For the cost of one Yoga class, you can change a life!
Yoga Gives Back is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds in order to alleviate poverty in India. We started in Los Angeles in 2007, determined to find a way for the global Yoga community to help the poorest people in the country that gave birth to YOGA. In 2014, the US Yoga industry is reported to generate an astonishing 27 billion dollars and Yoga’s popularity continues to grow worldwide. If a fraction of this resource can be redirected to help the poorest people in India, we can make a lifetime difference!! Many charitable organizations have emerged from within the Yoga community, but Yoga Gives Back is a very unique campaign which shows our gratitude by supporting impoverished mothers and children in India.
In 2007, inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Dr. Muhammad Yunus‘ revolutionary micro financing breakthrough, Yoga Gives Back began supporting micro credit programs. Through the Grameen Foundation, we funded programs who lend small loans to women who are otherwise excluded from the conventional banking and financial systems. YGB partners with local NGOs NISHTHA in West Bengal and Deenbandhu Trust in Karnataka. In the last ten years, YGB has grown to fund over 1100 mothers and children with micro loan programs and education funds with a minimum of five-year commitment to each person.
In 2010, exploring a way to get direct help to the poorest, YGB developed “Sister Aid” programs to fund micro loans for poor mothers and education funds for orphans and young girls. YGB has selected and partnered thus far with successful Non Governmental Organizations, NISHTHA in West Bengal and Deenabandhu in Karnataka.
In 2013, YGB created “SHE” (Scholarship for Higher Education) to support destitute high school students to achieve higher education. Selected by YGB’s partner NGOs in India, these students, despite of their financial background, are eager and have a huge potential to become future change makers in their own communities, their country and the world.
Yoga Gives Back is now in seventeen countries world wide with Volunteers, Ambassadors and Advisors who work tirelessly by holding event classes, distributing information, and working hard to help change lives.
To support Yoga Gives Back, please visit their donation page here.
