Blayne Zucker
STUDIO MANAGER, POWER YOGA, TRADITIONAL HOT YOGA, INFERNO HOT PILATES
Blayne is the full-time studio manager of YO BK Miami and teaches all modalities- Traditional Hot Yoga, Power Vinyasa, and Inferno Hot Pilates! Blayne took her first yoga class (Bikram Yoga) in 2006 as an attempt to heal a knee and hip injury. Her first class was humbling to say the least! Although challenging and at times frustrating, Blayne kept telling herself to show up on the mat and keep trying. Not only did a consistent yoga practice help heal and change her body physically, but the mental and emotional benefits were just as powerful - if not more! These benefits inspired Blayne to become a Bikram Yoga Instructor in 2013, 200hr Yoga Alliance certified Vinyasa Instructor in 2017, and ultimately become a RYT 500hr certified Instructor in Yoga Psychology in 2020. She also has a M.A. and Ed.M. degrees specializing in mental health counseling and has been a group counseling facilitator in various treatment programs. Blayne is here to guide you on your own unique yoga journey and believes within each of us is our own best teacher to be realized. “Our self care and growth begins when we can be present on our mat in the here and now with focus, curiosity, and the willingness to be vulnerable!”
Kate Davies Durand
FOUNDER + DIRECTOR, TRADITIONAL HOT YOGA, POWER YOGA, INFERNO HOT PILATES
Hi! I’m Kate and let me be the first to welcome you to YO BK! I’m living my dream as an owner of 3 studios in NYC and Miami. Through regular practice, I guarantee you’ll come closer to your own calling and make an impact in the areas that matter most to you.
I found yoga in my teens and am still best friends with the girl (now woman!) who brought me to my first Hot Yoga class. I attended Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Fall 2011 and am certified in Inferno Hot Pilates Levels 1, 2 and 3 as well as Power Vinyasa Yoga. I’m honored to co-lead teacher trainings and retreats at the studios.
Over the years, I’ve practiced for physical health and mental wellbeing. As a mom to a 10 year-old, my practice is my sacred time. The variety of Bikram, Power Yoga and Hot Pilates will give you everything you need in one amazing community. Our students have met friends and even significant others in class! The studios introduced me to my best friends, my business partner in Miami and my wonderful husband, who designed the studios. In my rare free time, I devour novels and play with my Wheaten Terrier and studio mascot, Ruby.
Sofia Vila
ASSISTANT MANAGER, POWER VINYASA
Hello there! I’m Sofi, a Miami native and YO BK Wynwood’s part-time studio assistant manager. My journey into the world of wellness started at the age of 12 when I discovered yoga as a means to spend quality time with my dad, a devoted yogi. Our shared love for hot Bikram classes ignited my passion for yoga, and my dedication to my physical practice grew exponentially. Whether it was inversions, arm balances, or twists, I was eager to conquer every pose in my path.
As the yoga community in Miami flourished, I found myself expanding my horizons within it. Undertaking my 200-hour vinyasa teacher training with exceptional mentors broadened my perspective, guiding me beyond the physical asanas and into the mental, spiritual, and holistic practice of yoga. In exploring these deeper dimensions, yoga became a cornerstone of my mental wellness, especially as I faced a challenging period during my university years. I found solace and healing in the meditative and breathwork-focused aspects of yoga.
Rediscovering my practice in a new light opened my heart to living with newfound zest, nurturing old and new connections within the yoga community. Overall, my wellness journey has been marked by profound healing, connection, and inner balance. Whether on the mat or in everyday life, yoga has instilled in me an overwhelming sense of gratitude for every person and experience that has shaped the person I am today.
Beyond the studio, I’m an aspiring nurse practitioner with a keen interest in women’s health, a budding yoga teacher, a passionate home cook, and a nature travel enthusiast. You can find me studying for my nursing courses, teaching community yoga classes, whipping up every egg dish under the sun, and hiking in the most beautiful places I can find. I can’t wait to practice with you – on and off the mat!
Giola Veliaj
INFERNO HOT PILATES
Giola originally found YO BK and Inferno Hot Pilates when living in Brooklyn about 6 years ago. She was instantly hooked. She loved the YO BK community, hot room and mix of high intensity, low impact movements infused with Pilates principles that is IHP. Not only did IHP challenge her mind and body, but it was incredibly fun. What is there not to love about that?
When Giola moved to Miami and learned YO BK was opening a studio here, it felt like it was destiny to teach at a studio she holds so close to her heart. Get ready to have fun and work hard in her classes. She can't wait to welcome you all to YO BK Miami!
Johan Blanco
POWER YOGA, SLOW FLOW VINYASA
Johan’s yoga journey began in his native country of Venezuela where his first approach to yoga was practicing Ashtanga at the beginning of 2008. His path has brought him to explore different styles and branches of yoga such as Power Vinyasa, Hatha, Kundalini, and of course Ashtanga yoga as its main focus.
In Venezuela, he began teaching Hatha yoga classes for several yoga centers and even in the embassies of Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina that were based in Caracas, Venezuela.
In 2015 he moved to Miami and began to absorb new knowledge in this part of the world in order to increase the connection with his personal practice. He became certified RTY 200 and brought his great background of more than 10 years of teaching and helping students and yogis to improve their practice from within.
Currently, Johan, using his vast and unique experience over the years, is now focused on teaching two main types of classes, Power Vinyasa Yoga and Slow flow. These two techniques are completely different in their rhythm and benefits but at the same time, they are connected in that they generate a comprehensive practice focusing on both strength and the mind-body connection. Both styles help their students to progress quickly and safely in their personal practice, thus creating a unique commitment to this lifestyle.
Patricia Pinto
VINYASA YOGA, HIIT PILATES, YIN YOGA
Patricia Pinto began her yoga journey over twenty years ago to cope with stress from 9/11. She fell in love with yoga and became an avid practitioner of the hatha, vinyasa, Jivamukti and power yoga styles. She completed her first 200-hour training in 2008 in the Power Vinyasa style under Liz Mandarano and Jill Camera. In 2011, she completed the Conquering Lion Teacher Training program, founded by master teacher Kelly Morris. Patricia’s classes consist of a challenging vinyasa flow that will make you strong in both your physical and energy bodies. Forever a
student, she is grateful to have the opportunity to teach others.
Virginia Alvarez
TRADITIONAL HOT YOGA, INFERNO HOT PILATES
Bikram Yoga has changed my life on so many levels and continues to do so every day. It started back in 2004 with a tennis elbow injury for which I almost had surgery. With constant practice it completely healed. Never in a million years did I think I would become a Bikram Teacher.
Also I had serious issues with public speaking: I was born with a cleft palate and my mom was told I might not survive with the first feeding. Until I was 18 years old I would be terrified to speak to strangers or make new friends because of the way my voice sounded. So to think I now use my voice to teach and inspire others to improve their life makes it that much more rewarding.
Sharing my passion and witnessing people taking control of their health and life is an extremely fulfilling experience, I am sincerely grateful every time I walk into a studio to teach, knowing that I have the opportunity to guide others to discover their own healing potential.
So, don’t even think twice about giving Bikram Yoga a go, come get sweaty with us and experience firsthand the magic of this practice!
Ana Leroux
INFERNO HOT PILATES
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Ana moved to Miami 2 years ago from the UK for a work opportunity in the Finance corporate world. Ana has been practicing yoga for a few years and when she first moved to Miami, she searched for a yoga studio to call home. She discovered YO BK when a friend from her home-town (Jersey), told her: “you need to meet Jules, she just moved from NY & manages a new studio in Wynwood, you would love her!” Ana attended one of Jules’ free outdoor yoga classes at the Oasis and approached her by saying “I was told I needed to meet you!”
Fast forward 7 months later, and not only did Ana gain a new friendship, but she immediately fell in love with the studio & its values, the YO BK community, and discovered Inferno Hot Pilates! Ana has practiced almost every day since the studio opened and has become a Hot Pilates teacher. She's excited to teach here in Miami!
During her free time Ana loves to cook and is very passionate about food and checking out new restaurants with friends & family – she likes to order for the entire table and make everyone do “sharesies!”
What Ana loves about IHP and the hot room is that not only are you challenged every single day to get stronger & work really hard, but you get to dance it out, laugh it out, and let it all out on the mat after/or before a long day of work. Get ready to work really hard in her classes while jamming to some good tunes featuring lots of Bad Bunny!
Isabel Parra
POWER YOGA
Venezuelan native, Isabel began practicing yoga in 2013. She earned her 200-hour certification in 2016 studying various styles including Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Yin yoga. A lifelong student and hopeful creative, Isabel is passionate about the emotional, physical, and psychological breakthroughs that can happen when we open our bodies up to the experience of art and movement of all kinds. She strives to create an uplifting and safe environment where students feel encouraged to explore freely and challenge themselves. Her classes combine precise cues and pose breakdowns, with fun transitions, music, and a playful approach. You can expect modifications for poses, with an emphasis on the breath and building a strong foundation. Ultimately, Isabel hopes to help others nurture a practice that they love and can incorporate into their everyday lives. She is thrilled to learn alongside the YOBK community and grateful to practice together.
Maria Alvarez
POWER YOGA
A native of Brooklyn, NY, Maria migrated to south Florida in 2005 to attend law school. She has been a practicing attorney since 2008 and in the winter of 2021 transitioned to teaching yoga full-time. Maria re-discovered yoga in 2010 as a way to combat the stress of marathon and highintensity training; however, she quickly came to appreciate the mental and restorative benefits the practice provides. Maria received her 200 RYT certification through Tropical Vinyasa in 2017 and has been teaching throughout Miami ever since. Maria hosts fitness retreats through her company Retreat Yourself and also co-hosts a weekly podcast titled More than Sweat and was selected by Lululemon to be a brand ambassador for their Brickell City Center store. Designed for yogis of all levels, Maria’s classes are filled with creative, unexpected, and thoughtful sequencing set to a fun and energetic playlist. With a focus on freedom over form, she encourages students to use their breath as motivation and to silence their minds through movement.
Marissa Lew
MAT PILATES, POWER YOGA
With a psychology degree and a lifelong love of movement, Marissa found herself in Yoga Teacher Training in 2015. Marissa holds over 500 hours in yoga certifications, including yoga therapy, and specializes in yoga for athletes and trauma-informed yoga. Marissa is also a mat pilates instructor, focusing on foundation, balance and strength. Her classes are fun and challenging, designed to get you out of your head and into your body! Her goal is to help her students connect to themselves and leave feeling better than before their practice.
Genesis Reyes
INFERNO HOT PILATES
Genesis was first introduced to Inferno Hot Pilates (IHP) in 2020 and fell in love with the practice from the start! She went on to complete training for Inferno Hot Pilates in 2023. She loves helping people feel their strongest and inspiring others around her. She believes in the strength and power from consistently showing up on your mat for your body and mind! Building an encouraging and engaging community around her that values health and people is a top priority in her life.Outside of teaching, she focuses on storytelling through photography and videography as a content creator. She enjoys traveling and listening to music.