A big welcome goes out to Beaver Valley Macaroni Kid’s newest sponsor, Three Rivers Yoga in downtown Beaver. Three Rivers Yoga, which is owned by Registered Yoga Teacher Andrea Kirkham, offers quality yoga instruction to the Beaver Valley area. Beginner, mixed level, vigorous flow, restorative, and pre-natal classes are offered—and there are even two types of kids’ classes available for your little ones!
The Benefits of Yoga
People often wonder: What can yoga do for me? You may be surprised to know that practicing yoga can:
-- Give you better flexibility and provide exercises to stretch your muscles safely.
-- Help to improve muscle tone and build upper, lower and core body strength.
-- Reduce stress and improve concentration.
-- Develop better posture.
-- Deliver health benefits to those with cardiac issues, back pain, and those suffering from other chronic health conditions.
Simply put, yoga is the antidote to the damage that is caused by being constantly on the go: working, running the kids to their activities, tackling all the errands we have. It restores the mind, body and spirit!
Class descriptions and schedules:
Andrea has developed a set of classes that are designed for all levels, ages and abilities. There’s main street access to her studio, but the classes are held in an off-the-street building, giving participants the opportunity to practice yoga without traffic noise.
Teen/Adult Classes
- Yoga Basics, Saturdays at 11 a.m.: This class is ideal for someone who has never tried yoga and would like to see what it’s about. It’s a good class for all levels to learn basic postures and stretch.
- Beginner and Beyond, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.: This class will take the basics and add some strength work. It’s good for yoga beginners and experienced students who want a more gently paced class, but would still like to get a decent workout.
- Intermediate Level: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 10 a.m.: This class is for students who regularly practice yoga and are able to do a headstand or handstand against the wall as well as bakasana (crow).
- Mixed level classes, Monday through Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.: This class is good for all levels with moderate fitness. It includes core work, asana, breath work (pranayama), and relaxation.
- All Levels Relax and Restore, third Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m.: This class offers restorative yoga, which uses no muscles and gentle stretching. This class will help you relax into supported poses as you listen to music, poetry and stories. All levels are welcome.
- Donation Class, first Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m.: This is a mixed-level class that takes all the proceeds collected and distributes it to a particular charity. In December, the donation class proceeds will go to the Free Care Fund, which provides medical care for children.
- Zumba, Monday mornings at 9:15 and Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Special events and workshops are held often as well. Please check the Three Rivers Yoga website for details.
If you’d like to view classes by day of the week instead of level, you can go here. There’s also a calendar available.
If you have any questions about what class or classes would be best for you, Andrea is glad to help! She can be reached at 412-901-6478 or you can ask questions on the Three Rivers Yoga website contact form.
Classes for Youth and Kids
Kids can benefit from yoga instruction, too, by learning how to be more in touch with their bodies and to experience how to grow more easily into their bodies as they get older. Two kinds of kids’ classes are offered, and they’re broken down by age: a 10-7 year old class and 6-3 year old class. These classes teach basic yoga, and Andrea, who has two boys of her own, knows that the younger kids may have shorter attention spans. She usually offers a small craft or reads stories and plays games with the kids who participate in the younger class.
Kid's Yoga (ages 3-6) : Yoga can be fun when you become the animals and plants the poses are named after! These classes include stories, poses, and games. Class time is approximately 45 minutes and parents must remain at the studio during class time.
Youth Yoga (ages 7-10) : Yoga can be fun and help older children learn to handle stress and learn about healthy movement. These classes include poses, breathwork and games. Class time is approximately 45 minutes and parents must remain at the studio during class time.
Note: There is no drop-in option available for the kids’ classes. You must pre-register for these classes!
Kids’ class schedule (Pre-register only)
Kids’ Yoga Class, ages 3-6: 1-1:45 p.m. (1st Saturday of the month)
Youth Yoga Class, ages 7-10: 1-1:45 p.m. (4th Saturday of the month)
Pricing
You can take classes at Three Rivers Yoga using passes, or you can simply drop in to any of the weekly adult classes!
One Class : $10
6 Class Pass : $55 (expires 3 months from purchase)
10 Class Pass : $90 (expires 3 months from purchase)
Unlimited Monthly Pass : $75
*** Fall Special $65 for new students! ***
Kids and Youth Class : $5
Zumba :$5
* Cash and Check only.
And right now, you can get your first class HALF OFF if you mention Beaver Valley Macaroni Kid!
Three Rivers Studio is located in downtown Beaver, at 428 3rd Street next to Kathleens. Just follow the sidewalk back under the “Three Rivers Yoga” sign and walk up the ramp to the studio. MapQuest: http://mapq.st/h/10-jdjO
About Andrea Kirkham
Andrea has practiced yoga for over 10 years, and has taught yoga for 2 years. She began teaching at Three Rivers Yoga when it opened in 2009 and then bought the studio in April 2010. She has a steady influx of students, and has also brought in several teachers to conduct a full schedule of classes throughout the week. She has studied the Hatha tradition, with influences of Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara and YinYang Yoga. She’s a teacher who believes in making her students comfortable and enjoys teaching the basics as much as she does instructing students who have been practicing yoga for years.
If you’ve been wondering how yoga could benefit you, remember, you can just drop in and take a beginner’s class. And don’t forget to sign your kids up for the kids/youth classes on the first and fourth Saturday of each month!
