Yoga Gives Back: Transforming Lives in Mother India for the Cost of a Single Class – An Interview with Kayoko Mitsumatsu

How did a daily Ashtanga practice spark a global movement that has transformed lives across India?

For Kayoko Mitsumatsu, what began as a personal exploration of yoga philosophy and social entrepreneurship blossomed into Yoga Gives Back—a nonprofit that channels the cost of one yoga class into microloans, education, and empowerment programs for women and children in India. As a documentary filmmaker turned changemaker, she has harnessed the generosity of a global yoga community to bridge the gap between practice and purpose.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how Kayoko forged partnerships with grassroots NGOs, built an ambassador network in over 30 countries, and witnessed microloans lift women from domestic servitude to financial independence. Continue reading or listen in by subscribing for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to discover how Kayoko Mitsumatsu’s insights can inspire your own journey of service and mindful action.

Take us back to the moment when the idea for Yoga Gives Back arose—what was happening in your life at the time?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: It was 18 years ago; I was 47 and deeply involved in documentary filmmaking. At the time, I was working on a film about microfinancing and social entrepreneurship. I had also started practicing Ashtanga yoga daily, which suited my love for rigorous exercise. My yoga teacher introduced me to yoga philosophy, teaching that the first part of life is for learning and the second for giving back based on what you’ve learned. This concept profoundly impacted me. After class one day, feeling happy and healthy, I questioned what I was doing with my life and realized I needed to give back. I discussed this with my yoga community, noticing a general lack of support for poverty issues and women in India, the birthplace of yoga. Everyone loved the idea, and that’s how Yoga Gives Back began.

How did you connect microfinancing with yoga?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: In 2006, I was producing a documentary film about microfinancing and learned how Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus had successfully provided small loans to individuals, especially women, in developing countries who couldn’t access traditional banking. It helps them start businesses and become self-sufficient. At the time, a yoga class cost around $10 to $15 in Los Angeles. I realized that the same amount could dramatically improve the life of someone in India. Thus, our mantra became “For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life,” which resonated widely.

There’s a big leap from idea to implementation. How did you bridge that gap?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Los Angeles has an incredible, open energy—people support new ideas regardless of your background. I had no experience with nonprofits, but the local yoga community, including teachers deeply connected to India, provided substantial support. This collective enthusiasm helped me transition from idea to action.

How did you develop partnerships with NGOs in India?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Initially, I partnered with the Grameen Foundation (Dr. Yunus’ global organization to replicate microfinancing around the world), but soon desired a direct connection with beneficiaries. After extensive networking, a chance conversation at a New York yoga studio introduced me to the late Barbara Piner, a Vedanta disciple who connected me with NGOs in India. I visited India in 2010, established partnerships with two NGOs, and began programs for microloans and educational support for orphans and young girls.

Are you still working with these initial NGOs?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Yes, these partnerships have been incredibly successful. We collaborate closely with two primary NGOs: Deenabandhu Trust near Mysore, Karnataka, and Nishtha in West Bengal. Both organizations profoundly impact local communities through education, microloans, and empowerment programs we have seeded and developed together over the last 15 years. 

Tell us more about these two NGOs.

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Deenabandhu Trust, founded by Professor Gugguri Jayadev, provides homes and education to nearly 100 orphaned and destitute children and extensive educational support for disadvantaged youths in rural Karnataka. Nishtha, founded by Prita Das in a rural village south of Kolkata, West Bengal, initially taught young brides basic life skills. Today, Nishtha serves around 40,000 individuals, including children with disabilities, widows, and grandmothers, as well as providing YGB’s microloans, education scholarships, and empowerment programs that actively involve both women and men in community growth.

You now have ambassadors in over 30 countries. What is their role, and how did that evolve?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Initially, fundraising relied heavily on small local efforts, but soon attracted broader support as word of mouth spread in the global yoga community. We established an ambassador program, inviting renowned yoga teachers and community leaders worldwide to host fundraising and awareness events. This grassroots approach significantly expanded our reach. Ambassadors actively promote our cause, facilitating impactful local actions that support our global mission. They are our Super Power.

How do you help your ambassadors and supporters feel connected to Yoga Gives Back’s mission?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: We organize regular Zoom meetings throughout the year, particularly around International Women’s Day and our June campaign, allowing ambassadors and supporters to directly interact with our program beneficiaries in India. Additionally, we facilitate annual trips to India for small groups, enabling them to witness firsthand the profound impact their fundraising efforts have made. These visits can be transformative, deeply reinforcing their commitment to our mission. Our Annual Gala in Los Angeles also offers an opportunity to gather and celebrate our achievements together every fall. This is a very special occasion for our global community. 

Can you illustrate the difference education makes in the life of a child in India?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Without education or a supportive home, children in India often face severe hardships, including exploitation and human trafficking. Education provides these children with vital life skills, emotional support, and a nurturing environment. Professor Jayadev, who runs the Deenabandhu Trust orphanage, emphasizes love and acceptance, which profoundly transform these children’s lives. I’ve witnessed how these supported children grow into individuals filled with gratitude, who then actively contribute to their communities, creating a cycle of empowerment and giving. Vinutha, one of the graduates from Deenabandhu Home, is a great example. I met her in 2010 when she shared her journey to this home, when her mother could not take care of her children any longer after running away from her abusive father. After graduating from college, Vinutha became a nurse, and today she lives in the UK, working long hours to send money back to her family. She is also sponsoring two orphaned children at Deenabandhu from her monthly salary, which is not a small contribution, but she is determined to give back. It costs about $550 per child per year to live at Deenabandhu home with loving care and high-quality education. 

Could you share the impact a microloan can have on a woman’s life in rural India?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Many women faced domestic servitude and had no voice or independence before receiving microloans. The microloan program provides financial autonomy, but importantly, it also empowers these women socially. They gain the confidence to speak up against abuse and collectively defend one another, creating a trusting community that women never had in their lives. There’s an inspiring story of a woman who suffered severe domestic abuse but, empowered by our microloan program, successfully transformed her life. Her small rope-making business became so profitable that she ultimately employed her previously abusive husband. This shift in power and respect highlights the transformative potential of microloans.

On a personal level, what does meeting these individuals in India mean to you?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Meeting these hard-working people is deeply moving and inspiring. Their eyes convey immense strength, gratitude, and resilience, deeply energizing my commitment to our mission. After spending time away from India, I genuinely miss that powerful human connection, which continuously motivates me to return and do more on a daily basis as the leader of Yoga Gives Back. 

How do you manage the emotional and financial challenges of leading a nonprofit?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Every year, I visit Mother Teresa’s home in Kolkata after we visit all our programs in India. Since I was young, I had hoped to work at her Home for the Dying one day as a volunteer. One year, I talked to a sister who worked closely with Mother Teresa. After hearing my wish to work there as a volunteer, she shared what Mother Teresa would have told me, “Don’t come here! You have found your mission. Do your work. If everyone does their calling and works for it, this world will be a better place.” Leading a nonprofit indeed presents constant financial and emotional challenges. While I aim to focus on action rather than outcomes, practically, I am learning that strategic planning and budgeting are essential for our organization’s growth. A yoga teacher in India once encouraged me by saying, “You’re doing divine work; the resources will come.” Although daily fundraising realities can be stressful, believing in the value and impact of our mission helps me stay optimistic and motivated. I also now believe that YGB’s work is ‘divine work’ as it continues to attract incredible people to work with me and YGB year after year, especially when I need somebody to help me push it forward. This has been the biggest gift I never expected. YGB is a global family of exceptional souls who value an altruistic mission. 

What vision do you have for Yoga Gives Back over the next few years?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Approaching our 20th anniversary, I’d love to reach a $1 million operational budget, significantly increasing our global impact. Beyond financial goals, my vision includes deeper integration of giving back within global yoga communities. Ideally, it would become standard for yoga teacher training to include service as a fundamental component, strengthening our collective impact both globally and within India.

You have the Global Gathering for India coming up. Can you share details about that?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Every June, we hold our “Global Gathering for India” campaign. We call on yoga practitioners worldwide to host at least one fundraising event during the month. This year’s theme is “Unity in Action,” emphasizing collective effort and global participation. Anyone interested can register on our website, host their event, and donate the proceeds to help continue our vital programs.

Aside from this campaign, what other involvement opportunities exist through Yoga Gives Back?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: We strongly encourage monthly recurring donations, beginning as low as $10, significantly impacting education and livelihood programs in India. Additionally, we offer corporate partnership opportunities, inviting businesses from yoga, wellness, and spiritual communities to support our mission.

Finally, what encouragement would you offer someone considering getting involved but feeling hesitant?

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: If you feel blessed in your own life, consider those who lack basic needs. Just $10 can significantly impact a child’s or a mother’s life, providing essential resources like food, clothing, and education. Remember, especially if yoga or meditation has enriched your life, giving back to its cultural roots can create lasting positive change. After all, yoga is teaching us to connect. 

Kayoko, thank you deeply for your incredible work and your dedication to the people of India.

Kayoko Mitsumatsu: Thank you so much. It’s an honor to serve and create meaningful change together.