Instructors

Sharon Beddard-Hess, RYT
photo of sharon Sharon has been studying and instructing yoga for twenty-five years. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher through Yoga Alliance. Her training has been with teachers from many different disciplines, Iyengar, Astanga, Bikram and Kripalu. She has studied with Judith Lasater, Rodney Yee, Dean Lerner and Manuso Manos. Sharon has a Masters degree in Elementary Education and has worked in the public school system for thirty-one years.
Sharon's classes are an eclectic mix of all the teachers she has studied with. Her classes are thought to be both gentle and challenging. Her ability to differentiate instruction is very evident in her teaching techniques. She believes in nurturing the whole self in every yoga practice. Attention is given to body alignment in the postures and the integration of the breath with the movement. Restorative poses and a deep relaxation are also an important part of every class. The end result is a positive feeling toward life and health.
Carol McClenahan, RYT
photo of carol Carol has enjoyed teaching yoga for 15 years, including yoga for persons with special needs. She received her training at an ashram in Florida and has refined her teaching skills by attending workshops throughout the country and in Jaipur, India. In addition to teaching at Yoga in Sewickley, she teaches for the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for reversing heart disease at Allegheny General Hospital. She is registered with Yoga Alliance and a member of International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Theresa L. Neese, E-RYT 200, RYT-500, T200
photo of terri Practicing yoga siince 1998, Terri was certified in 2006 and is registered with Yoga Alliance. She continues to deepen her knowledge of yoga through workshops with senior teachers Judith Lasater, Manuso Manos, Anna Forrest, Seane Corn and others. She has recently consulted with a large health center which is integrating Yoga into its wellness offerings. In her popular Yoga classes, Terri links a Vinyasa style of asana with the calming effects of the breath and mindfulness. Terri's caring nature supports each individual who attends her classes and she delights in each student's unfolding journey of Yoga. Her gentle classes are tailored to the varied special needs even as students vary from week to week
Carol Beck
Carol began practicing yoga in 1998 and began teaching in 2002 after completing over 650 hours of intense teacher training. Carol continues to enhance her training by studying with many well known yoga teachers. Carol's goal is to guide her students through their own internal exploration with joy and acceptance. Her classes are structured so one can learn to face the challenges of life with a calm breath, a steady mind, and balance. Carol encourages and supports yoga as a tool for deepening inner body awareness through the breath. The discipline and alignment of Iyengar, therapeutics and breath within Viniyoga and art of surrender in Yin yoga, and the dynamic creative flow of Hatha may all be found within one class.
Martha Karipin
Martha Karipin, a musician and an educator, came to yoga in 2003 hoping to improve her general health. She was immediately attracted to the spiritual qualities of the practice and since then has explored yoga and music as a pathway to deep inner awareness. She is registered with Yoga Alliance and in addition to completing a 500 hour teacher training program has attended workshops with Desireé Rumbaugh, Judith Lasater, Max Strom, Erich Schiffmann, and other nationally known teachers. Her greatest enjoyment comes when students discover their own inner teacher and indicate an awareness for the healing aspects of breath and movement to unite body, mind, and spirit.
Van Miller, RYT

image of VanVan has been practicing Yoga for over 10 years, completed his Yoga Teacher Training with Marianne Wells at the Samasati Nature Retreat in Costa Rica, and is registered with the Yoga Alliance

Van was instructed for 4 years by Meredith Musick BA LMT of Naples, Florida, where he developed a mindful Iyengar based yoga practice under Meredith’s tutelage. Working in classes and privately  he was able to deepen his practice in Yoga and gain proficiency in the use of Yoga props and Yoga Wall techniques.

In March of 2006, Van attended Aadil Palkhilava’s “Beginner Yoga Teacher Training” and began to assist in studios he attended. In 2005, Van attended Aadil Palkhilava and Mirra’s weeklong “Purna Yoga Retreat” in Hilo, Hawaii, which including daily yoga asana practice and instruction with Aadil and afternoon and evening meditation practice and instruction with Mirra.

Van has attended yoga workshops with Doug Swenson, David Swenson, Tias Little, Ravi Singh and Ana Brett; and has received diet and nutrition counseling at “Health Quarters Ministries” in Colorado Springs, from Anne and Dave Frahm.

“My life experiences have led me to consider health and happiness from a holistic point of view, and Yoga’s eight limbs as a lifestyle embrace the total mind, body, and spirit in union. My goal is to share this practice with others and help them on the path to health and happiness with the eye forever on Pure Awareness.”