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
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.
Jennifer Ross, RYT
Jennifer Ross, RYT, is the Principal Second Violinist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a long- time yoga practitioner. She has studied and practiced a variety of yoga styles including Iyengar, Ashtanga and Anusara, and her international touring schedule with the PSO has enabled her to experience yoga classes all over the world. A veteran marathon runner, Jenny was initially drawn to yoga for its physical health benefits, but through her teaching certification discovered a deep and profound appreciation for the intellectual, philosophical, and spiritual aspects of the art of yoga. Relating yogic principals to music performance, Jenny is invited regularly to the National Orchestral Institute where she presents her Yoga for Musicians seminar. Jenny seeks to incorporate mindfulness, focus and joy into every asana and encourages students to apply these concepts to daily life on and off the mat.