Katey Lewis is a yoga and meditation instructor originally from Melbourne. She embarked on a diverse journey before settling in New York, including dancing at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Despite the challenges that winter brings and encounters with bold rats, she cherishes the unique experiences that New York has brought her, like teaching yoga at the Edge. Katey has just launched a yoga and meditation app, Indigo Moon, where you can find yoga asana, guided meditations, breath work, sound baths, and more, with new classes dropped weekly. We talk more with Katey about her life and her work to provide a safe, nurturing, and compassionate space for people to come together to move, be uplifted, and be inspired.
Where are you from, and how did you end up in New York?
I’ve had quite the journey! I’m originally from Melbourne. I first left Australia in 2007 to dance at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and from there, I moved to London, as most Aussies do. After feeling frustrated with the dance industry, I decided to audition for acting schools, and I was accepted into one in New York in 2011. I had some visa complications after graduating, so I left in 2014, and after being home for about 2.5 years, I won the green card lottery and returned in 2017.
Where do you live, and why did you choose that area?
I live in Flatbush, Brooklyn, with a few friends. We actually are friends with everyone in our 3-level multi-family home, and we have a backyard with chickens. We chose this area because many friends live there, and the community/family close feels really special.
What do you like and dislike about living in NY?
I love how many magical moments you can have that you would only get to experience in NYC and how you can meet people from so many different parts of the world. And we’ve all decided to call this dynamic city home for now. You can stumble across incredible musicians playing in the parks; there’s so much creativity in every corner of this place. The winters are something that I will never get used to!! And the rats and roaches, they’re so bold.
What’s one of your ‘only in New York’ moments?
Teaching yoga at the Edge (the highest outdoor sky deck in the USA) or just being on any rooftop and seeing the city from a different perspective reminds me of how amazing this place is. I worked with horses in Brooklyn for about a year and a half; riding them through Prospect Park in the snow was a ‘pinch me’ moment. Also, having beautiful random encounters with strangers, like in-depth conversations with someone you meet on a long subway journey or in the park, and you never see them again, but you feel forever changed by that one conversation.
Any advice for those moving to NY?
Find your family here because this city can be magical in one moment and then overwhelming and lonely the next, and you need your support network.
What do you do for work?
I am a yoga and meditation instructor. I currently teach for Equinox and Humming Puppy, an Aussie-owned studio in the Flatiron district, and I also have my own private yoga practice and app, Indigo Moon.
I’ve also been busy planning an upcoming 2024 yoga retreat in Costa Rica. For 7 days in late April, guests will experience one daily vinyasa yoga session, one daily restorative yoga session, and one daily meditation with plenty of time to explore the region or have some solitude. Surrounded by jungle and across the road from the beach, I invite you to disconnect with me—to be able to reconnect. I’d love to see you there!
What’s been one of your biggest achievements since landing in NYC?
I joke, but staying in the same apartment for 4 years! Professionally, creating meditations for the Equinox+ app and being part of the Australian Theatre Festival have been such proud moments for me. Sharing stories and the stage with so many talented Aussies is so special.
A very recent achievement is launching my own yoga and meditation app, Indigo Moon, where you can find yoga asana, guided meditations, breath work, sound baths, and more, with new classes dropped weekly.
What’s your favorite New York spot?
Prospect Park, and I really love Far Rockaway.
Anything you miss about Australia?
My family, of course. Good coffee, beautiful beaches, nature, a laid-back lifestyle.
What are your top 3 tips for friends visiting NYC?
Walk everywhere (unless it’s winter), take the free ferry to Staten Island just to see the Statue of Liberty, and explore some of the other boroughs aside from Manhattan if you have time.
Favorite NYC cocktail spot & cocktail of choice…
There’s a great bar in the water tower at ARLO Hotel in Williamsburg or a great speakeasy called Please Don’t Tell. My cocktail of choice is an espresso martini.
What do you like about being part of AWNY?
Knowing that there’s a community of Aussie women who understand what it’s like to uproot your life and navigate the craziness of New York is so comforting.
What was your biggest win this week?
This is a great question; thank you for the reminder to celebrate the small or large wins. Probably filming yoga classes for Indigo Moon, the new yoga and meditation app I have just launched. It’s available on Apple’s App Store, and coming soon to Google Play. I’d love for AWNY members to sign up for a 7-day free trial to experience all of the different yoga asana classes, guided meditations, breath work, and sound baths I have created. Developing this resource and sharing my work with the world has been a joy.
What’s the biggest challenge or roadblock you’ve faced since being in NYC, and how do you overcome it?
Honestly, my biggest roadblock is self-doubt, so having a mentor or someone you can work through these things with is so important.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about living/working in NYC?
A colleague said this to me recently, and it couldn’t be truer: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get fed.” Never be afraid to ask for what you need because the worst they can say is no.
Who are some Aussie/Kiwi ladies doing awesome things in NYC who are currently on your radar?
Carla Kissaine has created her own one-woman show, she’s wonderful! Jill Guerts, one of the co-artist directors of the Australian Theatre Festival, doing such incredible things with Connor and Mark for the Aussie Theatre community over here! And Kaye Tuckerman is an amazing artist and performer who supports fellow artists.
What is the best way for AWNY members to get in touch?
Practice yoga with me in person at Equinox (various NYC locations, updated weekly here) and Humming Puppy (Chelsea) or via the Indigo Moon app (available on Apple’s App Store, coming soon to Google Play).
Follow Katey on Instagram @kateycoo and @indigo.moon.yoga. You can also email her at katey.victoria.lewis@icloud.com.
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 
Go katey!