Member Leony Naciri
We moved to Ridgewood because the town is beautiful and offers an excellent school system. Our children love their school, and our entire family has embraced the sense of community here. We especially treasure the public library, the picturesque scenery, and the kindness of Ridgewood residents. While we don’t have a single favorite restaurant, our family absolutely loves Asian cuisine.
My name is Leony Naciri, and I’m a certified group fitness instructor. I currently teach in Ridgewood, Washington Township, River Vale, River Edge, Hackensack, and West Nyack, NY. I lead a variety of classes including Zumba, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumba Chair, Zumba Gold, Bootcamp, HIIT, Step Aerobics, Pilates Strength, Functional Fitness, Active Strength, Balance & Mobility, and more.
When I work out on my own, I love mixing up different types of exercise—it challenges both my body and my mind. That love for variety has shaped my teaching style as well. I strive to challenge my participants while making sure they enjoy every class.
I was born and raised in Indonesia, and my husband Ayoub was born in Morocco and grew up in Spain. We don’t have any extended family here in the U.S.—my entire family is in Indonesia, and Ayoub’s is in Europe and Morocco. Both of our children were born in Manhattan, just 15 months apart. Raising them without nearby family support, while navigating a busy household, has been one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of our lives.
Motherhood, for me, has been the scariest “hood”—because it’s not just about me anymore, it’s about shaping the lives of our daughter and son. I’m a very active mom and love involving my kids in all kinds of activities. To keep up with them, I need to take care of myself first. Regular exercise is my form of self-care—it’s how I maintain the energy to show up for my family every day. I see my health as a gift I give to my children.
As a family, we love to travel. Seeing different parts of the world helps us grow more humble and grateful. It reminds us that at the core, people everywhere share the same hopes and dreams. My husband and I agree that the best thing we can give our children is a life rich in experiences, not things—whether it’s through travel or simply spending time together doing activities as a family.
Now, as we settle into fall and prepare for winter, the air is getting colder and the holidays are just around the corner. Invitations start to fill the calendar, and the colder, darker days can make it harder to stay active. But this is exactly when we need it most.
So, to my fellow moms—and really, to everyone in our community—here are a few personal tips I live by:
Eat what you love, but watch your portions. Emotional eating rarely ends well.
Stay active every day, regardless of your age or profession.
Be consistent. Even 10–15 minutes of daily movement is better than an hour or two once a week.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Your well-being is the foundation for everything else you give to your family, friends, and community. Let’s move into the colder season with warmth in our hearts, strength in our bodies, and gratitude in our spirits.
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