This February, Manduka donated yoga mats and props to the Division of Kinesiology and Recreation at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Yoga is a required course for all Cal State Dominguez Hills Kinesiology Majors and yoga is offered to non-majors as well as Intercollegiate Student-Athletes that enroll to increase flexibility and mental relaxation.

The yoga class offered has become one of their most popular Activity Classes and is in high demand every semester. Class sizes average 40 - 45 students/semester. Despite recent budget cuts in the department, they would like to add an additional section in the Fall. The yoga classes are conducted on hardwood floors and the old mats needed to be replaced, so Manduka was happy to donate some long-lasting yoga mats!

A Thousand Joys (ATJ) was founded in 2006, with the mission to help individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. They specialize in working with organizations that serve high-risk children and families. Their approach is holistic, blending business, psychology and complementary healing modalities to produce enduring results that far surpass the benefits derived from any single approach.

ATJ has a successful history of providing innovative, comprehensive programs that focus on stress management, emotional regulation and healing related to trauma with the goal of improving physical and mental health, and quality of life. Most recently, ATJ developed a domestic violence curriculum in collaboration with Children’s Institute Inc. and Good Shepherd Shelter. While the curriculum has shown to effectively accelerate traditional trauma treatment, we received such positive feedback on the sections pertaining to coping and life skills we adapted the curriculum for the school setting. ATJ's Transform Program is an empowerment program that helps kids develop resiliency and coping skills to better manage their stress; thereby, increasing their overall well-being and ability to do well in school so they can achieve future success. Parents and teachers are actively involved in the program to reinforce learned skills and manage their own challenges.

ATJ's Operational Effectiveness Services help community agencies maximize productivity while ensuring quality care to clients, comply with funding and service-delivery requirements, structure and streamline processes and procedures, and retain top performers.

Semper Fidelis Health & Wellness is dedicated to providing free Health & Wellness services to Wounded Warriors. Since the organization's start in 2009, they have been able to offer over $500,000 worth of free services.

Manduka was happy to support the initiative by sending some yoga mats for an event called "Wellness Day" that took place in the DC Metro area on December 22nd. MSgt Chris Eder, USAF helps run the program, and is a Certified Vinyasa and Hatha Interdisciplinary Yoga Instructor and will be offering free yoga for vets once a month starting in February.

Chris was kind enough to share some photos of the event, where 60 people were present to take his yoga class! We LOVE these photos!

Yoga Gives Back is a global team of grassroots supporters who raise donations for microcredits and direct funding programs across India. Their first global fundraiser "Thank You Mother India" had over 750 people joining in from 10 countries in September. Manduka provided raffle items for the main LA events.