By: Emily Delgado
University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate Lily Allen-Dueñas (13BA), a business owner and entrepreneur, says her time at Iowa gave her the skill to help her launch an online yoga business and podcast — which has taken her all over the world.
Allen-Dueñas is an international yoga teacher and holistic healer. Her passion for yoga led her to leave her marketing desk job and pursue a yoga teaching training course in Nepal. From there, her international yoga adventure began, landing her in surf hostels in Sri Lanka, hotels in Bali, and wellness centers in the Philippines — all to teach yoga.
During the height of the pandemic, she expanded her online yoga and wellness offerings, which include personalized coaching, vegan meal planning, and retreats. But also, notably, launched her Wild Yoga Tribe Podcast to share stories about the benefits of yoga from different perspectives around the world.
Her first episode dropped in June 2021 and has consistently aired since.
“The Wild Yoga Tribe is about the stories, methodologies, and philosophies of yoga and the profound impact that comes from fostering community, collaboration, and connection through yoga,” Allen-Dueñas says.
Iowa is known as “The Writing University” largely because of its world-renowned graduate programs, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, including the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and the Nonfiction Writing Program. The university is also committed to helping all students build strong writing and communication skills across campus and in every field of study.
Graduating in 2013 with a degree in English, she was also selected to speak during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ commencement ceremony — a high honor that accompanies a competitive audition and is reserved for those graduating with honors.
“My classes and courses in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences gave me an abundance of skills, not just in writing, but also in thoughtfulness, the impact of each word you choose, and how to be confident speaking in front of large crowds,” she adds.
Allen-Dueñas says as a liberal arts student, she received a well-rounded education that taught her skills necessary for her to be a successful business owner and storyteller.
“The University of Iowa taught me the importance of effective marketing, leadership, and continuous learning, all of which have been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey,” Allen-Dueñas adds.
As a loyal Hawkeye, Allen-Dueñas is still connected to campus and her past professors.
“I don’t think a year has gone by and I haven’t sent an email to someone who works at the University of Iowa to ask a question, seek a resource, or seek advice,” she says. “The UI is still there to support you, even after you graduate.”
Allen-Dueñas is back in Iowa operating her business, which includes recording and releasing more than 100 podcast episodes and interviewing more than 100 yoga instructors from 100 different countries.
“Through these episodes, I've traveled the world, exploring the diverse perspectives and experiences of yoga teachers. Each conversation has been a unique exploration of what yoga means to individuals from various cultures, backgrounds, and traditions,” Allen-Dueñas explains.
You can find the Wild Yoga Tribe podcast where you listen to podcasts, including Spotify, Google, and iTunes.