YogaSix Wexford Cultivates Community Through Movement and Mindfulness

In the heart of Wexford, a new yoga studio called YogaSix has opened its doors. Designed to be welcoming to everybody — whether you are attempting your first yoga class or you are getting into your hundredth downward dog position — the studio is where you will find a likeminded community.

All ages and abilities are welcome at a YogaSixWexford class

Owners Jarrid and Krissy Danburg moved to the area in 2017 after living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Krissy is originally from the Pittsburgh area. While in Charlotte, Jarrid worked for the Carolina Panthers, starting as the NFL team’s mascot, then transitioning into a traditional marketing and community relations role. This is when he first discovered yoga.

“I found that yoga allowed me to heal my body with the growing demands of the job; it allowed me to be flexible both physically and mentally,” said Jarrid.

Krissy and Jarrid Danburg and their children

“When I met Krissy, we started doing yoga together at a local yoga studio. It’s something that united us and really brought us together,” he continued.

For Krissy, yoga was a great balance to her life as a dancer; she discovered yoga while in college, noting that yoga was a great counterpart to dance. “I worked for a marketing company in Charlotte, and they provided yoga at lunch, which was another great way for me to connect with coworkers and keep my practice going,” she said.

The couple had always dreamed about opening a business together, but it wasn’t until around 2019 that they started to research what that could be. “When we moved to Pittsburgh, we wanted to really connect with the community on a deeper level but do it in a way that would lift up the community in a healthy way,” said Jarrid. The two discovered YogaSix, a national brand, and were impressed with the style of classes they took, specifically how accessible it was and how it could be delivered to a large population of people, from beginners to those with experience.

In 2021, the Danburgs opened their first YogaSix studio in the Mt. Lebanon area, the first such studio in Pennsylvania. After a bit of research, the couple realized that the North Hills was the next logical place in which to expand the business. “Krissy has deep roots in the North Hills through friends and family, and we are always out exploring the neighborhoods around us. We’ve felt a real connection to this community — and Wexford, in particular, has quickly become a place we truly love,” said Jarrid.

But perhaps it was destiny that led them to the North Hills. The couple regularly brought their daughter to Brain Balance, a wellness program that at the time was located in Wexford Plaza. Because their daughter has unique abilities related to her cerebral palsy, the family became consistent participants in the program, leading them to travel to Wexford about three times a week.

They were interested in Wexford Plaza, but the landlord did not have anything available. But one day, Jarrid got a call from the landlord that would change everything. “He said, ‘I have news — one of our tenants is relocating to be closer to I-79, so we have an opening in Wexford Plaza.’ The tenant was Brain Balance. I was literally sitting in the lobby of Brain Balance when I got that call,” said Jarrid. “We felt that it was a kismet moment,” he said, adding that his daughter’s handprint is behind the wall in their prop room from completing the Brain Balance program. “They are in the business of helping families, and we did this passing of the torch; it was very powerful.”

So far, the local community has embraced the new studio, which officially opened in September.

YogaSix offers a class for everyone, with six unique formats that vary in intensity and focus, whether you’re seeking strength, flexibility, mindfulness or deep relaxation. But no matter a customer’s fitness level or experience with yoga, the mission is for everyone to feel comfortable and apart of the community. “We really try to meet people where they are, build confidence, and help them feel the benefits right away. We recently had an 82-year-old and a 28-year-old next to each other in class, both moving in their own way, both supported and successful, and that’s exactly what we’re all about,” said Jarrid.

Find your zen at YogaSix Wexford

“That is one of the most interesting things about yoga: It allows for any demographic, age or ability to experience yoga in our studio that feels safe, guided and achievable,” added Krissy.

The YogaSix Wexford team. Not pictured are team members Belle, Danica, Jess, Jon, Julia, and Miche.

The space is designed for a multisensory experience. Everything is intentional from the design choices to the lighting to the music to the subtle aromas woven into the studio experience.

Most of the classes at the heated studio are Vinyasa based, which Krissy said means you’re moving breath to movement. All of their instructors are Yoga Alliance certified, and YogaSix puts them through an additional training program.

Community is a central element of YogaSix, especially in a post-pandemic world, which was an isolating experience for so many. “Community allows us to connect with neighbors in a different way. Whether or not you agree on anything, yoga is a way to check all that stuff at the door and come together as a community and flow in a united way,” Krissy said.

Yoga Six Wexford hosted a class that benefited the Alzheimer's Association

With community at the heart of the Danburgs’ philosophy, it’s no surprise that the same spirit guides the behind-the-scenes initiatives its owners champion. Over the past few years, for example, YogaSix has participated in the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive, hosted a class for the Alzheimer’s Association, and worked with Cancer Bridges in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Danburgs’ goal is to have a positive impact on all who walk through their doors. “It is a very scary thing to set foot in a space you’ve never been in; we recognize taking that first step is a hard thing to do. We always want to make people feel that they are in the right place, are supported in their yoga journey, and that we are so happy that they are part of this community-building experience with us,” said Krissy.

For more information on scheduling a tour or getting started with a YogaSix Wexford class, please visit https://www.yogasix.com/wexford or call/text 724-810-4429 or email wexford@yogasix.com.