Our mission is to make yoga, art, and meditation accessible to Hong Kong’s most vulnerable communities.
Who We Serve
people with disabilities & special needs (PWD/SEN)
The prevalence of disability and chronic illness is on the rise in Hong Kong, yet our city lacks wellbeing services, facilities and qualified professionals to meet this growing demand.
PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY
A quarter of our population live below the poverty line. Many of the people who need wellbeing support the most simply cannot afford care.
PEOPLE WITH POOR MENTAL HEALTH
61% of people in Hong Kong suffer from poor mental well-being. Anxiety and depression are the most common health issues in the city, and our youth suicide rates are among one of the highest in the world.
YAMA’s mission-led programmes work to bridge these gaps and address key social issues facing Hong Kong.
Featured Programmes
1:1 Yoga Therapy for PWD/SEN
Yoga therapy is a viable form of intervention and rehabilitation for people with disabilities and special needs. Our Yoga Therapy Scholarship Scheme awards successful applicants with 10 sessions of individual adaptive yoga therapy to improve gross motor planning, social development, self-regulation and mood. Eligible candidates are invited to apply.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH for NGOs, SCHOOLS & SERVICE ORGANISATIONS
YAMA offers tailor-made programmes for groups from our Core Service Areas. Our classes are designed for schools, care homes, hospices, day-training centres, prisons and other service organisations. Please email us to inquire about programmes.
ACCESSIBLE WELLBEING CONFERENCE
YAMA’s biennial conference features the city’s forerunners in accessible wellbeing and offers a variety of inclusive recreation activities, experiences, and workshops across all generations, for PWD/SEN, their families, carers, and communities.
The YAMA Difference
Success Stories
Meet Marco
The Gentle Giant
Marco, a young man with Autism, joined YAMA’s yoga therapy programme. He walked in angry and violent, but from the first class, he had discovered ways to self-soothe and calm down. He’s now a valued part of a small group class. His mother says that Marco now has tools to calm himself and has found a place where people accept him as he is.
Meet Pacsy
Found her Life’s Purpose
Grieving the loss of her late brother who had an intellectual disability, Pacsy volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. She helped Hersha translate for a Family Yoga class and inspired to learn how to teach yoga for kids with disabilities and special needs. Pacsy now teaches for YAMA and runs her own yoga studio, IN Yoga + Fitness
Meet Catrin
HELPING OTHERS Like Her
Catrin joined YAMA’s Wheelchair Yoga group classes. Through yoga and mindfulness Catrin found a way to process her emotions, and help others too. She is now a YAMA ambassador, certified in Accessible Yoga, and has her blog Shift Yourself Now. She shared her journey to wellbeing at the ISAAC Conference 2018.
Meet Mirna
Inspired by Her Son
One of Mirna’s twin boys was born with Mosaic Down syndrome. Alex was one of YAMA’s first students and he loved yoga so much, that his mum trained to teach yoga to adults and kids with special needs. Mirna now teaches for YAMA.
Meet Mui
Journey of Discovery
Mui was born with Harlequin Ichthyosis, a rare skin condition. She worked at a day training centre and as a Rugby referee before discovering Accessible Yoga. She is now a YAMA ambassador and advocates for people with visible differences.
We need your help!
YAMA relies on the generosity of donors to sustain our programmes and core operations. There are so many ways you can get involved.
Stay In Touch
CONTACT US
PREFER TO CALL?
Tel: +852-55070268