(photo: Hersha Chellaram with her 2 children.)
Hersha Chellaram (E-RYT 200, RPYT & RCYT) is an Integral Yoga teacher teacher/trainer and director of Integral Yoga Hong Kong. In this conversation with Avi Gordon (director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association), Hersha talks about finding meaning in life, how to know the right outlet for our energy, and the importance of accepting our capacity. Hersha is co-founder of the YAMA Foundation—a non-profit organization that makes Yoga, art, meditation more accessible to Hong Kong’s underserved communities.
* “[The pursuit of excellence] requires some balancing: I think it’s really important to still pursue excellence, but then be very real with yourself as to what your capability and capacity is.”
* “Being able to witness your mind while you go through social media’s very very important, to see what emotions come up for you, and if it really affects you that much where you’ve lost your balance, sometimes it’s good to disconnect.”
* “Kids can’t sometimes recognize the emotions that they’re feeling and the actions that come out as a result, but they naturally look for soothing behaviors and activities.”
* “You don’t have to have a purpose – you don’t need to say “Oh, what is my purpose in life? What am I supposed to be doing?” – no, you just need a general idea of ‘Where would I like to head? What would I like to move forward with?’, and take one step in that direction.”
Hersha Chellaram has studied Yoga since childhood under the loving guidance of Sri Swami Satchidananda (who founded Integral Yoga® in 1966). Hersha serves as Chair of the Integral Yoga Global Network and Asia Pacific Representative, as well as heads up the Integral Yoga Hong Kong Sangha. She is certified and accredited to teach yoga at the E-500 RYT level, as well as prenatal and children’s Yoga. Hersha Yoga is a Registered Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level and Registered Prenatal Yoga School — an international accreditation authority in the Yoga industry — and holds credentials as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level (E-RYT 500), a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT) and Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT). She is also a member of Integral Yoga Teacher’s Association and the International Association for Yoga Therapists. She has contributed numerous classes, yoga therapy sessions, workshops and training programs in Hong Kong, New York, India, Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. She has been instrumental in bringing yoga to Hong Kong for the special needs community. She has developed a number of therapeutic yoga programs to many of Hong Kong’s schools, non-profit organisations, NGOs and charities. For more information, please visit: hershayoga.com
