Robert was introduced to yoga at the age of 7 by his father who began practicing yoga in the 1950's. Robert felt an immediate connection to yoga at that time, and became fully immersed in the practice in 1987 after suffering a back injury while skydiving.

Intensive personal practice and study with some of the finest teachers including Dean Lerner (Senior Iyengar Teacher), Tim Miller (Ashtanga), Kali Ray (Tri-yoga Flow), Yogi Hari (Classical), Andrei Sidersky (Esoteric), Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten (Innovative Exploration), turned an obstacle into an opportunity. Robert was certified to teach in 1992 through the Yoga Vedanta, Science and Arts Center under Yogi Hari & Leela Mataji.

Robert established Three Rivers Yoga Institute in 1993 and was the FIRST yoga studio in the Pittsburgh area. Robert brings 20 years of daily practice, a pain free back, and a deep understanding of the therapeutic application of the practice to his classes. His approach is humorous and compassionate helping students to move beyond self perceived limitations.

Robert has many other talents including martial arts for 30 years. Robert is an avid drummer of 41 years and writes a monthly column in Drum Magazine (Yoga for Drummers). Stay tuned for Robert's upcoming DVD. Robert is also trained in the Lotus Palm method of Thai Yoga Massage and is a gifted bodyworker providing a theraputic and transformational healing experience. Robert is certified through Yoga Alliance at the 500 Hour Level.

Joe came to Three Rivers Yoga in 2005 to complement his longtime meditation practice with Yoga. Joe studied Transcendental Meditation from 1969-1972 and is associated with the Rochester Zen Center, practicing Buddhist meditation since 1983. Joe holds a first degree black belt, Japanese Shotokan Style and has practiced marital arts in the Japanese/Okinawan/Indoesian styles for nearly 20 years. Joe currently serves as the Medical Director, Occupational Medicine/Employee Health at Mercy Hospital. Joe’s hobbies include gardening, fitness, nutrition, alternative/complementary medicine, spiritual traditions, biking on rails to trails, hiking and spending time with his longtime wife Debbie, and their two canine companions, Iggy and Gabby, rescued from animal shelters. Joe teaches Anatomy for the Three Rivers Yoga Teacher Training Program, and is able to apply the basic anatomy principals and experiential knowledge in a way that is easily understood by students and teachers of yoga.

Jay began practicing in 2003 when he received a gift of a month of classes at Three Rivers Yoga. Jay was attracted to the practice at the onset, fascinated by the dynamics of the breath and movement as one. Jay completed the Three Rivers Yoga Lifestyle Program in 2004 and Teacher Training Program in 2005. Jay participates regularly in yoga workshops to enhance his knowledge of the practice. Jay deeply enjoys teaching and sharing the practice with others as it has been such a positive influence in his life. Jay believes that if you practice consistently and patiently, the practice brings an opening of the body, mind and spirit. Jay is a wonderful teacher and has embraced the practice fully with his heart, which is reflected in his classes. Jay is currently being registered through Yoga Alliance for 500 Hour RYT.

Equanimity, Energy, Poise, Strength, Loving-Kindness – these are among the numerous gifts Cheryl receives from her yoga practice and which she in turn infuses as her signature in the classes she teaches at Three Rivers Yoga.

Cheryl's yoga journey began in the mid 90s as a response to the demands of working as a professional engineer, attending graduate school and raising a young family.

Cheryl earned her RYT 200 in 2007 after which she volunteered teaching yoga classes at many venues in the North Hills and Pittsburgh area.

In August 2011 Cheryl completed her RYT 500 with at Three Rivers Yoga and is 500 hour certified through Yoga Alliance. She also received Restorative Yoga training at Three Rivers Yoga in November 2007.

Cheryl is grateful for all of the friendships yoga has facilitated and to all of her teachers for helping deepen her awareness.

Cheryl resides in Bradford Woods with her husband Richard, son Ben and daughter Natalie.

Cheryl Sorek RYT500, Professional Engineer . M.S.Engineering

Carolyn Smith has a passion for health and sports. Her commitment began while earning a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and dance. Following a successful teaching career, Carolyn entered the business world as a human resources executive and later became certified by the Federation of Coaches and is currently an executive coach for Sewickley Alliance. She gravitated to Yoga following an equestrian back injury, rebuilding her health while learning yoga. Discovering that she wanted to learn more she enrolled in the Three Rivers Yoga Institute’s 200-hour teacher training program. She graduated in 2009. Since then, Carolyn has completed teacher training workshops at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and in Boston.

April began Three Rivers 200 hour Teacher Training program in the fall of 2008, but had to quit due to an old hamstring injury. In the spring of 2009, she had surgery to reattach her hamstring, and then the true healing journey began! April is deeply thankful for yoga and the support and loving guidance of her teachrs. Re-entering the Teacher Training program in fall 2009, April has had the honor to practice and learn alongside her dear friend Jennifer. She plans to continue her training in the Advanced 500 hour program in fall 2010.

April brings to her teaching a gentle and understanding awareness of the of the body’s ability to recover from injury and illness through yoga. Her approach emphasizes Ahimsa, or non-violence, and honoring your body and its limits in this moment. She believes in the therapeutic value of yoga for mind and body. She started practicing in 2007 as a way to relive stress and anxiety, and immediately fell in love!

April is also a Reiki practitioner, gardener, animal lover, and peaceful vegan.

Jennifer has been studying yoga on and off for many years, beginning a book called "The Sivananda Companion to Yoga," by Swami Vishnu Devananda. Living in New York City, she was blessed with an opportunity to take asana classes at the Integral Yoga Studio. She was originally drawn toward yoga for the physical benefits—Yoga helped her to release the overused muscles and stress accumulated from a combination of competitive athletics, dance training, and the driving pace of life in Manhattan.

Since then her path has taken many twists and turns, allowing her to wear multiple hats; dance teacher, Pilates instructor, personal trainer. Finally, in 2009 her friend April introduced her to the Three Rivers Yoga Institute and she knew she had found her true path.

Having recently completed the 200 hour Teacher Training course at Three Rivers Yoga, she is currently enrolled at the 500 hour level. Jennifer’s heartfelt wish and intention is to share with students the full teachings and transformative powers of yoga; not just as a physical practice, but as a way of life.

The practice of yoga has enhanced and changed Nadia’s life in so many ways. One way yoga has changed her life is by introducing her to unwavering serenity during life’s storms. This sense of peace is what inspires Nadia to teach others the benefits of this beautiful practice. Nadia has been practicing yoga at Three Rivers since 2004. Currently, she is participating in the 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training, and will graduate in September 2010. Nadia is certified to teach Yoga for Pregnancy!

Nadia’s love of children is what draws her to teach this sacred practice to them. She has witnessed first hand the sense of calm, confidence, and joy that yoga brings to the children. She is certified in “Color Me Yoga”, a specific children’s yoga teacher training, and will be completing more children’s yoga training in August 2010. Her goal is to bring prenatal, children’s yoga, and family yoga to Three Rivers Yoga Institute. When Nadia is not at the studio, she is gratefully spending time with her husband, Chris, and her children, Brody and Adelaide.

New to Yoga but not to fitness on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual! Edit has been committed to wellness since adolescence. She began teaching fitness classes 27 years ago, in her home town Budapest, Hungary. A little more than 17 years ago, she visited Pittsburgh, PA where she met her husband Fritz, and they now have a son, Raymond.

Edit began her Yoga experience at Three Rivers Yoga with Bob & Cindi more than 4 years ago, where she has since participated in a rigorous 2 year program, including Yoga Lifestyle Training, followed by Yoga Teacher Training Program. Edit participates in ongoing training through workshops and classes. Edit is totally immersed in her commitment to Yoga. Edit's attitude & youthful approach adds an energized element unique to each class whether she participates or teaches. Edit is a member of Yoga Alliance, which is an organization for Yoga instructors, committed to adequate training & experience, as well as a code of ethics which promotes safety & satisfaction for the Yoga student. Edit aspires to share what she learns & have fun, too!

Mariann began practicing yoga in 1999 at Three Rivers Yoga. Mariann realized the transformational qualities of the practice and decided to deepen her practice. She completed the Lifestyle Program in 2004 and the Teacher Training Program at Three Rivers Yoga in 2005. Mariann currently teaches at CCAC, the Duquesne Club and a local Women's Shelter, in addition to Three Rivers Yoga. Mariann has a very nurturing teaching style and teaches from her experience. Mariann enjoys teaching children and assists in teaching the Kids Yoga and Teens Yoga sessions.

Maureen came to Three Rivers Yoga a number of years ago when she and her husband were on a weekend get away and saw that Three Rivers Yoga was minutes from their hotel. Since then she decided to continue her practice with Bob and Cindi. Maureen is currently completing her 500 hour teacher training level at Three Rivers Yoga Institute.

Maureen's been practicing yoga since 1998. Last year she had the opportunity to practice with Bryan Kest and her passion of yoga, passion that yoga is accessible to everyone, needed by everyone has strengthened. Teaching since 2003, I’ve been influenced by Seane Corn, David Life, Sharon Gannon, Manju Jois, Shiva Rea, Bob and Cindi and many others. Her teaching is an eclectic blend of those that inspire her and the realization that everyone can benefit from yoga. Her classes are accessible for all… the only requirements are to breath, stay present, love and honor your whole being.

After leaving a career as a civil engineer several years ago to be a full time yoga instructor, she has never looked back. She sees how others can benefit from the practice both physically and mentally and is truly inspired by each and every one of her students... they are her real teachers. She currently lives in Niles, Ohio and shares her life with her husband John and newfie "Jack".