“Kristy Joy is my Yoga teacher. She is an amazing teacher and makes everyone feel welcomed, accepted, and loved. She knows ASL and it’s just perfect for Deaf clients like me to communicate to see how to learn yoga the right way. She explains what the body does during the yoga class clearly. It’s a great yoga class! I always looking forward to the next class with her.”
Jill, Inner Axis yoga student
“It is a positive experience for me to continue learning about yoga from Kristy. She gives us full ASL instructions, tips, and advice. Yoga is totally physical and mental workout. It helps keep me feeling good about myself. I find it very relaxing and rewarding at the end of class. That’s the reason why I have a motivation to continue yoga in my life. In addition, Kristy is awesome!”
Joy, Inner Axis yoga student
“Kristy is a wonderful yoga instructor for our small deaf woman’s yoga classes. She is very patient and considerate as well. She uses ASL in showing us breathing, relaxation and meditation and yoga techniques for mind and body for the deaf women in the class.
Yoga and Meditation are beneficial for our physical and mental health. It is good for all ages. I generally feel happy, alert and relaxed after her class. She senses each individual’s needs and adjusts her teaching accordingly.”
Sue, Inner Axis yoga student
“When I shared with Kristy that our staff at Steel Smiling was in need of a self-care and wellness retreat, she immediately enlightened me about it being hosted at the Garden. She thoughtfully coordinated, managed, and curated the day of experiences for us, and it was nothing short of magical. Our entire team felt seen, heard, and deeply appreciated. We all left the space feeling more connected, refreshed, and joyful. I can’t wait to work with Kristy on coordinating our next staff self-care and wellness event!”
Founder and Managing Director
Steel Smiling, an “Organization-in-Residence” of Neighborhood Allies
“Kristy and her team have been amazing referral partners for the past three years! All of the feedback that I have received from our shared clients has been 100% positive. Kristy understands how to meet people where they are and journey with them towards healing. I am so glad that there is a quality, holistic therapeutic option in our community! “
Former Case Worker
North Hills Community Outreach
“I have been working with Kristy for about a year now. Not only was Kristy able to help me be my best self by teaching me how to control my reactions through mindfulness and breathing techniques, but she has also been a great mentor to me in opening my own business. With Kristy’s expert guidance, I have become more confident in my personal life as well as with my business. I can’t thank her enough for helping me find the confidence to achieve my goals and follow my dream.”
Kelsey Galbrieth
Owner, Salon 13, Pittsburgh PA
“We are fortunate to have Kristy Joy as a volunteer at Highmark Caring Place. She demonstrates a deep compassion for and commitment to grieving children and families. She has a gift for getting to know the children – truly listening to them – and then developing plans to meet their needs and interests. She is creative, has wonderful energy, and demonstrates a deep respect for children.”
Andrea Lurier, PhD, CT
Manager, Highmark Caring Place
“Kristy Joy is amazing with my clients. She is ready to think outside of the box with people that don’t fit the mold. She incorporates breathing, yoga, and even therapy dogs to make even the most anxious client is more relaxed and regulated.
She understands the brain of a child or adult who has experienced trauma or has intellectual deficits. She even teaches those skills to the staff that work with her clients so that they can continue to learn and practice what she teaches them. She sizes up the abilities and needs of each client and uses yoga and or breathing to best meet their needs and skill levels. I think everyone can benefit from time with Kristy. Even I’m more regulated after helping my client with a session with her.”
Melissa Hathaway M.Ed., Licensed Behavioral Specialist
Home Community Liaison at Pressley Ridge School for the Deaf
“Kristy is such a bright light. Always positive. Always encouraging other people. These are amazingly important traits as a teacher and a leader. She is both courageous and kind. Kristy is a trailblazer as one of the first therapists to bring Inner Axis breathwork to her clients with great impact. She is making a big difference in this world.”
Max Strom
Founder of Inner Axis, speaker, author
“Yoga is an excellent way to ease the mind and put day to day stressors in better perspective. Yoga has become an extremely beneficial skill for many of my patients who suffer with depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma exposure and a multitude of other physical and behavioral health conditions. At Village Therapy, Ms. Kristy Joy brings her superb mental health counseling skills together with yoga and mindfulness strategies to help her patients achieve wellness in mind and body.”
Dr. Kimberly K. Mathos, D.O., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
STEP and Center for Recovery Services, University of Pittsburgh
