ABOUT YOJO

Welcome to our Neighborhood!

WHO YOJO IS

YoJo is your wellness bestie. We're always looking out for your well-being so you can stop stressing over stress and start shining as your best. YoJo is self-care made easy.

WHAT YOJO DOES

Disguised as the coolest yoga studio on the internet, YoJo offers a diverse space for stress and burnout management and overall wellness support. With meditations, movement classes, and asynchronous learning, building your YoJo self-care routine feels natural. Whatever you need, YoJo has a class for that.

HOW YOJO DOES IT

Life is hard, and self-care shouldn’t be: that's our approach to everything. With our white glove service and down-to-earth instructors, we do all the hard work for you. All you have to do is show up and unwind. No matter when you show up, YoJo will feel like home, like that neighborhood spot you know like the back of your hand.

YoJo's mission is to make wellness resources more accessible and inclusive, providing tools to prevent burnout and support mental health.

In 2012, Jessa Messina, the founder and CEO of YoJo, embarked on a mission to make yoga and wellness accessible to everyone. It started with a class at the Tribeca Equinox gym for men seeking a comfortable space to practice yoga, leading to the birth of "Yoga for the Average Joe" – YoJo. Recognizing the lack of inclusivity in the wellness industry, Jessa partnered with the Stonewall Inn to host classes tailored to the LGBTQ community. She also introduced YoJo as a corporate perk, offering employees free access to yoga and wellness programs.

Over the past decade, YoJo has become a comprehensive wellness solution, bringing live workshops and classes to companies worldwide, including NBC, TIME Magazine, and Seamless. YoJo’s services are designed to alleviate stress, reduce burnout, and improve resilience and retention among employees.

YoJo's mission is to make wellness resources more accessible and inclusive, providing tools to prevent burnout and support mental health through classes and workshops crafted with the modern-day employee in mind. Their innovative approach paves the way for a future where everyone can embrace the transformative benefits of yoga and wellness, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Over the past decade, YoJo has become a comprehensive wellness solution, serving companies worldwide.

Meet Jessa

Jessa Messina | she/her
Founder, YoJo

With a passion for making yoga accessible, Jessa has been teaching yoga and meditation since 2006. Initially instructing at Florida State University's Leach Center and for the football team, she later moved to NYC, earning Trainer of the Year at Tribeca Equinox in 2011. There, she created innovative programs like yoga for men. Driven to share yoga's benefits with those uncomfortable in studios, she shifted focus to building trauma-informed mindfulness practices.

Certified in Hatha and Kundalini yoga, Jessa’s approach is shaped by studying under Guru Dharam, Tias Little, Seane Corn, and others, as well as healing from an autoimmune disease and major head trauma. Her goal is to provide a gentle, inspirational space for those experiencing trauma symptoms or seeking more ease in life. Yoga should be a solace, not a source of anxiety.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, her dogs and cats often make guest appearances during her Zoom sessions, adding an extra dose of comfort and joy.

Meet The YoJo Team

Teacher
Teresa is a musician, yoga practitioner, and teacher in both disciplines. Yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation have informed and deepened her singing and songwriting practices, and for her, breath, yoga, and music are pillars of self-care and community care. Teresa resides in the DC area with her husband, two children, blue heeler mix Tupelo, chihuahua Paolo, and box turtle Ophelia.

Clinical Psychologist
Jamie earned their Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The New School. They have a BBA in Finance from Notre Dame and 6 years in financial services. Jamie conducts neuropsych evals to diagnose ADHD in kids, teens, adults. Their expertise lies in neurodevelopmental conditions.

Brand Designer

Loryn is a freelance graphic designer, working with several non- and for-profit companies to elevate their brand. She knows that good design is transformative and believes it can make the world more beautiful, accessible, & welcoming. You'll find her working from her apartment in Philadelphia with her dog, Daisy.

Sound Editor

Social Media and Marketing Intern

Jadyn brings a blend of creativity and enthusiasm to the team. As our resident Gen Z and an art major, Jadyn enjoys crafting engaging content that resonates with our audience. She collaborates with the rest of the YoJo team to help keep our digital presence vibrant and connected.