About Us,
Who We Are & What We Believe In
Zen & Zest was born from years of experience as We DU Yoga. What began as a dedicated yoga studio has evolved into a holistic wellness sanctuary where movement, mindfulness, and healing come together to create space for greater balance and ease in modern life.
While our offerings have expanded, our core belief remains the same: true wellbeing begins when we slow down enough to reconnect with ourselves and listen inwardly once again.
Meet Our Team
Rhubin Herceg
Zen & Zest Owner | Yoga Teacher | Sound Therapist at Sense
Rhubin is an experienced yoga teacher, movement educator, and holistic practitioner with over 15 years of teaching experience, more than 1,000 hours of professional certifications, and over a decade of leadership as the founder and CEO of a wellness studio in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Rhubin’s Teaching Approach
Her work is rooted in a deep respect for the body as an intelligent, creative system. On the mat, she weaves together precise, thoughtful sequencing with an intuitive and artistic approach—guiding students toward greater presence, clarity, and connection with their inner resources. This creative sensibility extends beyond movement into her background in illustration, photography, fashion, and visual arts, shaping the way she designs classes, spaces, and holistic experiences.
At the core of Rhubin’s work is a deep belief in the body’s innate capacity for healing, creativity, and self-regulation. Her teaching is shaped by years of personal practice, study, and lived experience—both on and off the mat. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, she creates environments where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to reconnect with their own inner guidance.
In her classes and retreats, Rhubin cultivates a grounded, attentive atmosphere where students are invited to slow down, listen inwardly, and reconnect with their bodies in a way that feels both safe and empowering. Students often describe her work as intelligent, calming, and quietly transformative—leaving them feeling more present, clear, and at home in their bodies.
Founding & Vision
In 2015, Rhubin co-founded We DU Yoga, one of the first dedicated yoga studios in Dubrovnik. Over the following decade, the studio grew into a stable and trusted community space for movement and wellbeing.
In 2025, the studio evolved into Zen & Zest—a holistic wellness center reflecting Rhubin’s expanded vision of integrative health. Today, Zen & Zest offers a broad range of practices, including yoga and Pilates, therapeutic movement, children’s programs, sound healing, holistic treatments, and hypnotherapy.
Her leadership is defined by ethical practice, long-term sustainability, and a strong commitment to community-centered wellbeing.
Sound & Holistic Healer
In 2019, Rhubin founded Sense, the only studio in Dubrovnik dedicated to sound massage, sound baths, and sound healing.
She is the first—and currently the only—Certified Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioner in Dubrovnik, trained through the Peter Hess® Institute in Zagreb. Her sound work focuses on supporting deep relaxation, nervous system regulation, and emotional balance through the therapeutic use of sound and vibration.
In addition to sound healing, Rhubin has completed training in a range of holistic and energetic modalities, allowing her to integrate movement, therapeutic work, and energetic approaches into a comprehensive, individualized path to wellbeing.
Qualifications
Yoga & Movement Education:
- 200h Yoga Teacher Training – Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashram, India
- 500h Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (RYT) – Kranti Yoga, Goa, India
- 40h Teacher Training – David Swenson
- 150h Yoga Therapy Teacher Training
- Mat Pilates Training
- STOTT Mat Pilates Training
Sound Healing & Therapeutic Modalities:
- Certified Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioner – Peter Hess® Institute, Zagreb
- Sound Baths & Gong Intensive Training
- KLICK Sound Education for Children
- Access Bars®
- Access Energetic Facelift®
- MTVSS
- Theta Healing
- DIT Hypnotherapy
Ongoing Study & Workshops:
- Rolf & Marci Naujokat
- Kirsten Berg
- Mitchell Gold
- David Swenson
- David Robson
- Jelena Vesić
- Gregor Maehle
- Javier Castro
- Petri Räisänen
- Stuart McGill
- Lea Lončar
- Jadranko Miklec
- Tom Richter
- Tonči Gulišija
Dalia Gjaja
Yoga Teacher | Yoga Therapist
Dalia's Teaching Approach
At the heart of Dalia’s work is the belief that movement should be supportive rather than demanding. Her classes offer a calm, compassionate environment where students feel safe to explore, rebuild trust in their bodies, and move at a pace that respects where they are in that moment.
Personal Experience & Therapeutic Approach
Since completing a Yoga Therapy Teacher Training in 2021, Dalia has increasingly focused on working with people experiencing injuries, chronic pain, and physical limitations. Her work supports students in rebuilding strength, mobility, and confidence in a way that feels safe, empowering, and compassionate—helping them reconnect with their bodies without fear or pressure.
Students often describe her teaching as gentle yet precise, supportive, and deeply reassuring, creating space for sustainable progress and renewed trust in movement.
Creative & Professional Background
More recently, she has been exploring the field of interior design, enjoying the process of creating functional, harmonious spaces that support wellbeing and everyday life. This creative sensitivity naturally informs her work in movement and teaching—bringing clarity, structure, and care into both physical and visual environments.
Qualifications
Yoga & Movement Education:
- 200h Yoga Teacher Training – India
- 300h Advanced Yoga Teacher Training – India
- 500h Advanced RYT (Yoga Alliance)
- 40h Teacher Training – David Swenson
- 150h Yoga Therapy Teacher Training
- STOTT Mat Pilates Training
Holistic & Energetic Modalities:
- Theta Healing Practitioner
- Access Bars® Practitioner
- Access Energetic Facelift® Practitioner
Ongoing Study & Workshops:
- Rolf & Marci Naujokat
- Kirsten Berg
- Mitchell Gold
- David Swenson
- David Robson
- Jelena Vesić
- Javier Castro
- Bernie Clark
- Stuart McGill
- Petri Räisänen
- Lea Lončar
- Jadranko Miklec
- Tonči Gulišija
Gordana Ratković
Yoga Teacher
With a carrier of 20 years as a swimming coach Gordana brings a unique experience into her yoga classes. She is receptive to the differences in each body and able to communicate in a warm, supportive and motivating way with her groups. Everyone feels included and taken care of.
Gordana completed her teacher training back in 2010, in the Sivananda Ashram in Tyrol, Austria. This school thought her the approach to yoga she shares in her classes today. She has experimented with different styles but always comes back to the practice of Sivananda yoga. From her own experience she knows it is a method that keeps you happy, satisfied and healthy.
Dajana Mrsić
Yoga Teacher
Dajana is a warm and kind soul, eager for knowledge and ready to share the experiences collected through her education at the Faculty of Kinesiology, her work as a coach, and her own yoga practice, with an open heart. As a Karate Master 5. Dan Dajana has numerous achievements on the international and national levels behind her.
From the time she stepped onto the yoga mat and started a regular practice she has decided that she wants to share the benefits of yoga with others. She completed her RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training in 2020. as well as the Level One Pranayama Course at the Namaste Jagannath Yoga School. Under the guidance of Jessica Fleming, she completed the Kids Yoga Teacher Training.
Andrej Lepur
Yoga Teacher
For Andrej, yoga is much more than exercise—it is a source of daily inspiration and personal growth. With the desire to share that joy, he completed his RYT200 training in 2015 and continued with advanced RYT500 training in 2017.
Today, Andrej joyfully shares his deep connection to yoga, bringing peace, balance, and inspiration to everyone around him.