On the first of January 2011, I will fly to Mysore in South India to work for Yoga Gives Back.  YGB believes that we should be giving back to the community that brought yoga to us through microlending to women. Using the Grameen Foundation's model, micro-credit lends small amounts to struggling women in the Mysore community to help them become entrepreneurs and thriving business women with non-collateral loans, group support and local development. In many of the poorest regions in the world, micro business creation is the only way for families to escape poverty and build a better future for their children. Studies have shown that women use the profits from their businesses to send their children to school, improve their families’ living conditions and nutrition, and expand their businesses. These businesses not only make an impact on the women and their families, but entire communities as well. I will be spending part of my journey on my practice, as well as working with YGB to give back to women in the community.  Empowering and educating wmoen drastically improves a community.  I am currently working with YGB in New York City to expand the organization and its potential impact in India.



From Mysore, I will travel to Dharamshala in North India. Located in the Himalayas, this is the home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government. During my three months here, I will be staying at Lha, an organization dedicated to social work for Tibetan refugees. I will be teaching women's leadership and health education courses as well as assisting Lha with fundraising efforts, studying Tibetan culture, and practicing more yoga. Using my experience from Camp Heartland, which works to improve the lives of children, youth and families impacted by HIV/AIDS, I will lead health classes for the local women's community and focus on emerging myself in the local Tibetan and Indian culture!



I have been working on political campaigns for the past three years and am ready to embark on a personal journey that focuses on three of my true passions - human rights, women's empowerment and yoga. I have been studying yoga for the past eight years and it has always been one of the most important parts of my life. I am so excited to spend time focusing on the community that brought something so incredible and empowering to me. I am asking for your help, whatever you can give, whether it be $1 or $10, to help me empower women in Tibetan and Indian communities. I can also use your support, love and guidance throughout my experience. If you are unable to give, please sign up to follow my journey at my blog by going to www.yogagivesback.blogspot.com. I am so thankful and lucky for all of the love in my life and am being called to help others as a result. I cannot wait to share this journey with all of you!!!

With much love,

Shelly