More Than a Yoga Studio, We're a Movement

Margarita Quiñones Peña is a proud first-generation Mexican-American, born in Durango, Mexico and raised in Chicago, IL. She is the founder of the Latina Sweat Project and a passionate advocate for immigrant rights, mental health access, and wellness equity.

Her personal journey as an immigrant and DACA recipient inspired her to create a space where BIPOC women and underserved communities could heal, move, and thrive without barriers.

Margarita is a 500 E-RYT certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and has been teaching yoga for over a decade. Through her leadership, Latina Sweat Project has grown into a grassroots movement serving over 5,000 students monthly across Chicago.

Margarita continues to lead large-scale community events, drive funding for free teacher training programs, and advocate for inclusive, trauma-informed spaces that reflect the strength of the people they serve.

Amayrani Nunez is a proud Mexican-American from the Southside of Chicago and the eldest daughter of immigrants from Guerrero. She holds a degree in Finance and an MBA from DePaul University, with professional experience in wealth management and financial planning within the renewable energy industry.

Outside of her career, she has been actively involved in community advocacy, including serving on the fundraising committee for Mujeres Latinas en Acción’s Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC). Her strong financial acumen has been instrumental in supporting Latina Sweat Project’s long-term sustainability and strategic planning.

Amayrani has created within the Latina Sweat Project an opportunity to build the kind of community she had long been seeking—one rooted in belonging, identity, and collective healing. Inspired by that mission, she became a certified yoga teacher and has been an active part of the project’s growth since its inception.

Through this work, she continues to advocate for healing spaces that reflect the richness, strength, and spirit of her community.

Vanessa Tirado is a proud Mexican-American from Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, where she continues to live and serve her community. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a licensed school social worker with over a decade of experience supporting youth and families citywide. Vanessa is also a registered yoga instructor with additional certifications in Yoga Sculpt and Power Yoga, blending her mental health background with inclusive wellness practices.

Vanessa's work is rooted in cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and social justice. Through her leadership at the Latina Sweat Project, she has helped lead over 100 community events, distribute yoga mats and essential supplies, and contribute to more than $27,000 in mutual aid and nonprofit support.

Vanessa continues to advocate for healing spaces that are accessible, affirming, and reflective of the communities they serve.

Veronica is a proud Mexican-American born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. As the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong resident of an underserved community, she has witnessed firsthand the impact of racial and economic disparities. These lived experiences led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a focus on social equity and community well-being.

As Vice President of the Latina Sweat Project, Veronica plays a key role in creating a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for underrepresented communities. Her yoga journey began through community-based classes, which ultimately inspired her to become a certified yoga instructor. Motivated by the lack of cultural representation in traditional wellness spaces, she is committed to offering inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally rooted yoga experiences.

Through her work, Veronica continues to advocate for equity in wellness and create healing spaces that uplift the spirit, identity, and resilience of her community.