Bob Barton in front of his studio at 1000 5th Avenue in Coraopolis.
Newcomers to Coraopolis may not realize that the town is home to the very first studio in Pittsburgh dedicated solely to the practice of yoga.
Bob Barton opened Three Rivers Yoga in 1993 as a way to share and teach the practice that brought so much healing to his life. Having discovered yoga following a skydiving accident, Barton found that the more he practiced, the better he felt. As a United States Airforce veteran, Barton was no stranger to discipline.
“Knowing yoga helped me. I was able to move and release pain from my body. My goal was to allow others to learn what they could do for themselves,” said Barton.
The idea to open his studio came to him as he was traveling outside of Pittsburgh to take classes and become a certified teacher.
“I was the first yoga studio in the Pittsburgh area. Many studios that opened after me were students of mine that went through my Teachers Training course,” said Barton.
When it came to finding a home for his studio, Coraopolis had the right mix.
Barton continued, “A yoga studio needs to have a large space. However, the cost of a large space can be too high. Economically, Coraopolis has been an excellent place to find large space with affordable rent. [It is also] centrally located to Moon, Sewickley, Carnegie, Crafton, Robinson and many other locations. Easy access is essential to students getting to class.”
Barton loves to see his students supporting the other small businesses in Coraopolis when they are in town to visit his 5th Avenue studio.
“It is nice to know that there is a revitalization happening in Coraopolis. Hopefully that will help all the businesses in the community...A few more restaurants would attract people to the area,” he added.
Yoga is threaded through all aspects of Barton’s life. When he isn’t teaching, you can find him practicing a different passion: drumming.
“I have been playing drums since I was young. For years I wrote articles in Drum Magazine that taught yoga postures to keep the body limber for playing.”
He is also an accomplished author, having co-written a book with student and friend, John Centofanti, Yogamerica: The Adventures of Bob & John, which is available on Amazon both in paperback and kindle.
The old saying of ‘do what you love and it will never seem like a day of work’ is certainly true for Barton. And for those who are considering yoga, Barton says you can get started anytime.
“Learning more about your body and breath will enhance your life,” he said.
Three Rivers Yoga is located at 1000 5th Avenue in downtown Coraopolis. The studio has morning and evening hours. Generally, classes are not held in the afternoon. However, at times the studio may appear to be closed when it is actually open for classes. Make sure to check the class schedule on the studio windows and on its website at www.threeriversyoga.com.
