Friends and Family

Happy Birthday Oscar! [via Oscar Castro-Neves]

ALBANY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

By Meggie McKenna

“Louder! Slower! More energy!” repeated Mr. Gamba. What is it going to take for you guys to say it right?”

“Sorry, Mr. G!” echoed the actors.

“Let’s start it from the top!”

Scene, after scene, after scene. Each scene repeated when necessary, necessary being usually. Usually because the scenes were not coming together to smoothly. Sittting in the theatre’s red comfortable theatre chair, doing homework, waiting for scene 11 to make its rounds. Finally the clock hits 5:57 and Mr. Gamba asks scene 11 to wait on deck. I get out of my chair, grab my baby, and hide behind the curtain. Waiting for my cue.

“You’re trying hard not to show it baby…” singd The Righteous Brothers.

I walk out eyes darted straight to the EXIT sign across the theater. Swaying the baby back and forth, to the music. Making the gestures and movements that I make every single rehearsal. Then the last couple words fade into the distance as The Baby Rockers…throw their babies? OOOPSS!!!

Even though we are down to the second to last week before the play, we still seem to need work. We just aren’t doing our absolute best. If we are gonna be good for the play we might need a miracle to pull us through.

Rehearsals go by, nothing improves. We were down to our last practice before the Thursday matinee. We still had not improved one bit. We were going to get “booed” off the stage, to god knows where. Working through all 12 scenes, nothing got better. Getting used to the “Louder! Slower! More energy,” inputs from Mr. Gamba. Though no one made an effort to input the inputs. The last play practice came to an end. Yet we still stunk from a mile away.

The curtains were drawn, the lights flickering for the audience to take a seat. We all quietly waited for the show to begin. The curtains opened and on went the leads. The next scenes came like a new beginning to the end of our end. The actors shined like stars from a major Hollywood hit movie. By the end of the night our Save Dramatic Arts Fundraiser saved dramatic arts. People came to see the Friday and Saturday night performances from different counties. The play broadcasted out to the world. Albany’s worries to save Mr. Gamba’s drama were over with. What a waste it would have been if they got rid of drama. After all, Mr. G is the best drama teacher ever!

Happy Easter! Pictures, Images and Photos

Kayoko's Office Assistant

Kayoko Coming Back for Seconds And Friendly River Oaks Bartender

ROUGHING IT IN RIVER OAKS WITH PARTNER FRED GRIFFIN

Yoga Gives Back - E-Newsletter - March 2011

-Newsletter - March 2011

For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life.

SUCCESS STORY, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, India

Thanks to your support, YGB's direct funding project "Sister Aid" is providing funds for single mothers, their children and orphaned girls, supporting their education and economic independence.

Deenabandhu Green Home for Girls Last November, we visited Deenabandhu, a home for destitute and orphaned children in the rural district of Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, South India. More than 45 boys and 22 girls live here, ranging from 3 to 19 years of age. Deenabandhu was founded in 1992 by a zoologist professor Dr. G.S. Jayadev as a small home for eight orphaned boys. In 2010, with the help of foreign donations, they built a home for orphaned girls. This environmentally friendly "Green Home for Girls" now accommodates orphaned girls as well as rescued single mothers with their children. They eventually hope to accommodate up to 40 girls.

Today, YGB sponsors two single mothers at Deenabandhu—Puttamma and Radha, and their children. Puttamma is a victim of domestic violence, and Radha is a widow whose husband died with HIV last year. Radha and her two children are HIV free. With the support of YGB, they have bought sewing machines and have started earning an income. Their children are all at school.

Deenabandhu Green Home for Girls In February, YGB Ambassador Sophie Herbert hosted two events and raised enough money to sponsor one orphan girl, Gayatri, 4 years old. An affectionate, happy and positive girl who used to live in an orphanage where personal care was absent, she is now in full swing at the Deenabandhu Children's home, studying hard with other children. An annual cost of $500 (Rs. 22,500) per child pays for all housing, food, education (school and tuition), clothing, extracurricular activities, and other entertainment (such as day and overnight trips and summer camp).

Please follow "Sister Aid" program updates on our web site and Facebook page. Also check out our new "Sister Aid" video on our YouTube Channel.

Exciting News!

Welcome two incredible YGB Ambassadors!!!

Aparna Khanolkar: Inviting the Ayurvedic community and more to YGB

"Yoga Gives Back is a cause that is dear to me as an Indian woman. To empower a woman with skills and loans to encourage sustainable financial independence is exciting for me as a single mother. To know that women in India can receive this level of support gives me a sense of satisfaction."

Aparna Khanolkar, also known as The Mistress of Spice, is a private chef and caterer in Santa Barbara. A former chef at the Chopra Center, Aparna is the author of "Happy Belly Happy Soul" a vegetarian cookbook. Aparna believes that cooking is a great act of self-nurturance and teaches cooking classes in Santa Barbara and L.A.

Hali Reid McQuillan: Bringing Canada and Costa Rica's yoga communities

"An attitude for gratitude is what I have when I think of yoga. To be a part of the Yoga Gives Back global community, with the focus to empower and inspire women of India to beat poverty is a chance for me to give back to my practice which has given me so much. I am proud to be part of the YGB team and look forward to promoting and coordinating YGB fund raiser events both in Canada and on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica."

Hali has been a practitioner of yoga since she was 18. She obtained her Baptiste Certification – the first in Costa Rica, Second in Canada as well as Assistant Training, became certified as an SR® Counselor, Holistic Life Coach and Ayurveda Practitioner. Today, she and her husband offer Yoga Alliance Approved trainings, courses and retreats in Costa Rica and Canada.

Karma Warrrior Clothes is donating their sales proceeds to YGB!!

"Our clothes are made with eco-friendly materials and are inspired by the idea that yoga should be lived, and not just practiced in the studio. With each purchase, we also donate 12% of the sale to charity. You can support their efforts by choosing to donate 12% of your Karma Warrior Clothes sale to YGB, one of our incredible Karma Causes."

YGB Donation Class Relay Update

The YGB virtual torches are passing through New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Nashville, Moline, Illinois, Boulder, Los Angeles, and Hawaii, connecting the global yoga community. Want to start a relay from your city? Check out the YGB Donation Class Relay page for more details.

"Serve the World through Serving the Self"

Nicole Inglish, YGB Ambassador Aparna, and Sudama/Vince will host an amazing evening with asana, gourmet dinner, live music, and more!

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 5:30-9:00PM

Source Yoga Studio

1911 De La Vina "G", Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Donation Class at Yoga Viva Studio

with Myriam Baker, Aparna, and Thierry Prem Darshan

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

Yoga Viva Studio

124 Seeman Dr. Encinitas, CA 92024

Donation Class at Yoga Works Tarzana

"Yoga Gives Back Night!" All level yoga with Chaz and music by the Cosmic Kirtan Connection. More information: www.yogawithchaz.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 7:00-10:00PM

Yoga Works Tarzana

18700 Ventura Blvd., 2nd Fl., Tarzana, CA 91356

View updates and more upcoming events on our Facebook page and web site!

RECENT EVENTS AND APPRECIATION

JANUARY 28th @ KEY BISCAYNE COMMUNITY CENTER, KEY BISCAYNE, FL

Family Yoga Jam with Kerstin Eskeli

From Kerstin: "Words can not say how great the event was…we had a great turn out. …And thank you to all the people who came out to support the cause of Yoga Gives Back!! Sat Nam."

Thank you Kerstin, Veronica, Mantra Grooves and the Key Biscayne community for your support!!

FEBRUARY 6th @ OM TIME YOGA, BOULDER, CO

Lila of Nyasa, The Sacred Root of Vinyasa, Placing Your Attention in The Meaningful Moments of the Flow of Nyasa with Shannon Paige Schneider

Shannon is planning another event there to raise more funds for YGB. Thank you for your commitment.

FEBRUARY 19th & 26th @ YOGA SUTRA, NY

2 Special Community Classes with Sophie Herbert and Kumiko Buckman

Sophie Herbert and Kumiko Buckman taught this special series to raise funds for Deenabandhu orphanage. Hari Nam Singh Khalsa supported this event with his meditation session. They raised $500 to sponsor one orphan girl from this series!!

MARCH 5th @ YOGA WORLD STUDIO, LONG BEACH, CA

Leading the Heart Toward the Seat of the Soul with Ramona Tamulinas, Kim Wolff, and Michelle Libeu

Ramona Tamulinas, Kim Wolff, and Michelle Libeu taught a wonderfully soulful vinyasa class, accompanied by the most soothing Marti Walker's live music. Thank you to all who came or donated to YGB. We are also thankful for the generous lunch donated by Open Sesame Long Beach and sweets by Sconeage Bakery. Great raffle prizes were also donated by many and NISHTHA arts and crafts were sold. Truly an inspiring event by a most supportive community, who raised $1230!!

MARCH 6th @ HILO, HAWAII

Special Workshop "Inner Universe" with Karl Straub

Thanks to Karl Straub for hosting this last minute workshop to support YGB. This was our debut in Hawaii. We hope to return there many more times!!

Thank you for these very successful events!!

View more event photos on our Facebook page!

MORE!

Ivonne's 50 Years Young Birthday Party!

SUSHI WITH FOSSIL RIVER'S JOCK MILLER

San Francisco - Pismo Beach Trip

Cheering Meggie On!

Meggie - Vollyball!

KAYOKO AT WORK WITH…

LA Visit

Ken's Pasta!

Griffith Park

Sophie's Visit!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine Pictures, Images and Photos

A Day at Universal Citywalk!

Mitsumatsus At La Fonda

Campaign To Help India's Poor

Yoga Gives Back

Written by Kayoko Mitsumatsu

From Posture To Power: Microcredit Changes Lives On Both Sides of the Ocean

We can talk about making change. But affecting real change in the world comes from impacting the lives of individuals. It comes from empowering people to be independent and able to make a living on their own while at the same time being fully integrated in our interdependent global community. Sometimes it takes something that seems to be radical to make this change, but these shifts can be deceptively small. They can be even as small (or as large) as the cost of a Los Angeles Yoga class.

How could this be? In the practice of microcredit, lending seemingly small amounts of money to small-scale entrepreneurs allows them to succeed and change their circumstances. This is the fundamental basis of microcredit’s transformative power; it’s a revolutionary concept in finance. This practice shifts the emphasis from financial transactions being focused only about large loans and large scale businesses, which are out of reach of many one-person operations, institutions and organizations – to lending practices that actually make a positive difference in a person’s life. Microcredit practices based on social justice and empowerment operate through a combination of small-scale loans based on trust and community support, with structured repayment plans and programs that encourage savings. In these situations, people actually have the opportunity to solidify long-term change in their lives.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the Yoga Gives Back Team: Joel Bender, Leslie Hendry, Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Kayoko Mitsumatsu (left-right)

In 2006, economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the institution he founded, the Grameen Bank, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This award was in recognition of their revolutionary efforts to create this micro-credit model, support sustainable economic practices, and provide an alternative to what were exploitive norms. When a person is caught in a cycle of poverty, they may become trapped in the system, particularly since large banking institutions have historically ignored people without assets or credit histories, who are just starting out and who may not have already proven themselves. Most banks prefer to lend large sums of money that represent a greater profit margin and are set up only for large loans in order to make a profit themselves. And even making it more challenging, people at the bottom of the economic scale worldwide have had to rely on moneylenders charging usurious terms and interest rates to obtain funds to plant the next crop, buy inventory of new equipment, or upgrade a business in any way. Institutions such as the Grameen Bank and their affiliates are offering another approach. It’s one that has significantly impacted millions of people.

As Dr. Yunus described in an exclusive interview with Yoga Gives Back in May, 2009, “We started in 1976, and today within Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, eight million people borrow micro loans, ninety-seven percent of them women.” This represents an enormous potential for change and empowerment that just did not exist on a large scale in this form prior to 1976.

There is a social cycle in economics, and Dr. Yunus explained this: “Poverty is not inside the person. Poverty is forced from outside. Poor people are as capable [a] human being as anybody else. They have the same power and energy, same potential. But they are denied such facilities. They cannot express themselves. Money is one of the most important items missing in their lives. You need a dollar to catch a dollar. You cannot catch a dollar with an empty hand. So, that first dollar, nobody has given to her. So she remains dependent on someone else. She has to be hired, to slave; she has to work to make food available on the table. What we have done, we have put that first dollar into her hands as a banking proposition. Conventional banks never come to the poor people. They go to rich people to make more money. The person who does not have a dollar – she cannot get it. So we did it. We did it in a way that is affordable to her. Because we do not insist on collateral. There is no collateral.”

While that may seem like a radical concept, the Grameen Bank has proven that their success is much more than ideological. Dr Yunus cited statistics for us, “The repayment rate is almost 100%, without collateral or anything. This is the strength of microcredit which is now spread all over the world. There are by now at least 150 million borrowers in the world today. Bu it is still very small comparing to the need. We need more microcredit organizations in the world so that more people can be reached.”

Yoga Gives Back is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization begun in LA, with the goal to provide a way for Western Yoga practitioners to give back to India, the birthplace of Yoga, which has given us so much. We’re heeding Dr. Yunus’ call to reach more people through expanded opportunities for and awareness of microcredit and have targeted India and Indian families, women, and would-be entrepreneurs, who would be otherwise stuck in the cycle of poverty that Dr. Yunus described. Yoga Gives Back supports microfinancing operations in India, through the Grameen Foundation, headquartered in Washington, DC. Donations go directly to Grameen Koota, Bangalore, South India and our YGB awareness campaign focuses on the real stories of how poor women are changing their lives with small loans from Grameen Koota.

Ms. Vinatha M Reddy

Grameen Koota was started by visionary teacher and philanthropist, Ms. Vinatha M Reddy (pictured, above) in 1999, who learned about Nobel Peace Recipient Dr Muhammad Yunus’ microfinancing and immediately began exploring ways of replicating his work in her hometown. In 2000, she started providing small microcredit loans, averaging $25.00 a month, to fifty local women. Today, Grameen Koota’s work is reaching out to over 280,000 women in Bangalore, Mysore and many areas of Karnataka state, in South India, making real impact on these women’s lives as well as on the local economy.

Yoga Gives Back

The Los Angeles-based Yoga Gives Back has a worldwide reach and began out of the inspiration and dedication of my Yoga mentor Joel Bender and me. Our group has suddenly started growing almost daily and our mission is shared by a quickly expanding and loving Yoga community.

When I was growing up in Japan, which is a very middle-class society, I had never experienced or seen any real poverty, especially growing up in Tokyo in 1960s and 1970s, when Japan's post-war economic miracle was taking place. Then, I had a chance to live in Brazil in the late 1970s for two years, where as a teenager, I saw the divide between poverty and wealth, the reality of the real slums, kids on the streets begging every time you stopped the car at the traffic light, all very much like India. Social injustice hit me hard.

Once I started Yoga practice and feeling my life being so enriched by it , I felt a need to use my resources to help others. I was producing a documentary on Social Entrepreneurship and learned about microfinancing. I shared this information with Joel [featured in the teacher profile in this month’s issue of LA YOGA] who had been looking for the way he could give back to India since his first visit there – so we teamed up.

When I think about the growth of Yoga Gives Back thus far, I give a lot of credit to the entrepreneurship and volunteer spirit of Americans, willing to embrace and support a new grass roots campaign like ours.

Kayoko Mitsumatsu, co-founder of Yoga Gives Back, is a documentary filmmaker whose films deal with social justice issues, including First They Killed My Father a memoir of a Cambodia’s Killing Fields’ survivor.

A Life Changing Story of Microcredit: Jayashree

Jayashree

Jayashree lives in the suburbs of Bangalore and is married and the mother of two children. We visited her at her humble dirt floor one room home for the first time in 2007. We were touched by her warm smile and most generous hospitality, serving us hot tea and cookies.

Jayashree was born into a very poor family in Bangalore. When she was a child, her family’s financial situation became so severe that she had to drop out of school and work at a garment factory. She toiled throughout her childhood and after she got married at fifteen, her meager earnings had to support her ailing in-laws. She had two children. Her husband’s rickshaw business was not enough to pay her sons’ education or secure food for the family.

In 2007, Jayashree learned from her neighbors about Grameen Koota’s microcredit program and applied for her first loan. She was granted a first loan of 7,000 rupees ($175), and immediately bought her husband’s auto rickshaw. Owning their own rickshaw business increased their income significantly.

Jayashree was able to pay back her entire loan in one year and became eligible for her second loan in 2008. Having proven her diligence, her second loan amount doubled to 15,000 rupees ($375). This time, she bought a sewing machine and started stitching bags. The family’s earnings have now tripled and she is earning 150 rupees ($3.75) a day. In addition, she opened a small shop next to her house to sell her products which is earning her an additional 100 rupees ($2.50) a day.

She is sending her elder son to a medical school. Her son dreams of becoming a doctor and thanks his mother’s business for providing his education, their own home and daily food.

To participate in a Yoga practice where the proceeds support Yoga Gives Back and directly impact the transformation of not only your own life, but that of someone in India, start your Thanksgiving week at Yogaglo, Sunday, November 22, 10:00 A.M. - 12 noon. Some of the teachers include John Sahakian, Felicia Tomasko, Alexandra Aiken and Ally Hamilton; more to be announced. Yogaglo.com; yogagivesback.com.

For more information on Yoga Gives Back or to host a Yoga Gives Back class at your own studio or location, visit: yogagivesback.org or contact yogagivesback@earthlink.net.

TEDDY AND TEAM ON TOP!

Vincent's Limas!