Our Story
It all started when…
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.
Hersha & Shaman Chellaram
Shaman & Hersha Chellaram, Founders of YAMA Foundation
Supporting Partners
Heartfelt gratitude to our partners who provide us with long-term support.
We work with a wide range of service organisations across
Hong Kong to offer accessible wellbeing programmes
CONTACT US
oFFICE hOURS: mONDAY-fRIDAY 10-6PM
TELEPHONE: +852-55070268
Our People
Dedicated experts with a passion for serving others
leadership team
Hersha Chellaram
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Rina Hiranand
Board Secretary
Shaman Chellaram
Co-Founder & Board Vice-Chair
Victor Leung
Company Secretary
Pilar Morais
Board Treasurer
programmes TEAM
Angelita Li
Administrative Assistant & Specialist Yoga Teacher
Angel Leung
US and Canada Credentialed Music Therapist, NICU Music Therapist
Melody Tse
Yoga Therapist and
Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner
Jam Hiran
Yoga Teacher
Melo Ng
Programme Coordinator
Geetha Nagendra
Specialist Yoga Teacher
Melanie Anderson
Yoga Teacher
Dorothy Hung
Yoga Teacher
Wendy Choo
Administrative Officer
Hung Yan Lo
Specialist Yoga Teacher
Victoria Ahn
Yoga Teacher
Michelle Lai
Registered Music Therapist (Australia)
Neurologic Music Therapist
Pacsy Lam
Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner
Lucia Yiu
Yoga for the Special Child Practitioner
Emily Fung
Yoga Teacher
Sita Mak
Yoga Teacher
Ambassadors
Catrin Anderson,
Ambassador
Mui Thomas
Ambassador
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
Interested in joining our team?
share your resume with us
YAMA Foundation works with teachers / therapists who have higher-level, specialised qualification to work with disadvantaged communities.
All our teachers go through induction training, practicum placement, SCRC background check and first-aid certification.
Discover the Benefits of Yoga Therapy
