At Yoga Gives Back, we are honored to celebrate leaders who have dedicated their lives to sharing the wisdom and compassion of yoga with the world. These remarkable individuals embody the essence of Seva—selfless service—and remind us that yoga is not only a personal practice but also a path of giving back and transformation.
This year, we are proud to recognize YGB Advisor Lisa Walford, (@lisa.walford) a distinguished Iyengar Yoga teacher, mentor, and lifelong student, whose dedication to the yoga community in Los Angeles and beyond has inspired generations.
A Legacy Rooted in Iyengar Yoga
“My teacher B. K. S. Iyengar always said that “Generosity does not impoverish.” I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to giving back in particular to the country from which Iyengar came from, India. There are those of us to whom generosity, gratitude is kind of the core who we are. I think for those of us who have the capacity to cultivate that muscle, that heart muscle of gratitude is a tremendous practice in small ways, in big ways.”
Lisa Walford holds a Level III Iyengar teaching certificate and has been teaching yoga in Los Angeles since 1982. A devoted student of the Iyengar lineage, she continues her studies virtually with the Iyengar family in Pune, India, and has taught students and teachers around the world for over four decades.
Her teachings are grounded in precision, compassion, and depth—reflecting the timeless wisdom of Iyengar Yoga. Lisa’s dedication has helped countless practitioners discover not only physical strength and alignment, but also the inner stability and awareness that lie at the heart of yoga.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Service
Lisa’s leadership extends beyond the studio. She serves on the Board Iyengar Yoga Therapeutics, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the therapeutic applications of yoga, and previously on the Board of the Iyengar Yoga Association of Los Angeles. 
As Curriculum Director for the YogaWorks Teacher Training Program through 2006, Lisa was instrumental in shaping one of the most respected teacher education programs in the country. Her mentorship has guided countless yoga instructors to share the practice with clarity, integrity, and heart.
Returning to Her Roots
In 2021, Lisa returned to her yoga roots by co-founding the Center for Yoga in Los Angeles—the same historic studio where she began her journey in the 1980s. Her return marked a full-circle moment in a lifelong commitment to teaching, learning, and preserving the lineage of authentic yoga.
Now living in Lincoln City, Oregon, with her husband Ross and their beloved pup Leela, Lisa continues to teach, write, and inspire. Her philosophy captures the essence of yoga’s transformative power:
“Yoga brings us from the finite to the infinite, from pain to purpose and passion, and from disease to discriminating awareness.” — Lisa Walford
A True Embodiment of Yoga’s Spirit
Lisa Walford’s life and work beautifully reflect the values that Yoga Gives Back strives to uplift—dedication, compassion, and service. Her legacy is a testament to how the wisdom of yoga can be a force for healing, purpose, and empowerment in the world.
We will honor Lisa Walford at Yoga Gives Back 18th Annual Global Gala. at Sofitel, Beverly Hills. with deep gratitude for her lifelong contribution to the yoga community, her unwavering commitment to teaching with heart, and her inspiration as a leader whose life exemplifies Seva in action. This year’s theme is Unity in Action. Please join us with your friends and community as we come together to give back.
