![\"Entertainment](\"http:\/\/siliconeer.com\/current\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/PAGE-NAMASTE-YOGA-02.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>YGB founder Kayoko Mitsumatsu explains, \u201cWhile it\u2019s common for many to perceive yoga as a physical exercise, the ultimate goal of the practice of yoga is to unite with the Divine Self\u2014and meditation plays an important role in achieving this. \u2018Namaste,\u2019 which means \u2018the divinity in me salutes divinity in you\u2019 in Sanskrit, symbolizes Yoga Gives Back\u2019s mission, which is to help others, and is the inspiration for the Namaste Award.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Namaste Award recognizes special people who have gone beyond the practice and teaching of yoga to incorporate noble humanitarian service, which helps make the world a better place,\u201d she continues, \u201cand we believe Mr. Lynch exemplifies this through his acts of kindness and desire to help others reach enlightenment. \u201d<\/p>\n
Mitsumatsu founded Yoga Gives Back because she was deeply moved by the degree of poverty experienced by people in India. \u201cWhile benefitting so much from regular yoga practice and teachings, it hit me hard that 75% of India’s population still live on under $2.00 a day,\u201d she says. \u201cIt became very clear that if everyone worldwide who enjoys yoga donates even the cost of one yoga class to help those less fortunate, we can effect real change in the birthplace of yoga.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Thank You Mother India fundraiser is a joyous annual event gathering 200 members of the Southern California yoga community and beyond, to express gratitude to \u201cMother India\u201d for the gift of yoga.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s fundraiser took place Sept. 25, at the Malibu estate of philanthropist Dr. Amarjit Marwah. Following a welcome reception with live entertainment and silent auction, there was a seated dinner featuring a live auction, raffle, short YGB FILMS presentation, and the Namaste Award ceremony.<\/p>\n This fundraiser serves as the launch for YGB\u2019s annual five-month, global fundraising campaign. From September 2016 through January 2017, more than 150 YGB events will take place in over 15 countries heightening awareness of the realities faced by the poor, especially women and children in India. \u201cWhile the 2015-2016 global campaign raised over $75,000, this year\u2019s goal is to raise over $100,000,\u201d says Mitsumatsu. \u201cYoga studios and communities will again host special yoga classes or fundraisers whose proceeds will benefit YGB\u2019s programs.\u201d<\/p>\n “For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life\u201d is the organization\u2019s mantra, which has grown 35% every year since 2009, and now funds nearly 900 mothers and children in Karnataka and West Bengal, India,\u201d she adds. YGB\u2019s micro-loans and educational scholarships offer a minimum five-year commitment to each recipient.<\/p>\n The 2016 YGB Host Committee includes many prestigious members of the yoga community: Derik Mills, Felicia Tomasko, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Jorgen Christiansson, Ken Atchity, Kino MacGregor, Koji Toyoda, Mandy Ingber, Phillip Goldberg, Shiva Rae, Susan Nichols, Lauren Peterson, and Tara Guber.<\/p>\n Yoga Gives Back is a 501\u00a9(3) non-profit organization and all or part of the gift may be deducted as a charitable contribution. Check with a tax advisor. For more information, visit Yoga Gives Back or contact info@yogagivesback.org<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kayoko Mitsumatsu, founder Yoga Gives Back, (l), poses with David Lynch and his Namaste Award. (@KaoriSuzuki) Film director and Twin Peaks\u2019 creator David Lynch Receives 2016 Namaste Award from Yoga Gives Back at Sept. 25th Fundraiser in Malibu, Calif. \u2013 #Society, #YogaGivesBack, #ThankyouMotherIndia, #Yoga, #NamasteAward, #Malibu, #California, #TwinPeaksseries, #AmarjitMarwah, #DavidLynch #TranscendentalMeditation Yoga Gives Back (YGB)…<\/p>\n<\/a>