Zurishaddai Ruiz Neira

(zur-ish-uh-dye) she/they

Welcome! My name is Zurishaddai (I also go by Zuri) and I’m a certified mobility specialist + yoga teacher of over 10 years.

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Without knowing it by name, the idea of mindfulness was introduced to me in childhood. Thanks to my father’s stories of our Taíno ancestors in Borikén and my mother’s spiritual guidance, I developed a connection to prayer & meditation early in life.

In adulthood and in the face of trauma, however, I drifted away from true mindfulness. And when I decided to reconnect- to heal and evolve- that’s when I came across the teachings of Yoga in particular.

Pranayama- a practice tied to breath control- became particularly significant for me. As I learned to manage my breath, I cultivated a calmer mind. Then, practicing asana (yoga poses) with intention and discipline further nourished me, gradually reshaping my habits, decision-making, and relationship to Self.

Before committing to sharing Yoga and movement guidance, I enjoyed many years in fashion merchandizing and retail management.

After always prioritizing employees’ quality of life simultaneously ensuring customer satisfaction, I was dubbed the “People’s manager.” And it was those interactions that led me to understand the ways I enjoy supporting others.

When fellow peers & family members learned I was practicing Yoga, they began to ask questions. From there, my journey as a guide of Yoga, mindfulness, and movement ensued.

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In 2015, I completed my Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Certification with FlorYoga and Sarah Marsh in Jersey City, New Jersey.

In 2017, I began practicing with Cecily Milne of Yoga Detour™ to expand my knowledge on movement education.

In 2018, after fracturing my wrist in a snowboarding fall, physical therapy inspired me to train with Dr. Andreo Spina and Functional Anatomy Seminars, earning my certification as an FRC® Mobility Specialist.

Uniting my love for mobility training and yoga asana, I became a Registered Yoga Detour™ Instructor in 2021.

I am also certified in Prenatal Yoga thanks to additional training [in 2015 and 2017] with birth educators and doulas: Michelle Timek, Kimberleigh Weiss-Lewitt, and May Lane.

Additionally, I am grateful to my teachers, Oneika Mays and Shoko Dubiski, for their guidance through out the years in my personal and teaching practice.