Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberta Weiner.
Roberta, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got started with Yoga back in college – at BU. I’ll never forget it – after a lifetime of being “bad” at sports, finally something I was “good” at. It took a while with Yoga to realize there’s no such thing as “good,” but it’s more that it made me feel comfortable and competent in my body.
Theatre was always a hobby and I did a lot of community theatre. An earlier career goal was to be an elementary school teacher and I was always a camp counselor as a teenager, so focusing on youth theatre made sense. The business grew organically. I started with one children’s show that I wrote, then experimented with a half-day camp, and 16 years here we are with 7 weeks of camp and four school-year productions.
I loved leading Yoga warmups with the kids at rehearsals and then parents started asking me about teaching. I got my first Yoga certificate right nearby in Waltham, where I could just go on weekends. Then I decided to take the leap and live at Kripalu Center in Stockbridge for a month back in August 2002, getting my second certification. Now we have yoga classes 7 days a week and I have a strong specialization in beginners and modifications for anyone who needs them (most of us!)
The yoga and theatre work together beautifully, as acting requires a level of being present that’s hard to find in today’s world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I got my first yoga certification, I was still in my old career – advertising copywriting believe it or not! I was having a lot of burnout and ready for something new, but honestly, would never have thought it was yoga as a business. I decided to get into it gradually and then added on the kids acting. I got a lot of complaints from my neighbors in the old office building where I had my copywriting business. So after a lot of struggles there decided to find a new space – and we’ve been here, behind the library in Holliston, MA, for the last 14 years!
Prana Center – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Prana Center is a safe haven for kids and adults, to learn, grow, experience new things. In our three beginners’ yoga classes, adults who have been scared to try yoga are able to be comfortable and go at their own pace.
For kids and teens, the acting programs are a way to try new things in a safe space. We don’t do cuts in our auditions. Everyone who signs up gets a part, but of course, it may not be the part they originally wanted. Our philosophy is no stars – you may get a big part one time, and a smaller one the next. You support your friends who supported you last time. I’m so proud of the awesome kids that have come through this program and emerged as wonderful caring teens and adults.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It’s a combination of the all the moments of thanks – from the yoga students – “Thanks for helping me get through that MRI, or losing weight, or being able to sit on the floor comfortably.” From the acting students – “Thank you for believing in me, thank you for letting me have 3 parts, thank you for letting me help you choreograph.”
There’s no way to pick just one!
Contact Info:
- Address: 21 Charles St.
Holliston, MA 01746 - Website: pranacenter.com
- Phone: 508-429-3470
- Email: roberta@pranacenter.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prana.productions/
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