Author Archives: EssentialYoga Studio

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About EssentialYoga Studio

Roberta Dell'Anno E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga for Scoliosis Trainer Owner EssentialYoga Studio. Roberta has been practicing yoga since 1988 and teaching yoga since 2004. She has studied extensively under master yoga teachers Patricia Walden, Zoë Stewart, Sri Arun H.S., Elise Browning Miller, and others. She completed a two year Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training program with Sr. Iyengar Teacher, Peentz Dubble in June 2017. Roberta has studied yoga at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Memorial Institute in Pune, India during June 2011, February 2014, attended Abhijata's 2-week intensive in Pune, India, December 2016 and BKS Iyengar's Centenary 10-day intensive taught by Prashantji & Geetaji, December 2018. She completed training and certification with Elise Browning Miller as a 'Yoga for Scoliosis' instructor in 2014, completed a 500 hour Hatha Yoga Certification program with AURA Wellness Center in 2005 and is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 500. She has been a Certified Meditation Teacher since June 2007 and an Usui Reiki Practitioner since 1989. The studio provides individual & specialized privates, semi-privates, group private sessions, and yoga workshops. Roberta conducts local and out of town workshops. She specializes in yoga for scoliosis and back care. She uses props to help students and teachers of all levels transform their backbends, twists, standing and seated postures, as well as inversions like sarvangasana (shoulderstand). She also works with individuals who have physical challenges, specifically individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, CMT, Parkinson's Disease, scoliosis, and amputees in private, semi-private and group sessions.​​​

Meditation, Cortical Thickness, and Pain Sensitivity

There’s a small but growing body of research literature showing that meditation practice is associated with greater cortical thickness in the brain (i.e., Grant et al., 2010; Lazar et al., 2005; Pagnoni & Cekic, 2007). All three studies used MRI … Continue reading

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Notes taken at a Menopause Workshop with Sr. Iyengar Teacher Patricia Walden

Menopause workshop with Patricia Walden. March 27th Please note: Any omissions or mistakes are clearly my error not Patricia Walden’s. Patricia’s book, “Woman’s Book of Yoga and Health” During menopause, it is important to laugh hard and laugh often. Diet … Continue reading

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Question of the Month: I know I should meditate, but I don’t know how to go about it. How do I start?

• Establish a meditation corner that you can use every day. It should be a place where you can be relatively undisturbed during your meditation sessions. • Meditate at the same time everyday. • Sit as long as you can … Continue reading

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Commentary: Halsasana Variation-Teachers & Advanced Practitioners

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HIGHLIGHTS: Manouso Mano’s Iyengar Yoga Workshop, Cranston RI.

Manouso showed an adjustment for Adho Mukha Svanasana that I had never seen before. If I can find a student volunteer, I will make a video of it. Most students who touch their heads onto the floor overstretch/sink into the … Continue reading

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Question of the Month: I don’t like practicing backbends. How important is it that I incorporate them into my practice?

Backbends are an important part of any yoga practice. We don’t bend backwards in our daily lives; it feels much more natural to bend forward (bending to tie shoes or pick things up from the floor, etc). As we age … Continue reading

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What is the importance of Pranayama?

An excerpt from a BKS Iyengar interview taken from the Astadala Yogamala, Volume 7, says it all. “…I had tuberculosis as a young man and bouts of other diseases that had compromised my lungs. In 1984 I was in San … Continue reading

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Student question: Why do I need to practice hip openers?

Hip opening poses have numerous benefits. They are wonderful for relieving unwanted stress, calming the nervous system, combating fatigue, as well as bringing positive emotional and energetic effects. They prepare a mother’s body for childbirth. They are important to practice … Continue reading

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Parvatasana

Mental Benefits of Parvatasana Parvatasana is a whole body stretch that allows good blood circulation, creating several benefits. · It increases circulation to the brain · It brings a revitalizing and refreshing sensation reducing mental fatigue · Improves memory and … Continue reading

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What is the correct hand and arm placement in Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)?

The fingers should be interlocked and fit together without spaces and without gripping. Think of the interlocking of your fingers as the dove-tailing found in fine furniture. The top of the thumbs should touch, not fold over each other. The … Continue reading

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