Fourteen years ago, Yoga Gives Back was born from the idea of one yoga student – she wanted to express her gratitude for the gift of yoga and give back to India, the birthplace of yoga. Today Kayoko Mitsumatsu’s idea has grown into an international effort to support 2400 impoverished mothers and children in India with micro loans and education funds. There are many charity organizations within the yoga community, Yoga Gives Back is unique in its focus on giving back to India to support the serious challenges of poverty and related social issues. Yoga Gives Back (YGB) is a grass roots nonprofit organization that has spread globally with 150 Ambassadors who are yoga teachers and leaders sharing YGB’s mission with their communities as well as raising funds with their events. YGB works closely with NGO partners (Non-Governmental Organizations) in Karnataka and West Bengal India to carry out and grow YGB programs together. Donations empower women and children with basic education, scholarships for higher education, microloans for businesses, and the opportunity to transform their lives and communities. The current crisis and lockdown have severely altered the lives of these families and put the girls and women at risk for domestic violence, child marriage, and sex trafficking. To meet the current needs, Yoga Gives Back will shift support to include supplemental food for the families, sanitary napkins for girls, and education materials for children so they can continue their education and stay at home safely with their families.