Thank you, Awakened Magazine, for spotlighting YGB mission and the power of yoga to create positive change.
“Don’t come here! You’ve already found your mission. Do your work. If everyone follows their calling and dedicates themselves to it, the world will be a better place.”
~ Mother Teresa
This insightful interview explores what began as Kayoko Mitsumatsu’s exploration of yoga philosophy and social entrepreneurship eighteen years ago and has grown into a global movement. As the founder of Yoga Gives Back, Kayoko transformed a simple idea—redirecting the cost of one yoga class—into a powerful nonprofit initiative that funds microloans, education, and empowerment programs for underserved women and children in India.
Each year, after visiting all of the Yoga Gives Back organization’s programs throughout India, Kayoko makes a meaningful visit to Mother Teresa’s Home in Kolkata. From a young age, she hoped to volunteer at the Home for the Dying. On one occasion, she spoke with a sister who had worked closely with Mother Teresa. When she expressed her desire to serve there, the sister responded, reflecting Mother Teresa’s own wisdom: “Don’t come here! You’ve already found your mission,“ Kayoko strives to stay focused on the mission itself rather than the outcomes.
Yoga Gives Back, along with the support of the yoga community, plays a critical role in making an impact in underserved communities in India. We are grateful to be able to make a difference and stand alongside these transformative efforts.
Without access to education or a supportive home environment, many children in India endure severe hardships, including exploitation and human trafficking. Education equips these children with essential life skills, emotional resilience, and a nurturing atmosphere. Professor Jayadev, who leads the Deenabandhu Trust orphanage, strongly emphasizes love and acceptance—values that significantly transform the lives of the children under his care.
One of the many lives changed through your support is Guruprasad, whom we met eighteen years ago in Bangalore when he was 15. His mother, Jayashree, had just received her first microloan, which started the transformation of this family. Over the years, we have followed Guru’s educational journey to becoming a dental surgeon. This is part of YGB’s Sister Aid “SHE: Scholarship for Higher Education,” and there are many other inspirational stories about lives truly empowered thanks to YGB’s global community’s support.
Yoga Gives Back continues to attract extraordinary individuals who arrive when needed most, helping move YGB mission forward. Our global family of supporters, Ambassadors, partners, and donors make our mission possible—embodying this year’s Global Gathering for India‘s mantra, Unity in Action. Every step we take together helps transform gratitude into action every day.
A Circle of Impact—Thanks to You
Since 2007, Yoga Gives Back has supported underserved women and children in India—the birthplace of yoga—by providing:
- Microloans for 550 mothers through our Sister Aid program
- Primary education for 600+ young girls to prevent child marriage and labor
- Five-year college scholarships (SHE Program) for over 400 disadvantaged youths
- Digital literacy training and internet access for rural women and girls
- Safe housing and education for children with no families to care for them
GET INVOLVED!
- One-Time Donation
- Monthly Donation (Gratitude Circle)
- Host an Event
- Hold an Online Fundraiser
- Volunteer
- Check out YGB Impact and Ways to Support
READ Awakened Magazine Full Interview with Kayoko, Watch below or Listen to Podcast
