In Service To

Being Neighbourly x Hersha Harilela Chellaram, YAMA Foundation.

Author/ Being Neighbourly
11 April 2025

Midas, who has a physical and learning disability, has been working with the YAMA Foundation to enhance his range of movement. In addition to the physical side, the sessions have offered him a comfortable space to, “take a moment,” says Hersha Harilela Chellaram, Founder and CEO of the YAMA Foundation, and a yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience.

According to his mother, says Harilela Chellaram who shares the same view, the impact of YAMA’s Yoga Therapy Scholarship Scheme (YTSS) programme has been great for her son’s coordination and endurance, and he’s now calmer, too. “Yoga is not just an exercise class, it’s a way of life for him now”, Harilela Chellaram relays, adding that empowering individuals like Midas is at the heart of the charity’s mission. “We strive to create a supportive community where people feel safe to show up just as they are.”

YAMA was established in 2016 and is a registered charity in Hong Kong, whose mission is to provide cost-effective, therapeutic services to underserved communities. It runs in parallel to Harilela Chellaram’s Hersha Yoga Academy, which like its charitable counterpart has witnessed transformational moments in its student body: marriages being saved, independence from mood enhancers and practitioners becoming more accepting and peaceful.

YAMA’s YTSS awards successful applicants with 10 sessions of individual adaptive yoga therapy classes to improve gross motor planning, social development, self-regulation and mood. Applicants must have moderate or severe disability or special needs and not be older than 18 years of age; and must be able to demonstrate financial need.

They also offer individual and small group classes, online yoga classes, Caregiver & Professional Training Accessibility Awareness and Accessibility, Expressive Arts Therapy, Yoga and Mindfulness for Teen Mental Health and Accessible Well-being.

“YAMA’s mission is that everyone—regardless of background or ability—deserves the right to feel good in their bodies, find peace in their minds, live vibrantly and belong to a supportive community,” Harilela Chellaram emphasizes.

“We strive to create a space where individuals can thrive and connect,” she continues. “At YAMA, we design our programmes to meet the unique needs of diverse groups, ensuring inclusivity at every level. Our yoga staff receive specialised training to deliver accessible practices focusing on trauma-informed care and cultural sensitivity. Every YAMA instructor must complete our ‘Safeguarding Communities Training’ before undertaking an 8-week practicum,” she reassures, adding that YAMA has also partnered with a renowned yoga therapy academy to introduce its Adaptive Yoga Therapy workshop, “empowering teachers with skills to break barriers and provide tailored support for individuals with disabilities”.

Additionally, she says that YAMA offers training and guidance to their NGO community partners, equipping parents, caregivers and volunteers with the tools to recognise and avoid unintentionally harming beneficiaries or triggering trauma responses.

But it’s not all plain sailing, opines Harilela Chellaram, who confides that Hong Kong currently lacks accessible spaces designed to support this type of work — spaces that are welcoming and inclusive for individuals with disabilities. She relates stories of teachers turning up to class hours early to check if the only lift is working, and having to cancel a class because it was not.

She cautions that as the number of people with disabilities continues to grow in Hong Kong, so too do the challenges they face, including social exclusion and mental health struggles.

“Now, more than ever, creating environments that foster connection and support is crucial,” she says; and yet, for all of the obstacles, she is sanguine in her belief that her charity can empower its beneficiaries to thrive; and that Hong Kong can become a kinder, more inclusive place.

“We encourage our beneficiaries to cultivate self-acceptance, build self-reliance and enhance their quality of life to inspire them to positively impact the world around them. At YAMA, we prioritize well-being because it represents a holistic, empowered and positive state of being. Unlike the narrower concept of wellness, well-being captures the essence of living fully and authentically,” she continues.

YAMA welcomes volunteers and donations. Click here for more information.

What is the best thing about the work that you do?

“The best part of what we do is provide a vibrant platform where individuals can truly shine,” says Hersha Harilela Chellaram, Founder and CEO of YAMA Foundation.

“Our yoga therapy programmes have had a profound impact, helping participants embrace their authentic selves and discover their inner strength.

It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the transformation in our beneficiaries as they gain confidence, purpose and positivity. Seeing them contribute to the world simply by being their true selves is both a privilege and a testament to the meaningful work we do every day. By fostering connection, self-awareness and resilience, we aim to inspire lasting change in the lives we touch. Together, we’re building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive authentically,” Harilela Chellaram continues.

YAMA Foundation