Today we’d like to introduce you to Luz Nazario.
Hi Luz, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey is rooted in the belief that our heritage and our health are deeply intertwined. While I have spent thirty years as an educator, my path as an entrepreneur began in December 2016.
NEDA’s Coquito was born out of a moment of necessity when my family ran short of funds one December in 2016; and, I turned to a childhood memory of coquito making story from my Mami and Abuela to bridge that gap. I wanted to honor my Puerto Rican roots by crafting the definitive coquito, but I knew it had to be a healthy, dairy-free alternative that respected our bodies as much as our culture.
While NEDA’s was growing, my personal wellness journey was also evolving. I began my yoga practice ten years ago, but it took on a much deeper meaning after my bariatric surgery. I found that yoga provided the grounding, intentional, and mindful movements that were essential to my physical healing and mental ease. This transformation inspired me to create BoriYoga Body. I wanted to create a mobile studio that offers a safe, non-judgmental space for others on their own physical transformation journeys.
Today, I stand at the intersection of these two worlds. Whether I am sharing a bottle of NEDA’s Coquito or leading a yoga session, my mission remains the same: transforming heritage into health and movement into mending. My power lives in my presence, and my peace lives in my choice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, but I believe the challenges are what give the mission its strength. One of the primary struggles was how the initial leap into entrepreneurship. NEDA’s Coquito was born out of a financial necessity for my family in 2016, and starting a business from that place of pressure requires a specific kind of resilience. Because my entire career and education has been in the classroom rather than in business, I had to learn every aspect of branding and logistics from the ground up, all while ensuring every bottle honors the integrity of our heritage. Even today almost 10 years later I am still learning. I pivot instead of panicking.
Another significant challenge was the physical and emotional journey that led to BoriYoga Body. Navigating life after bariatric surgery while maintaining my yoga practice showed me exactly where the wellness industry was falling short. There were moments of frustration when traditional fitness environments felt inaccessible or failed to understand the unique needs of a body in transformation. It took a lot of trial, error, and personal grounding to realize that I had to create the space I could not find.
Balancing these two businesses alongside a thirty-year career in education requires constant navigation and adjusting. There have been moments where ideas were plenty, but the support system felt small. However, finding my tribe of fellow women business owners has helped turn those frustrations into clear direction. Every hurdle has been an opportunity to practice what I teach. I have learned that when I remain fully present in the face of a challenge, I find my power, and when I choose how to respond to that challenge, I find my peace.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the core of my entrepreneurial life is a commitment to fostering wellness and cultural pride through my two businesses. I specialize in creating products and services that invite people to return to themselves and their roots.
Through NEDA’s Coquito, I am known for crafting a distinctive, healthy alternative to traditional coquito. What sets NEDA’s Coquito apart is the balance of tradition and vitality. I use high-quality, dairy-free ingredients to ensure that those who are health-conscious or have dietary restrictions do not have to sacrifice their celebrations to feel good. It is about honoring where we come from while choosing a vibrant future.
With BoriYoga Body, I specialize in a supportive and empowering yoga environment, particularly for those on a body transformation journey through weight loss surgery or GLP-1s. Having navigated my own physical healing after bariatric surgery, I am known for providing a safe, non-judgmental space that focuses on gradual grounding and mobility. Unlike traditional studios that can feel intimidating, my mobile practice meets people exactly where they are.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the integrity that anchors both ventures. I am proud to be a veteran educator who uses my skills in teaching to build businesses that uplift my community. I want readers to know that my offerings are more than just a beverage or a yoga class. They are invitations to reclaim your strength and your story. Whether it is through a bottle of NEDA’s Coquito or a BoriYoga Body session, the goal is “Elevating our roots through wellness and healing through mindful motion.”
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Miami is its vibrant, rhythmic energy and how it mirrors the warmth of my roots. Coming from Puerto Rico and having lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I feel a deep sense of belonging here. It is a city of entrepreneurs and dreamers, and being surrounded by so many driven women in my tribe has been a gift. Miami is where NEDA’s Coquito found its wings and where BoriYoga Body continues to grow. There are pockets of community in Miami that fill my soul.
What I like least is the pace and the congestion that can sometimes pull us away from the very presence I teach. In such a fast-moving, high-traffic city, it is easy for people to become disconnected from themselves and their neighbors. There is a “hustle” culture here that can feel at odds with the softness and grounding I advocate for in my yoga practice.
I often feel that the city’s beauty is best enjoyed when we actually slow down to appreciate it, but the environment often pushes us to do the exact opposite.
Pricing:
- NEDA’s Coquito: Contact for more information
Contact Info:
- Website: BoriYoga Body: www.boriyogabody.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boriyoga_body and https://www.instagram.comnedascoquito
