Our Story “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~ Anne Frank The Karma Yoga Project, a non-profit corporation, came into being in 2006 out of our dream to make the world a better place for all beings through the vehicle of yoga. As we dive into the stream of our consciousness through our bodies and our breath, we begin to see clearly that our thoughts, words, and actions create change in our lives and every life that we touch. Yoga plants the seeds of transformation and karma yoga allows us to fulfill our purpose—our destiny, by recognizing that our separateness is an illusion—we are truly One. And how amazing for us that through our Oneness, we can feel compassion for those who suffer and through our actions—our karma—we can make the planet healthier, people happier, and the world a better place for all beings. One hundred percent of our profits from sales and one hundred percent of the proceeds from our workshops are being used to make a difference locally and globally. We hope that you’ll join us on our journey… “Practice Yoga, Change the Planet” Our Work “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama The Karma Yoga Project is dedicated to making the world a better place both locally and globally. Globally: Research for Change – KYP leverages its volunteers’ skills in psychology and research to make a difference in the lives of older orphans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by volunteering time and support to measure the long-term effectiveness of interventions being implemented to provide physiological and safety needs for older orphans by Beyond the Orphanage, a NGO. It is our hope that these studies will lead to the implementation of similar programs for older orphans around the world. Locally: Bridging the Gap – KYP connects individuals with the needs of their community to make a difference today. Karma Education – KYP works with local high school students to learn about the needs of others and how to make a difference both globally and locally via the Good Karma Club. Students raise funds and participate in locally-based volunteer opportunities. If I attend one of your workshops, will my donation be tax deductible? Only donations that exceed the suggested donation amount will be considered as a donation once our 501 © (3) tax exemption is approved. If you make the suggested donation or a lesser amount, then your donation will not be tax deductible as you are receiving something that has been valued at the suggested donation amount. Please check with your tax advisor for clarification. If I purchase one of your products, how much of the purchase amount supports the efforts of the Karma Yoga Project? One hundred percent of profits from product sales support our efforts. How does the Karma Yoga Project use funds received through workshops and sales? Everyone connected with the efforts of the Karma Yoga Project are volunteers. Thus, all funds support our efforts both locally and globally. Our overhead is minimal and includes expenses related to our website, P.O. Box, and business-related offices supplies and expenses. How can I make a donation to the Karma Yoga Project? You can mail a check made payable to the Karma Yoga Project to 10645 North Tatum Blvd. Suite 200-120, Phoenix, Arizona 85028 or you can make a donation online via PayPal. Just click on the Donate link on our website. You can also donate needed items for our kids in Ethiopia. Just email Donna at donna@practicekindness.com to see what’s currently needed and then bring your donation to At One Yoga Scottsdale at 10050 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85253. Please leave a note with your donation that it’s for Donna. I’d like to make the world a better place. How can I be part of the Karma Yoga Project? There are so many ways that you can help! You can make a purchase, attend a workshop, make a donation, or become personally involved by helping us at one of our events, donating your time to help one of our causes, or by donating your talents. Please email Donna at donna@practicekindness.com for more details. If you have a connection with a yoga studio, you could help us by scheduling a donation workshop at your studio. If you’re a yoga teacher, you can keep the karma going by teaching a workshop on our behalf. Please email us with suggestions for other ideas as well. Donna began practicing yoga and exploring Eastern philosophy at the age of 12. In addition to being a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, Donna is a licensed psychologist, a Certified School Psychologist, the Director of Charities for YogaWhat, and the Founder of The Karma Yoga Project—a vehicle created to make the planet healthier, people happier, and the world a better place for all beings. In 2007, she learned of the plight of orphaned teens in Ethiopia through the volunteer work and efforts of Geoff Hucker, who founded an organization called Beyond the Orphanage. Geoff created BTO in order to care for orphaned teenagers when there was no longer space for them at the orphanage. And in July/August 2008, she visited Addis Ababa to do volunteer work with a medical team from Arizona. After the medical team left, Donna stayed behind to visit Kiddane Mehret Children’s Home and the Beyond the Orphanage teens. It was love at first sight and Donna realized that she needed to do more to help these amazing kids. Donna continues to teach yoga workshops donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the workshops and 100 percent of the profits from her DVD sales to fund her volunteer efforts. Donna has always been interested in what makes people resilient when faced with significant challenges—as well as what inspires them and gives them hope. With significant support from her friends and colleagues at Arizona State University, she is currently using her interests and training to design and implement a research study, to determine the long-term effectiveness of Beyond the Orphanage in the lives of these teens. It is her hope that BTO can be a model program to eventually help orphaned teens across the planet. Alicia Beale has been in the hi-tech industry for over 10 years, working as a technical writer, usability specialist, systems analyst, and manager. Her passion is in helping people communicate, solve problems, and understand the implications of their decisions. Alicia has also been teaching yoga in the Phoenix area for over two years. Although she began her yoga career specializing in hot yoga, she now teaches a variety of classes at different studios and resorts throughout the valley. In addition, she recently became the Director of the Teacher Training program for NHI, the Natural Healing Institute, in Encinitas, CA. Alicia strives to take each challenge as an opportunity for growth and blessings. She’s grateful to have so many giving friends in her life, and grateful to have an opportunity to help with the Karma Yoga Project. Celia Rechtschaffen Reed is an attorney licensed to practice in New York and Arizona focusing her practice on business and real estate law. She is also a Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor. Celia’s philosophy is that true yoga takes place once you leave your mat. In this regard, she incorporates the practice of yoga into the practice of law in order to create a holistic environment in which to address her clients’ needs. Celia volunteers as a member of the Members Assistance Program of the Arizona State Bar, and monitors attorneys who are under probation for a variety of reasons, including substance abuse, stress and compulsive behavior. She includes yogic principles to help these attorneys work through their issues and re-establish themselves in their profession. Celia is also in the process of creating stress management workshops for attorneys, to help them incorporate all aspects of their being into their daily lives and legal practices. Celia is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the Karma Yoga Project and truly believes that the biggest gift is to be able to give to others.

PARTNERS

BEYOND THE ORPHANAGE | BALI MALAS | MICHAEL KOLASA | SPIRITUAL GANGSTER