If you or a family member loves the idea of doing yoga but is unable to take a standard class on account of age, illness or disability, here’s a place where you can do accessible yoga in Hong Kong and more!
YAMA Foundation was founded in 2016 by Hersha and Shaman Chellaram, inspired by their niece Talia, who has mitochondrial disease but thrived through yoga, art, and meditation. Her experience highlighted the transformative power of these practices and shaped the organisation’s mission to offer inclusive, affordable therapeutic services to underserved communities in Hong Kong.
Hersha, YAMA’s CEO, is an authorised Integral Yoga teacher trainer and adaptive yoga specialist since 2002. She brings extensive expertise in making yoga accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities in Hong Kong, including those with special educational needs, disabilities and chronic health conditions. Here, we ask Hersha about the group’s new centre that opened recently in Wan Chai.
Tell us a bit about YAMA and its aims.
Driven by the belief that wellbeing is a universal right, YAMA offers tailored wellbeing programmes including accessible yoga in Hong Kong, along with art and meditation courses, collaborating with community partners, and advocating for inclusion and adaptive wellbeing approaches.
What started as a single weekly session for children with special educational needs has grown to support a diverse range of groups, including older people, those with disabilities or mental health challenges, and low-income families. Over the past five years, we’ve expanded our reach by 300% through new programmes and partnerships.
What are some key features of the new YAMA Centre?
The new centre in Wan Chai includes several key features designed for accessibility and inclusivity:
- Fully accessible space. Along with a ramped entrance and spacious corridors, lifts, there are excellent transport links, creating a welcoming and functional environment.
- Adult-size changing tables. These ensure dignity and safety for people with disabilities and their caregivers.
- All-gender accessible bathrooms. The bathrooms in the new centre are designed to be safe and inclusive for everyone, including gender non-conforming individuals, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
- Sound panels. These reduce echoes and improve focus, creating a calmer space, especially beneficial for people with special educational needs.
- Adjustable lighting. Soft, adjustable lighting helps create a calming environment for neurodivergent individuals, reducing sensory overload and supporting comfort (also considering those who lie on their backs).
- Calming interior design.Soothing colour palettes, organic shapes, natural light and tactile textures minimise sensory overload and clutter.
What kinds of programmes will be held there?
The YAMA Centre is dedicated to fostering inclusion, enhancing wellbeing and ensuring accessibility for underserved communities through a diverse range of programmes.Our current offerings include Chair Yoga sessions, available both in-person and online for maximum flexibility. These sessions, loved by our senior community, provide gentle, accessible yoga and exercises that promote relaxation, improve mobility and foster a sense of connection.
We also provide 1:1 Yoga Therapy Programmes & Scholarships, and Small Group Classes, which deliver tailored, subsidised yoga therapy for children and people with special educational needs or disabilities. These programmes are designed to improve motor skills, body awareness and resilience. They also ease the burden on public health services and support families dealing with long care waitlists.
Additionally, we’re expanding our offerings at our new centre to include Sound Healing. We will also provide Expressive Arts Therapy, incorporating Music, Art and Movement, all customised to suit varying abilities. These creative programmes encourage self-expression, emotional growth, and a sense of belonging.
What is the new GEMs campaign at YAMA?
The GEMs programme invites supporters to make a consistent, monthly donation. Monthly donations create a lasting impact by ensuring the continuity of care for those who rely on YAMA’s services. By becoming a ‘GEM’, donors join a community of changemakers dedicated to making wellbeing accessible for all in Hong Kong.
This consistent support is what keeps the YAMA Centre thriving. Regular giving helps us continue to offer valuable programmes on an affordable ‘pay-as-you-wish’ basis, ensuring no one is left behind.
You can learn more at give.asia/charity/yama-foundation.
A word from a parent
“After the one-to-one yoga therapy sessions with YAMA, I’ve seen an improvement in my son’s body coordination and endurance. He’s calmer, too. Yoga is not just an exercise class; it’s a way of life for him now.” – Gurung Man Bahadar
Coming up at YAMA
Visit the Annual Sandy Bay Charity Fair at DKCH to learn more about the work of YAMA and some of its fellow incredible NGOs.
Date: Saturday, 15 November
Time: 10am to 5pm
Location: The Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay, Sandy Bay Road, Pok Fu Lam
More information: Visit the event website here
yamahk.org | IG @yamafoundation
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