At Yoga Gives Back, we are deeply honored to present our YGB Leadership Awards to outstanding leaders in the yoga community of Los Angeles and the world—individuals who have dedicated their lives to sharing the profound wisdom of yoga and its power to create lasting social change.
This year, we proudly celebrate YGB Advisor, Dr. Chris Chapple, a luminary whose work bridges scholarship, spirituality, and service. His lifelong dedication to advancing the study and practice of yoga has touched countless lives, inspiring seekers and scholars alike to live with awareness, compassion, and purpose.
A Pioneer in Yoga Scholarship and Global Thought
Dr. Chapple is the Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology and the Founding Director of the Master of Arts in Yoga Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles—the first program of its kind in the western world. His groundbreaking leadership has shaped the academic and spiritual understanding of yoga, bridging ancient wisdom with modern practice.
A prolific author and teacher, Dr. Chapple has published over twenty books, including the recent Living Landscapes: Meditations on the Elements in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain Yogas (SUNY Press). His works illuminate the intersection of ecology, ethics, and spirituality, guiding readers to live in harmony with nature and each other.
A Global Voice for Compassion and Ahimsa
Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Chapple serves as a guiding force in numerous organizations dedicated to advancing yoga, ethics, and interfaith understanding. He advises the Forum on Religion and Ecology (Yale), the Ahimsa Center (Pomona), the Dharma Academy of North America (Berkeley), the Jain Studies Centre (SOAS, London), the South Asian Studies Association, and the International School for Jain Studies (New Delhi).
Through his teaching—both at LMU’s Center for Religion and Spirituality and YogaGlo—Dr. Chapple continues to share the timeless values of yoga with a global audience, making its transformative wisdom accessible to all.
A Leader Whose Work Embodies Seva
At Yoga Gives Back, we believe in Seva—selfless service that uplifts others. Dr. Chapple’s career exemplifies this ideal. His life’s work reminds us that yoga is not only about personal transformation but also about creating a more compassionate and sustainable world.
We will present this YGB Leadership Award to Dr. Chris Chapple with deep gratitude for his profound contributions to the yoga community and to the evolution of consciousness worldwide at Yoga Gives Back 18th Annual Global Gala. This year’s theme is Unity in Action. Please join us with your friends and community as we come together to give back.
May his example continue to inspire all of us to use yoga as a force for good—uniting wisdom, action, and compassion in service to humanity.
