About the Studio
Yoga Off East began as the vision of a Duke University alum upon her return to Durham after a career as a Division I collegiate tennis coach. Kathryn Sell Smith realized that yoga would be an integral part of her transition out of a lifelong commitment to the sport of tennis. While tennis remains a part of Kathryn’s life (her husband, Ramsey, is the Duke Men’s Tennis Coach), she has happily traded in her tennis racquets for a yoga mat.
On September 27th, Yoga Off East moved to American Tobacco Campus after 8 years on Ninth Street. YOE instructor Kim Tupper partnered with Kathryn in the summer of 2024 to realize this expansion and relocation project. Yoga Off East is now proudly co-owned by Kathryn and Kim.
About our Space
In March 2019, Yoga Off East moved to 702 9th Street, doubling its space and inspiring our growing 9th Street community. The studio offered monthly workshops, specialized series, and an 8-month Yoga Teacher Training program, conveniently two blocks from Duke’s East Campus. In fall 2024, we relocated to the American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham, featuring three parking garages, local restaurants, and a vibrant community. The expanded 2,300 sq ft studio holds 35 mats and includes a lobby with a self-serve tea bar, secure cubbies, and a community table for gathering before and after class.
American Tobacco Campus (ATC) is a revitalized historic district with offices, restaurants, shops, and now, yoga! Once a major industrial center, the end of the tobacco industry led Durham to reinvent the space—creating ATC, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and the Durham Performing Arts Center.
1000 buddhas
Renowned street artist, 10000 Buddhas created a mural across the 25-foot drishti wall at the front of the yoga room of our studio. As part of the studio’s 2024 expansion and relocation, 10000 Buddhas returned to Durham to paint a new mural in the American Tobacco Campus where Yoga Off East has found a new home. This larger scale mural (pictured right) is over 10 feet tall and 30 feet wide and brings blue and gray tones into the restored warehouse aesthetic which includes 17 foot ceilings, large windows, and exposed brick throughout.
Studio Partners
PORCH-Durham
PORCH-Durham’s mission is to provide supplemental food to Durham children and their families who are facing food insecurity. Since 2011, they have provided pantries across Durham County - currently serving about 20 local schools, afterschool programs, public housing complexes and other community-based organizations. All of the food comes from local food drives, and their "neighbors helping neighbors" model adds up to over 3,000 lbs of food provided to 1,800 children every month.
Love Shine Play Festival
Yoga Off East is honored to support the Love.Shine.Play Festival (formerly the Asheville Yoga Festival). Each year we look forward to the gathering of students, teachers, and presenters from around the world for a week of yoga in beautiful Asheville. Join us for the 8th annual festival July 23-26, 2026.