The Magic of Dance and Yoga
Danzartes Inc. is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean dance folklore. The company was founded in 2005 by dancer and choreographer Yasmar Cruz. Danzartes has presented rich and contemporary repertoire of African rooted musical productions and dances in venues such as: Puerto Rican Festivals, University of Puerto Rico, Florida International University, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Music School, Lehman College and public schools within the New York City district.
Yasmar Cruz, Director
Yasmar Cruz
Started her yoga journey in 2014 at Yogashakti Yoga Center in New York, under the guidance of Swami Ma Mokshapriya Shakti. Finding a life changing experiences through this practice, she graduated and went straight into the 500 hours yoga teachers training. Opportunity that allowed her to visit India’s sacred temples and yoga schools in Haridwar, Dharamshala and Rishikesh, and experience yogic practices first hand. In 2016 she got certified as a 500 hours teacher.
She has written and directed various theater plays including “I Love Salsa” The Musical and “El Espejo” which have been selected for International Theater Festivals in New York, Festival de Teatro de Otono (Cuba) and Festival Casa Navarrette (Dominican Republic). In 2013 she participated with Oyu Oro (Afro-Cuban collective) in the Dos Aguas program, and trained in Cuba with renowned companies such as Ballet Folklorico de Oriente, Teatro de la Danza del Caribe y Ballet Folklorico Cutumba.
Her first book “Rios de Sol” (Sun Rivers) was published in New York by La Ovejita de Papel and was presented at the International Writers Festival Florez Junto al Mar in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Yasmar is a certified dance teacher for the New York Department of Education, where she teaches dance and Spanish. She also coordinates arts enrichment programs for children and adults in various NYC schools.
As a guest artist for other dance companies, she had the opportunity of participating in prestigious opening acts for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Bomba Yo. And the 60th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade with Danza Fiesta.
Yasmar holds a Reiki Master Teacher level in the Usui Sensei Reiki Lineage from Deer Spirit Reiki and is fluent in Spanish, English and French.
Ms. Cruz just graduated with a Masters degree in Dance Education at Hunter College from the City University of New York.
Christiaan Perez, Operations Manager
Christiaan manages the day to day logistics for the retreats, including everything from confirming outings to making sure that the needs of guests are met . He also manages the digital communications for Danzartes such as social media, website and newsletter.