Meet Ruah Bhay: Your Guide to Holistic Well-Being

Greetings, I’m Ruah Bhay, a dedicated teacher specializing in yoga, meditation, breathwork, wellness, and embracing a healthy lifestyle. I also have a passion for mindfulness, martial arts, and holistic living. As a native New Yorker and a mother of two, my journey has taken me around the world and back to Brooklyn, where I’m committed to helping individuals and groups discover depth in their lives and fulfill their true potential. I proudly serve as a senior teacher and mentor at Yogaworks and Equinox.

Rooted Beginnings

My journey into yoga, meditation, and self-hypnosis was deeply influenced by my mother. She introduced me to these practices through her involvement with Integral Yoga in Greenwich Village and retreats with Swami Satchidananda. As a child, my mom and I often practiced Yoga Nidra together, gradually relaxing each part of our bodies. Today, scientific research underscores the profound importance of nurturing both our bodies and minds for overall health and well-being. My childhood experiences serve as a constant reminder of how essential relaxation and self-care are when supported by the right environment. My initiation into Transcendental Meditation (TM) has been especially transformative. Thanks to TM, I maintain a consistent 2x/day meditation practice under the guidance of my aunt and uncle, who are devoted followers of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Spirituality and healing have always held a special place in my heart, and exposure to various philosophies has shown me that compassion and love are the common threads connecting all ways of life.

When I started my journey as a teacher, I had just returned to my Native New York City after living for years in Senegal and France. My mom and I were having lunch in a cafe on Hudson Street, in the neighborhood I grew up in. As we discussed what I might do in my next steps of life, she said, “you have been given this precious gift of life. Use it well and do your best to help those around you.” These words touched my heart deeply.

A Call to Serve

“Service to others is the highest form of self-realization.” – Swami Sivananda

Learning from Within: Ahimsa in Practice

This powerful quote embodies a principle deeply rooted in my journey, one passed down to me by my mother, a lifelong teacher and college professor. It underscores the idea that when we serve others, we not only contribute to their well-being but also embark on a path of self-discovery and purpose. Through my years of practicing yoga, I’ve come to understand the essence of Ahimsa, a Sanskrit term signifying a delicate balance between maintaining peace and love for others while maintaining our inner strength, standing up for our beliefs, and nurturing our own well-being.

Harmony of the Heart and Spine: Nurturing the Self, Nourishing Others
I often envision this balance of a soft and open heart complemented by a strong and unwavering spine. When we show up authentically for ourselves and those around us, a transformative power emerges, propelling us toward our fullest potential.

When I was a young person navigating the path of self-discovery, I realized that by nourishing my well-being through daily rituals, routines, and practices, I became better equipped to share my energy in service to others. Through this service, I not only contributed to the lives of others but also embarked on a profound journey of discovery and purpose for myself.

A Global Journey of Service

My journey into service began during the years I spent as a teacher in Senegal and conducting educational research in France. However, it was upon my return to New York City that my mother shared a simple yet powerful message over lunch at a café on Hudson Street in Greenwich Village: “You’ve been given this precious gift of life. Use it wisely and do your best to help those around you.” Those words resonated deeply, reinforcing my conviction that my life’s purpose revolved around supporting others on their paths.

Choosing Yoga: A Path to Transformation

While yoga wasn’t initially part of my educational and career plan, my love and hobby practicing and teaching it from a young age became a passion and remained unwavering. During my tenure in nonprofit management after completing graduate school, I embraced yoga as a cherished hobby, teaching classes during lunch hours and weekends. It was during a quiet moment of journaling in an Istanbul café that clarity descended like lightning. The decision became unmistakably clear: I chose yoga. Six months later, armed with an Excel spreadsheet and clear determination, I left my job, opening the floodgates to a life where I was teaching 29 classes a week across New York City, my heart brimming with fulfillment.

The Journey Continues: Martial Arts and Honing Mind, Body & Spirit

These days, I am so grateful to teach my community of students in Brooklyn and abroad for my international yoga retreats. My yoga, meditation and other various cardio practices of running, biking and rollerblading continue to be the foundation of everything else in my life, however, over the past decade I have increased my focus on building strength and weight training. Then, a serendipitous series of events in September 2023, led me to a new chapter of life where I started daily training in Martial Arts, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai. I proudly participate in BJJ competitions, and have even won a gold and silver medals, and plan to compete more and continue my training at Brooklyn Martial Arts and other locations of the world when I travel.

Unlocking Your Potential

Today, with over 20+ years of experience, it remains my privilege to share my passion for teaching and connecting on personal and profound levels with students who join me on this transformative journey. Yoga, meditation, and martial arts don’t magically erase life’s challenges. Instead, they empower us to navigate life’s twists and turns with greater ease. My personal journey with these practices has brought me extraordinary self-awareness, mental clarity, physical strength, confidence, a zest for life, and emotional balance. My motivation for teaching remains the same as when I began – when you love something that transforms your life, you naturally want to share it generously with others. It’s both an honor and a privilege to walk this path, and I hope to pass on the invaluable gifts I’ve received.

 

TRAININGS & CREDITS

My journey has led me to feature in various health and fitness publications and collaborations with notable figures such as Russell Simmons. You may have seen me in Marie Claire, Time Out, In Resident, More, Uptown, FOX, WPIX, NY Post, and NY1. I hold a 500hr Yogaworks Certification, Khalsa Way Prenatal Certification, and boast over 15 years of teaching experience. My academic background includes a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Sustainable Development.

“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.” -Mahatma Gandhi

What People are Saying…

sabrina

Sabrina

“Ruah has a presence that I felt so connected with that there was no way I couldn’t ask for her time as a teacher and guidance as a mentor. As an instructor, she is nurturing while inspiring as she guides creative sequences that lead many different bodies into forms that may have not been known as accessible. Her abundant and relevant philosophical knowledge, conscious adjustments, incredible voice, and kind heart will offer anybody freedom in their body, mind and outlook on life. She is easily a rare gem in the global yoga community. I am honored to call her my friend, teacher and mentor.”

Sabrina

Andrew-&-Teresa-2

Teresa & Andrew

“Ruah has been a very special guide and inspiration to us—both in our yoga practice, and in our lives – as a mother & parent.

In one word, the experience with Ruah as a yoga teacher is magical—delivered like a special medicine for nourishing and healing the body and mind. We’ve yet to experience the quality and depth of Ruah’s classes anywhere else.

Ruah is a master at her craft. Her style is a unique and rare combination of rich yogic insight, creatively layered sequencing, athletic challenge, breathing exercises, meditations, gentle spiritual guidance, and abundant heart.

Ruah has an incredibly calming presence, the voice of an angel, and the wisdom of an enlightened soul. The way she gracefully guides us through intelligently constructed flowing sequences always leaves us feeling profoundly better, renewed.
Ruah has truly touched our hearts, and we are sincerely grateful for her kindness, support, and influence on our practice and our lives, both on and off the mat.”

Teresa & Andrew

meredith

Meredith

“I absolutely recommend going on a retreat with Ruah.  No hyperbole, I think a retreat with Ruah is prescriptive for a life best lived. Ruah is the ultimate guide. She leads with clarity, grace, precision, wisdom, and abundant love. She meets and guides each person in the unique way they need to take their yoga practice (on and off the mat) to the next level. Practicing with Ruah in such an intimate, hands-on way elevated my practice in profound and long-lasting ways that I will be grateful for throughout my journey as an aspiring yogi. I left this retreat inspired, strong and ready (though another day would still have been lovely!) to go back into the world and bring my fullest, most loving, and present self to others. This retreat was a truly life-affirming experience.”

Meredith

madhuri

Madhuri Sastri

“Ruah is a giving person, who is  incredibly generous with her knowledge. Her Memorial Day retreat  put me in a state of bliss. I left feeling both relaxed, and uplifted and energized to get back to my life. My physical yoga practice deepened and expanded: her personalized adjustments are EVERYTHING… just what I needed  to understand my body. Also, her guided meditation was sublime. She led me to a place of calmness deep within that I didn’t even know existed, let alone how to tap into! Most importantly, thanks to her guidance, I find that I am able to recreate it for myself whenever I want. That is the most wonderful thing about a retreat with Ruah: not only do the benefits linger, but she also equips you with the tools you need to return to them time and again. A truly unforgettable experience.”

Madhuri Sastri

Jungah

Jungah Lee

“Ruah provides the perfect balance of spiritual teaching and challenging asanas, within an inspiring sphere in which to deepen one’s practice. Having practiced with a myriad of instructors, it is easy to identify a truly devoted teacher with a breadth of knowledge at her fingertips. Ruah has taught me new ways to find the most basic pose, while presenting me with old challenges and boundaries to push past. It is rare to find a teacher as inspired and passionate about Yoga. I feel blessed to have Ruah as a guiding light in my practice.”

Jungah Lee

Jessica

Jessica

“I was first introduced to yoga by my sister Karla, the OG yogi in the family. After a surf trip to Costa Rica we both got into it. But, I really started taking my practice seriously 3 years ago when I met Ruah. She embodies “buddha nature” and just being around her drew the best out of me. I learned I actually don’t want to be tortured in class and the amount of pain I endure is not a measurement of effectiveness. In fact, I’ve achieved my best work through gentle, loving kindness and a focus on the mental/spiritual practice. Working with Ruah has turned me into a true yogi capable of aligning mind, body and spirit. At least, while I’m on the mat.”

Jessica

Carleen

Carleen

“Ruah is a gem!  I had lost my practice for a while and she brought me back to life on the mat. She teaches with mindfulness and is truly present in every class.  She also has such a beautiful spirit that is reflected in her sequencing and alignment. Her nurturing nature makes you feel welcome even if you are a newcomer and her energetic style of teaching challenges you in a careful way.  I’m grateful to experience such an incredible teacher!”

Carleen

Rachel

Rachel Heller

“Ruah is such a fresh breath of “pure” air. She is very giving of her time and I found my favorite time was not only during class but after during our little catch ups. I felt her knowledge was so helpful and directed me on a positive path for both my body and soul. 

After her classes I felt recharged and ready to take on the days challenges. She was very patient and very encouraging.  I have managed to carry all the tools that Ruah gave me throughout my days and in my practice. I truly feel that there are some teachers that leave an impact on you and Ruah is definitely one of those masters. 

I forever cherish Ruah and am immensely grateful that she has been there from the beginning of my yoga journey and in many ways my ultimate path to happier days.” 

Rachel Heller

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