All people have the fundamental right to feel good in their bodies, peaceful in their minds, live colourful and rewarding lives and be part of a caring community.
Our mission is to provide equitable access to yoga, arts and meditation services to Hong Kong’s most vulnerable communities, so that they can develop the self-acceptance and self-reliance to improve their quality of life, and positively contribute to the world.
Shaman & Hersha Chellaram, Founders of YAMA Foundation
The idea for YAMA Foundation came from two key events in our lives: meeting a woman with a wooden leg in Hersha’s yoga class, and the birth of our niece Talia, who was born with rare genetic disease, called Mitochondrial disease. Yoga, art, and meditation have been key elements in allowing them to thrive.
Hersha has devoted 20 years of her life bringing wellbeing to disadvantaged communities. The hardest part is convincing people to believe in themselves enough to actively participate in their own wellbeing. In Hong Kong, there is a major disparity between the affluent and able-bodied and those living in poverty or with a disability. Our life’s work is clear: to bridge this gap and show the world that all people have the fundamental right to be well.
We invite to you learn more about our work and to support our mission in any way that you can.
YAMA’s unique approach provides low-tech solutions to problems that are usually treated with higher-tech/cost approaches such as medicine. All our classes are inclusive, accessible, culturally sensitive and trauma aware. Our teachers hold higher level qualification, are first-aid certified and undergo regular background checks.
All YAMA programmes are supported by research protocols to measure progress, demonstrate outcomes and communicate impact. We believe in the inherent dignity and fundamental rights of all people, and offer classes and programmes with kindness, compassion, and respect for our students.
Yoga is an ancient practice that involves a system of living that brings about harmony in body, mind and spirit. It can be practiced by anyone! Yoga is not a religion, but a series of postures, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, mantra and mental focus. Yoga therapy is an emerging field and a proven intervention for health, rehabilitation and quality of life.
Art therapy enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, applied psychological theory, and human experience. It improves sensorimotor functions and self-awareness, reduces and resolves conflicts and distress, and encourages self-expression and confidence.
Meditation and mindfulness are practices to calm and focus the mind using concentration and cultivation of presence of mind. They are proven to ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pain.
Hersha Chellaram, Founder & Executive Director
Alex Norton,
Board Trustee
Wendy Choo,
Administrative Officer
Melanie Anderson,
Yoga Teacher
Hung Yan Lo,
Specialist yoga Teacher
Lucia Yiu, Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner
Shaman Chellaram,
Founder & Board Trustee
Victor Leung,
Company Secretary
Angelita Li, Administrative Assitant & Specialist Yoga Teacher
Pacsy Lam,
Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner
Geetha Nagendra,
Specialist Yoga Teacher
Catrin Anderson,
Ambassador
Pilar Morais,
Board Trustee
Victoria Ahn,
Communications Consultant
Melo Ng,
Programme Coordinator
Angel Leung, US and Canada Credentialed Music Therapist, NICU Music Therapist
Melody Tse, Yoga Therapist and Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner
Mui Thomas,
Ambassador
YAMA works with teachers / therapists who have higher-level, specialised qualification to work with disadvantaged communities. You will also need to pass a background check and be first-aid certified.
YAMA Foundation’s Founding Team 2016—
Top Row (L-R): Shaman Chellaram, Aurelie Gauthier, Stephanie Rault, Melissa Shadforth, Lakshmi Harilela. Bottom Row (L-R): Hersha Chellaram, Gabi Baumgartner, Katia Bacon
Heartfelt gratitude to our partners who provide us with long-term support.
