Robin Rothenberg, C-IAYT, Director of EYT
Robin Rothenberg is an internationally respected yoga therapist specializing in supporting people with respiratory, immune, and structural imbalances to regain their health through the combined tools of yoga and therapeutic breathing practices. Since the pandemic, Robin has particularly focused her work on assisting people with Long-COVID and is considered one of the top yoga therapists in the field on respiratory conditions. In addition to working with clients one-on-one, she trains yoga teachers and therapists to be better equipped to work with students with Long-COVID. Her text Restoring Prana: A Guide to Pranayama and Healing Through the Breath, presciently released in early 2020, has been hailed as one of the most thorough and well-researched books on the topic of pranayama. Restoring Prana, along with its practice companion The Svadhayaya Breath Journal, act as training manuals for her 15-month Restore Your Prana Training Program for yoga teachers, therapists and health-care professionals. Robin has been interviewed on multiple podcasts regarding her knowledge of the breath. Click here to listen!
Robin draws deeply from the authentic lineage of yoga, while also incorporating contemporary understanding of mind-body medicine, the result of years of study in western science. Her approach uniquely weaves together functional breathing with functional movement and yoga philosophy to assist her clients in restoring health mentally and physically. She acts as both an educator and coach to facilitate clients in breaking free of habits that are debilitating, and to develop a clear plan of action in order to help themselves find equilibrium and a greater sense of confidence and well-being.
Certified in both Viniyoga and Iyengar yoga (through 1992), with additional training as a Spiritual Director (2010) and Buteyko Breathing Educator (2016), Robin has run training programs for yoga teachers since 1999. Since 2014 the EYT Therapist Training has been accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), one of only 70 schools to achieve this recognition globally. She is also a regular presenter on YogaU Online, and offers virtual and in-person workshops and trainings. See our Events Calendar to find her current schedule.
Highly involved in Yoga Research since 2000, Robin co-authored the protocol and taught the classes for the landmark study Comparing Yoga, Exercise, and a Self-Care Book for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in Dec., 2005. Using the same protocol, a follow up study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in Oct. 2011. The incredibly positive results from these studies formed the basis for the publication of her first book, The Essential Low Back Program and subsequent Essential Low Back Training Program for Yoga Teachers. Robin’s ground-breaking work in the field of yoga research has been written about in the New York Times, Seattle Times, Yoga Journal, Fit Yoga, and Natural Health.
Robin is passionate about the emerging profession of Yoga Therapy and serves on the IAYT Board of Directors. Previously, she served as Chair of the Accreditation Committee and was a long-standing member of the Advisory Council. Her ability to speak articulately to the way in which yoga impacts the nervous system, mind, emotions, anatomy and physiology has led to her presenting at both NAMA (National Ayurvedic & Medical Association) and SYTAR (Symposium for Yoga Therapy and Research) on subjects ranging from anxiety, to lower back pain, and pranayama.
Robin lives in West Seattle and has two beautiful daughters and four darling grandchildren. Robin’s journey into yoga began with her own chronic health issues, ranging from auto-immune dysfunction to acute low back and neck pain. Yoga has always been central to her healing regime through the years. Now in her sixties, Robin has established a level of health and well-being she could never have imagined as a young adult. It is her ‘dharma’ and passion to share the wealth of knowledge and blessed teachings that have been passed down to her from the yoga lineage and she is enormously grateful to all of the teachers that have mentored her over the years.
“The experience of being a student of yours last week was truly special. The combination of yoga philosophy, chanting, dharma talks, yoga therapy teachings in the viniyoga method, and your feminine energy has left me very filled in the heart space!”
“After just one session, Robin was able to give me hope. Her gentle style, and extensive understanding of chronic pain and injury, coupled with talk therapy has made a profound impact in my life. The first time I saw Robin I could hardly move and was in severe pain. I now have a 40 minute individualized yoga therapy session that I practice every day. Robin has been a huge blessing in my life and I am so thankful to have found her! ”