Karma Yoga Project

“Breathe in, I'm calm. Breathe out, I'm smiling”

When the founder of Karma Yoga Project (KYP), Donna Helm-Yost and I worked together, she would tell me to say that as a mantra when I was having a rough day.  It works, try it!

Karma Yoga Project is a non-profit organization in which Donna uses her time and talents to make a difference locally and globally.  She represents well her phrase “Practice Yoga, Change the Planet.”  That is what Karma Yoga Project (KYP) is all about. 

Donna’s practice of yoga goes beyond the studio.  Donna teaches classes all over the valley in exchange for donations for local and global causes.  She also started a program for high school students called the Good Karma Club.  The students choose charities of interest and volunteer their time or spearhead fundraising efforts to raise money for the cause of their choice.

Globally, KYP partnered with Beyond the Orphanage (BTO) to help orphaned children, ages 10-18, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  How does KYP help?  Along with being a certified yoga instructor, Donna has her doctorate in psychology.  A few years ago, her path crossed with the man who started BTO.  She offered to help his cause by sharing her talents as a yoga instructor and psychologist and the partnership began.  Donna's first trip to Ethiopia was in 2008, now...

I leave in 4 weeks to go see them again. I'm now going twice a year--March and July--and while there, I teach them yoga, conduct home visits to make sure that they're bonding with guardians and to assist with any problems, and I teach them strategies for dealing with stress and sadness. I visit their schools while I'm there in March and speak with their teachers about how they're doing. The great thing is that I get to really develop a relationship with the kids over time. I'm very lucky!! ~Donna

It only takes one caring person to help a child learn resilience.  How lucky these children are to have Donna!

To learn more about the study Donna is conducting for BTO and/or to learn more about Karma Yoga Project, check out the website and sign up for their newsletter:

http://karmayogaproject.org/

How can we get involved?:

Locally:

-Volunteer opportunities are available at KYP events.

-Do you write well?  On the KYP blog, Donna asks for help with keeping the blog and newsletters updated.

-Attend one of the events Donna hosts around the valley.  Her classes are awesome!

Globally:

-Check out KYP’s merchandise.  The “Love Here Now” shirts are beautiful and 100% of the profits support KYP's efforts with orphans in Ethiopia.

-Buy a DVD of Donna’s practice.  I have it and it's AWESOME!  There is a 45 minute flow session along with a 70 minute yin sequence...I love it!!!!

-Donate to KYP or BTO.

This quote is found on the KYP website and I love it because it is so true!

 “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~Ann Frank