About.
Authentic. Creative. Connected
Lourdes Paredes has been a pillar in the Chicago wellness community for more than 20 years.
Originally from California, Lourdes discovered yoga while attending Columbia University in New York in the early 1990’s (before the big wave of yoga). She became a student at Integral Yoga in Greenwich Village. It became a refuge from the intensity of the City and her studies. She found the practice a satisfying way to physically engage her spiritual side.
YOGA & MEDITATION
Deep. Soulful. Expansive
After moving to Chicago she become a certified yoga instructor in Chicago in the late 1990s to learn more, while working full-time in human resources. She began teaching yoga while in graduate school, and started to teach full time in 2002. She went on to study under such notable instructors as Gary Kraftsow, Donna Farhi, Andrey Lappa, and 3- year apprenticeship with Shiva Rea, She began teaching classes at Chicago’s major studios such as Moksha Yoga Center, Yogaview,and Exhale Spa.
Lourdes quickly became a respected leader in Chicago’s wellness community and has always looked beyond the yoga mat to help people live their best lives. She leads workshops on Living Yoga, created the House of Shanti Yoga Teacher Training, and leads international retreats, urban retreats, and creates video series. She has been invited to lead classes at national and international gatherings.
Lourdes teaches an impressive number of private clients who are high performing professionals, including civic leaders and executives.
She currently teaches one public yoga class at Namaskar Yoga on Sundays 9:30-11am.
RECENT PROJECTS.
Spiritual Guide , Visionary Leader , Mindful Publisher
In 2013, after years of sharing information and insights through classes, workshops, retreats, email and word of mouth, Lourdes created Illumine Chicago, a print and digital resource for Chicago’s wellness-minded community. She is an advocate for businesses that are mission-driven.
Lourdes’ vision for Illumine is to be both inspirational and educational, simultaneously enriching and actionable, connecting the public with businesses that help others grow and succeed in every part of life, and contributing to a healthier community and a more vibrant world.
Illumine Magazine has since evolved, recognized as Chicago’s premier health and wellness publication, and includes a dynamic and growing online community. In 2018, the first illumine Life Directory was printed, and is known as THE trusted resource for discovering wellness-minded businesses in the Chicagoland area.
RESOURCES.
Live Your Most illumined Life.
Yoga. Coaching. Writing. Creating Rituals
“Lourdes’ classes are deep, soulful and authentic. After class you are energized and centered. She incorporates meaningful messages throughout the class that carry over throughout the day and week.”
“Lourdes is a patient and very supportive instructor. She is very nurturing and extremely flexible. Willing to make adjustments for you and what is best for you. Lourdes provides instruction and consistently inquires about your well being in your practice and outside.”
“Lourdes offer accessible, clear instruction, and motivating themes in classes that inspire us to become more of our true selves.”
Contact.
LET’S TALK.
Press
Podcast for Becker Women’s Leadership:
This episode features Lourdes Paredes. Lourdes Paredes is the Founder and Publisher of Illumine Magazine. She has taught yoga since 1999 at Chicago yoga centers, citywide and national events, and has led international retreats and workshops. Her passion for teaching yoga as an authentic way of life and her passion for learning fuels her constant willingness to evolve, recreate, and be creative in her life. Here she discusses starting the magazine, the importance of connecting with others, her goals, and more.