Our Founder
Joy Chua
With over a decade of mindfulness experience, Joy is an adventurous spirit, driven by curiosity and a passion for life. Her journey began in 2015 during a sabbatical from work, whilst volunteering abroad in Maldives at a Marine & Wildlife conservation project. The same year, she discovered mindfulness.
Today, Joy is a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA) at the Center for Mindfulness and trained by the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. She is also a Certified Sound Healing Facilitator, having completed the Sound Healing Mastery Training Course recognized by the International Yoga Alliance.
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How It All Started
It all started with a dream.
It all began with a dream—to hold space for all beings, including those with unique and special minds, to guide them towards 'ibasho'—a true sense of home and belonging within themselves. Many brilliant minds think differently, and while their uniqueness is a gift, it can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. At Ibasho, we are dedicated to bridging that gap by offering a neuro-inclusive, supportive environment for everyone towards self-discovery and self-empowerment.
Embracing Neurodiversity
For years, I chased happiness—through solo travels, new adventures, and the relentless pursuit of success—yet the emptiness remained. I was living on autopilot, shaped by societal expectations and unconscious conditioning, never truly understanding why I felt different.
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Since childhood, I knew I was an outlier. My imagination was wild, but my focus was fleeting. My textbooks were filled with doodles, and no matter how hard I tried, I struggled to absorb lessons in class. Traditional learning never worked for me, so I had to find my own unconventional ways to study—methods no one else understood. Thankfully, they worked, and I made it through university with relatively good results.
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The missing piece finally came in adulthood when I stumbled upon a Straits Times article on Adult ADHD. For the first time, everything made sense—the struggles, the mind-wandering, the inability to focus despite wanting to. Seeking an official diagnosis was one of the most liberating day of my life.
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Mindfulness and sound healing transformed my life. They helped me reclaim control—to stop living passively and step into the driver’s seat of my own mind. At Ibasho Mindfulness, I envision to hold space where special minds feel seen, understood, and empowered. Because when we embrace our differences and tap into our unique gifts, we unlock the extraordinary potential within.
Joy's Journey
Social Impact
Spreading love.
Neurodiversity is often a lonely journey—misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely overlooked. This can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and untapped potential in many brilliant minds. At Ibasho Mindfulness, we embrace the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, offering tailored wellness workshops designed with compassion and a heart-centered approach.
In marginalized communities, the lack of diagnosis often means lost potential. A portion of our profits goes toward initiatives that provide underprivileged children with access to assessments, resources, and opportunities—empowering them to embrace their strengths and thrive.