Wendy’s background and interesting eastern and western philosophy led her to explore and study the workings of the mind, body and subtle energies of the universe through meditation and yoga. Her style of yoga is a uniqueblend of Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin Yoga, with emphasis on the breath in both movement and stillness.

“Yoga has given me so much in my life, and it’s only natural for me to want to be part of an initiative that gives back, especially to India, the birthplace of Yoga. Yoga Gives Back helps our sisters in India through education and opportunities for financial independence, which I believe will have a huge impact in the future of women in India. I’m very blessed and privileged to be an ambassador for YGB and I’m proud to be part of the efforts to support this cause.”

Italy

Tara Mitra

taramitrayoga.com

Israel

Maya Gross

ashtangayoga.co.il

Devorah Sacks

Devorah has been a dedicated practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga since 1993 and for the past 25 years she has shared her knowledge and passion with her students.  In 1997 she made her first trip of many to Mysore, India to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute and has since received authorization to teach. She spent 20 years teaching in and around the San Francisco Bay Area and founded one of San Francisco’s first and biggest Mysore programs.  In 2020 she moved to Grass Valley, California and opened Atha Yoga where she offers weekly mysore classes, philosophy study and other workshops and trainings.  In addition to her yoga teaching Devorah is a licensed Somatic Therapist and works one-on-one with people who want to deepen their healing and learn ways to integrate their yogic understanding so they can take their yoga practice off of the mat and into their lives.

“I love this organization. Yoga Gives Back is truly special. Just like the transformational practice of yoga, YGB is helping to transform the lives of so many women and children and offering them a way to find profound change so they can help themselves and their families. Yoga has given me so many blessings and I feel called to give something back and to be of service.”

Timothy Lynch

Berkeley, CA
https://atha-room.com/

Timothy currently teaches Ashtanga Yoga at Atha in Berkeley, CA and has been guiding Mysore communities for ten years and teaching yoga for fifteen. He recognizes the enormous privilege it has been to have made nine extended trips to India to study. He is humbled and indebted to the people and traditions of India, which have been and continue to be a great source of inspiration, confrontation, and mystery. He is grateful for the support and guidance of Eddie Stern, Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Sharath Jois, Sharmila Desai, Peter Sanson, Dr. Nagaraja Rao, and the late S.N. Goenka of the Vipassana tradition. Timothy is a papa to the most wonderful little girl. He has a degree in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts, NYC. In 2023 he finished three years of Waldorf teacher training at the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training. He is a parent educator and artist active in the San Francisco Bay Area. He specializes in working with parents with children from birth to seven.

“Yoga Gives Back is proactively working to shift the often complex and contradictory inequities embedded in indian culture – particularly relating to empowering women and children. Along with the beautiful and rich traditions birthed in mother India, there is also much need for growth and change. Yoga gives back is working in a myriad of ways on behalf of some of those needed changes. I’m grateful for an opportunity to support an organization that moves energy back into a culture that has given and continues to give us all so much.”

Angel Kwok

Hong Kong
Pure Yoga

Angel began practicing yoga for lower back pain and was drawn to Jivamukti’s spiritual teachings. She completed her first yoga teacher training in New York in 2010, gaining knowledge from various mentors about compassionate practice, therapeutic approaches, universal alignment principles, and the importance of consistent practice. Angel’s classes focus on foundation and alignment, encouraging students to incorporate yoga’s consciousness into daily life.

Angel has gained extensive education and training in various healing modalities with some of the world’s leading teachers.

Angel has been sharing this knowledge and experience with students four almost 14 years, and is currently teaching at Pure Yoga in Hong Kong.

She joins YGB’s Global Ambassadors team inspired by the yoga teaching “Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu” – and wishes this for everyone:  may all beings be happy and free.

Jonathan Ferrucci

Italy

Italian-Australian pianist Jonathan Ferrucci has given concerts across Europe, Australia and the United States, performing in Wigmore Hall and Barbican Hall in London, Carnegie Weill Hall in New York, and the Fazioli Concert Hall in Italy, among other venues.

His recent work has been focused around music by J.S. Bach, with performances of the Goldberg Variations in Europe and the US and a recording of the complete Toccatas, soon to be released worldwide. Alongside his training with Giovanni Carmassi in Florence and Joan Havill at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, his artistic sensitivity has been profoundly influenced by Angela Hewitt, who has been a mentor since 2014, and by his studies with Robert Levin, Aldo Ciccolini, and Zhu Xiao-Mei. His journey has been inspired along the way by masterclasses with Murray Perahia, Richard Goode, Christian Zacharias, Dmitri Bashkirov and Peter Frankl. Parallel to his time spent at the piano, Jonathan is a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga practitioner. He considers Yoga integral to his work as a musician and essential in life.

“I am inspired by the work that YGB does and feel that it’s an important part of my yoga practice to engage with a community and make a difference in the world. As a musician, I believe art, like yoga, is a tool to expand our compassion, share love and understand more about the human experience.”

Mayumi Fujita

Japan
Radhika Yoga

Mayumi is a yoga instructor and aroma therapist based in Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan.

Experiencing stress from overwork, Mayumi started practicing yoga and experienced a huge benefit to body mind balance with awareness of breathing. Today, Mayumi teaches yoga in Kanagawa and Tokyo area  and at ‘ Radhika Yoga Hayama” which she co-founded with her husband Go Sato. Mayumi leads special restorative yoga classes for corporations and YMC medical trainers. She developed a curriculum for “Good Aging Yoga” for Human Academy, yoga publications and beauty industry events.
 
In 2019, Mayumi started studying raganuga yoga under Sadhu Marajaja in India and received a spiritual name, “Vraja Madhuri devi dasi.”

“ As I deepened my study of yoga, I started feeling a deep desire to help others, asking ‘how can I be useful to more people?’ with no clear answers. I went to India three years ago and met my guru, who taught me about Bhakti Yoga selfless service. I realized that was what I wanted to dedicate myself to. I am grateful for the gift of yoga, which has given me wisdom for life. I want to return this gratitude to India. I am so grateful that my husband has become Yoga Gives Back Ambassador as we experienced how we can contribute to this mission. I would like also to join and support YGB’s mission. I am so grateful that I met Kayoko, YGB Founder, who has given us precious opportunities to give back.”

Darya Chandra

@darya_chandra
Maldives

Darya Chandra is a yoga teacher, healer and holistic therapist.  Her approach is to focus on the needs of each person individually and to provide comprehensive healing for the improvement of the body and mind.  Darya receive her Postgraduate Diploma in Yoga Education from the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute in Mumbia, India, and extensive education, training, and certification in Reiki, Crystal Healing, Yoga Teaching, Sound Healing and Singing Bowl Therapy, and yoga philosophy from renowned institutions in India.

“My journey in India throughout the years was full of experience and lessons for myself. When choosing the right way to give back to this country, I was looking for a meaningful, trustful project so that charity would go to those who are in real need. Being a part of YGB, I feel I belong to a community of like-minded people who value the heritage of India and respect the country that gave us a profession.”⁠

Yukari Fushimi

Nida Yoga 
Toyoko, Japan

Founder of Nida Yoga (meaning “nest” in Sanskrit) in 2014 in Tokyo, Yukari has been teaching hatha yoga, yoga philosophy, meditation, and more for ten years after teaching high school for eleven years.  Inspired by Anusara and certified to teach Yoga Nidra, she is focused on sharing yoga as a way of living and being.  Yukari spends 4-6 months every year joining various trainings, assisting her teacher, and holding her own retreats.

“Through my dear friend yoga teacher, Daphne Tse, I came to know YGB and meet its founder, Kayoko.  I like their pure and positive energy full of Bhakti and their gratitude for yoga.  I owe so much to yoga in my life.  Yoga changed my life and attitude completely, and now I’m happier and feel so blessed to live my life more easily and peacefully.  Without yoga, there wouldn’t be me as I am now.  Without yoga, there wouldn’t be my beautiful supportive community, “kula” around the world.  All of them came to me through yoga.  I am so grateful, and it is an honor and joy to serve even a little bit to the motherland of yoga and the people there.  Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to be a part of your Bhakti action!”

 

Steve Jones

Steve Jones Yoga
www.stevejonesyoga.com

Steve Jones is a yoga teacher with over 15 years’ experience.  With a background in Vipassana meditation he emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and breath awareness to find steadiness and ease in each posture.  He teaches with a sense of humor and brings a caring and gentle approach to his classes, which can be challenging yet very rewarding.

“I would like to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back because I believe it is a very good cause.  It’s as simple as that.”

 

Deborah Carruthers

At the age of 50, Deborah Carruthers embarked on a transformative journey by taking a teacher training course after completing a Master’s Degree in Counseling. In her words, “My dream was to open a wellness center that would include counseling, bodywork and yoga. I opened Harmony Yoga and Wellness Center 12 years ago and in that time have hosted retreats to India and teacher training which has included fundraising for local and global charities. Our value is to be inclusive and supportive of our membership and the larger community in any way that we can, which also includes India. I have been contributing to the support of sending 40 girls to school with Yoga Gives Back for a while now and I feel passionate about supporting on a larger scale.

As an Ambassador, I can encourage our community and provide fundraisers to support women in India. I know from my visits to India the hardships women face and the strength and resilience of their communities. During the pandemic, we were shuttered four times. Thanks to the power of our community of mostly women, we have survived and morphed into VI Yoga School, where we focus on offering more training and opportunities for women in our communities to lead through teaching.

“I am honoured to be join YGB’s team of global Ambassadors, and commit to generating more awareness and support for YGB and the women they serve.”

Lucas Varella

Lucas Varella is a genuinely unique movement, health and wellness practitioner. His coaching style encompasses mindful yoga practice, nutrition counseling, and Ayurveda and fitness training. He holds a Master’s degree in exercise and health promotion from Penn West and had the opportunity to study in India at Amrita University as part of his Ayurveda Wellness program from Southern California University of Health Sciences.

Additionally, Lucas has accumulated several fitness and nutrition credentials and is a licensed massage therapist. He was a key subject matter expert in the certification committee meetings for the American Council on Exercise and mentored several fitness coaches at Equinox.  What distinguishes his wellness coaching style is the well-rounded blend of academic achievements and work experience as a fitness trainer for the past 15 years and a Yoga teacher for the past 6 years. Lucas is the founder of ToLiveWell.com

“I want to support YGB by serving and contributing to an important cause, helping to provide a better life for women and children. It is my honor to serve and help out.”

 

Lizbeth Vázquez

Los Angeles, CA
https://www.yogicmethods.com/

Lizbeth (MA., MS., IAYT-800., E-RYT., YACEP), is a multicultural practitioner from Mexico who took her first yoga class at age 18 while living in the US and shortly thereafter she started teaching at her local studio. After finishing college she was accepted to the Graduate Yoga Studies Master’s degree program at Loyola Marymount University where she received a Buddhist fellowship. During her studies, she taught yoga with the Los Angeles County and Federal Prison population, as well as foster care institutions, and halfway houses for women in transition.

While in graduate school, Lizbeth traveled to India to study, completing advanced yoga teacher training, and acquiring several trauma-informed yoga certifications. Her graduating thesis focused on the applications of yoga for women and

health at the Los Angeles South Central Family Health Center. Captivated by medical yoga she finished a Masters in Yoga Therapy Degree from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2021.

Lizbeth’s work has taken her to open her home studio in Los Angeles, back to India to work, and a plethora of collaborations in Mexico and alongside experts in the US.

“As a woman who continues to pursue higher education, as well as an individual who continues to support women around the world through yoga and sound healing, I am honored to be part of the YGB community. For a long time and without knowing, I have stood by the ethos of the Yoga Gives Back Foundation, for all the aforementioned, and for working selflessly for many years giving back to targeted communities in need of yoga.”

 

Marico Iwai

Nara, Japan

https://www.facebook.com/marico.iwai

https://instagram.com/kirtan.circles

While studying yoga asana, Mariko was introduced to and began practicing kirtan.  This led her to the study of Sanskrit, which she continues to study along with the yogic scriptures and Veda.  Immersing herself in the study of yoga, kirtan and the scriptures has greatly enhanced her life.  Mariko offers kirtan events in the Nara Prefecture so that more people can learn about kirtan.  She is happy to collaborate with YGB to share kirtan while supporting YGB’s beneficiary communities in India.

 

Karina O’Connor

New York City
yogaalliance.org

Karina discovered her love for yoga at a very young age while growing up in Mexico City, thanks to her beloved first yoga teacher, her mom. She firmly believes that having this auspicious start in life shaped her into who she is today. Karina completed a 200-Hr TT at Yoga Heaven with Betsy Kase, 500-Hr Ashtanga TT at Pure Yoga, a 200-Hr Ashtanga Intensive TT with Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, a 100-Hr Mindfulness Meditation TT through Tibet House NY, and numerous seminars and workshops in Philosophy, Buddhism and Meditation with wonderful teachers and mentors like Robert Thurman, Richard Freeman, Sharon Salzberg, Ram Dass and Miles Neale, who have helped her deepen her knowledge of the practice as a holistic way of life and as practical tool to elevate her humanity for the service of others. In her classes she invites students to find a deeper connection with the breath and to always listen to their own bodies; she strives to make them feel seen, welcomed, and respected. Always a student, her motto is “the real yoga begins once we step off the mat and into the real world.”

“Every day, with every action, YGB embodies the true nature of the human spirit… to Love and Serve all. It’s an honor to be part of this incredible community whose impact on the world, like a butterfly, has a ripple effect on all of us.”

Larissa R. Noto

Pennsylvania
Owner and Founder of  The Lovely Little Lotus
Co-founder of Kids Yoga Storytime For a Cause,

Larissa (PYT, YACEP, PYI Yoga Therapist Candidate), has been practicing yoga,and meditation for 24 years, and teaching yoga, meditation and mindfulness for the past 8 years. She took her first class in 1998, while fulfilling a gym requirement in college. Then she became hooked — not just by the physical practice, but also with the way yoga helped her body, mind and soul feel both on and off the mat.

She is a former secondary school teacher and lawyer, turned 800+ hour Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500, YACEP), 95 hour Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT) and 85 hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT) with Childlight Education Company. Larissa is two practicums away from completing her I-AYT certification from Prema Yoga Institute. Larissa has taught and trained all over the world in various yoga modalities, with a specialty in trauma informed movement that is accessible to all ages and abilities.

“Much of my work revolves around giving back to the varied and diverse communities I support. Many of those communities cannot access or afford classes in traditional yoga spaces, for a variety of reasons.  Therefore my work involves bringing yoga to those who could use it most, in a trauma-informed and accessible way. This is at the heart of my work, and it aligns so beautifully with the work that Yoga Gives Back puts into the world as well. I look forward to contributing further to that mission in my role as ambassador with YGB and to give back to those communities worldwide who could benefit from YGB the most.”

 

 

Joseph Armstrong

Miami Life Center

Joseph is an authorized level two teacher of Ashtanga yoga. He discovered yoga in 2008 and has been visiting India regularly since 2009. Currently he is the director of Miami Life Center, where he also teaches daily mysore style practice.

“I support YGB as a way of honoring the traditions of yoga and the beautiful country they originated in. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program which helps women in such meaningful and transformative ways.”

 

Edgar Navarro

Miami Life Center
Director

Edgar Navarro, Director of Miami Life Center has studied under esteemed teachers such as Sharath Jois, Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldmann, Eddy Stern, David Swenson, and numerous others. In 2019, he completed the rigorous 200 Hr Ashtanga Intensive at MLC, further enhancing his knowledge of Yoga and has successfully completed Trainings on adjustments with David Swenson and a Pranayama Training with Eddy Stern and Robert Mosses.  Edgar’s passion lies in restorative practices and meditations, which he diligently cultivates at the Shala. He also imparts his wisdom through teaching Pranayama at MLC. Edgar Navarro continues to inspire and guide students on their transformative yoga journey at Miami Life Center.

“This beautiful practice has given us so much and I love the work that YGB does to show that the teachings of Yoga can be used to change lives and support the future of India’s youth and mothers”

Salma Othman

Founder
https://www.ohmilluminated.com/

Salma Othman is an interdisciplinary worker of integrated somatic trauma-release therapeutics, yoga, energetics, and bodywork. A benevolent investigator with a Jungian curiosity, Salma’s personal journey has been and will continue to be a dance within dualities. By learning from the teachings of esoteric Taoist and Buddhist practices, Shamanism, Bodywork, Reiki, Psychomagick, Tarot, and teachings of the Munay Ki,the PsychoSomatic understanding is a baseline thread throughout her work and practices; allowing an integrated trauma-informed approach to healing the mind, body, and Spirit.

“Supporting Yoga Gives Back mirrors being a voice that echoes the call for equality and support needed for women and children around the world; a call that deeply drives Salma’s work in personal and professional fields. Thank you YGB for creating an avenue from which we can do the mending work”

Davin Jones

Davin is a senior 500 E-RYT teacher. Over the past 10 years of teaching yoga Dav has accumulated 8,000 teaching hours and has taught in over 10 countries worldwide. His teachings are from the traditions of Hatha, Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga. Davin combines these styles to create classes which can be challenging on occasion, with the awareness to adapt the practice to different levels of practitioners.

With a deep love of functional anatomy, Davin guides classes with clear instruction on how to adapt postures to the individual allowing the practitioner to create a fundamental understanding of their ownphysical body through yoga asana. His classes are known to be vinyasa based with dynamic flows through the postures and longer holds to create depth and deeper understanding of one’s own individual yoga experience.

Having led workshops, retreats and teacher training courses worldwide, Davin continues to share his love and teaching of yoga to guide practitioners of all levels. His hope is to see practitioners receive the same benefits from yoga that he has received, with the help to provide insight into the more deeper philosophical teachings and practice of the yogic lifestyle.

“Supporting Yoga Gives Back is a charity that strongly resonates with my own values in how I wish for women and children to be treated. Equality, and freedom of autonomy are prerequisites that are required to live a life of contentment. YGB is an avenue I see which supports these values and is actively aiming to make this a reality for both women and children in India and worldwide. Thank you YGB for creating an avenue to where this is possible.”

 

Brieanne K. Tanner

Trauma informed E-RYT 200, B.A. Psychology,

Brieanne infuses her knowledge of trauma informed best practices, psychology and spirituality into her teachings. A Bhakta and Ashtangi yogi, she has been practicing yoga for sixteen years and teaching for thirteen. Prior to moving to Michigan in 2012, she worked for Yoga Alliance in Arlington, Virginia. She was a devoted student and teacher at Hamsa Yoga-a Vedanta Bhakti Yoga Shala in Lake Orion prior to the pandemic.

Brieanne has a passion for helping those most affected by trauma and sharing the intrinsic benefits of yoga. At the end of 2022, Brieanne made her first pilgrimage to India and felt the healing powers of the motherland of yoga. Brieanne has a B.A in Psychology from George Mason University, and a Master’s Certificate in Human Resources Management from Marymount University. However, recently she changed her focus to Social Work; she is enrolled at Madonna University’s Social Work Program. Brieanne is passionate about helping others heal through the modalities she has learned in this lifetime.

“Without the ancient practice of yoga, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Yoga has changed my life immensely and been a lifeline for me for the past 16 years. In a country that has contributed to my spiritual growth, it was hard for me to forget about those suffering. In a country that has contributed to my spiritual growth, it was hard for me to come home and forget about those suffering. Recently I visited India and saw the suffering amongst the women and children. I felt compassion and since my trip, I found Yoga Gives Back and finally found a way where I can help women and children build sustainable livelihoods.”

Julia Gräßer

Copenhagan, Denmark
www.warriorprincessyoga.com

Julia’s (E-RYT500, YACEP) yoga journey started late in life after moving from Germany to Denmark and suffering mental challenges during the dark, grey winters in her new home. Yoga quickly became more than a physical practice to her, and today she embraces all 8 limbs (ashtanga yoga) in her life. She aims to live yoga on and off the mat and hopes to inspire and educate others to do the same. Julia, who founded Warrior Princess Yoga, teaches a variety of classes including private therapeutic classes and Office Yoga, a chair-based class she developed during the lockdown. She further shares what she learned open-heartedly in her international teacher training courses with the next generation of teachers.

“I always saw my teachings as something that can change the world. To empower people near and far. YGB gives me the opportunity to touch even more souls and empower women and children beyond my classes. I am honored to be their ambassador and I hope I can inspire more yoga teachers and students to use their gift to support others in need.”

Carolina Goldberg

Pasadena, CA
https://carolinagoldberg.com/

Carolina teaches classes to share the healing art of finding balance, health, vitality and spiritual awakening and deepening. Carolina has been a yogi and yoga teacher since she fell in love with the practice 1997. She has taught over a decade of yoga teachers trainings for Yoga Works, and took her first Teachers Training with Maty Ezrati and Lisa Walford in 1999. Carolina has always been a seeker of the mystical and spiritual, she has had many such experiences since childhood and now a spiritual intuit and yoga teacher. She is a certified QHHT hypnotherapist and has her practice in her Yoga Shala in Pasadena.

“I am honored to give back to the children of the world. Whatever I can do in service would be my very pleasure. I believe that being able to give and raise funds that can help the children of YGB is ONLY my purest joy. I know that giving is actually receiving, and if I can help even one human soul on this planet then I am the lucky one. I am just so very grateful to be part of this community that is established and that reaches the beautiful children in India.”

Junko Hisamura

Nagano, Japan
https://www.yoga-flow-yatsugatake.com/

After graduating from college in Japan, she moved to Australia to become a media coordinator, where she fell in love with nature and surfing. Junko returned to Tokyo and had a busy life working for a corporation when she started Ashtanga Yoga which changed her life. She studied under Kaori Ywarku and Ken Harakuma and began teaching classes.

After the big earthquake and nuclear disaster on March 11, her family moved to Nagano, seeking a truly rich life.

Junko has been teaching yoga in various locations under Yatsugatake Mountains and started writing for web media “Hachiomtto.

“I believe in the spiritual goal of yoga. Yoga Gives Back offers a platform to practice ‘by giving, we receive.’ I feel this happiness already in my life.”

Kyoko Tsuchimoto

Kobe, Japan

After completing Masters Degree and studying in France, Kyoko became a translator. It was during this time she started yoga to heal body and mind. Kyoko received E-RYT500 and has continued to teach at yoga studios, hospital and teacher trainings courses as YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider) over a decade. Her aspiration as a yoga student is to share yoga as a tool to live a happy and healthy life every day, through our practice.

“I learned about YGB from a former YGB Board member. I also learned that the founder is a Japanese woman with a brilliant vision who continues working on it. I was very inspired and felt proud as a Japanese woman. I started an online yoga platform BhagaYoga with colleagues and continue to donate the entire profit to YGB.  I want to help share YGB’s wonderful work more widely in Japan.⁠”

Darren Marc Levene

California
www.awakenwithdarren.com

Darren Marc Levene is a reiki master teacher, sound healer, mantra musician, wellness expert, and retreat/workshop leader. For over 20 years, he has inspired thousands of people to find inner peace, and live healthier, happier lives.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to support Yoga Gives Back and the wonderful work they are doing to help empower women and children in India.  It is an honor to be able to contribute to a cause that is touching the hearts of so many people in a beautiful, loving way.”

Chie Omori

Chie Omori, Tokyo

大森千恵 (Chie Omori)
https://www.kotori-lab.com/

Chie has realized how yoga and mindfulness practice can bring body-mind balance while working for Japanese Home Appliance Company, Start Up, Global Corporations. Chie has certifications including: RYT-200. Chair Yoga Instructor, Medical Yoga Instructor, Medical Aroma Instructor, Atha Yoga Student Teacher Training, International Singing Bowl Player.

Chie support the mission of Yoga Gives Back and started Bhaga Yoga online yoga classes to donate 100% profit for YGB. Chie also teaches yoga classes in Tokyo, Karuizawa as well as wellness programs and retreat for corporations.

“I am grateful to have this opportunity to give back with Yoga Gives Back, as I have received so much from yoga in my life. My goal is to empower women and children in India, while sharing the benefit of yoga to live one’s life to the fullest in Japan and around the world. I would love to share the wonderful work of Yoga Gives Back with more people.”

Cristi Christensen

Los Angeles, California
https://www.cristichristensen.com/

With her best-selling book Chakra Rituals: Awakening the Wild Woman Within, and two decades of experience in helping students transform their lives, she has become a leading voice for women’s awakening and liberation.  Her powerful teachings have brought her to more than 20 countries around the world. She has created an international 500-hour school of yoga called Kirana and is the co-founder of Deep Exhale, a transformational yoga and dance experience with her creative partner Marques Wyatt.

Cristi has graced the covers of Yoga Journal, La Yoga, Om Yoga, and Asia Wellness. She has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Harper Bazaar, Marie Claire, Mantra Magazine, and Publishers Weekly.When she isn’t teaching, writing, or empowering others, you’ll likely find Cristi dancing and doing backflips on Venice Beach. Cristi has been fortunate enough to study with some of the world’s best — from Dr. Lorin Roche, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, and Laura Amazzone, to Sianna Sherman, Brenda Rose, and Toni Bergins. IG: cristi_christensen

“The practices of yoga (asana, mudra, mantra, pranayama) along with the ancient map of the chakra system have been some of the greatest gifts to my life.  They have and continue to support and transform my life, my work, and who I am as a person. Supporting Yoga Gives Back is a way I can say thank you to a country, a culture that has given me so much while also making an impact in the lives of women and children in India.  I am so inspired by the fact that Yoga Gives Back was started by an empowered woman with a central goal to empower women and children via education and digital resources to make lasting changes in their lives.”

Kay Epple

Traverse City, MI
https://dharamsalatc.com/

Kay was first drawn to yoga, like many of us, through the physical practice of asana. The yoga postures themselves served as a gateway to the deeper practices of yoga, where she later noticed how the physical practice offered mental and energetic benefits as well. As a busy mother of four, yoga brought a sense of peace and calm that no other practice had done for her before. With four children and 12 grandchildren, Kay’s devotion to her yoga mat soon sparked an idea: yoga can be a practice for all ages. And that’s when her mission to offer yoga to kids and adolescents began.

In 2019, Kay opened a studio space called Just Bee Yoga + Well-being that was devoted to kids’ yoga, from babies all the way up to teens. That studio, in partnership with her daughter, Hilary, has since flourished into a full-blown yoga studio, Dharamsala TC, that offers kids yoga, adult yoga, trapeze yoga, yoga teacher trainings, and specialty workshops and events.

“I am humbled and proud to be an Ambassador for Yoga Gives Back.  This amazing organization supports women and children of India in instrumental ways such as providing a safe home and education for children, menstrual equity empowering women and girls, and providing micro loans for mothers.  I honor their mission and hard work and am thankful to be a part of Yoga Gives Back.  I look forward to serving their community and am grateful for all that yoga has brought to my life.”

 

Sally Parkes

Sussex, UK
sallyparkesyoga.com

Sally began her journey in the health and fitness industry in 1998 after qualifying as a personal trainer and gaining a bachelor in Sport Science in the year 2001. Soon after, Sally certified as a yoga and pranayama teacher, training with Paul Dallaghan and Sri Tiwari at @centered-yoga in Thailand, in addition to studying at K Pattabhi Jois The Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore.

Sally has gone on to train as a Doula with Michele O’Dent and a Pilates teacher with A.P.P.I.  (Australian Pilates Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute), and has established her own yoga teacher training school The Sally Parkes Yoga Academy in 2010, training over 1500 yoga teachers to date.

“Over the years, I have been aware of YGB and the work they do, and have always admired them as an organisation that consistently does what it sets out to do. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with YGB so I can also help give back to the motherland that generously gave us the gift of yoga.”

 

 

Manisha Mehta

Edmonton, Alberta
https://www.sunyogaedmonton.com/

Manisha’s desire to be a yoga teacher took  her to Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California where she received training in a gurukulum setting, under the esteemed yoga gurus of Sivananda lineage. She  found my calling! Her education background in Pharmacy and MBA did not give her as  much satisfaction. With God’s grace, Manisha’s quest for something more profound has been fulfilled. Serving through yoga is now her path to self realization.

In August 2013, SUN YOGA studio was founded! Since then, sharing the knowledge of yoga with people who have been coming to the studio has meant the world to Manisha! Every student on the mat, is an opportunity to see one thread running through all of us and teaches the real meaning of Yoga.

  “Seeing the same divinity in the young girls/ladies in India as in me, it’s my heartfelt desire to reach out to them through Sun Yoga and YGB. If any contribution from Sun Yoga can help them access basic needs of life, I will feel blessed and fulfilled. “

Go Sato

Go Satou, Hayama, Japan
https://www.radhikayoga.com/

Go Sato focuses on sharing mindfulness yoga. Go has participated in numerous yoga events throughout Japan, organized by the Government and medical associations, as well as appearing on tv, radio programs and in yoga related publications and media.  His projects are a  fusion of traditional yoga and street culture in collaboration with street dancer, DJ, and musicians.

Go has supervised teacher training programs for over 2000 instructors at YMC and created “Male Yoga.”

He is the founder of Radhika Yoga Hayama in Japan, as well as advisor for the  International Holistic Therapy Association and Lululemon Legacy Ambassador.

“I am so grateful for YOGA in my life and believe that sharing YOGA is a way to express this gratitude. Yoga Gives Back has taught me other ways of giving back. I will be so happy if I could contribute to saving the lives of women and children in India.”

 

Nikki Slade

Nikki Slade, UK
https://nikkislade.com/

Nikki Slade is a leading pioneer in the field of chanting, core voice and sound work in the UK for over 30 yrs. Nikki has inspired thousands of individuals to chant and has led chanting and voice workshops in a wide variety of settings including corporations such as M&C Saatchi, Deutsche Bank and Cisco and Wandsworth men’s prison.

Nikki has worked extensively, privately with sound and voice work for leaders in their fields including Business leaders, Therapists, Yoga teachers, School teachers, writers and Performing artists. Nikki has released 4 successful mantra and chanting recordings. Nikki is the founder of the first in the UK 200hr Learn To Lead Kirtan Foundation Training, accredited by The Yoga Alliance Professionals in 2016. She completed leading the 5th training, after a 2 year gap, in November 2022.

“I support the mission of YGB as I am passionate about improving the lives of women and children in India which has been something close to my heart for 30 plus yrs. My earliest years of chanting mantras was in the South of India in Maharashtra where I came face to face with the deprivation of poverty particularly with children where I spent one Xmas chanting with children in an orphanage there. These children had been rescued from railway tracks where they had been abandoned. I was also deeply moved by one young Indian mother I met who had no money to pay for her son to go to school. I was struck by her hair which was strikingly short and stood out as all the other women in the village had long braided hair. She told me that the only thing she felt she could offer to God was her hair, which she lay at the feet of the deity in her rural village temple. She prayed that in exchange she would be blessed with funds for her sons education!
Chanting mantra has blessed my life and it is really important to me to give back to India all that I have received in whatever way I can and YGB is a wonderful organization for offering.”

Katsu

Japan

Katsu was raised in New York, Shibuya (Tokyo), London and Bangkok. He has 18 years of  experience practicing YOGA.  10 years of  YOGA teaching and  8 years of chiropractic treatment. During this time he has experienced various styles of YOGA and has studied anatomy, pathology, and nerves.  In addition to YOGA instruction, he also provides meditation instruction and muscle, nerve, and lymphatic massage.

“Through yoga I learned to love myself, love others, love nature, and feel a part of the earth and the universe. My wish is to make a contribution to India, the root of yoga, as a way to to give back to Yoga which has had a great influence on me and the people around me.”

Dylan Bernstein

Dylan has been exploring various worlds of yoga since 1989. His intense curiosity brought him to study and practice worldwide. Having taught on five continents, Dylan continues to be influenced by many teachers and living wisdom traditions. The most inspiring inspiration comes from his inquisitive students. With a background in education and activism, Dylan seeks to support and empower individuals regardless of background. Dylan has volunteered in schools in India, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Philippines and the USA. He continues to seek opportunities for betterment.

“I love to support YGB because of the organization’s commitment to integrity and actual service. I have been heartened to see YBG’s strong work over the years, bringing relief to communities most in need, regardless of religion or culture.”

 

Erika Hawks

Key West, Florida, USA
https://www.keywestyogasanctuary.com/

Erika has hosted a series of fundraising events this year at her Key West Yoga Sanctuary, and became Empowerment Sponsor at YGB’s annual campaign “Global Gathering for India” with its generous community’s support.

Erika Hawks has been practicing traditional ashtanga yoga as taught by Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois since 2008. She has studied in Mysore, India and began her teaching career in Ashtanga yoga at Miami Life Center over a decade ago, with the blessing of her teachers Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann.

After moving to Key West in 2014, Erika found her home at the Key West Yoga Sanctuary, where she took the helm in 2021. Erika is a certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor and continues her studies at SAI Ayurvedic Institute. She holds a 200 RYT since 2010 and is currently working towards 500 RYT with her teacher Greg Nardi of Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide.

Christine Hoar

Montauk, New York
www.ashtangamontauk.com

Christine has been a practitioner and teacher of the Ashtanga Yoga System for over 25 years. From 1997–2014 she served as the founder and director of Vermont’s only dedicated Ashtanga studio, Bristol Yoga. Her love of surfing then brought her to Montauk, NY where she has created a new practice space and yoga community, Ashtanga Montauk. Specializing in the integration of the Ashtanga system of asana with the principles of Ayurveda and the depth of Yogic philosophy, Christine offers students unique insights into discovering greater joy, freedom, and self-transformation. She has made many trips to Mysore, South India to study with the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and the Jois family and is honored to have received his blessing and authorization to teach the Ashtanga Yoga system. She is a direct student of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait and is a Certified Ayurvedic practitioner through the Kripalu College of Ayurveda.

“I feel tremendously honored to be part of Yoga Gives Back. Over the years, I have gained so much by my travels to India. It has given me the gift of a practice that has served me so well over the past 25 years. I am also acutely aware of my privilege and I do not take for granted how lucky I am to have benefitted so greatly from my experiences in India. As the Dalai Lama says, “we must recognize that the suffering of one person is the suffering of humanity.” We all have an opportunity and an obligation to “give back.” I am happy to invest my time and energy into supporting an organization that affirms and builds up one of the greatest resources in India, its women.”

Masumi Chakra Ma

Bali-Indonesia/Japan
https://chakrawork.jp/masumi/english/

Masumi is the Founder and Director of Chakra Work Association. Chakra work focuses on the techniques to awaken the energies of 7 chakra, which helps one understand their purpose in life. These techniques and mysteries of Himalayan Kriya yoga learned from Pilot Babalji, combined with breathing techniques, meditation, movements and mantras make up the core of her teaching.

For the last two years, Chakra Work team has been focusing on online distribution. Chakra work online class has been offered every week with  more than 1000 simultaneous viewers participating each week.

“I am moved by the work of Yoga Gives Back. YGB shares valuable information from India, how vulnerable women and children face unimaginable hardship in their lives on a daily basis. With Kayoko’s leadership, I am inspired by the bright positive energy of YGB’s volunteers team. I pray that more women and children are provided education and opportunities to build independent lives. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a part of YGB’s work and hope to contribute with our yoga and music.

Farzaneh Noori

Pasadena, California
Yoga House

Farzaneh Noori is the co-founder and owner of Yoga House, the oldest and largest center for yoga in the San Gabriel Valley area. She is a certified
ERYT 500-hour yoga instructor with over 30 years of practicing and teaching to a broad range of students.

Farzaneh focuses on the various healing aspects of yoga in all her teaching—freeing the body, the breath and the flow of energy through practicing with awareness and compassion. She is also a board-certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor. Her intention is to make Ayurveda accessible and adaptable in modern day living.

“The ancient Yoga Sutras, which serve as a guide for many modern-day yogis and yoginis, advises practitioners to live life with “loving kindness, joy, compassion and equanimity” toward others. I believe these so-called “Four Immeasurables” find an authentic and impassioned expression in YGB—helping women and children in India—and I am honored to be a part of it. ‘

Hiroyuki Matsuhisa

Japan-Bali
https://www.hiroyukimatsuhisa.com/hiroyukimatsuhisa-en

Hiroyuki Matsuhisa is a Japanese musician, singer and songwriter, specializing in classical Indian instruments and sounds. He studied the satvik veena, a rare instrument that combines the sitar and guitar, with its creators – Grammy-winning Hindustani classical instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and his son Salil Bhatt. Hiroyuki tours all over the world, actively collaborating with kirtan artists and other performers in many styles, genres, and disciplines. He has co-created with Yogis, dancer, and visual artists. Through the meditative tones and the elegant timbre of the satvik veena, Hiroyuki’s melodies underscore the preciousness of life and transmit a sense of peace and happiness

Hiroyuki has performed solo and accompanied others at concerts and festivals worldwide, including at the Korea Experimental Art Festival, Bali Spirit Festival,Thailand Yoga&Art Festival(in collaboration with Daphne Tse), China Maysore Yoga Culture Art Festival,Greece Sound and Silence Festival, and with Fujieda Mushimaru’s performance company Nongrata on their European tour in Germany, Sweden and Finland.
Joined the recording for CD with KIRTAN singer “Kevin James”

“I love India and stayed eight times already to learn ancient musical instruments and yoga. I have benefited deeply from its culture and wisdom. When I learned about YGB from a friend, I was especially moved to know how its mission is to empower underserved women in India. Its mission “to give back to India” is wonderful.  It was a very natural for me to join YGB’s efforts as I pray peace of the world wholeheartedly. I pray that this work will save more lives from suffering.”

 

 

 

Mary Kirkendoll

Lawrence, Kansas
www.yogaofkindness.com

Mary Kirkendoll has been a student of yoga for over 15 years. She began her yoga practice hoping to attain physical benefits and quickly realized that yoga offered so much more. Mary began teaching yoga asana about 5 years into her practice and at the same time became a student of meditation, yoga philosophy, and Sanskrit. She opened the Eudora Yoga Center in 2015 and has since renamed the business “Yoga of Kindness” in honor of her mother who transitioned in 2019. “Sweet Mama” Marie lived her final 15 years with Alzheimer’s Disease and became a vessel of love and purity that was felt by everyone around her. The great wisdom of Sweet Mama & Yoga as well as bringing a community together around kindness is what Mary hopes to offer through Yoga of Kindness. As of 2022, all profit is donated back to the community.

“The mission of Yoga Gives Back is congruent with the mission of Yoga of Kindness. Kayoko and the impressive team of staff and YGB ambassadors are working together to support the backbone of yoga’s foundation: India’s women and children. Mother India and all cultures are remembering and realizing that when women and children are supported, encouraged, and elevated–the community thrives. Humans have the utmost potential to grow, serve, remember, wake up, and give back. What a joy to be a small piece of this web of kindness!”

Pennsylvania

Michelle El Khoury

Richboro, Pennsylvania
yogamazia.com

Michelle El Khoury, PhD was personally drawn to yoga whilst pregnant with her second child and noticed the positive mental and physical effects it had, not only on herself but later on with her children. Her journeys led her to become a certified yoga teacher and after a rewarding 20-year published career in the healthcare industry, she followed her dream and incorporated her background and learnings into the passion she had for yoga and founded Yogamazia.

“Yoga is a powerful vehicle for creating a fairer and more equal world and, women and children are vital ambassadors for this change. This is why I am grateful to support Yoga Gives Back and join in their mission to collectively demand positive social change to have a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world for everyone.”

 

Naomi Ishida

Japan

Naomi has been teaching yoga for the last 15 years. Naomi teachers in Kobe, Osaka area of Japan sharing the true beauty and happiness gained from yoga, so each person can live to one’s fullest potential.

She grew up with yoga due to her mother’s regular practice. She had a successful career as a apparel buyer, which also led her to total exhaustion physically and mentally. She resumed yoga practice which deepened her appreciation of the benefit of this practice and decided to become an instructor and eventually taking on the responsibility for teacher training programs.

“I was moved to learn that my purchase of YGB Tee shirts helped underserved women and children in India. My students started asking me about YGB when I was wearing them. Eventually I wanted to get more involved as an Ambassador. I admire and believe in YGB’s mission and support YGB  in creating a brighter future for women and children in India. I feel privileged to be a part of this global effort to elevate pain and suffering and change lives.”

Andrea Marcum

Los Angeles, CA

Andrea Marcum is a yoga teacher and author who leads retreats and workshops around the world in both intimate and conference hall settings. Teaching for over twenty years, she has a unique ease and familiarity about her, weaving accessible philosophy into the poses appropriate for a variety of experience levels.

Named one of LA’s Best by a number of sources including Culture Trip, Andrea loves guiding the most unassuming newbies to yoga and mindfulness. She has prepared celebrities for the Oscars, worked with athletes (Matt Kemp, LA Dodgers – NFL Network , U.S. Tennis Association) collaborated with global brands (lululemon, Vogue, Equinox, Travel & Leisure, NBCUniversal, Well + Good), created content for Medicare’s Silver & Fit, and built her own internationally recognized platform at andreamarcum.com.

Her critically acclaimed book Close to Om is available from St Martin’s Press/Macmillan.

“I support Yoga Gives Back because I want to reciprocate, in some small way, the profound impact yoga has had on my life. I believe that to give back we must pay-it-forward, empowering women and girls in the motherland of these practices and philosophies to step into their true potential. I’ve also got two young nieces whose mother is from Bihar. They are gorgeous, inspired students who visit India every year, and who I believe will give back in ways that I can only dream of.”

Lisa Rennie

Scotland

Lisa is a GP based in the Scottish Highlands. Her education at Aberdeen medical school was a privilege and fueled by inquisitiveness in yoga.  She currently teaches one vinyasa class per week at NV2 fitness and does “pop-up” classes in her local area and online. All her profits are donated to charity.

“As yoga benefiters we must acknowledge the source and history of yoga and give back to India in a meaningful way. Supporting YGB is my duty as a yoga teacher and student.”

 

 

 

Nubia Teixeira

California
https://www.nubiayoga.com

Author, yogini, teacher trainer, and Odissi dancer, Nubia Teixeira has devoted herself to teaching different aspects of yoga for almost 30 years. Perceiving yoga as a healing art, Nubia’s refinement and unique style overflows with sacred meaning and heartfelt inspiration. Nubia leads workshops, teacher trainings and retreats locally and around the world.

“I support YGB because this organization supports in a very personal and meaningful way, many of our brothers and sisters in India. I, myself, have been benefiting from Yoga’s legacy since my teenage years and cannot express enough gratitude towards this spiritual heritage. So, YGB supports me to give back to the people of India and for that I am grateful.”

Anjali Deva

Los Angeles, CA
rootedrasa.com 

Anjali Deva is an Ayurvedic practitioner and teacher in Los Angeles, CA. Her private practice, Rooted Rasa, specializes in an integrative and trauma-informed approach to Ayurveda. Her compassion-based approach is useful in alleviating anxiety, depression, PTSD, digestive disorders, and women’s health issues with a holistic framework. Anjali has been greatly fortunate to have been introduced to Ayurveda and Yoga at a young age by her father and mentor, Arun Deva. Her clinical experience began at Hope Integrative Psychiatry overseen by Omid Naim, MD. Her familial lineage is rich with the desire to preserve and maintain these healing arts. Anjali is dedicated to sharing the Wisdom of Ayurveda for the benefit of all living beings.

”I support YBG because I believe we should give back to the motherland of these teachings that have offered us so much wisdom and compassion. Spending summers in India as a child, I was often saddened by the hardships I witnessed in India. Knowing now the systemic imbalances in place that have led to this marginalization, I want to do as much as I can to help bring balance to my motherland.”⁠ 

Joss Jaffe

https://www.jossjaffe.com/
Los Angeles, CA

Joss Jaffe is a vocalist, tabla player, multi-instrumentalist, composer and record producer. His critically acclaimed albums include Dub Mantra, Svaramandala and Echosystem. With his new album Meditation Music, Joss delves fully into the world of ambient, soothing and brain wave entraining music for spa, relaxation, yoga and meditation. He is a regular performer and workshop leader at premiere yoga conferences and transformational festivals including Bhaktifest, Beloved, Wanderlust & Korea Yoga Conference.

“As a child learning about yoga, meditation, chanting and mantra music of India I was instilled with the concept of Seva, selfless service. This is a very important part of yoga and spirituality. There are many ways to give back, it can be deeply personal, one-on-one, or in large events such as the events YGB puts on. YGB is a great group of people with lots of BIG hearts. It feels good to be a part of such a good cause.”

Forrest Yoga

Ana Forrest and Jose Calarco, Forrest Yoga
Australia

Ana Forrest has been changing people’s lives for over 45 years. She is an internationally recognized pioneer in yoga and emotional healing.

Forrest Yoga is an exquisite collaboration between Ana and her husband Jose Calarco. He is our Musical Shaman, embodying and bringing alive ancient spiritual technologies, like Aboriginal culture through stories and song. He also teaches on the intelligence of the Vegan lifestyle and is the creative director of Forrest Yoga.

Today Ana and Jose are at the forefront of the Yoga world, guiding its future and evolution. Together, Ana and Jose teach people how to use the tools of Forrest Yoga to move out numbness and connect to the rich spectrum of feeling and purpose.

“India has enriched our lives on so many levels , as well as being the home of Yoga , we have been captivated by its extraordinary  culture, philosophers, saints, poets, food, artists & architecture: We want to see India thrive,  as it is the Earths Spiritual Hub. Giving back to India at the grass roots level ensures the countries well-being on all levels.”

Janice Strand

https://www.beyoga.no/
Norway

Janice’s teaching comes from her knowledge from Teacher Training and studying with several different teachers and styles of yoga. Her home practice is meditation and asana practice Vini Yoga.

Janice’s credentials include 20+ years of yoga practice, E-RYT 500, Yoga Nidra and Meditation teacher, Vini Yoga Teacher, Certified YogaWorks Teacher / 200 hour & 300 hour Teacher Trainer and Mentor. Teachers that have inspired her over the years have been. Maty Ezraty, Anne Van Valkenburg, Kausthub Desikachar, Bernie Clark, Chad Hamrin, Jeanne Heilman, Judith Lassater and Tiffany Cruikshank. “I am so grateful for all the knowledge they have taught me, they will be forever in my heart.”

“I have been and am a devoted student who travels to India for deep study often. India has given me so much and I want to give so much more back! I have seen the needs of its people, and I always want to help. I know that even the smallest effort makes a big difference. I am honored to be part of this project, I am honored to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back.”

Makiko Kobayashi

Hokkaido Japan.

Makikoe was born in Tokyo and has lived in Hokkaido since April 2017.  She first encountered yoga while living a busy life working for an insurance company.  She discovered that by continuing to practice yoga, there was a virtuous cycle not only in physical changes but also in daily life and work.

Makiko completed her RYT 200 in March 2020 in Rishikesh.  After returning to Japan in September 2020, she established the yoga circle “yoganowa tokachi.” In June 2021, she was sponsored by “International Day of Yoga Tokachi 1st”.  Makiko continues to look for ways to enjoy yoga with participants through online morning yoga, outdoor yoga and studio lessons.

“I have benefited a lot from my daily yoga practice and feel very fortunate.  And under the influence of the coronavirus 2020,thanks to the teachers, staff, and many people, I finished a fulfilling learning time in India and returned home safely.  I would be happy if I could give back many benefits I received.”

Lee Grane Maranan

Philippines
Yoga Sadhana Journeys
Visionary of Roots of Wisdom.

Lee Grane has the uncanny ability to tune in to the living breathing element of sound and share its healing resonance with others. Her voice and music evokes an ethereal quality that has the ability to transport and captivate listeners deeply into the world of sound.

Lee Grane offers 17 years of professional experience in the field of music. Trained with the knowledge of the Yoga of Sound & healing frequencies, sacred chants & sound meditation. Co-Founder of Yoga Sadhana Journeys, curating intimate retreats in sacred lands weaving yoga, culture, adventure, ritual
and ceremony. Passionate about the exploration of higher consciousness, the 13Moon Dreamspell teachings of the ancient Maya. A practitioner of ancient shamanic energy medicine, dedicated to the activation of our Inner Remembrance of Who We Truly Are.

“I am in solidarity with YGB’s efforts in contributing to the wellbeing and empowerment of women and children from India. I support their cause as a way
give back to the people of the land that gifted us spirituality & their yoga tradition for the benefit of all.”

Jamaica

Nadine McNeil

Aimee Echo

Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach

Aimee Echo lives in Long Beach CA with her musician husband and 90lb pit bull. She is the owner and primary teacher at Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach. She is the only KPJAYI Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher in Long Beach, CA. She is also a graduate of Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a Certified Massage Therapist.

“I am so inspired and moved by the work that Yoga Gives Back does supporting Indian women and families in need. Yoga has been a consistent source of support for me for over 21 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to give back in this way- a way that honors the roots of Yoga and the hard work of so many Indian practitioners who were stewards of these old practices and traditions and their generosity in sharing them.”

Don Henry

LiveYogaWellness

In addition to teaching Yoga classes in the Los Angeles area, Don is a certified Yoga therapist. He completed his training at Loyola Marymount University where he now is an adjunct professor in the Yoga Therapy program, as well as a mentor to Level III and IV Yoga therapy students. He is certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is also a certified Chair Yoga teacher.

Don has been teaching Yoga-related topics at the Esalen Institute for the past several years and was also awarded Prime of Life Yoga® Teacher of the Month by Samata International. He has been working closely with Yoga pioneer, Larry Payne, for many years, and served as Larry’s book editor and photographer for his new book, “Yoga After 50 for Dummies.”

I first became aware of YGB when I attended a live event in Santa Monica. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about the organization and Kayoko’s mission. As a student and teacher of so many Yoga practices and principles, I also feel deeply indebted to the contribution India has made in terms of so much culture and tradition. By helping the women and children of that country, arguably among the most vulnerable, I feel that we at least begin to repay a debt and, moreover, show respect in a way that so many well-intentioned Yoga leaders in the American community fail to do. As for me, I only had sisters growing up, and as an adult only shared my life with a wife and daughter.  Women have always been some of the most important people in my life, and I am particularly drawn to an organization that seems to show such reverence for the women and children of India.

Kyona

San Diego, California
ky-veda.com

Kyona is a Board Certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Certified Yoga Therapist, Auriculotherapy Practitioner, Vibrational Sound Therapist, and Pelvic Steam Facilitator. With a holistic practice that spans over two decades specializing in conscious self-care and longevity practices, Kyona empowers individuals to take an active role in their health by elevating awareness of their unique constitution and restoring balance through dietary guidance and lifestyle management designed to meet and often exceed personal wellness goals.

Kyona is located in San Diego, CA and is a professional member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, National Ayurvedic Medical Association, California Massage Therapy Council, and American Cannabis Nurses Association.

I have truly benefited from the wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga in my personal and professional lives, and supporting Yoga Gives Back is my way of expressing gratitude and honoring the rich culture in which these self-care disciplines emerged.

Theresa Herrea

Philippines
https://www.globalmalamanila.com/about-1

Teresa Herrera began exploring yoga at the age of nineteen years old as a way to understand the sacred movement of breath (“prana”) and body. Under the generous guidance of her teacher, Shiva Rea M.A., Teresa is trained in Prana Vinyasa Flow TM and Yoga Trance Dance TM.  Her intuitive and fluid teaching style nurtures each student as they explore their bodies on the path of yoga. Her studies in Dance, Meditation, Buddhism, Yogic Arts, World Cultures & Scuba Diving infuses her approach to teaching and living the “flow” that is yoga.

I support Yoga Gives Back because I believe in the power of Women Supporting Women.

Italy

Tara Mitra

taramitrayoga.com

Alexandra South

Dallas, Texas
http://www.connectingyoga.com

Alexandra South was first introduced to Yoga in 2001 and began teaching Yoga in 2006. She became certified to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga by Paul Dallaghan, Harmony Slater, Neil Barker and Jeff Lichty.  She is also certified to teach Prenatal Yoga, Postnatal Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga for the Pelvic Floor. She tailors her teachings to support people in time, place and circumstance, while also focusing on supporting women through life transitions. Alexandra practiced and taught Yoga in London (UK), Sydney (AUS), Los Angeles (CA), and now Dallas (TX). Throughout these times she’s been encouraged by the practice and by her teachers to deeply listen and to value her internal rhythms, adapting the practice as needed to cultivate balance. Yoga has continuously created a nest for healing and a place where she can unravel.

Her greatest teachers are her children, who constantly remind her of her forgotten self and that yoga is the connection to life.

Yoga Gives Back is an inspirational non-profit organization who has given me the opportunity to live Yoga off my mat and to transform my practice into action. I am continuously thankful to YGB for globally raising our awareness and being the bridge for us to help those in need. When mothers and children rise, we all rise.

Andrew Hillam

Encinitas, California
https://joisyoga.com/

Andrew has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga since 1994. During the last 20 years, Andrew has travelled to Mysore more than 20 times and traveled widely throughout South India. Apart from studying yoga at KPJAYI and now the Sharath Yoga Center, he continues to study Vedic chanting, Vedic philosophy, Sanskrit and Carnatic music with various teachers in Mysore and Bangalore.

“The richness that I have received in India has come from these teachers and their guidance but from my every  experiences with local people that I interact with on a daily basis. To me India always feels welcoming and like my home. I am very happy to do whatever I can to help YGB, as I know that they are directly helping and impacting the lives of so many in India, helping them to become self sufficient through their many programs. Whatever I can do pales in significance to what I have received.”

Jeanne Heileman

Los Angeles, CA
https://jeanneheileman.com

MA, 500-ERYT, YACEP, Founder of Tantra Flow Yoga™, was introduced to yoga as a dancer and actress. Facing ongoing pain from scoliosis, yoga allows her tools for physical realignment and acceptance of difficulties. In her quest for a deep and meaningful connection to all that yoga has to offer, she has studied extensively. Jeanne brings together more than 36 years of yoga study with over 25 years of teaching into a style of yoga inclusive of asana, Ayurveda, Pranayama, meditation, and the added focus of cultivating energy. She has held the certificate of ParaYoga Level II for 8 years, and also studied extensively in Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, ParaYoga, Vini and Tantra Yoga with many masters in each tradition. Jeanne teaches with sensitivity, generosity of spirit and a lot of humor. She specializes in discovering the needs of an individual and gently guiding students to their own grace and balance. Based in Los Angeles, Jeanne is often traveling the globe with her teacher trainings, workshops and master classes.

I have known Kayoko for years and have been so impressed with her drive to build an organization that is directed to people in India. As a former fundraiser I knew I wanted to be part of her vision. As a devoted student who travels to India for deep study often, I see the needs of its people and know that even the smallest effort makes a difference. When we give of our funds, our time or our talents, we create a circle of abundant energy that can only continue flowing. I am honored to be part of the abundance that yoga provides for all people.

Danica Lynch

Santa Clarita, CA
https://danicalynch.com/

Drawing from multiple disciplines, Danica Lynch teaches real-world applications of ancient healing philosophies and modern mental health education to help her community create a deeper sense of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. With a variety of modalities and certifications under her belt – including yoga, mindfulness, meditation, somatic wellness, trauma-informed teaching, Ayurveda, she founded Mindful Bliss Ayurveda in 2016, and more – Danica designs unique programs tailored to the specific needs of the individual, group or community she’s serving. Though each program is different and her scope of expertise is constantly evolving, for Danica, the goal is always the same: to help students access their innate healing tools and wisdom, so they can serve themselves and their communities with a stronger sense of belonging, purpose and compassion.

Lisa Revelins

Australia
https://www.healthywealthywild.org

The owner of Healthy Wealthy Wild – Lisa Revelins has had a strong Ashtanga yoga practice for at 15 years.  She has been a yoga practitioner for 25 years. She is registered with National Yoga Alliance 5-star accredited at the highest level.

Lisa is Australian and grew up on a remote farm in Western Australia along the coast surrounded in natural beauty.  She has travelled extensively around the globe with a love in particular for eastern culture.  With her life experiences, she can empathize and be an example of strength and fitness.  She believes yoga has been a powerful tool to tackle life’s challenges big and small.  To keep up your regular yoga practice to try stay healthy and strong in body and mind. To have yoga and a community of friends and family and being grateful is the key to a happy, fun and loving life.

California

Ashley Rideaux

yoga-with-ashley.com

Lara Land

New York, USA
https://landyoga.com/

Lara Land is a yoga teacher and spiritual coach with 20 years experience guiding seekers to set and achieve their highest goals and potential and weave those personal missions into world betterment. She has worked all over the world teaching yoga and mindful living and developing programs to heal and empower. In 2008-2009 Lara spent three months in Rwanda bringing yoga as healing to survivors, and from there went to India where she worked with HIV positive children bringing yoga and meditation to their treatment room. In June 2011 Lara opened Land Yoga, a ground floor Yoga, Arts, & Wellness Center in the heart of Harlem. In 2014 she founded non-profit, Three and a Half Acres Yoga to inspire community healing and activism through yoga. Lara is the founder of SOULFest Revolution a wellness festival which highlights diversity in fitness. She leads retreats worldwide, is a public speaker, spiritual coach, and writer with contributions to the Health Magazine, Apartment Therapy and the Huffington Post. Lara is the author of My Bliss Book life-purpose planner and is currently working on her first book with Shabhala publications on trauma informed yoga. Lara has been recognized by and featured in The Wall Street Journal, the Daily News, Fox5, NY1, Yoga Journal, Health Magazine, Sirius Xm Radio and New York Magazine.

I support YGB because when women are supported, the whole community rises.

 

Karena Virginia

www.karenavirginia.com New Jersey, USA

Karena is an internationally celebrated yoga instructor, author, spiritual mentor and speaker known for her open heart, gentle spirit and accessible teaching style. You can see your writings online with Yoga Journal, Sounds True, Mind Body Green and Huffington post along with her own personal blog. Karena is featured in many online courses, podcasts and wellness TV shows. She is the co-author of “Essential Kundalini Yoga” which has been a bestseller on amazon. Karena dedicates her free time to helping children all over the world with her family’s nonprofit organization and various fundraisers. She lives in the suburbs of New York City with her husband, daughter and son as well as their princess puppy, Gracie.

 

Karena has had a passion for helping children since she was a child herself. She is an advocate for equality and an activist for justice for mothers and children around the world.  Karena is so grateful to be a part of Yoga gives back because she feels the world needs our support and service now more than ever, and she knows that when the world comes together with love or above, heaven will come to earth. We are the change. God is the doer and is calling on us to share our gifts with all.

Vikram Jeet Singh

wanderingmat

Vikram has been actively teaching at various Modo locations in North America since 2008. Over the course of the years he has accumulated over 11,000 hours of teaching experience and has continued his Ashtanga studies with Sharath Jois in Mysore, India. His passion for all things yoga led to pursue studies in Ayurveda as well and is an Ayurvedic practitioner. A strong advocate of the Ayurvedic lifestyle Vikram shares his knowledge and passion in various workshops and yoga teacher training. Vikram is part of the YTT faculty with Modo Yoga where he teaches yoga history and philosophy.

Having grown up in India Vikram is no stranger to the impoverished conditions the majority of the country live in. He strongly believes that the future lies in education and employment for women in rural and developing India.

I am passionate about being a yoga teacher because of the difference I am able to facilitate in someone’s life by sharing the wisdom of the yogic teachings and lifestyle. I am very proud of my ethnicity and the role that India has played in the history and development of Yoga. YGB is the bridge that helps me use my passion and express my gratitude. Yoga is so much more than asana and this opportunity to provide selfless service is a great way to live your yoga off the mat.

Cat Stuijt

Tru Dru Yoga UK/Wales

Cat trained initially with the British Wheel of Yoga before discovering DRU Yoga and trained with the school of DRU Yoga for 8 years, Yoga, Meditation, Kids and Teens Yoga and Yoga Dance. Her passion for teen yoga continued with a diploma course with Teen Yoga Foundation UK.  Cat is now the Teen Yoga Foundation Ambassador for Wales. During lockdown she qualified as a Qi Gong teacher – Qi Gong is a beautiful and gentle accompaniment that enhances her yoga blend. She is driven by her own personal yoga journey to bring the plethora of gifts it brings, to others.

Privileged to have trained with the wonderful Yoga professionals (now true friends) at DRU and TYF Cat continues to grow and learn on her own spiritual path with their support. Originally from Wales Cat settled in London and completed all studies. She is now relocated back to Gwynedd, North Wales. She practices and teaches amongst the beautiful landscape of the mountains and sea which has been a revelation after the hussle and bussle of the capitol city. Her favorite passion is teaching outside in the surrounding nature.

I was first introduced to YGB at the OM Yoga and was truly inspired. At the time I was unable to follow this up but now my life has changed and I am able to. The very thought that just 1 class would change a life is inspiration enough for me. When you have a lightbulb moment you know it’ll reflect and bring light to someone else in the world.

Heather Thompson

Scotland, U.K.
www.yoga-bythesea.co.uk

Heather’s journey into yoga began when she returned from a soul searching Ayurvedic trip to India in 2017.

She arrived in India lost and in despair as her inability to hold onto a child or start a family over many years had worn her down. It had left her feeling ashamed of her body spiritually broken. The retreat gave her insight and a spark of light. There was more to Heather than becoming a mummy.

Heather returned from India with a deep hunger for more knowledge of yoga and a great new sense of who she was. She trained as a 200 hour Seasonal yoga teacher in 2018. Her teachings infuse Seasonal yoga, Qigong and the 5 element eastern medicine system (TCM) She plans to do her 300 hr soon!

Heather is a compassionate teacher who brings joy to her guidance, she loves helping others find their own beauty and true nature through yoga, mindfulness and movement.

Heather lives in a little coastal town called Dunbar near Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband and 2 fur kids. She is trained in Clinical Reflexology, Seasonal yin and is very passionate about all things yoga.

I can always remember that first time I realized, through the teachings of yoga, how beautiful life is. My inner light was ignited back then and I will be forever grateful to the creators of the yoga system. I believe we all need someone or something to give us a hand up in life, a spark of hope, wherever we find ourselves.

When I came across Yoga Gives Back, the team shared videos of each individual women, all different, with their own story and challenges, which most of us can’t even imagine. I saw the positive changes and light in the women’s faces. It was instantly heart felt and I was inspired to help. I felt the sincerity and genuine care from the team and supporters of Yoga Gives Back and I’m honored and grateful to of found a charity with a mission to lift and support women sustainably. As Kofi Annan says “When women thrive all of society benefits.” 

Deepika Mehta

Deepika Mehta, India 

Deepika Mehta is has been on the forefront of Yoga, fitness and wellness in India since 2001. Deepika is known for her motivational and inspirational style of teaching, believing that anyone can achieve what they want if they put their mind to it. She has had several television shows of her own like Yoga City on NDTV Good Times,Tata Sky Active Fit, Biggest Loser. She has been featured in various publications in India including Vogue,India Today,Elle Magazine etc.Been on the cover of India Today. She has given a Ted talk at the Un Headquarters in NYC. Because Deepika Used Yoga to heal herself from an accident she had several years ago,she believes deeply in the power of the healing process of the practice. Deepika Loves to incorporate dance into her teaching mix.

The reason I support YGB is because I want to take my Asana/ Yoga practice beyond the Mat and contribute in my small way back to helping people who are in real need.

 

Linda Keys

www.lindalovesyoga.co.uk
@lindalovesyoga

Linda had been practising yoga for over twenty years when an experienced teacher whose class she had recently joined suggested she explore teacher training. Despite never having considered such a thing, it was a pivotal moment in her life where everything else just fell into place around this clear path ahead! She started her training with Seasonal Yoga just before her 40th birthday, having found new levels of harmony unfold in her life after attending a local seasonal yoga class. Seasonal yoga blends Hatha with wisdom from traditional Chinese medicine, referring us always back to the cycles of nature and the five elements.

Linda’s background was in community arts, inclusion and facilitation; the skills and qualities she used in that career have fed into her role as a yoga teacher (and celebrant). A priority for Linda is creating a nurturing and inspiring space, where people are welcomed to come as they are. She loves incorporating gentle and accessible ritual, as well as creativity, into her classes.

Linda completed her 200 hr TT in 2018. Since then she has trained in pre- and post-natal yoga, and is currently undertaking her training in Seasonal Yin.

I end each of my classes with a moment of gratitude: “Gratitude for the yoga system, for our practice together today, and for anything else that brings you joy.” I have done this since my earliest classes, acutely aware of the benefit that I derive from yoga practices as well as from teaching and being part of a yoga community in Scotland. I am also aware that I have never yet visited India, and that there is much suffering and poverty in the home of yoga. It feels extremely important to me, this honouring of the yoga system and the origins of something that brings such healing, nourishment and inspiration to my life. I feel humbled by (and to be honest at times uncomfortable with) the fact that I am a white woman in Scotland making a living from the yoga system.

An opportunity to give back to the country that created this system is exactly what was missing from my role as a teacher. I am also a feminist and am aware that women have been treated poorly in some corners of the yoga community, particularly historically. YGB supports women and children to find security and thus a sense of power in their own lives.  It sounds a bit OTT, but everything in my teaching feels more authentic, connected, and purposeful now that I know I am a YGB ambassador!

Mayuko Okai

Los Angeles
mayukookai.com

Mayuko is an Intuitive Eating Coach who helps women heal their relationship to food and body. Mayuko previously worked in healthcare as a Clinical Dietitian and then in management. Through her yoga studies, she became more and more aware of the misalignment in career path. In 2017, Mayuko left healthcare to follow her truth. She now integrates her yoga studies and Intuitive Eating, which she believes is “yoga for eating.”  Mayuko is now a practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga, since 2019.

As a receiver of India’s gift to the world, I am honored to be able to support Yoga Gives Back’s beautiful mission to support and empower women and children in India. As an ambassador, I hope to spread the awareness so that we can collectively give back to the country that has provided us this invaluable gift.

Radha

Ashtanga Yoga Bali, Indonesia

Radha began her Ashtanga practice in 1990, at the age of 20, when she was a sophomore at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. She wandered into a primary series class at Yoga Works, after looking up “Yoga,” in the Yellow Pages. The teacher was renowned Ashtangi, Chuck Miller. She considers herself very blessed to have had such a profound teacher from the first day! After that first class, she knew this practice was meant to be a lifelong one, and that it was the beginning of her journey.

Radha continued her study with Chuck, K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India, late Maty Ezraty, Richard Freeman, Manju Jois, Tim Miller, Dena Kingsberg, Annie Pace, Dona Holleman, Gabriella Guibilaro, and many others.

In addition to studying Ashtanga Yoga, Radha has a passion for the science of Ayurveda. She has studied with Maya Tiwari, Amadea Morningstar, and at The American School of Complimentary Medicine in Los Angeles, as well as with her husband, Prem, an Ayurvedic doctor who studied with Dr. Vasant Lad.

I want to see yoga available for all people everywhere, and particularly want to support other women and children, who deserve the same opportunities that I have been blessed to have in my life as yoga shaped my entire life.

Ximena Cortés

Beijing, China

Ximena discovered the practice of Ashtanga Yoga in 2009.  In 2014 she traveled to Mysuru to study at KPJAYI, and returned yearly to India to further her studies. In 2016 she received the blessing to teach Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga and in 2019 to teach Intermediate Series.

In 2015 she started teaching Ashtanga Yoga and in 2016 she moved to Beijing to start a Mysore program where she teaches traditional Ashtanga Yoga.

She has participated in Yoga Journal events and hold several workshops and charity events in China where she had the opportunity to teach hundreds of students.

Yoga and India have transformed my life. My asana practice helped improve my health, overcome my fears, develop self-confidence, healing a lot of wounds, made me question myself, ask for the first time What do I want? What makes me happy? Those questions made me make a lot of changes in my life, and finding the answers has been a beautiful although sometimes difficult journey.

Once I stepped in India for the first time I understood in a second why it is commonly referred as Mother India. Every time I am in India I volunteer and try to give a little bit of what it has given to me but it feels like it’s not enough. In 2019 I organized my first fundraising event for YGB #OneMillionYogis campaign in China, the response of the students was overwhelming. The students shared their gratitude for being part of the event, cultivating the spirit of love and being able to help others. I want to support YGB to keep cultivating that spirit, and to try to give back just a little bit of what Yoga and India have given me.

Erika Trice

Erika Trice, Northern California

Erika’s journey with yoga began over 30 years ago and she has been a yoga teacher and teacher trainer for the past 20 years.  Erika is known by many students as a creative and skillful teacher whose own training includes many different disciplines from yoga, meditation, qigong to psychology. She is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT500 certified teacher. Currently; Erika teaches at Yoga Works in Northern California.

She is passionate about the importance of a daily spiritual practice as a way to reclaim a strong and compassionate sense of self in a challenging world.  Erika supports others to develop a way of living that includes practice each day that is supportive to the individual’s way of living.

I was inspired by the mission of Yoga Gives Back to support the country that gave yoga to the world.  Having traveled in India many times and seeing first hand the poverty that most of the country lives with, I love YGB’s philosophy of supporting mothers and young women to develop businesses of their own so that they can take care of their families and their communities. One of my trips to India included a fund raising effort with some of the students who joined me there for a yoga retreat.  Once we were back in the US, we were able to raise enough funds to buy a school bus for some of the local schools.  The children no longer had to walk miles to school. It is so important to remember as yoga practitioners that service or Karma Yoga is an integral part of our yogic path.

Annette Pettersson

Studio Yoga Nu , Sweden
Annette Pettersson is E-RYT 500 and has been teaching since 2010. She is born in Denmark but has been living in the south of Sweden for almost 30 years. She is one of the owners of a small Yoga Studio in Landskrona.
For Annette, teaching is about helping others to cultivate breath, awareness, strength and joy. She is passionate about sharing her love of Yoga and teaches with an authentic approach to reach out to as many people as possible. Through,  YGB Ambassador Birgitte Kristen,  her sister in Los Angeles,  she has come in contact with Kayoko and it´s an honor for her now being part of YGB and their mission to help children and women.  She is looking forward going to India in the future to see the country where yoga originates from and meet people that have been helped by the organization.

Chad Hamrin

Chad Harmin Yoga
Los Angeles, California

Chad Hamrin has been a yoga practitioner since the early 1970s, studying Iyengar, Viniyoga, Ashtanga and Kundalini yoga styles as well as the Martial Arts. He has taught Yoga for 38 years and also holds a black belt in Karate. He is a skilled body worker with extensive experience in Polarity Therapy, Reiki, Jin-Shin Do and Deep Tissue Massage. His teaching brings together aspects of all these elements; resulting in a style which emphases investigative awareness of the body, flow, mindfulness and breath – leading students naturally into a deep insightful practice.

 

 

Gopi Ona-Ali

Long Beach, California

When she was just 4 years old, Gopi Ona-Ali was blessed with the holy water of the Ganges; since then she has walked closely with Krishna, and held a special place for the children she played with in the land of her second birth.

Today, Gopi Ona-Ali is a yogini, artist, writer, lecturer and teacher based in Long Beach, California, where she is one of four women who run an intentional community. She learned the Yogas of the Bhagavad Gita from  her Guru, Sri Donato; it has become a focus of her ongoing study and teaching.  Gopi Ona-Ali is a student of Srivatsa Ramaswami of the Krishnamacharya lineage; she teaches traditional Vinyasa Krama asana style with pranayama and chanting.  

“I am honored to work with Yoga Gives Back to help express gratitude for how Yoga has shaped her life; and specifically to provide direct opportunities for women and children in her cherished India. I am inspired by the commitment of Kayoko Mitsumatsu to provide the opportunity for Yoga teachers around the world to express their gratitude for all that Yoga has given us.”

Deepa Chemery

Los Angeles, CA

Deepa’s yoga practice started in Bangalore in Bihar school of yoga style. Deepa is an RYT-500 and prenatal yoga instructor who presently lives in Los Angeles and teaches at CSUN, local studios in Woodlands Hills and the local Indian community.  For Deepa Yoga is a way of life whe shares this through her Pragathi Yoga classes.

“Yoga is excellence in action. ‘Yogah Karmasu kausalam’. For me yogagivesback is karma yoga. When I found a group of yoga teachers doing their excellent selfless work towards a wonderful cause I looked no further. I joined the one million yogis by hosting fundraising events.I saw an idea that was in my mind since my teenage years put into action.Thank you YGB. I am honored to be part of this family.”

 

Sayaka Damlara

Tokyo, Japan
https://smart.reservestock.jp/menu/profile/18444  (Japanese only)
or https://www.instagram.com/dambarabanda/

When Sayaka was 10 years old, she was introduced to yoga by her mother. Prior to becoming a yoga instructor she studied yoga, Ayurveda, aromatherapy and nutrition.

By incorporating yoga into child development Sayaka found that children responded positively, became open to cooperation and communication became more effective. Sayaka occasionally instructs yoga at nursery schools and elementary schools.

Even though, Japan is doing well economically, the suicide rates of minors are high and truancy rate increases every year. Sayaka would love to educate the children that being born is the most wonderful thing in the world. She is putting great effort into introducing yoga into school programs all over Japan.

“Last year I went to Nepal as a volunteer and was impressed by the children’s positive attitude towards life, though they live in extreme poverty. I thought that there were many children around the world who need help. But even when I wanted to do something, I did not know what to do. I heard about YGB’s International Yoga Day Campaign and reached out to YGB Founder Kayoko to extend her my support. I am very happy to be part of such beautiful cause.”

 

Brittany Bijan

Brittany Bijan, Sonoma, California.

Brittany Bijan reside in Sonoma, Ca with her husband and 4 children. Yoga has been a huge love of Brittany’s for a long time. She’s taken long breaks from the Asana side of yoga, but she’s always carried the philosophies of yoga and the true meaning of yoga with her in all she does. Brittany wanted to dive deeper into yoga, and took her practice a little bit further, so she completed a 200 hour teacher training program from Yoga Works. She fell deeply in love with teaching. She takes her teaching role to heart, giving her students a chance to breathe, to pause and truly be in their bodies is something she will never take for granted. She is so dedicated to her role as a teacher and her students that she signed up for an additional 300 hour training with Yoga Works that begins this Fall. Brittany hopes to be a forever student. She’s so grateful for the beautiful practice of yoga. She feels indebted to yoga and wants to give back as much as she can.

I found out about YGB from my incredible teacher and mentor, Sarah Ezrin. I was immediately inspired by YGB’s mission and wanted to do all I can to help raise awareness and funds for this beautiful mission I’m fortunate enough to be a part. I am dedicating my practice to this amazing organization. I’m so honored to be a part of this mission. Thank you!

Australia

Dena Kingsberg

dena.net.au

Melisande Turpin

Mont-Tremblant,  Quebec,  Canada
http://www.karmashala.ca/

Trained in Ashtanga Vinyasa. Yoga. With Kranti Yoga in India, Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Erin Evans, Aerial Yoga TT with Circasana and many other workshops with Kino McGregor, Brian Miller,  Dharna Nittra and Sean Crone, Melisande owns her Karma Shala Yoga. Melisande believes it is her dharma to share YOGA with as many as people possible,  to share the same transformational effects she has received from the practice. Her goal is to inspire others to believe in themselves the same way her teachers have inspired her.

“I support YGB because I want to give back to the mother land that brought us a practice that enriches our lives today. It is hard to put into works my experience of travelling around India and seeing the poverty, injustice and cruel world so many face every single day. My hope is that I can use this amazing life I was blessed to be born into to help those that did not receive the same privilege I did.”

Jocelyn Solomon

Jocelyn Solomon Yoga
Santa Monica, California

Jocelyn is a 500 RYT through YogaWorks, Lead Teacher Trainer for both 200 and 300 hour YogaWorks Teacher Trainings, and teaches public classes at YogaWorks and Equinox on the westside of Los Angeles. Jocelyn is also a recovery and health coach, folding in her own twenty-two years of recovery.

Prior to her career teaching yoga, Jocelyn was a criminal and civil rights trial attorney for many years until she became a mother. Jocelyn brings the same passion, drive and commitment to her students as she did her clients. Jocelyn loves to equate fighting for the physical freedom of her law clients with the same liberation and freedom her students seek from yoga. Understanding that everyone has a story, Jocelyn’s classes, though strong and demanding, are welcoming, loving, and a place for every person to create and curate her own perfect experience.

“I support the mission of Yoga Gives Back wholeheartedly. The practice of yoga has carried me through so many times in my life, so it makes complete sense to give back to the women and children of the motherland of a practice that has quite literally been a life saver to me and so many of my students. Service and philanthropy is a core value of mine and my familiy, and I am thrilled to become a part of YBG.”

 

 

Daniel Taylor

Daniel found yoga, himself, and the power of service and never ceases to exemplify all that is good in the world of yoga today.

Vinyasa E-RYT 200, Alignment RYT 500, Restorative Level 1 Certified, and Yoga Gives Back International Ambassador. Daniel Taylor, born and raised in Colorado, has an extensive background in resistance strength training and Yoga Asana/Postures. In three years Daniel Taylor has taught over 1500 studio classes and has rapidly immersed himself in multiple yoga methods as a career yoga teacher.

“Yoga Gives Back is an organization that provides the beautiful ability to connect communities across the globe. Having personal experience growing up in local communities centers within the US alongside my single mother, it means the world I have the opportunity to give back to those in a similar struggle who have worse circumstances. I’m grateful for Yoga Gives Back’s ability to streamline help for women and children in need with Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Dr. Muhammad Yunus‘ financing development. It’s a beautiful time to make some positive change, to be a bright light amidst so much darkness.”

Sarah Williams

Brighton, UK
Sarah Williams Yoga

Sarah is a yoga teacher, musician and writer. An eternally grateful student, she teaches a mindful alignment-based style of Vinyasa flow that encourages self-exploration and body and mind awareness. Sarah is passionate about sharing the benefits of movement as well as stillness. Her primary teacher is Jason Crandell who she assists on advanced training. Sarah teaches classes, workshops for students and teachers, and retreats in the UK and internationally.

“I am so proud to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back and to be a part of a community who have a vision to empower women with micro loans, and children with much needed educational funds.  It’s an honor to get students looking beyond their own practice to raise much needed funds for this wonderful organisation through yoga.”

MARC HOLZMAN

Marc Holzman

As a pioneer for deep change, Marc has dedicated most of his own life to unraveling this great mystery. An avid Truth-seeker and playful risk-taker, Marc is passionate about refining the art of living and empowering his students to do the same.

Marc is a certified Ayurveda practitioner and Amrit Yoga Nidra teacher with over 18 years’ experience teaching Hatha Yoga and Meditation. He currently lives in both L.A. and Paris for greater access to the workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats he teaches across the globe. He can also be found across the ethers via his many classes streamed on Yogaglo.com. His signature Ayurveda health coaching program, Evolutionary Habits, has been accelerating the wellness path of students since 2012. In 2007 ago, Marc founded Guerilla Yogi, a donation-based community class, to encourage students of all economic circumstances to experience the joy of yoga. Guerilla Yogi continues to thrive in Paris where it has gained tremendous momentum. Because Marc firmly believes that the highest form of teaching is leading by example, he strives to live with integrity and kindness.

I am a Yoga Gives Back ambassador not out of mere generosity, but because it is a duty and responsibility, as someone born into privilege, to look after the least amongst us. India is the motherland of Yoga – and Yoga is a gift that both enhances my life and has saved my life.  My gratitude is immeasurable. Yoga Gives Back is dedicated to raising awareness and funds to alleviate poverty in India.  If you are enjoying the riches of Yoga in your life, won’t you join me in channeling your gratitude into action.

“…we are privileged, and the duty of privilege is absolute integrity.” ~  John O’Donohue 

 

 

Erica Morton Magill

Erica Morton Magill is the co-founder of Los Angeles Yoga Club and Ardor Apothecary in Downtown Los Angeles. She has been practicing yoga since she was a teenager; the practice acting as a thread that has stitched together her adult years. She is trained as a social scientist in Medical Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley; and spent over a decade at the intersection of yoga and social justice teaching yoga, mindfulness, meditation, writing and art to incarcerated and at-risk teenage girls in the San Francisco Bay Area. Erica has written a guidebook on teaching trauma-informed yoga; and in collaboration with neuroscientists, artists, teachers and activists has crafted an extensive curriculum on teaching yoga in prisons and schools. She has had the great privilege to study with and continue to learn from Johnny Smith, Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois, and his mother Saraswati Jois.

“Supporting Yoga Gives Back, an organization that uplifts women and children in India, is a simple and full-hearted way to serve my fellow humans, and to care for humankind. I believe that education is a form of revolution and that an empowered, educated woman is a woman who can effect change not only for herself but also for her community. I am honored to be able to support YGB, giving back to India and its people, who have illuminated my own life and path in deep and meaningful ways.”

Jill Simpson

United Kingdom
Ebb & Flow Yoga 

Jill is the Managing Director of Ebb&Flow, a start-up small Yoga Studio in Surrey, UK.  She’s not a Yoga instructor herself but works together with her daughter Katy (a Yoga  instructor) and Julee (the current YGB – Ambassador of the Year) to grow the business.

She has run many businesses before, including hotels, corporate event companies and art galleries in her career.  Jill is very proud to be able to work with her Yoga community to come together and donate to YGB by attending Yoga classes in her studio and with her partners, the various retail companies in the town where Yoga is taught in their shops.  All the Yogis love to hear about this wonderful charity and feel really rewarded to know that they are helping so many women and their children in the process of enjoying Yoga.

“When YGB Ambassador Julee (Yew-Crisjns) told me about this charity I connected to it immediately. I knew we could help”

Elina Lim-Sandulescu

Queenstown, New Zealand
Comes Naturally

Elina is a certified yoga & mindfulness facilitator, wellness warrior from Singapore who now calls New Zealand home since 2016. She is grateful to be able to receive a world class education as a woman in Singapore which has allowed her to work and travel the world. She believes that the work of Yoga GIves Back is crucial to help alleviate poverty and to give mothers and daughters  in India a chance to be educated and financially independent. Elina first met Kayoko from YGB in 2014 and has helped organize YGB fundraisers in SIngapore & Puerto Rico.

“I am inspired by YGB to be of service to others and to give back through a sustainable program that I believe benefits the recipients completely, through education and micro-financing. I am grateful to be part of the YGB team and look forward to sharing this mission with the amazing New Zealand community. “

MAKIKO TAKISHIMA

Boston and Japan
YOGA MAITRI

Makiko majored in Cognitive Psychology at her university and she was interested in a connection between mind and body. After starting yoga, she became to feel her body and mind connect better. She is now practicing yoga and sharing that yoga is a part of her life. She completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Tokyo, Japan in 2014 and it too in Boston, the USA in 2018. She is also certified by Bliss Baby Yoga to teach Prenatal Yoga.

She believes that “Yoga is for everyone” and teaches not only basic Hatha yoga but also Prenatal Yoga, Baby & Me Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Chair Yoga classes. Her aim is to incorporate yoga into everyday life in various stages and support to create a better.

“When I lived in New Delhi, India, I had an inspiration of potential of yoga from Prime Minister Modi. I heard from him that ‘Yoga is a way of life and helps to unite people.’ In my experience, yoga and yoga community has helped me a lot in Japan, Singapore, India, and the USA. I will contribute to Yoga and India as a yoga instructor.”

VIVICA SCHWARTZ

Los Angeles, CA
Vivica Schwartz

Vivica Schwartz has been teaching Yoga for 16 years. She trained with Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller and apprenticed with Annie Carpenter. Vivica  is leading 200h Teacher Trainings at Yogaworks and is one of the mentors for the 300h mentorship program. Her nourishing personality encourages students to let the postures unfold as a result of an inner opening and expansion.  She guides her students through a soulful, introspective journey that is both heating and invigorating, and at the same time calming and self-reflective. Vivica  is a certified Ayurveda Wellness Counselor and an essential oil expert.
“I support YGB because I can see the direct effect the donations have on the individual in India. It is important to me to look beyond the container of my little world and support others that don’t enjoy the privileges that I have. YGB is a non-profit organization that empowers underserved women, and it feels right and necessary to support the goal.”

 

KIA MILLER

LOS ANGELES, CA

One of the most well known Kundalini teachers in the West, Kia has an ability to translate the subtle teachings of Kundalini Yoga in a highly accesable way. Kia’s study of yoga began when she was 15. She is certified in both Hatha and Kundalini and teaches workshops, retreats and teacher trainings throughout the world. Kia’s passion is to share the Kundalini tradition infused with Bhakti. Kia’s classes are a powerful mix of asana, breath, meditation and chanting that will leave you uplifted and empowered.

“I support YGB because they are placing money into the hands of responsible women who are able to turn their lives around and support their families and create employment in their communities. I am a huge fan of mico-loans and have seen how a little can go a long way to creating a sustainable business. It is empowering for women to take charge of their lives, to earn a good living and provide education for their children, in particular their daughters who otherwise are married off at a very young age.”

MARK ROBBERDS

“My life has been blessed by the gift of Yoga and India is the source of this wealth of knowledge that has the potential to uplift the lives of all people from all walks of life across the planet. When we take part in the journey of Yoga there is a natural and spontaneous opening of our own heart of compassion, and we want to help our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, especially those less fortunate than us. This is why I am proud to be an Ambassador for YGB. It is the greatest honor to be able to share my love of Yoga with others and at the same time give back to those in need in Mother India. I hope to see you at the next YGB event! “

ELISABETTA RICCI

Elisabetta is a tiny powerhouse bursting with energy: she’s a fusion of Mexican origins, Italian blood, her years spent in London, a passion for dance, and a joyful, warm character. She’s a reflective person, and her attention to small details expresses how deeply she cares about everything.

The best way to get to know her is to visit her Yoga and Pilates studio, which is located in a small, renovated barn surrounded by olive trees in the heart of the Tuscan countryside – one of Italy’s loveliest spots, and a popular destination for people all over the globe.

At Cirque du Physique your breathing becomes deeper, your gaze becomes more focused, and your mental chatter slowly dissolves in the silence of nature. Here students can perfect their own practice while being accompanied and guided, step by step, in the search for their own true being. At Cirque du Physique there’s time to listen to the sound of the wind amongst the leaves, to recognize the deep harmony which connects every element in nature, and to allow oneself to be restored by beauty. Cirque du Physique was conceived as a place where everyone can dedicate themselves to their own practice, at their own pace, while feeling both at home and far away from it all. Elisabetta is a Registered yoga instructor: Yoga Alliance E-RYT® 200 and YACEP® and Instructor of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, The Rocket®, Stark Body-Flying® and the Postural Pilates Method®.

“I fell in love with Yoga Gives Back because of its ability to spread positive energy with the same spirit that we aim to experience here at Cirque du Physique. This isn’t about offering a helping hand to those in need; there are no givers and takers. Instead, this is a genuine network of gratitude which emerges from healthy relationships between people, and from the beauty which Yoga has brought to our lives. Like a home which can’t help but spread love, like the sun which can’t help but offer light and spread warmth, without asking for anything in return.”

GUMI NAKAGUCH

Kyoto, Japan
Gumi has started to visit India yearly and started to learn classical Indian music and Bansuri at Varanasi in India since 2006. He studied Bansuri from Pt.Ajay Prasanna and Mr.Carlos Guerra. Yet he also practiced Bansri with Pt.Devashish Dey who is a vocal teacher and with Pt. Dhrvanath Mishra who is Sitarist. By practicing Bansuri with various classical musicians, he has been working on widening the range of his music performance.
“As a Japanese citizen, I have received education as anybody else. However, I have been truly shocked with the reality of poverty in India and some parts of the world. I was fortunate to grow up with dreams and hopes in my mind. I would like to support for these youths who can not receive education or are forced to marry at young age. I am a musician, and would like to contribute to unite global family with Yoga Gives Back. Love and Bliss.”

JOAN HYMAN

LOS ANGELES, CA

KINO MCGREGOR

MIAMI, FL

“I believe in the ingenuity of the human spirit and that when given the chance people will rise to their greatest potential. Yoga Gives Back is more than a charity and fosters the entrepreneurial spirit of the rural women and families they work with. The axiom that says that you cannot feed the world but if you teach a person how to fish or make bread they can feed themselves for a lifetime is at work in Yoga Gives Back. Recipients of YGB loans are rewarded for their hard work, given a chance to succeed and find a way to break the relentless cycle of poverty they were born into. Yoga helps Westerners find peace and thus make their lives more sustainable. With the power of micro-financing Yoga Gives Back helps Indian women gain access to opportunities that would otherwise simply not exist.”

CHAZ RUSS

“As the founder and former owner of Sisters Yoga, an all-female yoga studio in Fresno, CA., it seemed only natural for me to join the YGB team. When founding Sisters Yoga, my aim was to create a space where female Spirits of all ages could come together in community, tend to the gardens of their self-esteem and empower themselves through the self-discovery and strength building practices of yoga. There’s a divine power in sisterhood, and that power is felt amidst sisters of all ages, backgrounds and economic status. We feel our deep rooted connection through the practice of yoga. For the 7 years I’ve been teaching and the 17 years I’ve been practicing, I continue to be reminded of the beaming light that shines so brightly within us all. Equally, if someone thousands of miles away suffers, so I suffer. But if I can help and make a difference here in LA, for instance, by raising awareness and money for our sisters in India , then the consciousness of LA is raised and we benefit equally. Every woman deserves a shot to reach her God-given dharmic potential. I’m honored to be a part of the YGB team, as YGB provides the opportunity for women in India to tend to the gardens of their heart’s entrepeneurial yearnings and therefore, support themselves, their families and villages in the long run. Such big impacts can be made with small monetary contributions. Some of the biggest leaps in evolution and healing are made with the smallest of steps. I look forward to continue to host yoga classes in LA for YGB and our sisters in India.”

SOPHIE HERBERT

NEW YORK, NY

“I never imagined how drastically a country could influence my life. My regular visits to India, which began in college, have transformed my ambitions as an artist, yoga practitioner/teacher, and human being. They inspired the most empowering realization: to never underestimate our ability to positively transform the world through small, tangible actions. Additionally, the incredible hospitality I’ve encountered in India constantly reminds me that there is no wealth without love. India has reinforced my appreciation for all I have and all I can do. It is my duty to give back to a place that has given me so much. I am so grateful to work with Yoga Gives Back, an organization that understands the enormous power of working one small step at a time.”

ADRI KYSER

DALLAS, TX

Adri Kyser is a world-renowned Yoga Teacher and Wellness Coach with a strong, and dedicated following.  Adri’s expertise has appeared in a number of publications, and she has been featured as the face of several incredible fitness and wellness brands.  Adri’s unique and authentic approach to wellness stems from her personal experience in coping with chronic back pain for over a decade, and is supported by an extensive and growing list of certifications in multiple healing and wellness modalities. Adri Kyser has helped hundreds of women worldwide live a more mindful, healthy and balanced lifestyle by providing classes, coaching sessions and specialty programs that teach how to discover and develop the innate power of true inner beauty.

“I am proud to support Yoga Gives Back because their mission resonated with me instantly. YGB helps women empower themselves. It offers them the opportunity to thrive as business women to improve their lives and the lives of their families. There is nothing greater than the gift of being able to help others and make a positive difference in their lives. When we give with an open heart… whether it is teaching yoga, donating time or money, the ripples of that positive energy can reach places and people far beyond we ever thought possible.”

BIRGITTE KRISTEN

LOS ANGELES, CA

Brigitte grew up in Denmark and moved to Los Angels at 19 where she started studying psychology, massage therapy, meditation & yoga. Yoga became her passion and started teaching full time since 1993.

She studied with many great teachers, who at different times in her life taught me about myself and helped me grow. These are the teachers who influenced me the most: Erich Schiffman, Lisa Walford, Maty Ezraty, Rod Stryker, Gary Kraftsow and John Friend.

“Yoga is an amazing and gift to the world. I am so very thankful for yoga and the opportunity to help spread the profound and ancient teachings. In meeting with Kayoko, I was immediately convinced to be part of Yoga Gives Back. It is her passion, heart, and integrity that is the backbone of this beautiful organization. Yes, I am happy to give back, empowering women and children in India to build sustainable livelihoods.”

LORRAINE LAU

HONG KONG

Lorraine found Yoga in 2001 while working in the entertainment business as an artist manager. The hectic life of working more than 16 hours a day average for many years had been draining out her energy. Until one of her artists, the co-founder of a top-notch yoga studio in Asia, took her to her first yoga practice to release tension. Lorraine has been practicing yoga since then and felt the urge to share with more people. She is now a yoga teacher after receiving her first teacher training certificate in Florida, U.S.A in 2005. The self awareness, compassion and mind/body balance yoga gives Lorraine has become part of her daily life.

“It’s my honor to have met another amazing lady in my yoga path, founder of YGB, Ms. Kayoko Mitsumatsu at this 2013 Evolution – Asia Yoga Conference! What YGB is doing is so meaningful and vital to a group of women and children, that could affect their lives completely in the long run! I have no hesitation and feel highly motivated to bring more people’s awareness to help improve these situations! Yoga has been giving so much to me and to people around the world, and it’s time for people to give back and support Yoga Gives Back!”

KATHLEEN KASTNER

KANSAS CITY, MO

Kathleen Kastner is the Owner of Maya Yoga in Kansas City, MO, with her husband Wade Mortenson. She has a B.S in Journalism and a M.S in Exercise Physiology and has been teaching yoga since 1996. She practices ashtanga daily and her long distance teachers are Tim Miller and Jorgen Christiansson. She is vegan, an animal advocate and loves placing homeless pets in forever homes.

“I want to help the women and children of India to have financial independence and an education, so they have the opportunity to achieve their dreams in life.”

MANON SIMONIS-BRUENS

Manon Simonis-Bruens, dedicated yoga practitioner and owner of two yoga studios in the Netherlands, Yogaplace Maastricht and Sittard, will succeed YGB Netherlands founder Janneke Verburg-Wiersma. Janneke built the YGB Dutch community in one year, with dozens of very successful “Thank You Mother India” and relay classes. Manon and her dedicated team at Yogaplace will now lead YGB Netherlands.

“Janneke planted the seed and I will nourish and cherish with love to make this beautiful flower grow, spread through the whole of our country and to all of our yoga loving people. This is a great alternative to feel close to the country and its special people again, taking this role in Yoga Gives Back. As a woman, wife, bussinesswoman I try to relate to woman in need but also with a goal and a perspective. My heart goes to the most vulernable and pure women in India who need support to make a step towards being an independent, educated, self employed, strong woman. I feel proud to give, I’m in the journey, the journey to make difference, to do what I can with my team to support and reach out to all the woman in need.”

CHAMA

TOKYO, JAPAN

Founder and director of TOKYO YOGA (TYG) Chama is one of the leading yoga teachers in Japan. He has been exploring and balancing the body and mind in order to experience wellbeing and peace through practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Craniosacral Therapy. After studying under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Judith Lasater, Chama is highly skilled at drawing out the full potential of individual bodies with a wealth of unique and anatomically-based teaching methods. To share the experience and benefits of yoga, Chama currently teaches at his own studios and many workshops throughout Japan including major public yoga events such as Yoga Fest, Yoga Aid Japan, and Yoga at Patagonia. He publishes the most popular free yoga magazine,YOGAYOMU; supervises the production of DVDs and yoga books; and appears in various media, including magazines and on the web. Chama is a leader of YOGA volunteer group “Yoga and Music(YAM).” In 2011,he led a group of volunteers to Tohoku, Tsunami area. Chama’s work has been featured in Yoga Journal.

“I am always working to be able to practice YOGA, in addition to instructing yoga. I will be very happy if my participation in Yoga Gives Back will create an opportunity to everyone to think about practicing YOGA while bringing happiness in others’ lives.”

BEATE SCHOLZ

LOS ANGELES, CA

Beate started to practice Yoga in 2005 but it was not until meeting Cheri Rae, owner of Peace Yoga Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles in 2011, when something really shifted inside of her. Yoga became her true passion and purpose in life. After many years of owning a successful business in the fashion industry, she felt the call to slow down …Yoga opened the door to leading a much more wholesome way of living and started the inquiry within. A complete transformation occurred in the years that followed in every aspect of her life. She decided to sign up for her first Teacher Training with Annie Carpenter in 2013 and in the following year she took her first trip to India to study at a remote Ashram north of Rishikesh as well as a trip to Vridavan. Beate studied with well-known teachers, Annie Carpenter (Smart Flow) & Govind Das, founder of Bhakti Yoga Shala (Bhakti Yoga) as well as a team of amazing teachers at Core Power Yoga (Hot Vinyasa Power Yoga) and received RYT 200-hour certifications from all three studios. Beate fully embraces all aspects of a Yogic life style with daily Asana, Pranayama and Meditation practice, chanting, kirtan, vegan life style and Seva. Beate teaches a strong Vinyasa flow with an emphasis on the devotional aspect of Yoga as a scientific system of well being, following the eight-limbed path by Patañjali, with the ultimate goal of Self-realization and Happiness.

“India has a very special place in my heart ever since I started the transformational practice of Yoga. Both the culture and the people are so beautiful and familiar to me it’s almost like I have lived there in a previous lifetime. During my month long visit to India in 2015 I was welcomed with open hearts by everyone, which touched me deeply. Yet I saw with my own eyes how rich this country is and at the same time still struggles with poverty and inequality towards women so when I discovered YGB I felt the call to get involved, first by becoming a supporter attending their annual big Fundraisers and now that I teach Yoga full time by becoming an ambassador.”

DAVID KIM

LOS ANGELES, CA

DAVID KIM (E-RYT 500) is a Senior YogaWorks Teacher Trainer, who leads numerous trainings, workshops, and retreats all over the world. A Brown University graduate, David draws heavily from the Iyengar and Ashtanga traditions in his practice and teaching, enriched by the contemplative poise of Yin Yoga and Mindfulness meditation. Employing skillful sequencing and precise instruction, David’s classes – including online offerings at MyYogaWorks.com and YogaVibes – reflect his heartfelt dedication to a profoundly enlivening, healing practice.

“Yoga is a profoundly empowering practice, one that reveals our true potential for transcending limiting, often negative thoughts and circumstances. Likewise, YogaGivesBack empowers working women in India by micro-financing their efforts to create jobs and educational opportunities – for themselves and their families – that might otherwise be out of reach. While alleviating Third World poverty may seem a monumental task, yoga teaches us that transformation is a step-by-step process, a dedicated practice founded upon the simple belief that such change is possible.”

MIA TOGO

LOS ANGELES, CA

Yoga Instructor, Teacher Trainer & Mentor. Certified Professional Life Coach. Mia grew up as an avid equestrian and dancer in Murrieta, Ca. Little did she know this would pave the way to her love and devotion of yoga.

At 18, she went on to dance professionally, working in film, TV, stage and music videos. While simultaneously earning her degree in Psychology from UCLA, the competitive world of dance revealed self-doubt and insecurities that needed attention and healing which led her to work with Mona Miller, her teacher and mentor. Mia’s yoga practice began in 1996 with many teachers studying different styles and philosophies, ultimately finding her passion in vinyasa flow. Mia began teaching in 200 and is a YogaWorks certified teacher and teacher trainer, as well as mentor for the YogaWorks 300-hour program. Her purpose as a teacher is to allow the student to have an authentic experience that is sacred, healing, uplifting, and inspired by spirit.

“The greatest gift yoga has given me is to nurture my self esteem and to live in my personal power. Nationally and globally, the paradigm of power is shifting. Women and the impact of the feminine voice are creating a platform that unifies us as a world culture. Yoga Gives Back is an incredible organization that creates micro loans to empower women in some of the most impoverished parts of India. As a woman, yoga teacher, and small business owner, I am thrilled to be part of this organization that encourages women to find their voice and express it through the entrepreneurial spirit of business development.”

DANA TARASAVAGE

NEW YORK

 

Dana Tarasavage is an Authorized Level 2 Ashtanga Yoga Instructor with over thirteen years of teaching experience. She is currently a Master’s Degree candidate in Yoga Studies at Loyola Marymount University with a focus on Yoga Philosophy and Sanskrit, and has also studied postural yoga, chanting and Sanskrit in Mysore, India.

Dana was initially drawn to yoga in 2004 while living at home in Florida, but eventually moved to New York City where she attended NYU and FIT and cultivated a devoted Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. In 2009, while also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communications, she completed a Registered Yoga Teacher Training at Urban Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Orlando, Florida. She has since completed additional training in Restorative and Vinyasa Yoga. Beginning in 2011, she made five annual month-long trips to Mysore, India, to study Ashtanga Yoga at the KPJAYI and to further her connection to the roots of the practice. Since 2013, she has taught Mysore Ashtanga classes, and is also a Classical Pilates instructor with 600 hours of training from New York City’s Power Pilates, has served as co-director of New York Yoga’s 200-Hour Teacher Training, and is a published poet featured in the Poetry of Yoga.

Today, Dana teaches traditionally-rooted classes, workshops, and trainings in person at Humming Puppy and online through a Virtual Mysore Membership, offers private sessions, and mentors emerging yoga instructors. Her classes are supportive and precise, with a focus on helping students build and sustain a holistic practice that integrates physicality with philosophy.

“India holds such a dear place in my heart, it has become almost like a second home after several years of traveling and studying yoga there. It always strikes me as a country of contrasts – beauty, devotion and peace mingle seamlessly with poverty and suffering. I’m honored to join YGB as an ambassador to do my small part to give back and bring more peace and opportunity to those who might be suffering in India. I immediately loved the concept of YGB – that for the price of a single yoga class we can made a difference, especially in the life of a woman or child in India.”

NINA HAYES

LOS ANGELES

E – RYT 500, 800 – Hour Jivamukti Certified, AADP, VLCE

Nina Hayes is an LA based Advanced Certified Yoga Instructor & Retreat Leader. She credits her yoga practice with providing the tools to heal from a once debilitating illness and she is devoted to facilitating both physical and spiritual healing in others.

Before moving to LA, Nina instructed yoga and meditation workshops for corporations and universities throughout the U.S., taught movement for children with special needs at the Boston Ballet, and researched exercise & nutrition initiatives to benefit underserved populations with Children’s Hospital and Harvard Cancer Center. As a plant based chef, Nina founded an award-winning vegan Bonbon Company and provided greenroom vegan treats for artists’ Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Her personal practice and teachings have taken her around the world to Australia, India, Europe, and Bali. Instructing since 2009, Nina has trained extensively with Jivamukti Yoga NYC, Samadhi Yoga in Sydney, and received specialized training in Yoga for Cancer from Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Dance from the University of Massachusetts. Presently, Nina is thrilled to cultivate compassionate community at Tantris, her new “yoga home”, and serve as an International Ambassador for Yoga Gives Back. Nina’s classes are authentic yet accessible to practitioners of all levels at all stages of life. Students connect with Nina’s warmth, enjoy her scriptural lectures, and appreciate her embodiment of love and light.  Nina is deeply grateful for her teachers, notably Sharon-ji Gannon, David-ji Life, and Joshua Greene (Yogesvara).

“Having traveled to India and witnessed the extreme poverty, economic and gender disparity faced by a disproportionate number of women and children, closing my eyes to this suffering would only erode my sense of humanity. Societies greatest thinkers and spiritual leaders have often remarked that the true test of civilization is measured by our ability to care for those most vulnerable: women, children, the sick, and the elderly. We know this is true, yet overwhelmed by suffering we become numb and disempowered. I am grateful to Yoga Gives Back’s for providing organization, infrastructure and tenacity that allow me to use my life to ease this suffering. Only through compassion is it possible to heal our collective sense of disconnection from each other and love itself.”

AMI PATEL

LONDON, UK

Ami is a visual artist living and working in London, UK. “From the beginning, my Indian heritage planted the seed for spiritual growth. Nowadays, this seed continues to be explored, nurtured and cultivated and has brought Yoga to be an integral part of my life and well-being”.

“I believe that it is our sacred duty to show compassion to others. We all have a purpose in life and we all have something to give back and make a difference to ourworld. Yoga Gives Back reminds me to be thankful for our freedom of choice. I am happy to be able to support and raise awareness for a cause which is so close to my heart.”

CATIA LEITE

LONDON, UK

Catia’s yoga journey to self enquiry began back in 2003, and ever since Its been a healing experience, a life transformation which deeply changed her views on life. Her quest led her to try many styles of yoga. Power yoga ( vinyasa) Ashtanga, Jivamukti. She drew inspiration from David Swenson, Matt Corigliano, Kino, Mathew Sweeney, Anne Marie Newland, and Stewart Gilchrist who still remains her main teacher and inspiration today. She continues to work alongside him, assisting/mentoring during teacher trainings.

India is very special in many ways to me and to many other yogis. To be able to give something back through “Yoga gives Back” is a wonderful way for me to share my gratitude for all the wisdom, knowledge, bliss and so much more it has given me and continues to share with the world. I am honoured to be supporting YGB and to contribute to the future of women and children in India. For they too deserve to have something back. Something wonderful in their life, a better future, a future with hope.

SOL BARROS

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINE

Sol Barros always had the need to express her emotions, thanks to this and her experience made her interested in how the different religions manifest themselves, taking shelter in Tibetan Buddhism. She began to enjoy the pleasure of the meditation, to contemplate her own being and everything that redeemed it, but she felt that there was still something else. It was there when she began with yoga practice almost 20 years ago, finding a deep passion for it, which remains intact.

She began the study of Yoga through Ashtanga Yoga, then studied a degree and pre-teaching Yoga at USAL (University of Salvador) in Buenos Aires.

She shares and experiences the different branches of Yoga like Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa, Iyengar, Restorative Yoga, Yoga nidra, learning and teaching around the world.

“At first I felt very honored to be part of YGB, to be able to give something back to Mother India, the place where all the learning that changed my life was born, that was a huge gift in itself …. but as time went by, I started to internalize the wonderful work that Kayoko does. Today giving became a necessity for me, as much and as best as I can, so that mothers and children have a worthy life. I wish someday I will be able to help on the battlefield, physically there with the support and human help too … for the time being, I will go on supporting, helping YGB and inspiring others to do so too … It does not take much, just the desire to give.”

MARIKO HIRAKAWA

NEW YORK, NY

Mariko is a Yoga-Ayurveda Expert with over 20 years of teaching experience. A former professional dancer as well as an Ayurvedic physician trained in India, she combines scientific knowledge with an intuitive understanding of the body. Mariko has been travelling to India every year since 1999 to study Yoga, Ayurveda and allied disciplines with renowned masters in their field. In 2003, the experience of working with numerous terminally ill patients caused her to apply for and win a full scholarship to study Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing science in one of the top Ayurvedic universities in India. Proficient in Hindi and Sanskrit, she is one of the very few in the West to have completed the rigorous 5 ½ year B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree program at an internationally recognized Ayurvedic university in India. When she is not conducting retreats and workshops around the world, Mariko teaches her signature fluid Yoga classes at Equinox Fitness and Peninsula Spa, and runs a private Ayurvedic practice in New York City.

“I support Yoga Gives Back wholeheartedly because I have first-hand experience witnessing how hard the mothers in the lower class of Indian society work to support their families. All in all, I have spent about 10 years living in various parts of India, and although I have had the privilege of being around great Yogis and Masters, scholars and wise beings, I truly feel the greatest lesson I received in India is from watching the sincere, cheerful, hard work that these people offer, day in and day out. By connecting Yoga practitioners in the West with these deserving women of India, Yoga Gives Back creates awareness of the greater purpose of Yoga, of Yoga with a capital “Y”, Yoga that is generous and healing, compassionate and truly transformative – the Yoga that is the original gift of the enlightened rishis (sages) of India. I firmly believe that spirituality must be grounded in the practicalities of the world today. Yoga Gives Back allows us to participate in the sacred activism that is grounded in Dharma. It transforms our practice into deep, universal prayer as we create positive socio-economic impact. What an empowering feeling for everyone involved!”

SARAH PLATT-FINGER

NEW YORK

Sarah Platt-Finger is the co-founder of ISHTA Yoga with her husband, Yogiraj Alan Finger, ranked one of the top 7 yoga studios in Manhattan by Citysearch. She is a celebrity renowned yoga teacher who also leads trainings and workshops internationally. Her signature class, “Sweat and Samadhi” has been featured in Well and Good, Yoga U Online and Origin magazine. She is a brand ambassador for Lululemon and on the Board of Directors for Exhale to Inhale, a non-profit organization that teaches yoga to survivors of domestic violence. Her daughter, Satya, inspires her every day to live a life based on love and unbound potential.

“The real question is: why wouldn’t I want to support YGB? As someone who has chosen her life’s purpose as a Yoga Teacher, and being the mother to a daughter myself, I feel passionate about empowering people – especially women – through yoga. Yoga has the ability to heal and transform others and YGB is doing just that to the women and children of India through its educational funds micro-loans. In my eyes, it is my duty to give back to the the people, the culture and the spirit of India because I would not be where or who I am without its wisdom.”

DANA BLONDE

CALGARY, CANADA

Dana Blonde is the Director at Yoga Shala Calgary, an Ashtanga Yoga school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

“Sometimes a yoga practice involves the first few years (or in my case, a decade) simply becoming a little more grounded, clear and at ease. The time I invest in myself practicing asana is mainly to better prepare me to be compassionate and useful to others. I appreciate the opportunity to assist in the support and encouragement of these women in India. Working together as a community we can truly make a difference.”

MICHAEL BUDD

LOS ANGELES, CA

Mikey Budd is a Jersey boy, and proud of it. He’s always had an active lifestyle as a soccer player, runner and of course, break dancer! But, it wasn’t until he found the beauty & benefit in yoga, that he finally felt centered. After traveling to India for 5 weeks, Mikey became a certified yoga instructor and wanted to share his knowledge to all. As an active part of the community, he brings yoga to places and people who don’t have access to classes including low income families, at-risk students, and prisoners at no cost. Mikey also currently teaches at Playlist. Yoga in West Hollywood and his days as a “b-boy” are the baseline for his innovative hip-hop flows.

“India has a very near and dear place to my heart after visiting for 5 weeks. As magical and mystical as it was, there were also a lot of harsh realities that I saw and unfortunately, the poverty and caste system is indescribable. Yoga Gives Back is an amazing foundation that works to eliminate these burdens especially for women and children. It’s so important for people to be educated, fed, and know they are loved which is what YGB does. I support any organization that benefits those less fortunate, but YGB truly targets where change can be made the most. It is amazing to give back to the country that has given us one of the greatest gifts of all.”

ALESSANDRA PECORELLA

LONDON, UK

Alessandra, a yogini of 26 years , has studied from an early age in many traditions such as: Bhakty, Surya , Astanga, Prana Flow, Kriya, Raja, Tantra and Ayurveda. She has been a direct student of Swami Kriyananda (Kriya Yoga disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda) from the early nineties, Patthabi Jois (the founder of Astanga Yoga) and a very dedicated student of Shiva Rea (Prana Flow Yoga) for the past 12 years. She is a Senior Yoga Teacher SYT with Yoga Alliance UK. This accreditation sets excellent standards as set by the Yoga Alliance UK. Alessandra has been teaching Yoga for the past 11 years. She runs inspiring and challenging Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes, events and Workshops where she aims at integrating the ancients techniques of yoga into our contemporary living. She is the founder of Aditya Yoga School and offers Vinyasa Flow Foundation 200hrs and Advanced 300hrs Teacher Training Programs accredited and Registered with Yoga Alliance UK. Alessandra holds a Master Degree in Electronic Engineering from The University ” La Sapienza” in Rome, Italy with a major on the Electromagnetic Field of the Human Body. She has done studies in Nutrition and has lived according to Yogic and Ayurvedic principles for nearly three decades.

“I’m grateful to be an ambassador of this incredible initiative Yoga Gives Back! The practice of Yoga is invaluable. This ancient discipline was forged by the Seers of India as a tool to help humanity in the process of conscious evolution. When we step on the Yoga path, first we begin to heal from our own inner dissonance and external conditioning. With self betterment comes the ability to live life to the fullest and then finally, from this Love for life, comes the will to give back to others. By supporting Yoga Gives Back we radiate and expand our Love for Yoga and celebrate life by empowering women and children in need. This is a wonderful opportunity. These women and kids are given a chance to step out of poverty and live joyous lives. Coming full circle Yoga Gives Back!”

KERILL EZZY

Kerill is a dedicated yoga practitioner whose fundamental motivation in teaching is to work with the integrity of the body as a means of accessing the alignment of the breath and spirit. She has a true love of the yogic tradition, modern sciences and the nitty gritty of life. Bringing these together with a touch of humour, she challenges students to step outside their habits and break free of their self-imposed limitations. She believes strongly in the power of breathwork and mindfulness as means of accessing the deep recesses of the mind body connection. It is through this that she sees the true workings of yoga in practice.

Kerill is a Yoga Alliance Experienced 500 Hour Teacher, a registered PreNatal Teacher and has undergone  extensive training as a Yoga Therapist, in Pranayama and in specialized anatomy. She has had a dedicated Ashtanga asana practice for over a decade and has been teaching for over 6 years.

She regularly holds specialised yoga workshops in Australia, China and Macau. She has introduced and remains the only Mysore teacher in Macau.

Kerill is inspired by Michel Besnard, Roslyn Ying, Paul Dallaghan, Arielle Nash-Degagne, Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor and Carlos Pomeda.

“In a population of over 1billion people, it is often easy to be overlooked. Handing women and children the quick fix of ‘fast money’ is not a sustainable way to assist them in escaping the cycle of poverty of India. Offering, instead, micro loans and education, allows women to take control of their own destinies as they start to embrace responsibility and see the potential for a way out for themselves and their children. As yoga practitioners, the practice has allowed us to alleviate our spiritual suffering. I want to help alleviate the physical suffering of this often overlooked population in a way that is sustainable for current and future generations. Its the least I can do to say ‘thank you’ for the gift this culture has given me.”

California

Pranidhi Varshney

yogashalawest.com

DAVID MILLIOTIS

David began yoga in 1989 and within a few months began learning Ashtanga Yoga with Guruji, K. Pattabhi Jois. He’s made numerous trips to Mysore, where he also began studies in Sanskrit, chanting and yoga philosophy. Today his studies continue with Vidwan Srikantha Shastri of the Veda Geetha Foundation in San Diego, CA. Blending physical with philosophical David aims to ignite a dedication to daily ongoing practice so that people can come to actualize Guruji famous quote, “Practice, practice, practice… all is coming!”

“Yoga is such a gift to humanity. Yoga gives deep everlasting nourishment satisfying the Soul’s need for peace & joy. India’s rich heritage has been passed down to us amongst many hardships. Without India’s devoted people where would yoga be? Let everyone be grateful for these blessed people of India and offer loving support. Drop by drop the bucket fills, and one person at a time the world can become a more nurturing and harmonious place. Everyone deserves loving kindness, and the yoga given to us from India shows us the way.”

PETE GUINOSSO

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

After thirty years of running, cycling, and competitive sports, Pete was astonished to learn that his biggest challenge and adventure would happen on a yoga mat. Pete spent several years and over 600 hours training with world renowned yoga instructor Ana Forrest. It is through this experience that he learned how to compassionately guide students of all levels through a vigorous yoga practice with integrated breath work and awareness.

Known for his joyful energy, compassionate guidance, and sense of humor, Pete creates a spiritual yet light-hearted environment for his students to uncover the deeper benefits of yoga. He is ERYT-500 registered and graduated from the Forrest Yoga Teacher Training program in 2006, he is on staff as one of Yoga Tree’s teacher trainers. He also teaches yoga at Yoga Festivals and Conferences including the Yoga Journal Conference, Asia Yoga Conference, Wanderlust, Tadasana Festival, and Bhaktifest.

“My mission in life is to help heal the world through yoga. Part of that healing involves expressing gratitude for the blessings of love, strength and confidence yoga has provided me. As such, I feel deeply grateful to Yoga Gives Back for allowing me to support their effort to educate and empower women and children in the country that gave birth to yoga. I cannot imagine a more worthy organization to support. When we help impoverished women and children realize their full potential by improving the opportunities and resources available to them, we change the world. “If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way.” – the Buddha”

SIMONA SCHIMANOVICH

LONDON, UK

Simona teaches vibrant, soulful classes with creative sequencing. She lives yoga as a spiritual practice and is passionate about sharing it as powerful techniques that help us cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves and each other to live more fully from an open heart. After discovering her love for yoga 8 years ago, Simona has been practicing in a variety of styles – from Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Dharma Mittra, Jivamukti, Sivananda, Yin to Acro yoga. She is grateful to all her teachers who inspired her and opened her to deeper levels of the practice. On her travels she has spent several months in India, deepening her yoga practice and connecting to its ancient tradition. She trained in London with her teacher Alessandra Pecorella and is a certified Vinyasa Flow teacher with Yoga Alliance UK.

“When I first heard about Yoga Gives Back I thought it is a wonderful project and I am honored to be able to contribute to this important cause! As yogis it is so important to stay connected and honour the roots of this powerful practice. I am deeply grateful for everything India has given and taught me on my travels and I have great respect for its beautiful people and ancient tradition. If as yogis we are in a position to give back and support communities in India who need it most, it is so important to take action.Thank you Kayoko and to everyone who is bringing this project to live and bringing us together around an important cause.”

KIYOMI TAKAHASHI

LOS ANGELES, CA

Kiyomi is a dedicated and passionate practitioner and teacher of Yoga and Meditation. Helping others lead joyful lives guided by deepest heartfelt desires is her primary intention. Her teaching vibe is light-hearted, yet energizing. rich with detailed instruction, encouragement and modification. She is a certified YogaWorks Teacher, Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher, IKYTA-certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher, a Certified Yoga Therapist (LMU) and a certified Holistic Health and Wellness Coach.

Kiyomi teaches group and private classes at yoga studios and corporate clients, leads teacher training and workshops at studios, events and festivals in Los Angeles and internationally.

“I am honored and proud to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back. They are dedicated to the great cause and working tirelessly to serve the women and children of India, the birthplace of Yoga. The organization’s unwavering core purpose and ever expanding vision to support the lives of those who are truly in need is purely inspiring. “

STEPHANIE CROCHET

LOS ANGELES, CA

A Los Angeles native with French and Tahitian roots and a deep passion for world travel, Stephanie Crochet embraces different cultures and all ways of life. In 2013, Steph completed 500 hours of Teacher Training at YogaWorks with mentor Kia Miller. That same year she quit her job as a successful recruiter to pursue a passion and career in yoga. To this day, she’s never looked back and continues to manifest her dreams. Steph believes when we live from a place of being calm, clear minded and stress free; one can connect to their unique truth and light!

“I want to support YGB because traveling to India in March 2016 was one of the most profound and heart felt experiences for me. I am so grateful to have found yoga, which led me to India. I cannot think of a better way to give back to Mother India for all that she has shared with us in the Western world. “

AMANDA JACKSON

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN

Amanda is a dedicated student and teacher of Yoga in Traverse City, Michigan. She studied Ashtanga Vinyasa and Yoga Therapy at Abhijna School of Yoga in Varkala, Kerala, India. In 2012, she spent the year as an ESL and Yoga instructor in Seoul, South Korea. Through taking her practice abroad, she was able to experience Yoga as a universal language, bringing people to a place of shared gratitude, compassion, and community. The practice of Yoga has allowed Amanda to experience the freedom of standing in her personal power. She feels privileged to work toward providing women and children the opportunity to experience the peace and empowerment that Yoga has gifted her.

“I am honored and grateful to be an Ambassador for an organization that demonstrates how powerful the practice of Yoga truly is. Yoga Gives Back is an inspiring example of the impact compassionate people coming together and putting intentions into action can have. By working together as a global community and giving back as much as we can, we can truly make a difference and create lasting change.”

GISELLE MARI

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Jivamukti and Yin Yoga – An Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher and E-RYT 500, Giselle’s introduction to yoga in the early 90’s was a natural progression from her gymnastics/dance background, her passion for music and being raised by a bohemian flamenco dancer; all of which have influenced her style and approach to teaching and life. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Giselle presents at yoga studios, conferences and festivals around the world. She’s also been on the cover of Yoga Journal and Yoga International Magazine as well as appearing in many of their articles. She’s also featured in Kathryn Budig’s book “Women’s Health: The Big Book of Yoga”. She’s an ambassador for Gaiam, a columnist for Origin Magazine, serves on the advisory committee for The Art of Yoga Project and is a teacher on YogaGlo. When not teaching, she loves being with her amazing husband, daughter, and four dogs all of who are her biggest inspirations and support.

“It is such an honor to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to be in service, to uplift the lives of women and children and to do so through the art form of yoga. Yoga Gives Back is the embodiment of what it means to practice yoga in action. Through our collective actions and intentions we can support the dreams and aspirations of women and children in India while also creating an equal rights imperative. Through micro credit programs, vocational training and educational assistance we create necessary social change as well as a ripple effect of inspired and empowered action for generations to come.”

MARTI NIKKO

LOS ANGELES, CA

The daughter of a jazz pianist, Marti Nikko spent her childhood in nightclubs, absorbing the art and wisdom of many great musicians. Enthralled by what she heard, she began to sing and perform her own music, infusing her innate grasp of jazz and soul into a warm, natural voice. Marti met DJ Drez shortly after high school, when they began performing and recording together. Over nearly two decades, their collaboration has become an intimate musical language that effortlessly translates into and between many styles of music, including hip hop, reggae, kirtan, jazz and soul. Listen to any of DJ Drez’s albums and you’ll hear Marti Nikko’s unmistakably rich and nuanced voice. Her first full-length album — due out in early 2015 on Black Swan Sounds — combines her instinctive musicality with deeply devoted mantra practice. In addition to Marti’s talents as a singer, songwriter and performer, she teaches yoga and pilates in Los Angeles where she and Drez live and love their 10-year-old son. 

“It is an honor to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back. I am grateful to be able to contribute in the ways that I can to support and give back to a country that has offered so much in the sharing of yoga. This practice has inspired and supported me daily and deeply. I am excited to spread the word through my voice, music, and yoga to help as much as I can. Lets come together to empower, inspire and help improve the opportunities and resources for these beautiful women and children of India. With love. Hari Om.”

APARNA KHANOLKAR

SANTA BARBARA, CA

Aparna Khanolkar is a Ayurvedic Lifestyle Counselor. She teaches workshops and works privately with clients in retreats and intensives. The focus of her work is on wellness as a way of life and that one’s lifestyle directly contributes to longevity. She is an advocate of practical Ayurveda for the Westerner. A former chef of the Chopra Center, she is a an author, speaker and creator of several programs for women.

“Yoga Gives Back is a cause that is dear to me as an Indian woman. To empower a woman with skills and loans to encourage sustainable financial independence is exciting for me as a single mother. To know that women in India can receive this level of support gives me a sense of satisfaction. “

LAUREN PETERSON

Lauren Peterson (E-RYT 500), is a well-respected yoga instructor who travels worldwide teaching workshops andteacher trainings. She has been practicing yoga for over 25 years, and teaching since 1992. She had the privilege to study with, and assist, Chuck Miller for over 10 years. Chuck taught her through fourth series in the ashtanga yoga system. She has also played with the first few poses of fifth series as shown to her by Richard Freeman.

 Lauren has been featured in the television series Healing Quest, and in Yoga Journal Magazine, for the yoga program she started at the Monte Nido Eating Disorders Center for women struggling with eating disorders.

She teaches classes at Malibu Fitness and at her studio, The Yoga Salon, in Los Angeles.

“There are a lot of requests out there, for our support. I have, and do, support organizations that help animals, the environment, human rights. We can get overwhelmed, and want to zip our pockets. I decided to help YGB, because it started with one person wanting to help a few people. It has grown organically by many people donating. You can readily see how your donations are helping people. I feel confident my money and the money of my friends, will go to the people who need it, and will not be mishandled. “

HAIDAR ALI

OSAKA, JAPAN

Founder & Director of Spirit Yoga Studio/ Spirit International Yoga School in Osaka,Japan since 2007.

Haidar was born in Bagdad, Iraq, as the youngest member of a family of nine.  His mother tongue is Arabic, but also speaks English, Japanese and Thai. At the age of 13, Haidar started Taekwondo to increase strength in body and mind, and built self confidence. At the age of 16, he started yoga for better understanding of himself.  Haidar believes that Yoga is a philosophy that teaches us how to live our lives & discover ourselves to be close to perfection but no one is perfect.
”Find Happiness Through Sharing Happiness”—During my first yoga trip to Rishikish, India in 2004, I saw this inspirational words in the gate of a temple wihch really touched my heart at that moment. India is a home of yoga and we can’t forget to give back as much as we can to make some positive changes for people there. I believe I am here in this life to give back to anyone who need our help and supporting them is one of my responsibility as a yogi. Never Give Up My Friends.”

NEA FERRIER

DUBAI, UAE

Nea is a KPJAYI level II authorised teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. She has been making annual trips to Mysore to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute since 2006 and received the blessing to teach in 2010. Originally from Sydney, Nea has shared her love of Ashtanga Yoga with students in Australia, China, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Turkey and now Dubai, where she runs Ashtanga Yoga Dubai, the only KPJAYI authorised yoga school in the UAE. She continues to study with Sharath Jois in Mysore every year, where she is learning the Advanced A series.

“After my first few trips to India I realised that I wanted to give back to the country that had given me so much. I have worked with different charitable organisations over the past few years and have seen how important it is to support the right type of organisation that can actually make a difference. I firmly believe that empowering women to create a better future for themselves and their families is one of the most valuable contributions we can make. As a teacher and student of yoga, I feel it is part of my dharma to give back and I am delighted that Yoga Gives Back is providing me with this opportunity.”

SEANE CORN

LOS ANGELES, CA

Seane Corn is an internationally recognized yoga teacher known for her impassioned activism, unique self-expression, and inspirational style of teaching. As one of the world’s leading yoga experts, Seane has been featured in countless magazine articles and news programs including The Today Show, Oprah’s Sacred Spaces, NPR, and on the cover of over 27 magazines internationally. A strong and articulate voice for personal transformation and social change, she has utilized her platform to inspire and mobilize the yoga community in activating grassroots projects worldwide.  Since 2007, she spear-headed the organization Off the Mat, Into the World® (OTM),with Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling, training leaders and raising awareness about global humanitarian issues such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic and sex trafficking. Since its start, OTM hasraised over $4.5 million through their Global Seva Challenge, which providesfunds for our many partners committed to serving communities in need. In 2005, Seane was honored with the “Conscious Humanitarian” award for her efforts in raising funds and awareness around the HIV/AIDS crisis. In 2013 she was honored with “Global Green Millennium Award” for her international outreach efforts and as an acknowledgment to OTM’s commitment in creating environmentally sustainable service projects worldwide. In 2013 the Smithsonian Institute also honored her for her ongoing commitment to yoga and activism. Seane has been seen in many documentaries on spiritualty and yoga including Yoga Is, Y Yoga, Titans of Yoga, Femme, The Invocation and Yoga Woman and has contributed to the books The Poetry of Yoga and Yoga and Body Image. Seane has many self-authored yoga DVD’s available through Gaiam, Yoga Journal and Sounds True, and is deep in the process of writing her first book.

“I am so proud to be an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back- an organization that supports the women and children of India. I honor their vision and hard work and know that so many benefit from their dedication to serve a culture and its people who have done so much to enhance the lives and beliefs of yogis like me.”

MARYSIA DO

SINGAPORE

Marysia began practicing yoga when she was 16 years old. Yoga is her continual source of strength and peace. Marysia teaches empowerment by believing in her students and their ability to achieve their goals. She is also a handstand enthusiast! In addition to teaching yoga Marysia is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. She grew up in New York and then relocated to Los Angeles where she attended USC and YoSan University for college and graduate school. In 2013 she moved to Singapore with her amazing husband and teaches yoga at Pure Yoga.

“As an individual who lives with a certain amount of abundance I believe it is my responsibility to give back to the community. I choose to give my time and energy to Yoga Gives Back because by supporting micro credit programs the organization grants women and children in India the opportunity to not only have a good life, but also to contribute to their local community.”

Kali Basman

 

 

DJ DREZ

LOS ANGELES, CA

Drez blends yesterday’s roots with the innovative urban beats of today. His accomplishments during his gradual evolution from Hip Hop DJ to World Music Taste Maker have made him one of the top DJs and producers in LA’s eclectic music scene. When he isn’t in the studio producing, spinning at an underground Hip Hop club or jamming with local artists in impromptu late night sessions, you might find him on his yoga mat. Drez’s unique talents are highly in demand at yoga classes and retreats, as well as, nightclubs and music festivals from Europe to Asia. His trailblazing, genre-bending body of work has been documented in magazines ranging from The Source to Yoga Journal.

“India has inspired me spiritually and musically for many years. I must acknowledge the origin of the practice of yoga. I would not be where I am today without it. I am grateful for the chance to help these women and children live sustainable lives and thrive. Giving back. OM.”

STEPH CHARLWOOD

GUERNSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS, UK

Steph lives on the beautiful Channel Island of Guernsey, which is only 25 square miles, so nowhere is far from the sea! Nature is a huge inspiration for her classes and she loves to take her participants outdoors in the summer months to connect with the Earth’s energy. She has been teaching yoga for five years and also runs Pilates classes and Les Mills group exercise classes. Steph recently undertook some extra training with another YGB Ambassador and founder of My Kind of Yoga™ – Ann-See Yeoh – and shares her love for the intentional movement system which creates a simple, no-fluff and straightforward approach to yoga. Steph’s classes encourage a mindful practice, with participants being encouraged to feel the moves in their body and find the unique option that works for them, while staying true to the essence of yoga. Students are also encouraged to apply their intentions both on and off the mat, to fully embrace their yoga as a way of living, not just moving.

“Yoga Gives Back spoke to me as a charity because of the simplicity of the idea. We are so lucky to have the gift of yoga, which came from India, in our lives, and now it is time to give something back. As Western women, it is so easy to take for granted our education and our freedom to choose. By donating to this beautiful cause, we are enabling and empowering the women of India to create positive change in their lives and thereby in the lives of generations to come. Each of us, in our own small way, can all work together to make the whole world a better place!”

ELIZABETH R. SITZLER

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Elizabeth is the Director of the Mysore program at Prana Das Yoga in Haverford, PA. She also teaches evening Mysore classes at Mysore Philadelphia (Fishtown, Philadelphia) and BYCF (Chadds Ford, PA). Elizabeth is a devout student, practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. Her main teachers are Jörgen Christiansson and Sharath Jois.

While she was studying history and political science, applying to law school, and competing as a Division 1 tennis player, her father persuaded her to try yoga for the first time; thinking it might help her manage stress. The dynamism of the practice instantly drew her in and she quickly fell in love with the beauty of linking movement, breath, and mindfulness. Soon enough, she was practicing yoga every day; experiencing positive transformations in mind, body, and spirit.

As she delved deeper in the practice she discovered Sri K Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga Yoga, the Ashtanga Yoga School of Philadelphia, and her first teacher: David Garrigues. The integrity and structure of the Ashtanga Yoga system was a perfect and natural fit for her. Elizabeth taught at and helped run David’s School, AYS Philadelphia, from 2013-2017. Elizabeth is always a student, striving to learn more about her self, the practice, and how she can guide others through their own journey.

“I am so honored to join this group of yogis as an ambassador for Yoga Gives Back. For some time I have felt called through my yoga practice to be of service to others, and I am ready and eager to serve through this organization. I genuinely believe in the work that Yoga Gives Back does for women and their families in India. By providing micro-loans, YGB successfully seeks to liberate these women from an oppressive situation by giving them the necessary tools for self-elevation and growth. The parallels between the work YGB does and the transformative process we experience in our yoga practices is striking. YGB enables us to give expression to the powers of our practice and yogic teachings for the benefit of others.”

DAPHNE TSE

BALI

Daphne is a spirited, soulful artist and teacher originally from Texas. Since her initial yoga class over 20 years ago, she has explored merging her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer/songwriter style. She studied music at The University of Texas at Austin, Berklee College of Music, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, mantra music with kirtan master, Jai Uttal and sound healing with sound troubadour, Jonathan Goldman.

Her music has been featured on yoga music compilations with Shiva Rea and has released three albums, Mata (recorded on the island of Bali), Finding Water (recorded on the island of Kauai), Samahita Live (recorded on Koh Samui, Thailand).

While living on the island of Bali in 2008, Daphne was inspired by her friend and mentor, Ellen Watson and co-founded SpiritDance SoulSong (fusing together two of the oldest forms of healing on the planet… Singing and Dancing). Ellen brought decades of experience with her teaching movement meditation (from Esalen massage to the 5 Rhythms) and Daphne brought years of singing and working with students to find their true voice.  Ellen and Daphne lead annual SpiritDance SoulSong trainings and retreats in Bali and beyond.

Daphne completed her initial teacher training 12 years ago in Los Angeles specializing in kids yoga. She found joy & light working with little people and began branching out and teaching students of all ages. She is inspired by her friend and teacher, Shiva Rea, with whom she has completed multiple teacher trainings. She also embraces the teachings of Erich Schiffman, Mark Whitwell, Pema Chodron and Ammachi in her daily practice.

“After years of practicing many types of yoga, I have found that the yoga of service from the heart is the most profound for me. As long as I have a clear heartfelt intention behind my actions in anything that I offer or do, I know that I am giving back to the world in a positive way. From singing to dancing to teaching around the globe, it has been an amazing journey to connect with beings from different cultures and communities heart to heart and know in every cell of my body that we are all One. May this One Love continue to be strengthened by every breath, every song, every prayer we share together. Thank you, Kayoko, for inviting me to be a part of this global kula Giving Back to the mothers, daughters, sisters and the girls in India that will make a difference on this planet! She is honored to share her soulful teachings and music to support Yoga Gives Back with grace and joy for living life fully.”

MARICHA DUMONT

PARIS, FRANCE

MICHIKO MINEGISHI

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN

Michiko is one of the pioneers of fitness exercise in Japan, who was qualified as Oki Yoga Instructor in 2000. Her popular approach to physical practice is based on her own experiments and experiences. Michiko also uses props in many creative ways, which led her to innovate YogaBo (stick) as a tool. Michiko’s vision is “Yoga is for everyone.“ She continues to expand her yoga teachings to people with disabilities, psychological issues and Japan’s growing aging population. Her studio Body & Mind Yoga Studio reaches out to a local community. Michiko also teaches very popular classes nationally and internationally including Asia Yoga Conference, Korea Yoga Festa, and Bali Spirit Festival.

“While we acknowledge our blessing to be able to practice yoga, we should never forget about those who suffer from poverty and hardships in this world. One person can do only so much, but we can achieve tremendous work when our thoughts come together. I would like to take part in Yoga Gives Back to be part of such community of action.”

NEVA INGALLS

WASHINGTON D.C.

Neva Ingalls is a registered Yoga and Ayurveda lifestyle therapist with APPNA, an E-RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance and Director of Inner Domain Yoga and Ayurveda Teacher Training School. She has a lifetime of practice and study of many branches of Yoga, Meditation, Sacred Dance and the Healing arts, thus is uniquely qualified to guide you personally into greater well-being on inner and outer levels.

“I support Yoga Gives Back without reservation, because my esteemed Yoga teacher Lauren Peterson in the Los Angeles area, endorses Kayoto Mitsumatsu, the director of this marvelous organization, trusting fully that women and female children in India are being supported to reach for and achieve their fullest potential, to manifest feminine intelligence in our imbalanced world.”

ANJAN KUNDU

HONG KONG

Anjan began his yoga journey at the age of 6. Since then, he has attended and won accolades in more than 350 yoga competitions across India. Through the practice of yoga, Anjan has become a more mindful person and a tremendously knowledgeable teacher. He has been teaching since 1997 when he was still in high school. After acquiring qualifications for Rope Yoga, Kids Yoga, Thai Massage, Pilates Mat and Reformer, PG Diploma in India, as well as studying B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga, Sarbhabharatya Sangift and Sanskrit Parishad, Ratna Yoga, he now teaches Yoga and Pilates in Pure Yoga, HK. He also teaches at the  Cancer Fund and other charitable  organizations in HK and other countries.

“When I knew about this organization I really wanted to join because I’m coming from India and West Bengal is my state, this organization is working for them, so I could do something for my motherland even I’m far from them. I believe, if I join here I’ll be more happy by heart and will do something valuable for the society. So please allow me to join and give me chance to work with you all.”

ANRI SHIGA

HONG KONG AND JAPAN

TIM FELDMANN

Tim Feldmann is the director of Miami Life Center, the yoga shala he founded with his wife Kino MacGregor and runs with Matt Tashjian. He was set on the yoga path by his first teacher Lino Miele and is Authorized to teach directly by the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Method, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and his grandson, R. Sharath Jois. A practitioner of the Advanced A series Tim is dedicated to Ashtanga Yoga’s traditional method.

“The body is the way to our spirit, to our true Self. That’s what asana is for”.

A near fatal falling accident in 1992 led Tim on the yogic path. His teaching integrates extensive studies of F.M. Alexander Technique and sitting meditation with 20 years of experience as a professional dancer and an internationally acclaimed choreographer. His in-depth knowledge of functional anatomy, alignment as well as the idiosyncratic body and mind in stillness and in motion creates the platform upon which his solid understanding of the Ashtanga method rests.

Tim’s humorous, straight forward yet profound teaching style makes him a cherished teacher, traveling extensively throughout Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas.

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“As an aspirant of yoga I have found myself looking for personally meaningfulways to help sustain all things in this world of ours. to somehow contribute to establishing a living with the east amount of suffering for some young people in an area of the world which is both without much abundance and yet a place which I hold dear in my heart, is one step to fulfill such meaningful service for me. the priviledge of simply backing an initiative already established instead of having to create one from the ground up makes it both easy and simple for me to lend a hand. YGB is an initiative whom have trust and it is my honor to be helping out as an ambassador.”

California

Sarah Ezrin

sarahezrinyoga.com

GWEN TAN-WYNNE

MALAYSIA

In 2015, while living in Beijing, Gwen saw YGB FILM “My Mother’s Dream” and was immediately inspired to be part of YGB. Being a mother of three growing boys did not stop her from organizing her first YGB event at the International School in Beijing, engaging teachers and students successfully. This March, Gwen successfully organized a YGB Fundraiser at the Habitat Penang Hill, engaging 200 local yogis and community.

Gwen’s teaching is shaped by her first teacher, Wanda Hewitt, whom she feels a deep gratitude to, draws inspiration from the wise and knowledgeable Judith Hanson Lasater and learning so many therapeutic tools in healing herself and helping others through her advance teacher training with Tiffany Cruikshank from Yoga Medicine.

“When I first heard of Yoga Gives Back, I was so inspired by its mission empowering women and providing education to children that I plunged straight into organizing an event. I am very blessed and honored to be a YGB Ambassador. “>Yoga is part of me; and being able to give back through yoga, using it as a medium, as a vehicle, is paramount as it holds a space close to my heart. My hope is to inspire others who have embraced yoga as a journey to give back in other creative ways.”

DENISE WOODS

LOS ANGELES, CA

Denise Woods is a classically trained dancer with a degree in Dance and Communications from California State Long Beach. She has performed professionally in Los Angeles, New York City, and Santa Barbara. As a graduate of the Rainbow Kid’s Yoga and the White Lotus Foundation, she now teaches throughout greater LA. Teaching at various dance and Yoga studios, corporations and schools she has the opportunity to work in various settings and has learned to adapt to the unique needs of each class. Denise is continually inspired by the way Yoga can positively transform a life at any age by setting constructive thoughts and habits. Supporting the growth of two organizations that are dear to her heart she takes on the role of Ambassador to lululemon athletica Glendale and Yoga Gives Back. Denise finds the sparkle in each day by bringing out the essence of a person through the sacred practice of moving from within. By instilling a deep sense of joy, balance and awareness, her hope is that students take these virtues off the mat and into their lives. Denise is forever grateful to her teachers and students for all of the guidance and support along the way.

“Most of my life I have worked with kids. From dance lessons to Yoga lessons my aim is to foster their growth and development so they can be their best selves. I share this gift each day and I know that providing children with a strong foundation is the best way to cultivate lasting change. When I learned about YGB I was so amazed at the way they were providing the women and children of India a solid foundation through the process of micro loans. Yoga Gives Back is a brilliant organization because it is not a temporary aid to the problem of poverty, but has put forth a sustainable way to empower and create a lasting positive impact on society. If you have been empowered by Yoga, sustained by Yoga and felt your foundation grow more solid by Yoga… let’s give back.”

HEEKI PARK

SHARDA TEN HOVE

Bali
Diaforlife, Now You Shine

Sharda teaches yoga privately in London where she also guides individuals into an ahimsa lifestyle through veganism and self/ social awareness.

“Some years ago I shared Yoga with women who have been victim of human and/or sex trafficking. Since then I am committed to find ways to help make a difference in the lives of women and children who have been traumatized. I am so thankful for YGB through which I get the opportunity to be part of a positive change in the lives of women and children and what better way to do this than through the gift of Yoga. I look forward connecting with many other ambassadors and YGB team members to join forces and be part of this inspiring fast growing movement to give back to the country where Yoga originates from. Namaste.”

Israel

Maya Gross

ashtangayoga.co.il

MINA LEE

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Mina is the founder of the Yoga One Studio in the Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. and For past 10 years, Mina has dedicated herself to learning and practicing yoga. Her practice has brought greater depth, clarity and joy to her everyday experiences. She loves sharing this with her yoga community through her teaching. Her teaching is disciplined in alignment due to her study and deep knowledge of anatomy. She strives to make her classes nurturing to the soul and to leave her students feeling reconnected to themselves.

 

“I feel truly humbled to be part of Yoga Gives Back. YGB’s work inspires me to help and serve others. Having first participated in YGB’s activities while living in Asia, I’m now committed to bringing YGB’s message and programs to my new home in the U.A.E. I’m particularly interested in creating sustainable programs that empower woman and give underprivileged children a chance for quality education. Through gift of yoga we can make a difference.”