What started in 2020 as a personal quest to learn a new skill has transformed into a lifelong passion for Allan Ray Enriquez, the founder of Damayan Yoga. Rooted in the principles of yoga—vairagya (non-attachment), tapas (discipline), and viveka (discernment)—Allan is dedicated to honoring his teachers and preserving the traditions of yoga in the modern world, empowering practitioners and enthusiasts on their personal yoga journeys.
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 aimed to shift its focus from merely teaching yoga in studios and fitness centers to empowering individuals to become future yoga instructors. During his time 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's vision for the school is to share the insights gained from his years of experience as a fitness professional and yoga teacher with individuals actively seeking knowledge in yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and wellness.
