Alexandria Bell
INFERNO HOT PILATES, STUDIO MANAGER
Alexandria, originally from Dallas, TX, began her journey as a classically trained dancer, graduating as a dance major from Booker T. Washington HSPVA. After graduating, she moved to NYC to pursue her passion at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Years later, she relocated to Las Vegas and continued pursuing dance. However, Alex struggled with body image and a limiting mindset, which eventually shifted her focus away from dance. Seeking change, she discovered Inferno Hot Pilates (IHP) in 2017, a practice that transformed her both physically and mentally. Inspired by how the practice made her feel, she attended teacher training in 2019 with Gabriela Walters, the founder and creator of Inferno Hot Pilates. Alex is certified in IHP Levels 1, 2, and 3 mindset coaching. She taught IHP full-time and also led Inferno Lab and Cyclone 45 classes in Las Vegas.
In 2023, Alexandria moved to Miami and began teaching Inferno Hot Pilates at YO BK, a place that quickly became her second home. The vibrant energy of Miami and the supportive community at YO BK have made this chapter of her life incredibly special, fueling both her personal and professional growth.
Alex is also excited to take on the role of studio manager, in addition to teaching. Her mission is to help you tap into your inner strength, unlock your greatest potential, and foster connection within the YO BK community!
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.
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, SOUND BATHS
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.
Jackie Suazo
POWER YOGA, FRONT DESK
Jackie came to Yoga with a desire for a more balanced form of physical exercise and a space where she can build community with others. She was born and raised in Miami and loves to bring in her music influences and love for her multicultural city into this space, where she did not see Yoga around her growing up. She quickly became a consistent student at YO BK and after 2 years, she knew that she wanted to become a certified teacher with our 200HR Power Vinyasa training to dive deeper in her practice and share this with others. She invites students to find the balance of hardness and ease in class, and hopes that they will find their own physical and mental benefits to this practice that will keep them coming back to their mat.
Julia Kaufman
POWER YOGA
Having a background in competitive soccer from a young age, Julia learned how practice plays such an important part in cultivating discipline. After years of vigorous training and the constant pressure of having to perform she started to feel confined in all the places that need to be open in order to have peace of mind. Yoga created this new world for her, one that allowed her to finally let go and have the courage to tune into what she needed to feed her soul. "We can be our own best friends or our own worst enemy" it says in the Bhagavad Gita. At 19, Julia began practicing yoga which led her to a career as a vinyasa teacher/junkie and avid lover of traveling and self-exploration. She is a student of religious texts, with a bachelor’s degree from NYU. She teaches now to bring to others the same sense of transformation and compassion that yoga delivers her.
Rachel Leavitt
INFERNO HOT PILATES, FRONT DESK
Rachel has always been fueled by a love for movement, adventure, and the outdoors. She started dancing at age five and explored just about every style imaginable—ballet, jazz, contemporary, kick, lyrical—you name it! Dance was her passion throughout high school and college, but as an adult, she discovered a new love: yoga and pilates.
Drawn to the calming yet empowering mind-body connection, Rachel found her way into the yoga and pilates community after moving to Florida. What started as a personal journey to stay mentally and physically strong quickly became something more. If you’ve been around for a while, you might have spotted her at the front desk when she first joined the studio!
Rachel is thrilled to be teaching IHP classes, bringing her love for movement and community to the mat. She’s beyond grateful for the chance to sweat it out with all of you in the hot room. Let’s show up, move together, and crush our goals one class at a time!
Feli Villamil
INFERNO HOT PILATES
Born in Argentina, I’ve lived in Texas and now call Miami home. With a background in criminal justice and years of experience in hospitality, I moved to Miami seeking a fresh start after a profound loss. Along the way, I discovered the incredible connection between physical wellness and mental well-being.
As a former personal training student, I began searching for a new fitness approach after struggling with back pain. That’s when I found YO BK nearly three years ago, and it became a transformative space for me. Now, as an Inferno Hot Pilates instructor, I’m passionate about helping others feel the same strength, confidence, and healing I’ve experienced. For me, fitness is about more than physical results—it’s about balance, resilience, and joy in all areas of life.
In my free time, you’ll often find me at the beach with a good book, recharging by the ocean. I’m excited to support you on your wellness journey!