Prajna Yoga & Healing Arts: Urban Sanctuary for Busy People

When Yiwen Chang left a successful career as a corporate consultant to open a yoga studio, friends and family members were puzzled.

“They didn’t understand why I would leave a good job to teach yoga,” said Chang. “It was a huge leap of faith, but it just felt right.”

Taking that leap, Chang opened Prajna Yoga & Healing Arts in June. The studio, located at 1601 El Camino Real in Belmont, has been transformed from a prim accounting office into a luminous sanctuary for dance, meditation, healing arts and a variety of yoga classes.

“We are dedicated to the wellness side of life and building community,” said Chang.  “We are the first to offer family yoga and the only studio on the Peninsula to offer a holistic approach and live music with some of our classes.”

In addition to a wide variety of yoga classes for all levels, Prajna offers Tai Chi, Zumba, Qigong Flow, and Uzazu, which teaches the alignment of thoughts, emotions, and body. A weekly list of classes and instructors can be found on the studio’s website.

Chang is especially enthusiastic about teaching yoga to teens; she has designed a special class specifically for young people, which she says helps them develop core strength and connect with their bodies. She volunteers at the San Carlos charter school teaching yoga to 5-8 graders.

Music is an integral part of the Prajna experience. “In addition to body movements, I believe in the healing power of music,” said Chang.

She demonstrated a Native American flute. “The key of 'F' resonates most in the heart,” she said.

“We pair up a yoga class with live music every Sunday. In addition to temple bells and crystal bowls, we have had a professional cellist come to play."

The over-arching theme of Prajna is its dedication to eco-friendliness. “We designed the entire space with green in mind,” said Chang.

All the furnishings and much of the interior decor has been repurposed, recycled or resurrected from another building. “We have tons of salvaged material here,” Chang said. “We found quite a bit at local salvage yards.” Even the curtains were salvaged from another business, and Chang explained that the cork flooring is “floated” which makes dancing easier and is kinder to feet.  

The studio’s centerpiece however, is the vibrant painting by Alberto Ybarra that hangs above the Prajna community altar.

“I love this space,” said Chang. “This painting is the landscape of my heart. It represents expansion of hope, warmth, joy and peace.”

Students are invited visit the altar for quiet reflection or to leave a token of something that holds special meaning to them. On any given day, the altar may display live flowers, small statues, cards, incense, or other mementos.

In explaining her willingness to make the leap from the corporate world to small business owner, Yiwen Chang exudes the strength and serenity of a seasoned yogi. “I feel fortunate to have had the experience of being a corporate consultant. But I needed to do something where I could serve the community more.”

Chang, who is Chinese, grew up in Libya and attended boarding school in Malta. She came to the U.S. as a teenager.

“Life was hard for my parents who were older immigrants. So I can really relate to the hardships of others, especially women and children.”

Social causes are another aspect of Prajna Yoga & Healing Arts, and a list of non-profit organizations Chang supports can be found on the studio’s website. Sunday classes are donation-based, with donations going to one of the designated causes.

As the community discovers Prajna Yoga & Healing Arts, Yiwen Chang hopes to bring about healthy change, growth and transformation.

“Prajna is not just a place where people go to take classes,” said Chang. “I want them to feel the love and support here. I believe it will manifest.”