SterlingYoga

by Martin Miron

Sterling Yoga and Wellness Center teaches therapeutic alignment Iyengar-based yoga and meditation. The studio shares space with a massage therapist, myofascial therapist, reiki practitioners, reflexologists and readers. They host sound healing meditations with many artists, reiki and restorative workshops, reiki shares, acupuncture circles, doggie gym classes and events for small businesses. They also have a color therapy sauna and an active Himalayan salt cave that supports monthly yoga nidra and restorative yoga classes.

Owner Sterling Painton says, “We have a wide range of ages from 20 to 90, we work with people individually and teach a variety of levels in yoga. Our studio is invested in our students’ health and wellness in a well-rounded informational way. We definitely practice what we preach; daily yoga practice, monthly massage, myofascial and reflexology appointments. We really love sound healing and acupuncture, so we attend those as much as we can. Our approach is to try to get health and wellness in your life whenever and however you can. We practice all types of health, functional, integrative and holistic medicine regularly, and hope our students see that and want to continue to work on their health.”

Painton explains, “Before Covid, our studio was hosting 35 teachers and practitioners— currently we have 12 people on our team. Mostly my partner, Frank, and I run the studio and teach yoga full-time there. To be honest, since Covid it has been challenging to feel engaged with our community.”

Over the years, they have taught yoga in the park for Sisters of Pittsburgh, sponsored Dormont youth baseball teams, donated classes and services to local community events and hosted dance shows for various charities. “For 11 years, we hosted a local artist market for the holidays (hoping to bring it back soon). We also teach and participate in the GBSCIDP Foundation and Parkinson of Greater Pittsburgh Foundation annual walk events and symposiums.”

Sterling Yoga began in 2002. “I was teaching in many places, and it was suggested that I use my name, since people knew me and my style of teaching. The studio spent 15 years in Dormont, and during this time we went from a basement to one building, then two buildings, to finally outgrowing our space in 2017 and moving to Scott Township for the last six years. The biggest addition moving allowed us to open an active Himalayan salt cave, which has been a dream for over a decade,” says Painton. “I am certified by the Himalayan Institute, Yoga Bloom, Judith Hansen Lasater and trained for over 18 years with several senior Iyengar teachers.”

She explains, “My vision has always been to share a space where people feel safe, comfortable practicing yoga and other healing modalities for all kinds of people. My goal is to share my knowledge of the body and how it works and how to maintain longtime health. Over the years, I have worked with many students who have Parkinson’s, MS, GBS-CICDP and other types of nervous system disorders. Our future plans are to work hard to keep our small business open and continue to have a space for all people. I really believe in this system of health care and I want to share it with others.”

Sterling Yoga & Wellness Center is located at 393 Vanadium Rd., Ste. 201, in Pittsburgh. For more information, call 412-260-0533 or visit SterlingYoga.com. Classes on demand on Patreon. See ad, page 7.