As the flagship launch event of its global “Thank You Mother India” campaign, LA based charity Yoga Gives Back hosts its now annual benefit at the stunning Malibu residence of Dr. Amarjit Marwah, 29057 Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday September 21 at 6:00 p.m. The Indian themed evening will feature dinner & drinks, Odissi dancers, a live auction and more surprises. The live auction will be hosted by Kate Linder, best known for her role as Esther Valentine on “The Young & the Restless,” who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.
Yoga Gives Back founder Kayoko Mitsumatsu notes, “I am excited for all members of the Los Angeles yoga community, one of the largest and most active in the world, to have an opportunity to come together, dress up and have fun under the full moon, for a cause they can all support, gratitude to Mother India for the gift of yoga. Even non-yogis will enjoy the wonderful food, dance performance, and ambience of Dr. Marwah’s gorgeous home.”
“For the cost of one yoga class, we can change a life” is the mantra of Yoga Gives Back, a charity founded by Mitsumatsu in 2007. She adds, “While benefitting so much from regular Yoga practice and teachings, it hit me hard that 75 percent of India’s population still live on under $2.00 a day. It became clear to me that if everyone who enjoys Yoga in the world, puts one class fee into the pot to provide micro loans and education funds for the poor in India, we can effect real change.”
YGB founder and filmmaker Mitsumatsu filmed this seven-minute short documentary in India in November 2012 that tells the moving and inspiring stories of YGB fund recipient mothers and daughters, as well as the harsh reality they face in their daily lives. It also sheds light to how YGB’s direct funding program “Sister Aid” is making a positive impact in the lives of so many mothers and daughters there: http://yogagivesback.org/ygbfilms.
By hosting over 200 events worldwide between September 1 and December 31 during the annual “Thank You Mother India” campaign Yoga Gives Back seeks to raise $75,000 to double the current 240 families in India receiving education and micro-loan funds. Funds will be raised through this Malibu benefit, direct donations and many, many TYMI donation yoga classes worldwide. The goal is to expand on last year’s successful campaign, which saw classes in more than twelve US states and seventeen countries around the world.
The evening’s entertainment will be provided by world-renowned Odissi Dancers Lingaraj Pradhan and Sharanya Mukhopadhyay.
With a name like Royal Prince Franklin Vanderbiit, he was destined to be a great musician, Vanderbilt has toured with legendary artists such as Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder and for the last six years with Lenny Kravitz. At this event Vanderbilt will be performing his debut single “Everybody’s Talking about Love” and dedicating it to the YGB mission. He will also be shooting a live music video at the YGB fundraiser to incorporate their mission and footage from founder Kayoko Mitsumatsu’s short film. Following the event, Vanderbilt’s music video will be available to purchase and download, to share with friends and the global yoga community to continue to raise awareness around YGB’s mission and fundraising efforts, with the total proceeds benefiting YGB.
Event partners include Omkar108 Yoga, Abacus Wealth Partners, LA YOGA, Organic India, Zico Coconut Water and Jala Clothing. In addition to the wonderful Indian meal and entertainment, all attendees will take home a valuable gift bag including items from sponsors Organic India, Josie Maran, Pono Burger, Zico Coconut Water, YogiToes, and TATCHA. The auctions and raffle will include items from Stella McCartney, Manduka, Koji Toyoda Salon, Chaz Yoga Retreat, Sonya Dakar, Prana, Yogafit, Yogitoes, Karen Bystedt, Three Circle Flow, True Food Kitchen, Taberna restaurant, BathBar, The Story Merchant, Chrysalis Yoga, Danielle Houck-Nino, shopmahia.com, myinsens.com and more! Drink sponsors include Golden Road Brewing and Dama Tequila.
To purchase tickets for the September 21 Malibu fundraiser, please go to http://yogagivesback.org/tymi/malibu. For information on Yoga Gives Back please visit http://yogagivesback.org/. For info and a video on the global “Thank You Mother India” campaign, to sponsor the campaign, or donate a class please see http://yogagivesback.org/tymi.
To sponsor the Malibu event or donate items for the gift bag or auction please contact info@yogagivesback.org.