At Stray Dog, we take pride in our unscripted approach. Every class is a unique blend of expert knowledge and spontaneous flow, ensuring no two sessions are the same. This commitment to creativity is why our studio is a favorite among yoga instructors from studios all over, too. Here, you’ll find a class that challenges and supports, pushing boundaries while fostering growth.
Our team is your yoga family. Their warmth turns our space into a home where you can shed the day’s stress and step into comfort. It’s a place where growth is nurtured, and every achievement is celebrated. Join us to find not just a class, but a community where you belong.
Studio Manager
Competitive dancer to yoga instructor, Michele’s focuses on strength and grace.
Instructor
Emily’s journey blends her love of teaching and yoga, fostering growth both on and off the mat.
Instructor
Alethea embraces yoga for mental, physical, and spiritual balance.
Instructor
Lisa’s dance background enriches her yoga, blending movement with mindful teaching.
Instructor
Pittsburgh’s own, Bianca infuses her love for movement and art into yoga.
Instructor
Instructor
Heather integrates her physical therapy background into yoga, focusing on healing, balance, and mindfulness.
Instructor
Engineer turned yogi, Katherine finds balance and grounding through her practice.
Instructor
Pittsburgh native and literature lover, Jennifer finds yoga’s peace transformative.
1500 Village Run Road
Suite 310
Wexford, PA 15090
(412) 849-2410
Erin's roots in Toledo, Ohio, grounded her values long before she embraced yoga's transformative practice. With a degree in Special Education, she moved to Pittsburgh and discovered Stray Dog Yoga as a sanctuary that harmonized her life's rhythms, balancing the intensity of a new career in a new city with the peace found on the mat.
Yoga, for Erin, transcends physical practice; where mental resilience meets emotional tranquility. Her commitment to the discipline began as a personal quest for wellness, growing into a passion that merges her love for teaching with the profound community spirit found at Stray Dog.
Stray Dog is not just where Erin practices— it's where she found her voice as an instructor. The studio's first Teacher Training Program was a natural step for her, blending her educational expertise with a deep love for yoga. Here, she shapes experiences that reveal inner strength and cultivate mindful connections.
Ardha
Chandrasana
Growing up in Grove City, Michele started competitive dance at 4 and naturally progressed into teaching and caretaking, influenced by her family of educators. At the University of Pittsburgh, yoga became her bridge from dance to discovering strength and grace in a nurturing environment, echoing her inherent enthusiasm for leading and empowering others.
Michele turned to yoga during her university years for its empowering practice that harmonizes mind, body, and spirit. Over ten years and 1,700 classes later, she'’s shared yoga's inspiration in diverse venues, from studios to parks and workplaces, emphasizing its peace and balance.
Stray Dog Yoga welcomed Michele with its hot, creative vinyasa flows that mirrored her love for challenging yet supportive environments. Here, she found a community that fuels her teaching philosophy: making yoga an accessible, fulfilling challenge for all practitioners she guides.
Sirsasana
Emily is a Pittsburgh native, raised on the North Side. She studied Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology at Penn State University and earned her master’s in Reading Education at the University of Pittsburgh. Emily teaches middle school English-Language Arts at North Allegheny School District. Outside of teaching, she enjoys working out at Orangetheory, reading, biking, and spending time outdoors.
Emily’s first exposure to yoga was in 2011 when her high school field hockey coach brought the team to a hot yoga class. Though it didn’t stick at first, she was reintroduced to yoga in 2014 at Stray Dog, and quickly fell in love. She has since completed 500 classes at Stray Dog, along with her 200-hour teacher training in 2020-2021. Emily began teaching at Stray Dog, fulfilling a long-held dream.
Stray Dog is a place where Emily feels free to be her most authentic self. It’s a space that feels like home, providing support and community for over a decade. Being both an instructor and a student, Emily feels grateful for Stray Dog’s welcoming atmosphere, and she is honored to share her love for yoga with everyone in the room.
Vasisthasana
Alethea's story unfolds from the simplicity of West Virginia to the bustling life in Philadelphia, and finally, planting her life's roots in Pittsburgh. It was here, amidst new beginnings, that yoga emerged as her sanctuary for balance. This journey to the mat has been fueled by a quest for inner peace and the strength to navigate life's complexities.
Yoga offered Alethea more than just physical benefits; it provided a pathway to tranquility and resilience. The practice became a crucial part of her life, not just for the physical strength it bestowed, but for the mental clarity and emotional stability it nurtured, guiding her teaching philosophy today.
For Alethea, Stray Dog is more than a studio— it's a yoga home where community and individuality flourish together. She values the studio's commitment to fostering a supportive environment, where every student's journey is honored and celebrated, making it the ideal place to grow and share the practice of yoga.
Ardha
Chandrasana
Transitioning from classical dance to yoga in 2009, Lisa embraced the movement and community of a heated yoga studio. Her deep dive into yoga led her from completing her 200-hour training with YogaWorks to teaching across the nation, adapting her classes for everyone, from beginners to fellow instructors.
For Lisa, yoga was a departure from the rigorous standards of the dance world, offering a space where movement serves personal needs. This shift not only empowered her physically but also opened the door to the mental and energetic benefits of meditation, marking yoga as a practice of self-empowerment and discovery.
Returning to Pittsburgh and joining Stray Dog as a new mother, Lisa found a community that echoed her values of inclusivity and support. She commits to providing clear guidance, varied poses, and thoughtful sequences in her classes, aiming to cultivate the same welcoming environment that she cherishes.
Utthita
Trikonasana
Bianca, a Pittsburgh native, has always been drawn to the expressive worlds of movement, music, and art, finding joy in dance and the beauty of nature. Alongside her two pups and supportive husband, she embodies the vibrancy of life, celebrating every moment with passion and love.
Yoga for Bianca is a deep dive into self-exploration—mentally, physically, spiritually. It’s her path to authenticity, connecting her inner layers through breath and movement. This practice empowers her to shine brightly, inspiring others to also radiate their light into the world.
Stray Dog stands out to Bianca as a nurturing community where both students and teachers thrive in authenticity. The studio's classes offer a unique blend of challenge and self-expression, making it a space where everyone can truly be themselves.
Eka Pada
Koundinyasana II
During her psychology studies, Christi found sanctuary in yoga. Her journey from academia to teaching fitness and completing a 200-hour certification showcases her commitment to well-being. Her background enriches her teaching, blending psychological insights with physical practice.
Initially an escape, yoga became Christi’s passion, offering mental clarity and balance. Regular practice led to personal growth, inspiring her to teach and share yoga’s benefits. Her classes aim to impart this transformation, combining mindfulness with movement for holistic well-being.
I would encourage my students to choose Stray Dog Yoga because they will be welcomed exactly as they are. Take all the breaks, modifications, or level it up if that’s your jam! It’s a place that truly encourages you to make your practice your own. Every class will leave you feeling powerful, refreshed, and energized.
Ananda
Balasana
Twenty years ago, as a working mom grappling with chronic pain and anxiety, Heather turned to yoga seeking balance. The practice profoundly transformed her, both mentally and physically, leading her to become a certified instructor. She aimed to share the healing power of yoga with others facing similar struggles.
Heather uniquely integrates her expertise as a Physical Therapist into her yoga practice, utilizing movement principles and patterns to enhance the therapeutic benefits. This innovative approach enriches her classes, offering a distinctive blend of healing and mindfulness to her students.
Heather's journey to teaching was driven by a desire to share yoga's transformative impact. At Stray Dog, she found a community that values healing, balance, and personal growth, aligning perfectly with her mission to help others rediscover their strength and serenity through yoga.
Natarajasana
For Katherine, Stray Dog Yoga is more than a studio; it's a judgment-free sanctuary where everyone can tailor their practice. She particularly values the yin/restorative classes for their deep relaxation and healing properties, recommending them to anyone seeking peace and recovery.
For Lisa, yoga was a departure from the rigorous standards of the dance world, offering a space where movement serves personal needs. This shift not only empowered her physically but also opened the door to the mental and energetic benefits of meditation, marking yoga as a practice of self-empowerment and discovery.
Returning to Pittsburgh and joining Stray Dog as a new mother, Lisa found a community that echoed her values of inclusivity and support. She commits to providing clear guidance, varied poses, and thoughtful sequences in her classes, aiming to cultivate the same welcoming environment that she cherishes.
Supta Baddha
Konasana
Jennifer, a Pittsburgh native and JCU English lit alum, discovered yoga in high school to relieve anxiety. After finding peace in many classes and studios, she pursued teacher training post-college. Jennifer enjoys integrating her love for language and creativity into each yoga class.
Yoga entered Jennifer’s life during stressful moments, guided by friends, family, or mentors who invited her into studios. She discovered a community harmonizing breaths, energizing adorned spaces, leading to nights of unparalleled rest. These connections reshaped her perspective on well-being and created a desire to teach.
Jennifer discovered Stray Dog during the early days of starting her family, finding solace in the class’s consistent flows, distinctive mat, and quality music. This blend provided her a space to escape reality and reconnect with her body, making Stray Dog a cherished haven to unwind.
Setu Bandha
Sarvangasana
Meet our passionate, diverse and dedicated team.
A modern space designed with comfort and performance in mind.
Our one of a kind heat and humidifier system provide the perfect sanctuary help you deepen your practice, cleanse your body, mind, and sweat your tail off.
Dive into Vinyasa, where breath meets movement, forging an elite bond between mind and body.
Explore a variety of class types tailored for all levels. Find the perfect fit for your practice.
Explore the science and history behind everything that we do.
Looking to get away? Join us for an upcoming retreat!
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Ardha
Chandrasana
