• Executive Director

    Whether through her yoga classes, guiding prenatal yoga teacher trainings, or hosting full moon gatherings in her backyard, Lisa is by nature, a community organizer. An Indianapolis native and the eldest daughter of two public servants who worked in education, she graduated from Purdue University in 1995 with a BA in Political Science and Communications and has always been compelled to be of service to her community. She has worked for a variety of non profit organizations, from an animal therapy program to serving adults with developmental disabilities, and working with environmental and social justice organizations that protect endangered species and indigenous land rights. She ran the Tucson chapter of Food Not Bombs and has spent time as an intake worker at her local shelter for folks experiencing homelessness.As a mother of four she is passionate about maternal wellness and promoting access to midwifery care and breastfeeding. In 2002 Lisa became a yoga instructor and has used her public platform to raise funds and awareness for a variety of causes including financial assistance for those affected by the 2004 tsunami, the earthquake in Haiti, hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Planned Parenthood, Project Home Indy, and The Pad Project.

    She loves expressing herself through the arts of music and writing and she is the technical editor of 2 books in the Yoga for Dummies series published by Wiley Publishing. Above all, Lisa is most in love with her family, including her partner Brett, 4 daughters, 1 dog and 2 cats.


  • Board Member

    Jiamia McCoy, (she/her/ella), is a racial justice educator, a recognized holistic health practitioner, and identifies as Black/African American. She is an anti trafficking social worker, also recognized as a survivor’s advocate. She’s been working with Indiana Legal Services since January 2021 and in the non-profit sector world serving survivors of crime for approximately 7 years while she acquired her education in human/social services. She collaboratively works with the commmunity comprised of work rights and survivor rights advocates – supporting survivors of labor exploitation and human trafficking. Not only is she extremely passionate about anti-racism being prioritized in the anti-trafficking movement and non-profit sector as a whole, she’s built curriculums along with conducted robust trainings surrounding the domains and origins of human trafficking. She’s an esteemed survivor educator on this topic of restorative justice, anti-blackness, decolonization, and anti-oppression. She believes in the importance of creating safe spaces through shifting the language and perspective to prioritize racial justice and equity within every part of society. Additionally, she’s led as a chair member on multiple state coalitions surrounding anti-trafficking and anti-racism. She is a participant in the abolition movement and activist for human & civil rights. She’s a yoga practitioner, lover of wellness and planting, a mother, and spends most of her time in a book or with family & friends in community.


  • Board Member

    Marin Strong is a born and bred Hoosier who has been passionate about yoga and mental health for years. While her professional role of U.S. Support Team Lead for Webex Events keeps her outside the yoga world, she tries to engage in as many classes outside of work as possible! Marin loves the downtown atmosphere of Indy and lives on the Near East Side with her husband, Willie, and son, Luka. As a board member, Marin strives to uplift and empower all those seeking movement and strength throughout Indianapolis.


  • Board Member

    De'Shon "Paradise" Bey is a man who lost his way in the world, but has since reconnected with the stranger who was once himself . Through growth, he has continued to learn to love himself and 'innerstand' his purpose. Now a certified yoga teacher, he continues his journey with healthier eating, spreading light and love to his community, and most importantly, growing in his yoga practice. Now a RYT 200hr and Y12SR leader, he is also certified in Yin Yoga, Meditation, and Pranayama. Paradise feels Yoga is a way of life, It's much more than poses and stretches. He invites everyone from all walks of life to join him as we collectively heal our neighborhoods through meditation, breathwork, and most of all having fun.


  • Board Member


  • Board Member

Meet the folks behind the scenes.


  • Associate Director

    Andrea is a dynamic multidisciplinary artist based in Indianapolis, where she has nurtured her creative practice and deep connection to the community throughout her life. As a new mother to a vibrant 16-month-old daughter, she balances her passion for art with her commitment to family life, embodying the role of both a nurturing parent and a driven professional.

    With a background in administrative roles for several small start-up businesses in Indianapolis, Andrea brings a wealth of experience in organizational skills and creative problem-solving to her professional and artistic endeavors. Her professional journey reflects a steadfast dedication to equity and social justice, which she integrates into her work as a feminist and advocate for change.

    A registered 200-hour yoga teacher and a Prenatal yoga instructor, Andrea also emphasizes holistic well-being and mindfulness in her practice. Her art and teaching are intertwined with her values of social equity and creative expression, making her a multifaceted contributor to both her local community and the broader discourse on art and justice.

    Residing in Indiana for most of her life, Andrea continues to draw inspiration from her surroundings, creating impactful art that resonates with themes of personal and social significance. Her commitment to both her artistic and personal pursuits reflects a profound dedication to fostering positive change and nurturing creativity in all aspects of her life.


  • Board Member

    Kristen was born and raised in the beautiful state of Michigan and received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2012. She aspired to be the next Sheryl Sandberg, moving to Indianapolis to work towards that dream. She followed the rules and was climbing the corporate ladder; got promoted, went back to school, graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a master’s in business in 2019, however with each accomplishment came with more despair. What WAS she reaching for? Attention? Recognition? Acceptance? She started to suffer from a major disconnect between corporate values and personal values. With a leap of faith, decided that it was best to let the Sheryl Sandberg dream go. She quit her corporate job in 2020, out of a longing to stitch her spirit back together, and look beneath the hood of who was driving the car. The practice of acknowledging and being aware of the stories and narratives that have an impact on our behavior and choices is a powerful skill, and a gift that yoga gave to her; a gift she can only hope to introduce to others within the teachings of yoga as well. She is now the Studio Manager and yoga instructor at Cityoga School of Yoga and Health, where she continues to be a student and a teacher of yoga.


  • Board Member

    Zelideh Martinez Hoy, M.S.Ed, Ph.D., is proud to serve on the HMC board. Her career trajectory in addressing health and education disparities is deeply rooted in her journey as a child interpreter, immigrant, and first-generation high school and college student. With over 18 years of experience in higher education administration, spanning roles as a student affairs professional and professor, she brings a multifaceted perspective to her work.

    Despite her academic achievements, she encountered feelings of fragmentation and disembodiment within academia, prompting a journey toward healing and self-discovery. This path led her to yoga teacher training, where she confronted the capitalistic and colonized views of the body ingrained within her. Deepening her connection to somatic healing, she pursued conscious erotic touch certification through the Atlanta Institute of Tantra & Divine Sexuality, and Embodied Transformation with Strozzi Somatics allowing her to re-member, redefine, and create spaces for women to reclaim pleasure and embrace rest without guilt or shame.

    She finds joy in cuddling with her loved ones, reading, sunbathing, cooking, and sharing her soul food, Mexican cuisine, with others.

  • Board Member

    Kendi is a yoga instructor and full-spectrum doula, serving Indianapolis. She is passionate about improving BIPOC maternal wellness statistics in our comunity, as well as getting help and resources to those who are most at risk. Kendi is a mother of 2 young boys and believes that heath and wellness should be easily accessible to all families in Indianapolis, without finances being a barrier.