At Yoga Gives Back (YGB), we are thrilled to announce our 2025 Ambassadors of the Year—three extraordinary leaders who embody the heart and spirit of our mission to empower women and children in India through the gift of yoga.
The YGB Ambassador Program brings together dedicated yoga teachers, studio owners, and practitioners from around the world who are committed to using their practice as a force for good. These ambassadors share their passion, host fundraising events, and inspire their communities to join the global movement of #OneMillionYogis—giving back with gratitude and transforming lives in the process.
This year, we honor three individuals whose compassion and dedication shine brightly:
💛 Deepa Chemery (USA)
A trauma-informed holistic therapist, longtime YGB Ambassador, and Board Member, Deepa Chemery (@chemerydeepa), has dedicated her life to
helping others heal and thrive. Blending yoga, mindfulness, and modern healing therapies, she empowers women and communities to reconnect with strength, resilience, and joy.
Her personal journey—from software engineer to holistic healer—is a testament to the transformative power of yoga. Guided by the wisdom of the Bihar School of Yoga, the Gitananda tradition, and the Vedanta Foundation, Deepa founded Pragathi Yoga, where she helps students live yoga beyond the mat—turning insight into action and healing into empowerment.
💛 Markus Hanna (Germany)
A passionate yoga teacher and studio owner, (Arkus Yoga), Markus has been practicing and teaching yoga since 2017, following two transformative years
in India that deepened his understanding of yoga’s true essence. Filled with gratitude for the life-changing opportunities yoga has brought him, Markus felt called to give back to the very communities that inspired his path.
Through his tireless dedication and exceptional fundraising efforts, Markus has made a profound impact this year, helping to expand access to education and economic empowerment for women and children through Yoga Gives Back’s micro-loan through YGB’s SISTER AID programs and SHE scholarship programs. His commitment reflects the pure spirit of Seva—selfless service that uplifts all.
💛 Sally Parkes (United Kingdom)
Since joining the Yoga Gives Back Ambassador Program in 2023, Sally Parkes has been a driving force for global change. Based in West Sussex, UK, she
has used her platform as the founder of the Sally Parkes Yoga Academy—established in 2010 and now training over 1,500 yoga teachers worldwide—to share YGB’s mission with compassion and clarity.
Through her inspiring classes, teacher trainings, and fundraising events, Sally has united yoga communities across continents in support of Yoga Gives Back’s programs that provide education, micro-loans, and skill development for women and children in India. Her leadership and devotion continue to ripple outwards, creating lasting impact and opportunity.
🌏 The Spirit of the YGB Ambassador Program
Each of these Ambassadors exemplifies what it means to live yoga as service. Their work reminds us that the true practice of yoga extends beyond the mat—into the heart of communities, where it can create real and measurable change.
Through the Yoga Gives Back Ambassador Program, teachers and practitioners around the world come together to support YGB’s mission of empowerment through education and economic independence. Together, we are building sustainable futures and cultivating a global circulation of gratitude.
🙏 Join Us to Celebrate!
Please join us in honoring Deepa Chemery, Markus Hanna, and Sally Parkes at the Yoga Gives Back 18th Annual Global Gala on November 16th at the grand Sofitel Beverly Hills, where we will celebrate Seva, community, and the power of yoga to transform lives.
💛 Together, we are One Million Yogis—giving back to uplift the world. Consider joining our Global Ambassador Team!
