Instructors

Sensei Luis Ruiz was born on February 24, 1970 in Manhattan, New York. He lived in Brooklyn the first 10 years of his life, he then went to Puerto Rico with his family, his brother who at the time was in Dominican Republic and attending Shorinji-Ryu Karate classes inspired him to begin his martial arts quest, in addition when his brother joined the family in Puerto Rico he became his first Sensei (Karate instructor). where he began learning Shorinji-Ryu, His brother who had a passion for karate taught him among other things that there was no importance in being better than anyone else, that the real importance was for him to be tomorrow; better than he was today.

His first outside and official instructor was Tae-Kwon-Do Master Tan in Isabella Puerto Rico he trained there for a while and quickly decided that this style was not for him; he then moved on to Kung-fu (Choy Lay-Fut) with Sifu Jose Ramirez, still not finding what his brother was bragging about he moved on to Boxing where he spent almost no time at all. Finally, in a tournament held in Aguadilla, P.R. he met Sensei Wilfredo Herrera, he had no idea how this man was about to change his life.

Sensei Wilfredo Herrera was practicing under Master Eddie Cardona in P.R. who was also a member of Master Vincent Cruz’s organization (ISKA) under Nishiyama Sensei. Sensei Luis began his training in Shotokan Karate-Do with Sensei Wilfredo Herrera, he was immediately impressed by the dedication, discipline, control, and other incredible qualities Sensei Wilfredo had. Sensei Luis loved Karate with a passion. He would spend countless hours before and after his scheduled classes training, he would also train in the park at night. Sensei Herrera taught him that the sky was the limit. He never trained anywhere else while he was in Puerto Rico and in return for his loyalty; Sensei Wilfredo Herrera gave him his best.

Sensei Luis earned his way onto a Brown Belt under Wilfredo Herrera, he was tested for this belt under the Wilfredo And the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association in a visit by Master Kenneth Funakoshi to Puerto Rico. Shortly after receiving his brown belt he decided to join the Army reserve where he was sent to Saint Louis Missouri for basic training and other additional training. He was then sent to Aguadilla Puerto Rico to serve his time. He participated in law enforcement operatives in San Juan P.R. where many reservists risked their lives to stop crime in drug known neighborhoods. At the age of twenty-One Sensei Luis returned to New York in search of a better life. Once he established himself with a regular job he found a Shotokan Karate School in Queens and practiced with Sensei Jose Jordan a Member of the U.S.A. Karate team and a students of Master Tomas (La Puppet) Carroll where the equivalent of his Brown Belt rank was honored, Sensei Luis describes training with Master Jordan as one of the best experiences of his Karate life, In Addition Sensei Luis trained with Shihan Steve Borkowsky in Brooklyn for a while and has tremendous respect for Shihan Borkowsky, Who was also a member of the USA Karate team.

Having to move from Brooklyn to the Bronx he was unable to travel to continue his training with Sensei Jordan, therefore after a couple of months he was introduced to Sensei Moises Dela Cruz also a student of Thomas La Puppet where he received his Black belt in a test conducted by a panel of about 9 Black belts among them Sensei Moises DeLa Cruz, Shihan Cedric Barksdale, Sensei Ronald Cook, Shihan Victor Mosquera and other Black Belts from different schools an organizations.

Finally Sensei Luis Ruiz moved back to Brooklyn, and Shihan DelaCruz moved to Florida, so he was introduced to Shihan Victor Mosquera and trained under Shihan Mosquera were he received current rank.

Sensei Luis continues to train and has received his Shodan (first degree), Nidan (Second Degree) Sandan (Third Degree) Yondan ( Fourth Degree) Black Belts.

Sensei Luis Ruiz currently holds a 4th degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate-Do, Under Master Keigo Abe and under Victor Mosquera. He is a member of the USA National Karate Federation, Japan Karate Shotokan Karate Association and  an  is a USA & Dominican Republic National Karate official. At the international level he is a Pan American Karate official.

Sensei Luis is also a 7 time regional champion, 6 Time National Champion, and 5 time international champion. Has was member of the 1990 Puerto Rico Karate Team, and helped trained the Dominican Karate team in the USA that attend the Dominican Games in 2006.

He has won over 200 trophies 150 medals and numerous other awards in local tournaments.

Sensei Luis lives in Brooklyn N.Y. with his wife and 3 boys, and has a daughter that lives in Florida.

Sensei Luis still carries the Shotokan Karate values as it was taught to him in Puerto Rico, and in NY.

In addition Sensei Luis is The

Chief Instructor of the Goshin Ryu Shotokan Karate-Do School

Desiree was born & raised in Brooklyn, New York to  Puerto  Rican/ Dominican parents. She grew up in a  very  musical family with a passion for music &  dance. she  has dedicated the past 13 years of her life  to dance  & music……teaching and performing. 

She loves ZUMBA not only because it helped her to  loose  almost 40 lbs ( after the birth of her second child) but she gets to help, change & inspire the lives of people through ZUMBA. You don’t need to know how to dance…..she will guide you through all of the basic steps. The rest is easy. Just have fun, smile, follow the music & don’t stop moving.

She is currently a licensced ZUMBA Instructor ( licensced in Basic 1 & 2, Zumba Gold & Zumbatomic), a member of the ZUMBA Instructor Network & a Latin Dance Instructor. In addition, She is a Certified Group Fitness Instructor with AFAA & CPR certified.

So what are you waiting for???? Come on down & “Join The Party” in her ZUMBA class. she is also available for private classes, workshops & coorporate events. For more info send her an email at zumbawithdesi@gmail.com or call her directly at 347 – 845-4806.