In Eden Magazine’s November 2025 issue, Yoga Gives Back (YGB) Founder and Executive Director Kayoko Mitsumatsu shares her journey of transforming yoga from a personal practice into a global movement for social change.
What began as a reflection after a yoga class has grown into an international nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and children in India through microloans, education scholarships, and sustainable livelihood programs.
Kayoko Mitsumatsu Empowering Lives Through the Gift of Yoga
Learn more about Yoga Gives Back’s mission
The Moment That Sparked a Movement
Nearly two decades ago, Kayoko realized that yoga could do more than transform individuals—it could transform entire communities.
“For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life.”
This simple mantra became the foundation of Yoga Gives Back. Drawing on her filmmaking background and her research into micro-financing, Kayoko saw how small contributions—just $10 or $15—could create life-changing opportunities.
Founded in 2007, YGB invites practitioners worldwide to give back to the birthplace of yoga—India. Today, YGB is a global community of more than 150 ambassadors in 30 countries, uniting their yoga practice with purpose.
Transforming Lives in India
YGB’s programs uplift women and children, empowering them to build brighter futures.
One story that shines is Sonomani, a mother in rural West Bengal. After years of domestic abuse, she joined a YGB microloan group, gaining financial independence and emotional strength. Her small straw-mat business became her family’s lifeline during the pandemic—eventually employing her husband and transforming her household with dignity and equality.
Then there are Riya and Puja, two young women whose YGB scholarships enabled them to attend college. After graduating, they returned home to open their village’s first digital banking center—bringing financial access and computer training to the next generation.
These stories show that Yoga Gives Back’s support goes far beyond financial aid—it builds confidence, self-worth, and community resilience. Explore our programs
Seva: The Heart of Yoga in Action
At its core, Yoga Gives Back is rooted in the yogic teachings of Seva (selfless service) and Karma Yoga (yoga in action).
“The deeper purpose of yoga is transformation—from within, and in the world around us.” – Kayoko Mitsumatsu
Through YGB’s Global Ambassadors Program, yoga teachers and students integrate service into their practice. By dedicating one class, one donation, or one community event, they transform gratitude into tangible impact for families across India.
From Filmmaker to Changemaker
Before founding Yoga Gives Back, Kayoko had a thriving career as a documentary filmmaker for NHK in Japan. Her passion for storytelling now fuels her advocacy, helping her bring authentic voices and real stories to the forefront. One of her earliest encounters in India—meeting a boy named Guruprasad, whose mother had received a YGB microloan. His dream of becoming a doctor inspired YGB’s Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) program, which now supports over 440 students each year. Guruprasad is now training to become a cancer surgeon—proof that education can transform entire communities. Kayoko believes that storytelling and philanthropy are deeply intertwined:
“Advocacy isn’t just about statistics—it’s about emotion. People give when they care and see the life-changing impact they can be part of.”
Looking Ahead: Building a Movement of Gratitude
As Yoga Gives Back approaches its 20th anniversary in 2027, Kayoko envisions expanding YGB’s impact with a goal of reaching a $1 million annual budget to empower even more women and children.
Strengthening YGB’s recurring donor program is key to that vision. Monthly contributions of $10 or $20 create steady, sustainable growth—proving that small, consistent acts of giving can lead to extraordinary change.
Join the Movement
Yoga Gives Back continues to prove that when yoga and compassion unite, lives are transformed.
For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life.
