“India and its people hold a special place in my heart, especially the women who work hard to support their families and dream of a better future for their daughters. The absolute joy is in giving any amount to contribute to improving the lives of folks who experience profound and severe life challenges that keep them stuck in poverty cycles.”
We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Deborah Carruthers, Director of Vancouver Island Yoga School (VIYS), member of the Yoga Gives Back (YGB) Board of Directors, and dedicated YGB Global Ambassador.
At 50, Deborah embarked on a transformative new chapter by enrolling in a yoga teacher training course after earning her Master’s in Counseling. Her vision was to create a wellness center that integrated counseling, bodywork, and yoga. This dream became a reality 12 years ago with the opening of Harmony Yoga and Wellness Center. Since then, she has led retreats to India and offered teacher trainings, all while engaging in impactful fundraising for local and global causes.
Deborah’s work is deeply rooted in inclusivity and community support, extending from her local base in Vancouver Island to her meaningful connections in India. She has created a nurturing environment that encourages service, education, and compassion through her yoga school.
A passionate advocate for YGB’s mission to uplift girls through education, Deborah has made a profound difference by supporting the education of 40 girls in YGB’s beneficiary communities. Her grassroots fundraising model is simple but powerful: she raises \$300–\$500 each month through meditation sessions, free classes, open houses, and merchandise sales. She shares VIYS’s monthly giving goals in her studio newsletter to inspire students to make small, recurring donations.
Deborah’s commitment goes beyond her efforts—she actively connects yoga teachers to YGB’s mission, inspiring them to become Ambassadors and launch their fundraising campaigns. She has also pledged to donate \$200 per person to YGB from her annual retreat intensives in India.
