“I was born in Nepal, the land of Lord Buddha and Shiva, the land of the Himalayan Everest. I have always felt a deep connection to the purpose of yoga—not just as a practice, but as a way of life rooted in compassion and upliftment. Through my own journey of yoga and meditation (both-formal education and informal training with my master) I’ve realized the power of collective integrity, healing and service. After long involvement in learning and teaching, I realized that yoga is for giving more than taking. After that I am thinking for doing something giving to needy people. Meanwhile I found this organization in website whose mission is to giving to the society. And I decided to join Yoga Gives Back. Joining as an ambassador allows me to honor the ancient wisdom of our region by actively supporting vulnerable women and children in India and Nepal – the very birthplace of yoga and Buddhism. i think its my way of giving back to the tradition that has transformed my life, and of standing in solidarity with a global community that believes in empowerment through love, education, and action.”
Yogacharya Atmananda (Ananda Raj Poudel) – Kathmandu, Nepal:
Yogacharya Atmananda (Ananda Raj Poudel ) is a dedicated Yoga Master and Therapist from Kathmandu, Nepal, with over a decade of experience in yoga education, therapy, and counseling, having a strong spiritual foundation. He holds a Master’s in Yoga from SVYASA Yoga University, India, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Ananda has taught extensively at Tribhuvan University’s Ayurveda Campus, integrating traditional yogic practices with modern therapeutic approaches. His specialization includes Vedic and Tantric yoga traditions, chakra healing, yogic psychotherapy, Agnihotra and sound healing. He has presented research papers at international conferences, authored yoga books, and received advanced training from institutions in India, Romania, and the USA.
