THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WILD YOGA TRIBE
Hey there, I’m Lily and and I want to help you get there.
I’m Lily Allen-Dueñas and I am a yoga teacher, holistic healer, Reiki Master, vegan nutritionist, and meditation instructor. And I’m all about collaboration, compassion, connection, and community.
I’m an international yoga teacher and the founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe, and host of the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast. I’ve taught yoga classes and workshops in surf hostels in Sri Lanka, hotels in Bali, and wellness centers in the Philippines. And I sat at the feet of masters, monks, and gurus all along the way.
Through my podcast, and all of my endeavors, I strive to serve my community in a way that is accessible, authentic, and inclusive.
AS FEATURED IN
Press Coverage
AS FEATURED IN
Podcasts
The Wild Yoga Tribe's Mission
The Wild Yoga Tribe’s mission is to shine a light on the global yoga ecosystem and all the interconnected aspects of the path of yoga while helping others on their paths of wellness and wholeness. The Wild Yoga Tribe is a community rich in diversity, curiosity, and heart-centered connection.
Lily Allen-Duenas’ Certifications
- 200hr Hatha & Vinyasa TTC @ Nepal Yoga Home in Kathmandu, Nepal
- 38hr Accessible Yoga Training @ Accessible Yoga School
- 100hr Yoga Nidra @ Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Maharashtra India
- 150hr Yoga Psychology and Philosophy @ Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Maharashtra India
- 150hr Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training at @ Yoga Vidya Gurukul in Maharashtra India
- Vegan Nutritionist Certification from Centre for Excellence in the United Kingdom
- 50hr Ashtanga Yoga Alignment @ Punyah Yoga in Rishikesh, India
- 50hr Crystal Healing @ Reiki School India
- Reiki Level I – @ Nepal Yoga Home in Kathmandu, Nepal
- Reiki Level II and III – Certified Reiki Master Healer @ Reiki School India
- 180hr Thai Massage Certification @ TTC Spa School in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Vipassana and Meditation Retreats
- Vipassana @ Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery in Mae Hong Son, Thailand
- S.N. Goenka Vipassana @ Dhamma Anuradha, in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
- Introduction to Buddhism Silent Meditation Retreat @ Tushita Monastery in Dharamsala, India
- Open Heart, Clear Mind Silent Meditation Retreat @ Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal
- Mahasi Vipassana @ Brahma Vihara Monastery in Bali, Indonesia
Wild Yoga Tribe + Diversity and Inclusion
The Wild Yoga Tribe LLC is an inclusive and gender-affirming organization and we welcome, support, and honor all human beings, including cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, genderfluid, and agender people.
Moreover, we recognize that every person navigates changes in their abilities across their lifespan and we welcome, support, and honor those with visible or invisible, chronic or intermittent disabilities.
It is a Wild Yoga Tribe priority that all feel welcome to join together in conversation to help all beings feel truly heard, seen, understood, and empowered.
The Wild Yoga Tribe’s Origin Story
I’ve read a lot of stories about a person who has suffered a near-death experience, whether it’s a battle with cancer, or a car wreck, or the death of a loved one and came out on the other side of grief, illness, pain to say, “Now! Now, I am going to live my life the way I want to!”
“We all go along for years moving through our days, propelled by habit, taking life pretty much for granted. Then we or someone dear to us has an accident or gets seriously ill, and it’s as if blinders have been removed from our eyes. We see the meaninglessness of so much of what we do and the emptiness of so much we cling to.” – Pema Chödrön
Here’s the thing, I really and truly didn’t want to have a near-death experience to say those words and come to that realization. I want to live my life how I want to live it, now.
I had been the Marketing Manager of the oldest professional theatre company in the state of Iowa for four years, and I was burned out. Back then, “burnout” didn’t even exist as a phrase. But it’s what I was experiencing. I had spent a year asking my inner voice in shavasana and in meditation: “What am I supposed to do with my life? How am I supposed to heal? How am I supposed to serve?
After about a full year of asking myself, my inner wisdom/voice those questions. I heard an answer: help others on their paths to health and wellness.
The next day I asked my boss for a month’s sabbatical. Within 48 hours I was approved. Within a week I had a deposit paid on a yoga teacher training course. A few weeks after that I flew to Kathmandu and hopped in a taxi that took me to Nepal Yoga Home.
I received my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification from Nepal Yoga Home in Kathmandu under the direction of yoga guru Prakash Acharya. It became clear that returning to my marketing desk job wasn’t quite what the universe had in store for me. I released resistance and accepted what was unfolding.
Like magic, I got a job teaching yoga in Cambodia at an island resort. I packed a giant backpack and headed to Koh Rong Samloem to begin my adventure teaching yoga. I traveled all across Asia and parts of Europe in 2018 and 2019, and stopped to teach, learn, or just paused wherever the wind took me.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I spent time teaching yoga at a winery in Napa Valley, California before making my way to France to reunite with my husband where the Wild Yoga Tribe’s online offerings expanded. In June 2021, I launched the Wild Yoga Tribe Podcast so that each week I could have a conversation with a yoga teacher from a different country around the world, to spotlight their work, to share their stories. 2022 and 2023 have been years of immense growth for Wild Yoga Tribe— as we continue to grow, expand, and work with yoga teachers and students around the world!
Recently, my husband and I moved to the USA. I am teaching locally in Iowa and online as well.
Thank you for joining me on my journey, and being a part of the Wild Yoga Tribe.
A Note on the Wild Yoga Tribe Name
I came up with my company name, the Wild Yoga Tribe, through a lot of careful consideration and thought. I felt like I had a hundred ideas, and I had plenty of fun playing around with all of them. I settled on the Wild Yoga Tribe as I wanted to dedicate my business, brand, energy, and intention to shining a light on others and serving others. While other yoga teachers often use their own names in their yoga businesses, I wanted to make sure mine was about others, not about the “self.” To reflect this, I chose the word tribe. While I acknowledge that some people consider using this word problematic or an act of appropriation, I do not seek to diminish or appropriate the culture, identity, or struggles of indigenous people; nor do I wish to ignore or perpetuate the history of violence, marginalization, and oppression faced by indigenous communities.
I use this word as an act of community: honoring the roots of the entire world of yoga and yoga teachers — not of one person, people, or culture. Through my work, I strive to connect with and share the message of yoga teachers from every country around the world. By doing this, I hope to illuminate how we are all connected as one, as a tribe, embodying the true meaning of yoga— from yuj: to yoke; to come together.
Partnership Opportunities
We are always open to mutually beneficial, creative opportunities to collaborate. We are always looking for mission-aligned brands to partner with, and sponsorship packages and advertisement spots are available for the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast. Let’s brainstorm together.
STAFF
Meet The Team
Say a big hello to the Wild Yoga Tribe staff! We are tight-knit, remote-based team that spans the globe. These are the people who work behind the scenes to make the magic happen. We’re a small yet mighty team and we’re so grateful that you stopped by our staff page to get to know us better!
FOUNDER, Lily Allen-Duenas is an international yoga and meditation instructor, vegan nutritionist, a holistic health and wellness coach, and a Reiki master healer. She strives to help people reduce their emotional overload, and find balance, breath, and space for self-care. Lily is the founder of the Wild Yoga Tribe and the host of the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast. Her journey has led her to a life of flexibility, fluidity, and has fostered a vast reservoir of compassion, curiosity, and creativity. She endeavors to guide others on their path to living a life centered on whole-hearted well-being.
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER, Rémy Creton is a the talented photographer behind the Wild Yoga Tribe. He is from France, and is currently living and working in the north of France with his beloved wife. Rémy is a commercial diver, a scuba dive instructor, and a translator. When not in the water, Rémy enjoys traveling and trying as many adventure sports as possible.
PUBLIC RELATIONS & DIGITAL MARKETING INTERN Betsy Palmer is a current senior at Purdue University studying Communications with a focus on public relations and strategic communications. Her dedication to preserving our deteriorating environment inspired her to pursue a minor in Environmental Politics and Policy as well as a certificate in entrepreneurship. She actively advocates for mental health and the importance of spiritual wellness. She enjoys bringing fresh perspectives to the table at work and likes looking into innovative approaches to problems.
Special thanks to all the people who have been a part of the Wild Yoga Tribe’s journey— including past interns Trinity Louvan and Kasia Naessens. And shoutout to my wonderful team of international photographers— Jake Sternquist, Kim Reed, GetLost_Photo, Nemi Bulat, and Elizaveta Chenko. Shoutout to my podcast mentors Michael DeAloia and Christina Mirabal, and to my inital podcast consultants Andrew Cherry and Matthew Schueller.
Where have I taught yoga?
Bali, Indonesia
Cebu, the Philippines
Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia
Ahangama, Sri Lanka
Crete, Greece
California + Iowa, USA
WORK WITH ME
What is your heart calling for?
1:1 Personalized Coaching To Gain Clarity
I will facilitate your connection with your inner wisdom, and help you to gain clarity, find balance, and make strides on your path of health and wholehearted well-being.
Personalized Vegan Meal Plans & Recipes You'll Love
I’m here to help you every step of the way to incorporate more plant foods into your diet in a simple and sustainable way while prioritizing your nutritional needs to optimize your health and wellbeing.
Courses, Classes, Workshops, and Retreats
Join me for yoga, intentional movement, breath, and meditation—online or in person—to grow and gain self-awareness, self-discovery, and self-expansion.
ARE YOU READY TO WORK TOGETHER ?
Feeling my vibe? Schedule a free call and tell me more about you.
What’s next?
Get in touch with the global yoga community and learn more about the incredible yogis who are part of the Wild Yoga Tribe by tuning into the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast, and tap into in-person + online offerings with Lily Allen-Duenas.
