Meet nicOLE

Nicole Zornitzer founded Niyama Yoga Studio in 2007 in Baltimore, Maryland.  Having over 30 years of experience in the wellness industry & 23 years’ experience in Corporate America working for the largest global cosmetics company in upper management provided her the opportunity to use her talents in an industry that was more meaningful.  Nicole’s background, education, and commitment to her clients is paramount to the success of her business and she prides herself in the importance of education, proper training, and surrounding herself with others who have similar values.  

In 2019 Nicole opened her first large brick and mortar Yoga Shala and quickly expanded to 3 Yoga Shalas in New Jersey as well as a satellite location in Delray Beach, Florida.  In the spirit of evolution and growing with market needs, Nicole has continued to nourish her New Jersey presence while also expanding to a more global market with Niyama Yoga’s Wellness Adventure Retreats and expansions throughout the Southeast of the United States.  In 2024 she opened Niyama Yoga Shalas & Niyama Ayurveda in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  Her vision is always expanding and she prides herself in being first to market on many healing modalities that have only recently gained momentum. 

In 2020 Nicole founded Niyama Yoga Retreats, which is an international wellness & adventure retreat business that carefully curates intentionally based travel experiences.  She travels the world with many like-minded yogis who have found solace and acceptance and community because of Nicole’s efforts.  In 2024 Nicole partnered with a company in Ayampe, Ecuador and opened the doors to Niyama Yoga Shala Ayampe, where she holds quarterly retreats, immersion programs, and annual residential teacher training programs.

Nicole’s certifications include:

C-IAYT Yoga Therapist with over 30,000 hours of teaching under the Integrative Yoga Therapy Modality.  Nicole is also a Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant (C.A.L.C.) receiving a post baccalaureate degree in Ayurvedic Medicine in addition to being a Certified Ayurvedic Body Treatment Technician.  In 2020 she continued her education and became an Integral Sound Therapist, receiving an advanced degree from the International Sound Healing Academy, Level 2 Diploma.  Over the years Nicole received other certifications which include: CPYT (Prenatal Yoga), Radiant Child Children’s Yoga Instructor, Certified Aerial Yoga Instructor, Reiki Energy Healer, Fire Cupping Practitioner, Advanced Yin Yoga Certified, Mindful Barre Fusion Certification, Yoga Alliance accredited leader of teacher training programs that include 200, 300, Yin, & Yoga Nidra.  

Nicole has also worked with many public & private schools (i.e. The Fusion Academy in Englewood, N.J., The Livingston N.J. school system, Arc Morris Center for Rehabilitation for Essex, Morris, Sussex Counties, N.J. and most importantly Moonbow Child in Jacksonville, Florida where she is the Director of the School), & medical institutions across the country offering yoga therapy to children and adults with special needs, injuries or those simply looking to incorporate yoga into the daily schedule.  She has partnered with corporations, community centers, professional football (most notably the New York Jets Football Team) and lacrosse teams to encourage health and wellness while helping in their success to achieve maximum benefits of the practice of yoga and meditation.  

Nicole’s inspiration:

After suffering from her own personal health crisis in 2015; Nicole turned to her background in yoga to save her own life.  It was during this time that she realized the importance of fusing an Ayurvedic lifestyle into her already busy world of yoga, Corporate America, motherhood, and relationship.  Nicole attributes her motivation and her “why” to her children, Jared & Larissa who are the loves of her life.  Through the patience of her husband, Robert, and his support she has been able to see her dream and dharma come to fruition.  When she is not in the Shalas or traveling the globe, you will find her riding her bicycle, hiking a mountain, cooking, reading, and most importantly spending quality time with her loved ones and possibly drinking a delicious glass of wine while snuggling with her puppies Steel, Coda-Bear, and Monte.