Meet Our Staff
FOUNDERS OF
Yoga Gardens
Frediliza David, Mor Solomon, and Indigo Monae, came together, after meeting in a yoga class, to form Yoga Gardens. This nonprofit initiative is focused on bringing a place of peace to the oft-troubled inner-city communities of Chicago. We believe that the universe rewards you for doing good and once you find your outlet for doing good , things just seem to line up; life unfolds in an easy sort of way. Namaste.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Indigo Monae'
Indigo began her yogic path in 2007, has since trained in many forms of Meditation/Yoga.
She is a world traveler who uses her travels to study deeper into yogic practices, following the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Indigo is E-RYT 500 hour certified, teaching since 2010, studying medical qi gong, she was certified in Thailand on Foot Reflexology and Thai Massage. Indigo also completed many Vipassana meditation all over the world focusing on her own self-healing and she believes in making the world a nicer place.
Gardening Coordinator
Green Team
Amberdawn Cisneros has been with Yoga Gardens since 2015 and has found a home as our Head Gardener. Amber is extremely passionate about improving / maintaining this treasured land we share and she loves helping others. Amber brings everyone joy, knowledge, peace, and community throught the programs she runs at yoga Gardens NfP.
In the gardens she continues to grow, teach, share, and pass on here gift.
Yoga Coordinator
AJ
Consistency is key to his practice.
Aj is an RYT-200 certified by the Chicago Yoga Center, where he did his Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Suddha Weixler. You will find that his classes are very technical and multi-level with a wonderful balance of effort and relaxation. Since then, AJ continues to study and teach yoga with other wonderful teachers and students all over the world.
Event Coordinator
Brandice Manuel
BIO COMING SOON!
Community Director
Loretta Young
Loretta has been in the Addictions Field for the past 20 years, Living on the westside of Chicago her whole life. she has also been a part of the violence that spills in our community and impacted by the violence personally as well. Loretta was given a second chance at life to empower in her home,community, and at work. Her positions and roles vary from Detox Specialist, Assessments, Case Management, Counselor, Recovery Coach. Loretta is encouraged by this opportunity to be of services Loretta is passionate about serving the community she lives in. She educated on ways to reduce orabstain from high-risk substance use behavior as well as redirect negative thinking patterns, promoting positive self- worth, and wellbeing. She has obtained her CADC licensure, Associate Degree, and bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavior Science. "I am pleased to be a part of an organization that empowers and uplifts the people of
the community."