FROM THE STAGE TO THE STUDIO
Kyle found his way to dancing on the bike by way of dancing on the stage. Involved in professional theater and performing in musicals since the age of 6, Kyle found a lifelong zeal for expressing himself through voice and movement. Upon entering the High School Theater Department at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Kyle discovered his passion for fitness through a daily practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Pilates, yoga and dance which he continued for 5 years during his further training at the California Institute of the Arts.
Kyle's foray into the world of indoor cycling began when friend and SYNCCYCLING® mentor, Ashley Lively, introduced him to the high energy world of fitness instruction. Kyle earned his ELITE level cycling certification in 2012 from SYNCStudio & his RYT 200 from Yoga Off East. In 2019 Kyle accepted the role of Head Instructor at downtown Durham’s only all-inclusive studio, Intent FitHouse where he was honored to be able to flex his fitness studio, website + social media design muscles as well in helping to set up the space and online presence.
You can find him leading science-driven, music-fueled + high-intensity pilates, cardio and yoga classes at FlowCorps and cycling classes that are filled to the brim with energy, sass + panache at Sweat Lab Studio’s Durham location.
Since joining FlowCorps in 2021, Kyle's role has continually evolved, giving him the opportunity to shape nearly every facet of the growing brand and studio experience. Over the years, he has directed web, advertising and social media design; developed sales strategies, goals and processes; shaped client communications; produced events; and helped build the systems that turn first-time visitors into long-term members. His work has increasingly grown toward leadership, instructor education and studio development, training and mentoring the people who bring the FlowCorps experience to life while continuing to lead science-driven, music-fueled + high-intensity Pilates, cardio and yoga classes himself. At the heart of it all remains what first drew Kyle to fitness: creating meaningful experiences through movement, building community and helping clients transform their relationship with their bodies and themselves.
FROM THE RESTAURANT TO THE LIGHT ROOM
Born into a military family, Kyle was raised in Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts & North Carolina.
Now a resident of Durham, Kyle was the General Manager, Event Coordinator & Head of Media & Marketing of the James Beard award-winning Southern food institution, Crook's Corner from 2008-2018. It was while staging & photographing food & beverage for Crook's promotional usage that Kyle realized a budding interest in creating still images.
Storm Warning was the first showing of the photography of Kyle Yamakawa, originally installed in the gallery at Crook's Corner in June of 2014.
His work has also appeared in the March 2014 issue of Southern Living Magazine, the December/January 2014 issue of the Brooklyn Rail & in September, was featured at SlowExposures, a juried exhibition celebrating photography of the rural South. His photos are also the main marketing images for the New York Times "Best Classical Album" s_traits by John Supko & Bill Seaman & Alley Twenty Six Tonic Syrup.