YAMA Foundation helps Hong Kong's communities in need
Yoga enthusiasts Hersha and Shaman Chellaram founded the YAMA Foundation in 2011 to match people with relevant qualifications in yoga, art and meditation with various under-served communities in Hong Kong including those with disabilities, chronic illness and special needs.
PLATFORM in Sai Ying Pun
They currently run 8-week programs at The Hub Hong Kong and Lo Wu Women's Prison, as well as in-house programs for children and teens with special needs. Past programs were held for women refugees at Christian Action, ethnic minority women at the Lady Mclehose Centre for Ethnic Minorities, and an in-house yoga program for cancer survivors.
Integral Yoga Symbol Source: integralyoga.org
Hersha is a qualified Integral yoga teacher and also has her own School of Yoga Teacher Training in Hong Kong. She runs teacher training courses for those who want to become a qualified yoga teacher or learn to work with kids with special needs. Ten percent of her profits go to the YAMA foundation. For more information on how to become a yoga teacher click
here.
The institute follows the Integral Yoga lineage. In my experience the classes are more on the relaxing side with a focus on meditation and breathing together with some Hatha physical practice.
His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj (Sri Gurudev) who founded Integral YogaŽ in 1966
The centre runs regular yoga classes on Mondays for the general public to attend at
PLATFORM Event Space in Sai Ying Pun. Note that entry is through the
Opendoor Cafe.
Opendoor Cafe at PLATFORM in Sai Ying Pun
Beginners and advanced yogis alike are welcome to join the class. For details and the class schedule visit their
website. By attending a class, your HK$100 fee will help fund other yoga programs for various disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong.
Monday evening class at YAMA Foundation in Sai Ying Pun
