Lui Watanabe

Japan
https://note.com/vedatokyo/n/nb7d73848a59a

Despite having a gorgeous career as a 2007 Miss World representative from Japan and a 2008 Miss Universe finalist, Lui lost sight of herself in an appearance-oriented world and became depressed from stress. That’s when she discovered yoga philosophy. She realized that’s what she really wanted to share with the world. Currently she is teaching her own community SunroomYOGA and online studio Veda Tokyo, and is studying psychotherapy.  Also she uses the knowledge of Waldorf Steiner education for raising her child in the nature of Fujino Japan.

“My passion has always been charity work so I am delighted to be a part of YGB and live in yoga together. Yoga has brought light into our lives and its just natural to support India where this amazing yoga culture was born. Yoga taught us to practice off the mat by choosing love and devotion through our actions. It is the most precious gift we can share from the practice of yoga.”

Nadine McNeil

Jamaica
https://www.universalempress.com

Nadine McNeil is no stranger to moments of crisis. A global gallivanter who goes by the moniker Universal Empress online, for nearly two decades, prior to her deep dive into yoga in 2008, Nadine travelled the world in service of the UN, UNICEF, Global Volunteer Network and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. She was the former UN Chief of Operations in the Central African Republic and UNICEF humanitarian who is now based in Bali as a yoga instructor and personal coach. These and other experiences rooted Nadine’s continued devotion to activism.

Founder of the BadAsana Series ©: Yoga with Weights.
This Yoga Alliance [CE] certified program is one that integrates 1 to 3 kgs weights intelligently within a hatha-vinyasa flow practice.  The purpose of this synergistic practice to support the body in building physical strength, endurance and stamina, while respecting and adhering to the main tenets of yoga, primarily through breath and alignment awareness.

Her mission as a yoga teacher, speaker, wisdom mentor and humanitarian is to ignite infinite possibility in people around the world and share yoga especially with diverse underserved communities. It is this mission that calls her to serve as a global ambassador for Yoga Gives Back.  ‘It was right there at the Sivananda ashram in Kerala, that I witnessed firsthand where when consciously applied, that the teachings and wisdom of yoga serve as a viable tool for peace, personal and global,’ she declares.

Inspired by her firsthand encounters with both the resilience of the human spirit and also its suffering, Nadine’s talks, workshops, yoga sessions, Women’s Circles and retreats are continually described as powerful, moving and insightful.

As her Women’s Circles continue to gain global traction, women from across the world who have sat with her in Circle, have returned to their communities to offer this necessary and important work.

“When consciously applied, the teachings and wisdom of yoga serve as a viable tool for peace, personal and global. When one of us suffers we all suffer.  Yet when one of us heals, we all heal. “

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.

Amarjit Kumar

Pure Hong Kong
https://www.pure-yoga.com/hongkong

Amarjit began his Yoga journey at the age of 10 and has since accumulated in-depth knowledge and practical experiences in yoga practice. In his pursuit of yogic excellence, he started studying authentic Yoga as a youth and devoted himself to its continuous practice both in spirit and in form. He has been recognized for his talent and has won numerous national and provincial yoga championships in India. Under the guidance of his teachers in yoga training and having been deeply inspired by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati at the Bihar School of Yoga, Amarjit wanted to impart and share his inner feelings of yoga with more people around the world. He first began his yoga teaching career in 2002 in India, later moving to Bangkok in 2005 and then Hong Kong since 2007. He displays his passion for yoga philosophy as a way of life and translates the traditional essence and concepts of Yoga into practical application and body-mind enhancement in today’s world.

It has been my honor supporting Yoga Gives Back as an ambassador. I strongly believe part of being a person is about helping other- be good, do good, be kind and serve others.

Tara Mitra

Sicily, Italy
http://www.taramitrayoga.com/

Tara has been a practitioner of yoga for over 17 years, dedicating her life to the teachings of her teachers and the ancient texts that carry impenetrable richness to help others find peace and balance in daily life.

I believe that kindness and compassion are the key to healing our world.  I have known Kayoko for the last 7yrs and have witnessed her love and dedication to creating brighter futures for the women and children in rural Indian and, I am honored to stand with her and all YGB ambassadors to create a sense of self-worth and respect through empowerment.  Together we can make the world brighter.

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.”

Ellen Watson

Big Sur, California
www.MovingVentures.org, and www.TheVibranceCollective.com

While living Ft Worth, Texas, Ellen first fell in love with Hatha Yoga in 1980, via VHS cassettes of Alan Finger leading actress Raquel Welch and other lovely women practicing in Bathing Suits!  Then, along came Jane Fonda’s Challenge workout. I realized that her ‘cool down’ was ‘fast paced asanas’. Soon afterward, I moved to California, and attended an early Bikram, Hot Yoga class in LA.

After arriving at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, I began my deeper yoga journey, including study with Iyengar, and Patabhi Jois, Rodney Yee, and much time at The White Lotus Foundation with Ganga White and Tracey Rich.  While in trainings, I taught regular classes at Esalen, and began including yogic philosophy and asana practice in both my massage & bodywork programs, and in my SpiritDance classes.

Today, I am drawn to go to India – to Kerela, to Varanasi, to Rajastan, and to dip into Ma Ganga, to visit the SarasWati River. This trip is on my bucket list.

I support the work of Yoga Gives Back and appreciate the dedication of Kayoko, her team, Daphne, and countless other Yogis and Yoginis who have committed their professional lives to sharing the 8 limbs of yoga around our planet. I am especially drawn to supporting women and their children.  Help women and you help the entire system.

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.

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.”

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.

Ashley Rideaux

Los Angeles, CA
YogaWorks

Ashley Rideaux is a Los Angeles–based, 500 E-RYT YogaWorks Certified Teacher Trainer, lover of life, and professional giggler who rocks big hair, a big smile, and an even bigger heart. In addition to the strong following she has built in LA, she also leads trainings, workshops, and retreats all over the world. Ashley’s classes are challenging and playful, ranging from therapeutic work to advanced vinyasa flow.  She has experience working with seniors with neurological disorders, clients with eating disorders, and was also the featured yoga instructor for NBA player,  Jordan Farmar’s, Hoop Farm basketball camp for 4 years, where she worked with kids from ages 7-16.  All of her classes are a balance of the physical and the philosophical, inviting the body and mind to unfold through her detail to alignment, breath, and meditation.

“The very first thing I saw on the Yoga Gives Back website was the message, “India gave us the gift of yoga. We invite you to join one million yogis giving back,” and my immediate thought was, “Yes, invitation accepted!”  The practice of yoga has enriched my life in so many ways, and I’ve seen it do the same for so many others, that supporting an organization that is giving back to the birthplace of yoga, feels like one small way that I can show my gratitude for all that the practice has gifted me with.  And, any work that empowers women and children to create sustainable lives is a great honor, and joy, to be a part of.”

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.

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.

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.

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

Chad Hamrin

Chad Harmin Yoga
Los Angeles, California

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.”

Randa Chehab

Kerla, India

Randa Chehab was introduced to her first hatha yoga class at Smith College in 1987. It was not until 1999 when she found Ashtanga yoga.  Randa has studied with Jodi Blumstein at Priya Yoga,  Nancy Gilgoff and Suzie Gill, a longtime student of Tim Miller.

In September 2002, Randa opened Down to Earth and continued to study with Tim Miller.  Randa made her first trip to India in December 2006, going to Kovalam to study with Lino Miele who then introduced her to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Gokulam.  After that winter Randa continued to study with Lino giving her a deeper insight into the Vinyasa system.

“I am finishing up my master’s degree in Global Health. I have spent 12 winters in India. studying Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and assisting my teacher Lino Miele. Recently I was introduced to an organization in West Bengal that YGB is partnered with. The Mission of YGB is in line with my work to serve marginalized communities. Gender Equality and Peace and Justice, two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, is what YGB is working towards. I am honored to be part of a global team as accelerated efforts are desperately needed to reach these goals.”

Rebecca Watson

Rebecca Watson, Los Angeles
IG: @begoodkarma

Yoga found Rebecca in 2003, when she stumbled into a hot yoga studio on a cold New Years Day. After those first 90 minutes, she knew she needed more yoga (or whatever it was that just happened) in her life. She spent the next 3 years sampling styles, and ultimately was called to share the practice of Vinyasa.

Rebecca considers herself blessed to have found teachers who connect the spiritual and the physical planes within their teachings. In 2006, she obtained her 200 Hour certification with Shiva Rea in Prana Vinyasa Flow Yoga. Vinyasa spoke directly to her nature, with its roots steeped firmly in tradition, yet open to freedom in any given moment. Rebecca has studied with many great senior teachers, and her personal practice is heavily influenced by the classical hatha raja yoga of Sri Dharma Mittra.

Through her teaching Rebecca hopes to impart the wisdom and peace that these practices have given her. She encourages all students to find their teacher within, and to trust and follow that inner teacher with respect and care. All are welcome along this journey.

Additional Education:

• Rocket Yoga
  • Awakening Yoga Immersion
  • 200 Hours RYT Get Loved Up Vinyasa

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!

Yancy Scot Schwartz

Yancy Scot Schwartz, Los Angeles
Yancy Yoga

Yancy took his first yoga class in 2005 while on a skate tour in the Dominican Republic. He initially got into yoga because it made him feel lighter while skating. In 2008 he received his 200 hour Vinyasa certification from Yoga to the People in New York City. He also trained for and teaches the 26 hot postures. In 2013 he completed a 500 hour Dharma Yoga Center certification and a 50 hour Rocket Vinyasa certification from Asta Yoga.  He wants to help his students evolve beyond the physical and mental, attuning to their natural rhythms and developing their 6th sense.

“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. Then, the seer abides in it’s own true nature.” 1.2-3 Patanjali

“If yoga was India’s gift to the world then it’s only right to help , nourish and support the source of our gift “

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.”

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 

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.”

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.”

Matthew Lombardo

New York, New York

Matt has been teaching yoga in NYC for 16 years, is a facilitator at Pure Yoga teacher trainings, tours regularly and has been featured in the N.Y Times, Harpers and Haute Living. His classes are known for their attention to detail, world class assisting and absurdist humor. He can be found @yoga_and_swellness on Instagram.

“In a legitimate spiritual path, there is a evolution from being a consumer to a producer. I love that Yoga Gives Back started as an idea in a yoga classroom 12 years ago. Very big and effective and compassionate things can and do happen from humble beginnings. And as a practitioner and teacher I’m far more interested in making a difference in the quality of lives of others than sharing pictures of my breakfast or splits on a beach. I’m thrilled to use my platform and working relationships to add to the success of Yoga Gives Back.”

Dena Kingsberg

Byron Bay, Australia
https://www.dena.net.au/dena-jack/

Dena is a devoted practitioner of Ashtanga yoga and a senior student of the late Sri K Patabhi Jois. With 30 years of unwavering practice she holds the highest recognized qualification in this method. Dena and her husband Jack live in the hills of Goonengerry with their 2 children Zoli and Izac.

They teach both internationally and from their simple shala in Byron Bay.

Life is full and sweet.

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.”

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.

VIVICA SCHWARTZ

MAKIKO TAKISHIMA

ELISABETTA RICCI

ADAM HOCKE

GUMI NAKAGUCH

WENDY WYVILL

ELENA BROWER

KIA MILLER

LARUGA GLASER

MARK ROBBERDS

JOAN HYMAN

KINO MCGREGOR

CHAZ RUSS

SOPHIE HERBERT

JÖRGEN CHRISTIANSSON

JILL LAWSON

RAMONA ROUDHOUST

ADRI KYSER

DEVORAH SACKS

LORRAINE LAU

KATHLEEN KASTNER

MANON SIMONIS-BRUENS

ALESSANDRA DI PRAMPERO

CHAMA

DAVID KIM

MIA TOGO

TANJA MICKWITZ

AMI PATEL

DANA TARASAVAGE

STEWART GILCHRIST

JEFF LICHTY

BEATE SCHOLZ

NINA HAYES

SOL BARROS

MARIKO HIRAKAWA

MARY KIRKENDOLL

MICHAEL BUDD

DANA BLONDE

BIRGITTE KRISTEN

CATIA LEITE

ALESSANDRA PECORELLA

SARAH PLATT-FINGER

KERILL EZZY

PRANIDHI VARSHNEY

KIYOMI TAKAHASHI

PETE GUINOSSO

SIMONA SCHIMANOVICH

GISELLE MARI

KATHRYN BUDIG

AMANDA JACKSON

DAVID MILLIOTIS

STEPHANIE CROCHET

MARTI NIKKO

APARNA KHANOLKAR

WILMIEN BOS

LAUREN PETERSON

HAIDAR ALI

MARIEKE VLIEGEN

DJ DREZ

SHANNON CONNELL

NEA FERRIER

SEANE CORN

STAN WOODMAN

MARYSIA DO

Kali Basman

STEPH CHARLWOOD

ELIZABETH R. SITZLER

DAPHNE TSE

MARICHA DUMONT

MICHIKO MINEGISHI

NEVA INGALLS

ANJAN KUNDU

CHRISTINE WIESE

TIM FELDMANN

GWEN TAN WYNNE

SARAH EZRIN

DENISE WOODS

MARA HEALY

DENISE WALING

ANRI SHIGA