What began in 2020 as a personal quest to acquire a new skill has blossomed into a lifelong passion for Allan Ray Enriquez, the founder of Damayan Yoga.
Damayan Yoga embodies the following yogic values: vairagya, viveka, kama, and tapasya.
Vairagya translates to non-attachment. As practitioners of life, we do not seek to reject or suppress our desires but rather to recognize the transient nature of all things. This understanding allows us to liberate ourselves from attachment to the material world. Let us find contentment without being overly fixated on the outcomes of our efforts, so we can continue to move forward regardless of the results.
Viveka signifies right understanding and discernment. In a world overflowing with information, it is crucial to differentiate between what is real and what is illusory, and to recognize what may be right today might not hold true tomorrow. Our practice urges us to see beyond the superficiality of the material world to connect with our higher Self (Atman). This requires us to evaluate consequences, act appropriately, and make balanced judgments.
Kama denotes desire or passion. We encourage ourselves to engage passionately with life and its pursuits through our thoughts, words, and actions. This pursuit should be mindful, balancing Dharma (morality), Artha (material prosperity), and Moksha (liberation). By doing so, we navigate life with intention and skill, avoiding the traps of overindulgence and greed.
Tapasya represents discipline and conscious effort. Derived from tapas, it symbolizes the inner fire and willpower that propel us beyond our comfort zones, helping us resist negative habits and encouraging self-reflection (pratyahara). We urge our practitioners to remain steadfast by showing up consistently, maintaining a regular practice, and making thoughtful choices.
The world was unprepared for the events of 2020. Allan had originally planned a trip to Goa, India, to train as a yoga teacher in the first week of January. However, circumstances took an unexpected turn, leading him to complete his first 200-hour Vinyasa yoga teacher training course at Pranalaya Yoga (now Pranalaya Wellness) in Baguio City, Philippines.
What was intended to be a month-long journey transformed into nine months of training, both in-person and online, as the world struggled to regain its footing. This transformative experience created a solid foundation for Allan to discover his unique voice in yoga.
Upon graduating in August 2020, Allan began offering both online and in-person classes, experimenting with various methods to enhance his group teaching skills. In 2021, he pursued a second 200-hour yoga teacher training course in Ashtanga and Traditional Hatha online at SSV Yoga Ashram. This endeavor provided him with a sense of stability during his psychological therapy journey. He also took his first meditation course, completing a 100-hour meditation teacher training at Yogamu, as he sought ways to improve his mental and emotional well-being.
In 2022, as the world slowly reopened, Allan continued his journey with a 300-hour multi-style yoga teacher training course online at SSV Yoga Ashram and a 200-hour meditation teacher training at Yogamu, finishing the 300-hour course in 2023.
Allan continued his teaching while pursuing further education in yoga and meditation. He began facilitating yoga retreats alongside other instructors in La Union, Batangas, and Rizal, and conducted workshops focusing on myofascial release, mobility, and yoga in Baguio City, Pampanga, La Union, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, and other locations. Additionally, he offered masterclasses in Pasig City and Baguio City.
In October 2020, he founded Damayan Yoga with the principle of aparigraha (non-attachment) at its core. His goal was to emphasize his gift for sharing the practice of yoga rather than drawing attention to himself.
In October 2023, Allan partnered with the National Museum of the Philippines to host the country's inaugural Yoga at the Museum event. This groundbreaking initiative stirred controversy as it was the first of its kind, leading to criticism from more conservative circles. Currently, Allan is actively seeking additional museums in the Philippines to host future Yoga at the Museum sessions.
Allan embarked on his journey to India in October 2025, envisioning Damayan Yoga as a transformative learning institution. He sought to shift its focus from merely teaching yoga in studios and fitness centers to empowering individuals to become future yoga instructors. While in Kerala, he completed his third 200-hour yoga teacher training, specializing in Flow, Ashtanga, and Hatha, and also pursued a 100-hour Ayurveda course. Later that October, he received the exciting news that Yoga Alliance had approved his school to offer a 200-hour foundational course, prompting him to rebrand Damayan Yoga as the Damayan School of Yoga & Wellness. Allan returned to India in March 2026, this time to Rishikesh, to further his studies in yoga therapy.
On September 8, 2026, Damayan Yoga was accredited as a Certified Yoga School, offering 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training under the standards of the Global Online Yoga Association (GOYA).
Allan's vision for the school is to share the valuable insights he has gained from his years of experience as a fitness professional and yoga teacher with individuals actively seeking knowledge in yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and wellness.
