(Speaker Version)

Yolonda, at her core, is a true social entrepreneur. She is a PLAY-ologist, passionate about play, mindfulness, women's holistic wellness, and childhood development. Yolonda is a former distance runner, and she found yoga as a way to recover after runs. As her life progressed, yoga became a way for her to heal and learn from her past. Yolonda is a Registered Yoga Teacher and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In addition, she is certified in all things yoga, including Trauma-Informed Yoga, Children's Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Mental Well-being in Children. She has worked professionally as a counselor and health educator. 

In 2009, Yolonda let her entrepreneurial spirit flow and she founded a family entertainment center called Amaya Papaya Playlounge. While she owned and operated AP, Yolonda observed parents and children gain so much from simply playing together. This inspired Yolonda to really tap into the power of play. In 2013, she created Amaya Papaya University.  Rebranded in 2013 as Mindful Play Learning, she has developed a curriculum that she now uses to partner with early learning environments to enhance children's mental health and well-being through play.

With over twenty-five years of professional experience in corporate organizations, non-profit organizations, independent business ownership, mentoring, volunteering, and motherhood, Yolonda brings real-life experience to all of her clients. She has been blessed to combine her passions with her professional experience to fulfill her life purpose of being a teacher, healer, and mindfulness expert. Yolonda believes everyone can find their passion and purpose through mindfulness and PLAY.