ABOUT YAMA
ELISSA CHRISSON
Hello! I'm Elissa Chrisson, founder of @yamamovement. We create space through active lifestyle retreats celebrating yoga, arts, movement, and adventure for the curious, conscious, and creative. Our purpose is to help people step away from their screens and reconnect with nature, the earth, the ocean, the mountains, and, most importantly, with each other. We believe in community and fostering "real connection" offline and in person, in some of the world's most remote and exotic locations. We encourage you to take off your shoes, place your feet in the earth, nourish your body, experience the richness of life and culture, and understand the importance of human connection.
The idea of YAMA was born in 2015, a passion-driven project and dream of mine.
YAMA Community is about learning, sharing, connecting, creating, adventuring, moving, and playing while being immersed in the most serene natural environments.
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The name YAMA was not without thought. YAMA is the first limb of the Ashtanga (yoga) eight-limb practice. The 5 YAMA's are ethical guides to living in avoidance of violence, lying, stealing, wasting energy and possessiveness. YAMA is also a Hindu deity of destruction and a metaphorical death of one's self into a new vibrant, self-loving, kind and caring person. In Japanese, YAMA directly translates as 'mountain', the high points of the earth that have magical, healing energy. We aim to deliver many mountain adventures so you can explore this for yourself. Finally, YAMA is an acronym for Yoga, Arts, Movement/Music/Mindfulness, and Adventure.
We want to take you on a journey to explore the wonder of your inner world and these abundant vast lands we call earth.
THE YAMA EXPERIENCE
We warmly welcome you to the YAMA family:
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Motion is the lotion for a healthy life; the body achieves what the mind believes, so keep moving. Immerse yourself in nature's magic, unleash your creativity, and embrace authenticity.
Unforgettable adventures in some of the world's most exotic locations, inspiring workshops, and heartfelt conscious connections.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Welcome to YAMA Movement—a vibrant tribe where life is celebrated in all its wild and colourful glory. If you’re feeling stuck in the daily grind, craving real connection, and tired of the screen life, we’ve got your remedy. We create transformative gatherings around the world, offering you the chance to break free, embrace your true self, and connect deeply with nature and like-minded souls.
At YAMA, we’re all about breaking the mold. We blend yoga, art, movement, adventure, and personal/spiritual growth into experiences that let you free your true self. Feet on the earth, heart open to the raw beauty of nature, and friends who feel like family—we’re here to help you reconnect with what really matters and remind you that life is too short not to live it fully.
This is NOT a tour company! it’s a movement. YAMA is your chance to step off the beaten path, embrace your inner misfit, and dive into the deep. Dance under the stars and give back through eco-friendly projects. We are a community where individuality, and creativity, are celebrated, and life is one big adventure waiting to happen. Are you ready to unplug, recharge, and live your best life?
YAMA transform nature’s best playgrounds into creative spaces, celebrating diversity, self-expression, and the pursuit of happiness. With a commitment to healing, exploration, play and connection, we invite you to join our vibrant community. Our mission is to guide you on a life-changing journey that soothes your soul and ignites your passion. Experience local cultures and arts, and learn life skills and techniques to cultivate inner peace and self-awareness that you can carry into your everyday life.
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Our trips are gender-inclusive. The theme we wish to encapsulate is a mini-festival vibe, a sense of freedom, openness and connectedness. If you are active, creative, free-spirited, fun and fabulous, you are perfect for our trips!
Our groups typically consist of individuals ranging from 20 to 55 years old. However, we believe that age is just a number, and intergenerational friendships are key to longevity. If you have a young and adventurous spirit, there are no boundaries. While some of our trips require a moderate fitness level and may involve physical challenges (depending on the specific trip), we welcome anyone open to the experience. We firmly believe that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
In a world that often expects conformity, YAMA offers unique experiences for all the circles who don't fit that square lifestyle, a gathering of abstract and arty souls who go wild in the wild.​
Join the Movement: To truly understand the essence of YAMA Movement, you must witness it firsthand. Visit our Instagram page, @yamamovement, and you'll catch a glimpse of our vibrant community and the unique experiences we offer. The photos and stories shared on our social media channels capture the energy, creativity, and joy that define YAMA Movement.
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Giving Back to the Natural World: We are not just about exploring the world; we are also about giving back to it. We are committed to environmental stewardship and actively collaborate with non-profit organizations focused on replanting and reforesting efforts. Through initiatives like beach cleanups and mountain cleans, we ensure that our impact on the natural world is positive and sustainable. By participating in these activities, you become an advocate for the preservation of our planet, fostering a deeper connection to the environments we explore.
So, are you ready to pack your bags, leave conformity behind, and step into a world where being different is celebrated and happiness knows no bounds. Let us travel together, create art together, and spread joy together.
OUR ETHOS
1. INCLUSION
Anyone may be a part of our community. No prerequisites exist for participating as long as you act with integrity, care and respect.
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2. SHARING, GIFTING & PLAY
We encourage you to bring your unique gift and share it at this gathering. YAMA is a space to express yourself through what brings you joy. This could be everything and anything from a hugging workshop to music, games, play, arts, singing, creativity, culinary, performance and dance. Shine through sharing. It's great for the soul.
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3. SELF EXPRESSION
Radical self-expression is our thang - dressing up in exotic locations and taking epic misfit shots. Be outrageous. The more outrageous, the better. Everyone is free to be whoever they want, as long as it doesn’t harm others and the environment. We recommend (glitter-free) recycled or second-hand fashion.
4. SUSTAINABILITY
Leave no trace. Just make memories. We are passionate about the natural world, and as visitors, we have a responsibility to keep it clean. YAMA fam love a beach clean! It's SEXY! When our community gets involved. We are working with Climate Force and Reforest Now to give back to the earth and our feathered, furry and scaly friends.
5. LEARNING
Learning should be fun. There are many opportunities to learn on a YAMA experience, whether it be from the community gifting or through our professional, fun young facilitators. We offer intensive learning traincations retreats, and certifications (trip dependent). All our retreats are unique and offer different opportunities for self-development and growth on a physical and mental level.
6. SELF-RELIANCE
Ensure you have all the items you'll need during the entire retreat. For guidance, we will provide a packing list for each experience. So that you dont forget your toothbrush or your passport ;)
We can't wait to create something beautiful with you.
MEET THE TEAM
Yoga teacher & Transformational breathwork coach
GALLERY
A photograph is a language that can be understood anywhere in the world
AFFILIATE
SHARE THE JOY
Join the YAMA Movement as an affiliate and partner with us. We're looking for adventure companies, yogis, influencers, dancers, and movers to inspire others to reconnect with nature and each other.
Earn up to $150 commission per booking.
Sign up with the link below to create your affiliate account, where you can monitor your links and track your success
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04dd317d-919d-438b-bd7b-888cedb3c1d2.goaffpro.com/create-account
COLLABORATOR
SHARE YOUR GIFT
Calling All Collaborators: Join Our Retreat as a Contributor!
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Are you a passionate breathwork facilitator, skilled sound healer, experienced yoga teacher, talented filmmaker, or someone with a unique offering that would elevate our retreat experience? We invite you to join us as a contributor and be an integral part of our transformative journey by sharing with our community.
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How It Works:
Each trip has two collaborator roles available generally these roles fill up quickly so it's important to reach out to us ASAP if you would like to apply. As a contributor, you'll receive a 20% Discount on the Retreat Price, additionally, you earn $200 per person from your community who joins the retreat using your unique referral code. It's a win-win opportunity to share your passion, showcase your skills, connect with like-minded individuals, expand your network and bring your friends along for this amazing journey.
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We celebrate creative Freedom. Bring your unique talents and offerings to our retreat. Whether you're leading a workshop, hosting a session, creating content or showcasing your art, we encourage creativity and self-expression.
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Who We Are Looking For:
We welcome collaborators from various backgrounds and disciplines, including but not limited to:
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Breathwork Facilitators
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Sound Healers
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Yoga Teachers
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Filmmakers
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Artists
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Wellness Coaches
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Mindfulness Practitioners
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Content creators
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Movement coach
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To apply for a collaborator role on our retreat simply reach out to us with your proposal or offering.
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TESTIMONIALS
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
TEGAN CAPLE
Elissa’s teaching style and calming presence were an invaluable part of my Wild Women’s journey to Uluru. Our group had varying levels of experience and she provided an array of yoga experiences for all tastes and levels of practice. Her classes were considered & energising and she utilised the ever changing landscapes of the outback we practised in. I believe Elissa’s personal style of teaching is a testament to her years of experience, both on and off the mat, in helping all students reach their greatest potential. I can’t wait to practice with her again
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QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
MELANIE GILL
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I had the pleasure of travelling to Outback Australia with Elissa on a Yoga and Hiking trip. I love practising yoga at home usually following Vinyasa styles on YouTube. Elissa has opened my eyes to many other styles of Yoga which I am really keen to explore more and she has also corrected my techniques. I am really grateful for this experience, for the yoga and also to have experienced this trip with such a beautiful soul. I look forward to planning another adventure with Elissa soon! I had the pleasure of travelling to Outback Australia with Elissa on a Yoga and Hiking trip. I love practising yoga at home usually following Vinyasa styles on YouTube. Elissa has opened my eyes to many other styles of Yoga which I am really keen to explore more and she has also corrected my techniques. I am really grateful for this experience, for the yoga and also to have experienced this trip with such a beautiful soul. I look forward to planning another adventure with Elissa soon!
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
JESSICA ROACH
Training with Elissa has completely changed my life. I had never practised yoga prior to attending Elissa's classes, and after just one class I was hooked. I came from barely being able to touch my toes to now practising yoga almost every day and being able to reach further than my toes, backbend comfortably and do handstands. Elissa has a really great and fun teaching style and places a lot of focus on technique. Over time, I have learnt a significant amount from Elissa about the philosophy of yoga and come to appreciate not only the physical side of yoga but also the mental, spiritual and emotional side.
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
BROOKE
​Wow, What a magical adventure I experienced in the Komodo Islands with YAMA. Experiencing the mystic deep oceans, connecting with my breath, pushing my limits and learning a new addictive experience was out of this world. The incredible nature and sites we saw were true bliss to the eyes and soul. YAMA really takes you to parts of the world without the big crowded overwhelming groups.
The intimate group were none other than just the best humans with a taste of life, love and fun that was infectious. Elissa is a great coordinator. With her easy flow and beautiful nature, I felt at home, and beautiful new connections were formed!
Thank you, YAMA. honestly life-changing
Brooke x
DUBLIN, ISLAND
PAUL MCGLADE
Elissa was my amazing motivational yoga teacher for 3 to 4 mornings per week for 2 months during my holidays in Goa India in 2019
She has the X factor personality and work ethos as a truly great professional, experienced yoga teacher and is deffo top of her game in teaching !!
I’m truly looking forward to my next yoga sessions in January 2020 with Elissa !!
I would recommend her 100 % to everyone in the the world !!
Paul Mc Glade From Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
GIGI TSANG
I have been learning under Elissa since February this year and in this time I’ve seen massive improvements in my practice. Elissa focuses not only on helping you into a pose but doing it correctly to prevent injuries.
Initially, I went to yoga to improve my flexibility, but with practice, I’ve realised that other areas have also improved such as my strength and breathing. Seeing these improvements has encouraged me to regularly work on my yoga practice with support from Elissa.
Thank you Elissa, this is the strongest and most flexible I have ever been!