BLUE AWNING YOGA & WELLNESS

HARMONY AND AWARENESS

RELAX AND ACHIEVE BALANCE

Begin Your Journey

Every journey has a destination. Let your journey lead you to Blue Awning Yoga and Wellness. Our stunning studio embraces all levels of practice and abilities with extra care and instruction for those with sight and physical restrictions. We offer in-person and virtual classes to meet everyone’s needs. All of our classes are focused on helping our patrons achieve a sense of mind and body. Whether you are participating in the comforts of your home or in-studio, you will surely leave feeling refreshed and renewed. Please join us on Facebook at Blue Awning Yoga and Wellness to receive the latest news and updates. We hope to see you soon!

Free Virtual Classes

We are proud to offer Free Virtual Classes for individuals who are 55+ and/or have a disability. You must reside within Allegheny County and complete an in-take assessment to qualify. Our virtual classes are interactive and engaging. You will enjoy participating in the comfort of your home while also reaping the increased health benefits of yoga. To learn more, please contact us phone at 412-368-4400 x 2239 or e-mail lgamrat@pghvis.org for eligibility.

About Us

Blue Awning Yoga & Wellness is a studio for EVERYONE.

Our goal is to create an all-inclusive environment so people of all backgrounds and needs have the opportunity to achieve harmony and awareness in their life.

We provide our students a chance to recharge, achieve balance, and relax in a renovated historic warehouse space in the heart of the Uptown neighborhood. We are located at 1816 Locust Street, on the 4th floor, convenient to public transportation and parking. We offer a wide variety of yoga and wellness classes for all skill levels. We present each student with an experience that will create strength, mindfulness, and balance in both the mind and body.

Our experienced instructors are committed to their students by creating an atmosphere of education, healing, and peacefulness. Our teachers inspire their students to become their best and happiest self through a mindful yoga practice that is both challenging and appropriate for all people of all skill levels and abilities.

We hope you will join us for a one-of-a-kind experience where you will achieve awareness, harmony, and help create a stronger community for all.

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Wellness Services

We thrilled to announce that Blue Awning Yoga and Wellness is expanding. Join us in the art of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to improve your physical and mental health so that instead of just surviving, you’re thriving. We offer wellness services that include Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Massage Therapy , Personal Training Services, and Reiki. Schedule your appointment today.

To schedule an appointment or for pricing, please contact the therapists directly.

For Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), and Lymphatic Drainage Massage, please contact Carol at 484.318.9145
For Massage Therapy, please contact Prema at 412.925.2690
For Personal Training services, please contact Vivian at 412.722.3207

Our Classes

Class Descriptions

CHAIR YOGA

Yoga is for everyone! Join us for a gentle yoga practice that you can do seated in a chair. This 60 minute class incorporates grounding exercises, pranayama (breath work), mindful movement, and an extended guided meditation. Ideal for students with any physical limitation. This class if filled with adaptive and accommodating postures for all skill levels and body types.

LUNCHTIME GENTLE YOGA

Recharge during this 45 minute lunch break practice. We’ll balance activity and rest to keep you energized through the remainder of your workday. Pairing a gentle asana practice with grounding exercises, mindfulness, mediation, and pranayama (breath work), this class is appropriate for anyone who can comfortably get up and down off the floor. Adaptive and accommodating postures will be cued for all types of bodies.

BEGINNER YOGA

This class will introduce you to fundamental principles of yoga, proper poses, and breath work. This class will walk you through the step-by-step verbal description and demonstration. Emphasis is placed on student understanding, safety, and stability within each pose.

SLOW AND STRONG YOGA FLOW

Join us for slow and strong flow yoga. This class integrates strength, flexibility, concentration, and contemplation through a series of traditional postures linked together through breath and movement. We will bring you back to the basics while helping you tune into your body’s own rhythm. This 60 minute class is perfect for individuals of all levels.

DYNAMIC YOGA FLOW

Challenge yourself with this creative and lively class that features fluid movements that focus on body awareness in a continuous sequence. This class involves unexpected transitions and dynamic asanas with a funky spin. It will lead you from one pose to another through your inhale and exhale and create heat inside the body and stillness in the mind. This class is appropriate for individuals with some level of yoga experience.

GENTLE FLOW YOGA

Our Gentle Flow Yoga class is geared toward those who are new to yoga and are interested in a gentle practice. It incorporates simple flowing sequences to warm up the body, as well as slower paced movements focusing on alignment, strength, balance, and flexibility. It is a perfect class for all levels of practice.

SLOW FLOW YOGA

This slow flow class features gentle movement and flowing postures that are designed to help you feel both relaxed and strong. Each class incorporates meditation, breath-work, and gentle movement to help bring balance to the body and mind. This slower paced flow class allows time for students to hold poses and focus on breath work.

RECHARGE RAJA YOGA

This class will help you reset and recharge from the week. By focusing on both the mind and body; beginner, intermediate, and advanced yogis will flow through stimulating poses while having a great time! This class combines a gentle practice of yoga with great music to help you begin the upcoming week with a fresh view.

SLOW POWER YOGA

Join us for this slow paced, hatha yoga practice designed to focus on strength through various sequences and poses, using your own body weight and breathing techniques to tap into and develop your strength. This class is great for anyone looking to increase their strength, while deepening their own practice. This class is for all levels however this is a moderate intensity class and participants should be healthy enough for exercise.

RESTORATIVE YOGA

Rough week? This restorative class is designed to leave you feeling rested, peaceful, and calm. Restorative yoga is practiced at a slow pace, focused on long holds in comfortable poses, deep breathing and stillness. This practice will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which helps alleviate stress in the body, still the mind, and improve capacity for healing.

VINYASA BREATH AND FLOW

Join us for a moving meditation that creates strength, freedom, and fluidity in the body and mind. Center the mind while challenging the body. This is the perfect class to kick start your upcoming week. You will experience a deepened strength, balance, vitality, and joy. This class is appropriate for beginners, advanced yogis, and everyone in between.

It’s time to start

Class Schedule

All classes are available In-person or Virtual.

MONDAY

CHAIR YOGA
10:00 to 11:00 am
Instructor: Megan Bianco

LUNCHTIME GENTLE YOGA
12:00 to 12:45 pm
Instructor: Megan Bianco

BEGINNER YOGA
7:00 to 8:00 pm
Instructor: Carol Lubecki

TUESDAY

CHAIR YOGA
10:00 to 11:00 am
Instructor: Annie Lapidus

SLOW AND STRONG YOGA FLOW
7:00 to 8:00 pm
Instructor: Melissa Osburn

WEDNESDAY

LUNCHTIME GENTLE YOGA
12:00 to 12:45 pm
Instructor: Christine Mclnnes

RESTORATIVE YOGA
5:30 to 6:30 pm
Instructor: Carol Lubecki

DYNAMIC YOGA FLOW
7:00 to 8:00 pm
Instructor: Melissa Osburn

THURSDAY

SLOW FLOW YOGA
7:00 to 8:00 pm
Instructor: Megan Bianco

FRIDAY

CHAIR YOGA
10:30 to 11:30 am
Instructor: Christine Mclnnes

LUNCHTIME GENTLE YOGA
12:00 to 12:45 pm
Instructor: Melissa Osburn

SATURDAY

RECHARGE RAJA YOGA
10:30 to 11:30 am
Instructor: Ursula Howard

SLOW POWER YOGA
12:00 to 1:00 pm
Instructor: Molly Knepper

SUNDAY

RESTORATIVE YOGA
9:30 to 10:30 am
Instructor: Carol Lubecki

VINYASA BREATH AND FLOW
6:00 to 7:00 pm
Instructor: Melissa Osburn

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Class Pricing

We pride ourselves on offering a yoga program that is affordable and inclusive to everyone. We have a variety of pricing levels to meet everyone’s individual needs. We welcome walk-ins.

MEMBERSHIPS

$50 per Month (Virtual Only)
$90 per Month (In-person and Virtual)
$900 per Year (In-person and Virtual)

INDIVIDUAL CLASS

$15 per Class – In Person
$10 per Class – In Person Student, or Senior 60 years or older (ID required)
$5 per class – Virtual

NOTE

Doors open 15 minutes before class and close 5 minutes after the start of class.

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Expert Intsructors

Meet Our Team

Megan Bianco

INSTRUCTOR

I discovered yoga through my local library over a decade ago. I’ve been on a journey of self-realization ever since. My practice has helped me grow stronger, more flexible and grounded both on and off the mat. My training includes a 200-hour power yinyasa certification with South Hills Power Yoga. In addition to a 200-hour teacher training with Story Yoga located in Burlington, VT. Which focused on addiction recovery and trauma informed yoga. I seek to help others thrive by connecting body, mind and spirit. In class I like to combine creative sequencing, a spirit of playfulness and a dose of inspiration to help you deepen your practice. My hope is that you step off the mat feeling refreshed and balanced.

Ursula Howard

INSTRUCTOR

For me yoga is a way of life, having a healthy balance. Focus on mind; body connection specialized in Raja Yoga. Practicing yoga for more than 24 years understanding the concept of self-space in your practice, received 200 Hrs of Anti-Racist Organizing and Social Justice Raja Yoga training in November 2018 from Yoga Roots On Location. “I feel like my superpower is teaching yoga, the joy I have with my students always continue to learning and growing into yoga” There is no right or wrong way to do yoga, just show up and enjoy your practice. I will supply a smile, with eye pillows, essential oils and yoga techniques let get into your flow.

Molly Knepper

INSTRUCTOR

My name is Molly Knepper, 200 RYT, and I have been teaching yoga since 2016. I was first exposed to yoga as a child from a wonderful neighbor but stepped away from it for many years as I pursued competitive swimming. I returned to yoga as a public-school teacher in search of ways to manage stress. Soon after I completed a 200 hr. teacher-training course in Hatha Yoga. I taught with PIES Studio until I moved to Pittsburgh with my husband to start a family. Since then, I have been teaching at my neighborhood civic center, offering classes focused on strength and flexibility as well as relaxation. I love to help others discover yoga’s ability to build functional strength, reduce stress and promote relaxation. My goal as a yoga teacher is to help others learn and create an accessible and sustainable home practice.

Annie Lapidus

INSTRUCTOR

Annie Lapidus is an advocate for inclusion and accessibility, whose approach is Collaborative and community-oriented. In partnership with Creative Citizen Studios, she has served as a consultant and trainer for organizations such as the Carnegie Museums, the Children’s Museum, and Attack Theater, where she has worked to systemically break down barriers to access and to create authentic welcoming strategies. Annie is the board Vice-President of the Bricolage Production Company and is the chair of their Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. Annie earned RYT200 Yoga Teacher Certification through Open Up Pittsburgh. She also holds a specialized certification in Accessible Yoga. These programs of adaptive and accommodating yoga practice are in alignment with her belief that meeting people where they are and using open communication are the best methods for allowing people to feel welcomed, wanted, and included.

Christine Mclnnes

INSTRUCTOR

Christine McInnes, RYT200 received her Teacher Training at Schoolhouse Yoga in 2016 and is certified in Chair Yoga through Pittsburgh Yoga Therapy. She specializes in incorporating non-movement aspects of the practice including grounding exercises, pranayama, deep relaxation techniques, and guided meditation into her classes to keep yoga accessible to all. Off the mat, she is a bartender who enjoys walking her dog.

Melissa Osburn

INSTRUCTOR

Melissa took her first yoga class 12 years ago. That experience completely changed her life. Driven by her love of the practice and the peace she found on her mat, she dove in headfirst and became a certified 200-hour instructor in 2017. She has since gone on to become certified in children’s yoga, and trauma informed yoga. Melissa is a full-time social worker, working for Community Human Services where they provide housing for the homeless. She believes that everybody deserves a home! In addition to her full-time social work, she also has three children, who have all fell in love with yoga as well.

Carol Lubecki

INSTRUCTOR

Carol Lubecki is certified in a variety of mediums that include Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), and Lymphatic Drainage, all of which lead to better health for her patients. She has decades of experience and had her own practice in Philadelphia till her recent relocation Pittsburgh so that she could be closer to her family. Her practice and focus is centered on her patients by reducing their stress, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Expert Wellness Practitioners

Meet Our Team

Vivian Bowser

PERSONAL TRAINER

Vivian Bowser became a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified personal trainer in the spring of 2021. She is currently studying to obtain her NASM Nutritional Certification as well. She specializes in strength and conditioning training as well as weight management. She is a mother and first got into fitness in 2016 when her own life became undeniably impacted by health issues. Preventable and reversible health issues became a motivation for Vivian to get serious about fitness and wellness. This ultimately led her to the decision to make a lifestyle change and share the gift of self-love and health with everyone else. When she is not training a client she enjoys rock climbing, trying out new vegan recipes, and spending time with her family.

Carol Lubecki

PRACTITIONER

Carol Lubecki is certified in a variety of mediums that include Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), and Lymphatic Drainage, all of which lead to better health for her patients. She has decades of experience and had her own practice in Philadelphia till her recent relocation Pittsburgh so that she could be closer to her family. Her practice and focus is centered on her patients by reducing their stress, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Prema

PRACTITIONER

Prema is a 2016 graduate from Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy. He is also fluent in the skillful art of energy work and reflexology, helping to bolster and facilitate healing on the different levels and aspects of people who are open to receive more specific work. Prema specializes in myofascial massage and trigger point work specific to mobility issues. He is passionate about helping people feel less pain by offering a well thought out plan of treatment. There’s always room for healing and growth. His focus is on helping achieve a more balanced, peaceful, and relaxing.

Get the latest

News and Events

Celebrate Blue Awning Yoga and Wellness!

Join us for the grand re-opening celebration of Blue Awning Yoga and Wellness on Friday, April 22nd at 5:30pm. A complimentary class will begin at 5:30 pm with light refreshments and a Q&A to immediately follow. Each attendee will receive a commemorative gift....

Welcome Back!

We are delighted to announce the return of the Blue Awning Yoga and Wellness Studio. We are one of a few studios in the country dedicated to offering an experience that meets the needs of everyone. Our all-inclusive studio offers classes for all abilities in-person or...

Blue Awning Yoga studio is open for classes!

The Blue Awning Yoga studio is finished and open for classes! It's a beautiful, relaxing studio in a renovated historic warehouse space in the heart of the Uptown neighborhood. We are located at 1816 Locust Street, convenient to public transportation and parking. We...

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in Blue Awning Yoga & Wellness. Our committed staff is here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Please contact us by phone at 412-368-4088 or email at yogastudio1@pghvis.org

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