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April 2024 by Jared Levin
The shala is beautiful, and the space is inspiring. I dropped in while in town. Vance was so welcoming, and offered assists and gave great pointers. I HIGHLY recommend this place for anyone visiting the east bay, or frankly anyone within driving distance. Worth the trip. Hope to be back soon!
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March 2024 by Chris Billet
Vance is an amazing teacher and strikes a great balance (no pun intended) between pushing you and giving you grace :)Highly recommend for anyone interested in Ashtanga practice ?
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December 2023 by Fernando Velez
I enjoyed my first class, Vence is very nice and very thoughtful with your individual capacities.
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July 2023 by Daniela C.
I've been practising ashtanga yoga for around 15 years and I couldn't be happier that in my early 40s, I find myself in Berkeley with Vance Selover as my trusted teacher and friend, and the beautiful community he's created as my second home and emotional/psychic haven. For context, I've learned from many wonderful teachers in the ashtanga tradition, including David Swenson, Nancy Gilgoff, Matt Ryan, Kia Naddermier, George Whiteside, Jean Cho, Monica Marinoni, Katie Kehoe, Oni Ingber, Hamish Hendry, and the teachers at the Lino Miele school in Rome. After many years of leading group self-practice in New Haven, CT, I moved to Berkeley in summer 2019 and I was thrilled to have a regular teacher again. But more than that, I knew the moment I first entered the studio that I had found something extra special. Vance's shala is the most welcoming, diverse, peaceful and accepting space I have ever practised. It is a privilege to work with a teacher as humble, sensitive, intuitive, intelligent and compassionate as Vance and I am grateful to him every day. The pandemic was difficult for everyone but Vance kept us going with daily sessions on zoom. Around that time, I began to practice 5-6 times a week and under Vance's guidance, even online, I learned to soften my practice in a way that had eluded me previously. When we returned to in-person practices, I continued to work on the intermediate series under Vance's guidance and I recently learned the final poses of intermediate from him. This has been a wonderful journey of increasing internal awareness and external physical transformation, without any pressure to "perform" or to reach any self- or other-imposed goals. This review is a long overdue public appreciation of Vance's teaching, after nearly four years of near-daily practice with his support. Whether you're a complete beginner curious about ashtanga, a seasoned practitioner passing through or new to the area, or have an on-again-off-again practice, you will find him a gentle, supportive and empowering teacher. Vance's monthly subscriptions are excellent value (180/month unlimited sessions; scholarships available) and the friendship, solidarity and dedication of Vance's students / fellow practitioners are a testament to the kindness, steadiness, and care he shows to everyone who comes through the doors.
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June 2023 by Samir Patel
Once upon a time, an Indian yogi (yours truly), weary from the jump, skip, and hop of the modern 'Power Yoga', embarked on a journey in pursuit of the deep-rooted, serene traditional yoga magic. The end of my quest led me to Vance's studio, a sanctuary that vibrates with the authenticity of ancient yoga traditions. It's become a second home to me, a place that nurtures my soul's craving for yoga's profound subtleties.Vance is a remarkable teacher, conveying wisdom with compassion, affection, and delicacy, without ever resorting to forceful physical adjustments. His skill for understanding my body, its potential, and the guidance it requires is truly remarkable. His respect for the bodies he works with resembles the tender touch of a caregiver or a nurturing parent--promoting trust and surrender, both essential elements of the yogic journey.In the five years that I have been practicing under Vance, I have witnessed his steadfast dedication to his students and his studio. When the turbulent tides of Covid rolled in, causing widespread distress, he ensured we had a refuge to turn to. Despite the economic challenges, he kept the studio afloat, providing a healing space for the community, a safe harbor amidst the storm.Vance imparts his teachings in a humble, down-to-earth style that brings the depth of traditional yoga within everyone's reach. His method is a refreshing contrast to the high-energy 'jumping around' yoga we often encounter. Instead, Vance fosters a tranquil, introspective environment where the complex layers of yoga unfold gently, allowing you to delve into your own depths in a sacred sanctuary space.For those on a quest to bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom of traditional yoga asana and the needs of modern life, this is your haven. Vance's unwavering dedication, compassion, and nurturing guidance offer a fulfilling journey of self-discovery, empowering students to experience the healing power of their own bodies.I can't recommend this place enough - roll up your yoga mat and come experience this transformative journey yourself!
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June 2023 by Sam P.
Once upon a time, an Indian yogi (yours truly), weary from the jump, skip, and hop of the modern 'Power Yoga', embarked on a journey in pursuit of the deep-rooted, serene traditional yoga magic. The end of my quest led me to Vance's studio, a sanctuary that vibrates with the authenticity of ancient yoga traditions. It's become a second home to me, a place that nurtures my soul's craving for yoga's profound subtleties. Vance is a remarkable teacher, conveying wisdom with compassion, affection, and delicacy, without ever resorting to forceful physical adjustments. His skill for understanding my body, its potential, and the guidance it requires is truly remarkable. His respect for the bodies he works with resembles the tender touch of a caregiver or a nurturing parent--promoting trust and surrender, both essential elements of the yogic journey. In the five years that I have been practicing under Vance, I have witnessed his steadfast dedication to his students and his studio. When the turbulent tides of Covid rolled in, causing widespread distress, he ensured we had a refuge to turn to. Despite the economic challenges, he kept the studio afloat, providing a healing space for the community, a safe harbor amidst the storm. Vance imparts his teachings in a humble, down-to-earth style that brings the depth of traditional yoga within everyone's reach. His method is a refreshing contrast to the high-energy 'jumping around' yoga we often encounter. Instead, Vance fosters a tranquil, introspective environment where the complex layers of yoga unfold gently, allowing you to delve into your own depths in a sacred sanctuary space. For those on a quest to bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom of traditional yoga asana and the needs of modern life, this is your haven. Vance's unwavering dedication, compassion, and nurturing guidance offer a fulfilling journey of self-discovery, empowering students to experience the healing power of their own bodies. I can't recommend this place enough - roll up your yoga mat and come experience this transformative journey yourself!
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April 2023 by Jacob D.
Vance stuck his finger in my butt crack during an "adjustment" while I was in Prasarita Padottanasana. I had been attending classes for about 2 months at this time. This was in fall or winter of 2014. He never did this before, and gave no warning or explanation for this. I was in shock. This was the day before he was to be absent for a week or longer. He gave no more adjustments for the rest of the session, and I did not return. I left my mat there. Reading other peoples' stories about inappropriate touching and sexual abuse finally gave me the courage to speak out. Stay away from this man.
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October 2022 by Rafael Heredia Moreno
Vance is an amazing ashtanga yoga teacher. A traditional school ?
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October 2018 by Loan T.
UPDATE: While on vacation, I came to visit (10/5/18) and again, a GREAT practice that had lasted me since. I live in LA so it's seldom that I am at this studio. And I look forward to coming back more now! Here's my recent experience: I hadn't practiced yoga or MySore for a while, instead I have been doing bootcamp and in hustling mode. So I came to practice a bit worried that I was a slacker. But again, Vance was such a welcoming space. And spoke to my highest excellence. It's like being recognized for your highest intentions. So awesome. And I got strongly connected with how spiritual a practice this is; a practice toward my inner peace. This time around, Vance encourage me to take my time and honor the energy I had instead of powering through poses. I didn't realize how much I've burdened myself by pushing and pushing instead of taking my time and allowing and respecting what my body had to offer each time I showed up to anything. So awesome. Now I practice with the intention of being peaceful.
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April 2018 by Shannon P.
I appreciate the focus and sincerity of this center and Vance is a very attuned, gentle and motivating teacher. It is clear he has a ton of experience and yet does not overpower with dominating ego or excessive force. I have been in and out of yoga practice for years and this is my first time with the Mysore Ashtanga process and I love it. It is a very welcoming space and I look forward to continuing.
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April 2018 by Kaitaro M.
Vance is a great teacher. I was a complete beginner and taught me from sun salutation. He gives gentle adjustments and simple advice. I feel that I could not have picked better place to start my ashtanga practice 4 years ago.
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February 2018 by Judy Ko
Amazing yoga studio!!! Vance embodies his teachings and creates a sacred safe supportive space with nonjudgement and compassion. Highly recommended!
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September 2017 by Nika C.
I'm writing this after I've moved away to an area where there is no local ashtanga teacher, and I find myself missing Vance and the lovely space he keeps in Berkeley. I practiced here regularly for about 12 months after my previous teacher moved. Vance is a really good teacher. He gives very effective adjustments that don't feel forceful, even if he is bringing you deeper than you've ever been in a pose. That, is a cultivated skill. If you've been yanked around, and possibly injured, by someone, then you know how valuable that skill is. If you've been around and sampled shalas, then I would describe this as the non judgy kind of shala. Vance is very even keeled and makes you feel welcome.
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August 2013 by Erin Alberstat
After several years of "yoga a-la-carte" (drop in yoga classes at the climbing gym and various other random places), I decided to give Mysore -- and one consistent teacher -- a try. The first time I went to a (led) Ashtanga class, I knew it was my practice, and I was both intrigued by and slightly skeptical of trying Mysore style -- if I'm not following an instructor in a led class, why not just do a home practice and save money? Any doubts vanished my first session with Vance. Without having to lead a class, the teacher has time to TEACH. I receive a much greater amount of personalized attention in Vance's Mysore class as compared to all the led classes I have gone to. Vance is a wonderful instructor, kind and encouraging while still pushing me to my edge (but not over), and my practice improved more in the 1-month beginner course I did with Vance than it has in the past year (and as someone who was new to Mysore but not to yoga, I thought I would be bored at the beginning - not so at all! It was actually really good to focus on sun salutations in more detail, and the progression was steady). As a busy graduate student, I really enjoy not having to stress about getting to a yoga class at an exact time. Since the class is not led, one is able to drop in anytime during a session and not worry about disrupting the class. And everyone goes at their own pace. Individuals are "given" new poses in the Ashtanga series as they progress (so there's that great feeling of accomplishment as you get to try out the next one), and on the days I'm feeling particularly tired (or do not have time to stay long) I can take it easy or cut it short. And somehow Vance always recognizes the days that I'm feeling particularly energetic or inspired, and works with me on trying out some of the more difficult poses. The studio has a great vibe to it, and you can leave your mat upstairs and not have to carry it back and forth. Vance also tries to create a community space: I really enjoy the community chat and (delicious) chai he brings on Friday's (which is a led class every other month). There's just enough "spirituality" in the rhythm of everyone's breath and the traditional chanting to have that nice "yoga vibe", but it's also down to earth without any of the over-the-top in-your-face yoga superficiality (thankfully). Everyone is really nice and genuine, and I've yet to see even a hint of pretentiousness. Anyone is welcome: it's a very diverse community spanning from folks who are trying out yoga for the first time ever to those who I can't help but stare at because they literally float into the most beautiful one-hand upside-down pretzel folded-in-half poses that I can only hope that, with enough practice, might one day reach.
