Kate Davies Durand is the founder and director of YO BK, a community-driven yoga studio with locations in Brooklyn, New York City, and Miami. She discovered yoga as a teenager and found her way to Hot Yoga during her first semester of college—a practice that has traveled with her around the world for more than two decades, from Texas to Thailand and Italy to China.
Certified in Bikram Yoga, Power Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative Yoga, and Inferno Hot Pilates, Durand began teaching full-time in 2011. Her love of teaching grew into a larger vision: creating welcoming, vibrant spaces where students and teachers alike could thrive. That vision became reality in 2015 with the opening of YO BK in South Williamsburg. What began as a one-woman operation has since grown into a multi-city studio community, with additional locations in Greenpoint, Miami, and Bushwick.
Today, YO BK is a home for transformation—where students unplug, cross-train, and connect within a diverse, supportive community. Though scaling wasn’t part of the original plan, Durand has become a purpose-driven entrepreneur focused on building sustainable careers in boutique fitness. She leads a close-knit team and serves as a teacher, mentor, retreat host, and lead trainer in Power Vinyasa.
Outside the studio, Durand and her husband, Luis, co-own U Omakase, a French-Japanese chef’s tasting experience in Greenpoint. They live in Brooklyn with their two sons, Jake and Felix, and Ruby, their Wheaten terrier and YO BK’s beloved unofficial greeter. Here, she shares how she incorporates her passion for yoga into her everyday life.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness should be well-rounded. It’s everything: how we move, breathe, sleep, eat, and whom we surround ourselves with. As a mindful movement, yoga creates a catalyst to treat our bodies and minds better off the mat.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
A regular movement practice is my number-one must. I have a newborn, so making it to a class isn’t always possible, but I roll out my mat every day for even just 15 minutes of yoga or Pilates. My number two is cooking at home. It’s so grounding to prepare food how I like it and to take care of my family in doing it.
Is there a specific fitness activity that you love and why?
Our studio offers many styles of exercise, from restorative yoga to HIIT with weights. I love them all! Currently, I’m sinking my teeth into Power Vinyasa Yoga, which gives me the perfect blend of fiery movement with time to slow down and stretch at the end.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
Opening a new location of my yoga and Pilates studio two months after giving birth. Trust me, we didn’t plan it that way.
What person in wellness do you most admire and why?
I adore Melissa Wood’s platform and classes. She’s made wellness really accessible, not only in terms of price and movement/modifications, but she also has really effective shorter classes for days when you don’t have time for a longer workout.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
“How you do anything is how you do everything.” My friend and mentor Gabriella Walters says this all the time, and it’s such a reminder to show up well, as our patterns become who we are.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
I reject any rhetoric related to “earning our food” or “cheat days,” which is rampant during the holidays. Why not simply move well and eat well? Food is meant to nourish more than the body, and sometimes that looks like mac and cheese! Enjoy it without guilt. Life is too short, and that headspace can be used in much better ways.
What is your favorite place for a healthy vacation or escape?
I love curating yoga retreats! Our studio frequents Aegialis Resort in Amorgos, Greece. It’s not only stunning and thoughtfully curated, but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere and can truly unplug.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
Taking just a few minutes to sit in silence and breathe. If you’re surrounded by people, as I often am, do it in the bathroom.
What wellness-related books or authors do you recommend, and why?
How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach is an incredibly accessible, entertaining and powerful dive into the philosophy of yoga. I recommend it for practitioners of any duration and level.
What brings you joy?
Slow weekend mornings with coffee, the New York Times, and my whole family in bed.
