ASCEND Erie Unites Climbing and Yoga Communities

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Not just for climbers, Ascend Erie now offers yoga classes in their bright, airy studio space including practices like Slow and Steady, Rest and Renew, and Yoga for Climbing.

With floor-to-ceiling windows and boundless opportunities, the ASCEND Yoga studio makes it easy to let the worries of the day melt away.

"The word 'yoga' is derived from a Sanskrit term that means 'to yoke' or 'to unite,'" explained ASCEND yoga instructor Bob Stevenson. "By focusing on your breath during a class, your mind and body are united, and this encourages self-reflection, as well as an awareness of one's own body, mind, and emotions."

Stevenson teaches the Strengthen + Tone series at ASCEND Erie. This is a power yoga class that focuses on building strength, flexibility, and balance. The series is one of a handful that caters to various goals.

ASCEND looks at wellness from a holistic perspective, and yoga plays a large part. Yoga complements any physical activity — walking, running, biking, weight lifting, climbing, etc. — and significantly benefits the entire body. ASCEND Erie offers Slow + Steady, Rest + Renew, and Yoga for Climbing classes. Since the recreation center has climbing in addition to its fitness equipment, there's a Yoga for Climbing class taught by Adrianna Flickett. During the day, she is a member of the route-setting team, so she's always thinking about how climbers are moving on the wall and builds her classes around techniques that can be used right after class.

ASCEND Erie is the newest addition to the Pittsburgh-founded ASCEND family. The 25,000-square-foot recreational facility includes bouldering terrain, rope climbing stations, fitness equipment, and more. "We like to look at fitness holistically, encompassing yoga, climbing, cardio, proper rest, and smart nutrition," said Chris Rosato Jr., general manager of ASCEND Erie. "A consistent yoga practice helps with mental fitness, focus, flexibility, breathing, and can help build strength, which are all foundational elements to strong climbing."

"More than just a place for you to check in, take your class, and leave, we are a 'third place' where you can feel just as comfortable as you do at your workplace and at home," says Ascend general manager Chris Rosato Jr. (Photo: CookMedia)

Each ASCEND center has slightly different offerings, but the Erie center has recently added the only program of its type in the region — Yoga for Kids. The instructor, Chelsea McQuaid, has been with the center since its opening in November 2023 and is Kidding Around Yoga-certified in addition to being a youth coach at the center. McQuaid explained that yoga takes care of the mind at all ages, in addition to the body, so yoga can help children with self-regulation and social-emotional learning as they develop.

She said offering Yoga for Kids classes speaks to the mission of ASCEND Erie and its commitment to families in the community. "ASCEND is very committed to its footprint in Erie and building that sense of community," McQuaid said. She is also known for Wellness Wednesdays, in collaboration with the Erie Downtown Partnership, where she instructs sunrise yoga at the Bicentennial Tower — an iconic landmark in the Erie community — to highlight its beauty while connecting with nature.

"As a community-focused wellness and recreation center, we seek to foster community and belonging amongst our members and visitors," manager Rosato said. "More than just a place for you to check in, take your class, and leave, we are a 'third place' where you can feel just as comfortable as you do at your workplace and at home."

That feeling isn't limited to any one socioeconomic status, either. ASCEND's commitment to community spans cost barriers. Every third Sunday of the month, they host Big Free Yoga, a free and all-level beginner-friendly yoga class open to anyone. They also offer day passes to the center, including a new yoga-specific pass that's $10 for a class. There are discounts available for teachers, students, health care workers, and first responders, as well. The Equity + Outreach Fund provides even more opportunities to those for whom cost is a significant barrier to climbing or yoga.

"We believe everyone in the community will enjoy climbing and yoga, and they should be able to access it. Once you come in, you'll find that you are welcome here, regardless of your background, ability level, or body," Rosato said. "Our climbing and yoga instructors specialize in adapting classes to whoever is in class to accommodate all experience levels and abilities." McQuaid seconded that sentiment, saying that she starts every yoga class with a reminder that although practicing in a group, it's important to focus on the individual experience, and she offers modifications for various physical and energy levels depending on who comes to class.

Likewise, Stevenson says yoga is not like a competitive team sport, it's based on each person. "The beauty of yoga is that you are really 'your own best yoga teacher,' so you can make a class as challenging as you want it to be," he said.

McQuaid added, "If you can breathe, you can do yoga."

Classes are held at various times to meet the busy schedules of those who attend the center. The yoga studio is also available to members when classes are not in session. Learn more about ASCEND Erie and its yoga program at ascendclimbing.com/locations/erie.