Eric Shaw – Prasana Yoga Teacher

For years I practiced Iyengar yoga, so appreciate when a teacher spends a lot of time discussing alignment, and the reasons behind why we do certain sequences of poses. Eric not only gives great physical cues, but also brings attention to breath. He also studied Shadow Yoga, so the class has a more fluid, tai chi flow that really gets deep into the legs. Eric has vast knowledge in different areas, and I trust that the class is well thought out with certain goals in mind. His style is responsive, and teaches with a fresh and easy interpretation of Hatha Yoga. Highly recommended.

I moved to Berkeley a year and a half ago and Eric’s class is the first one I went to. I was intrigued by his class and wanted to take class with him again. It took awhile because his class was not at a convenient time but then he started teaching mornings at GrooveYoga. I have been practicing vinyasa yoga for over 10 years as well as teaching and I really love his teaching style. I make it a point to take his class at Groove Yoga every Friday that I can. I never quite know what is going to happen in his class but I always learn something new and leave feeling like I have taken class with a true yoga scholar. His class is not a huff and puff yoga workout, it is way more than that. It is moving meditation, pranayama (breath work), and yoga philosophy all rolled into one 90 minute class. I am waiting for Eric to start a 500 hour teacher training in Berkeley so I can sign up. I highly recommend him to experienced as well as beginner students. Fun, eclectic, knowledgable, dedicated. He’s got it all, try him out.

I met Eric through Groove Yoga in Berkeley. His classes are truly an amazing experience and one that has become integral to my practice. Eric has shown me what meditation can be through movement. I find myself being able to push myself in his classes through my body breath and mind and supersede my limitations. He has so much knowledge to share and I am so thankful to be able to deepen my practice with him!

Eric is a playful, wise and talented yoga teacher. The depth of his knowledge of the history, philosophy, culture and spirituality of yoga is profound. Having studied the Upanisads with him, and attended his workshops and lectures, I’d put him among the top yoga scholars in the world.
I enjoy paying attention to his style, novel vinyasas, and the interplay between the cognitive and aesthetic elements of yoga. He has helped me see the serpentine and cyclic themes of movement, and new threads of philosophical thought to consider, something only a yoga teacher with graduate work in art, philosophy and religion could explicate.
His particular style, Prasana, is a call to be absorbed into the inner beauty of the pose, and to hold this focus and intention throughout the transitions between poses.
Eric does a great job of weaving intention into his practice. For example, he adds a beautiful mudra vinyasa to his sun salutations, where the hands are at prayer when standing and unfold down, inwards and then outwards from the heart, as they move into plank and then chattarunga. It’s an offering, a pouring out of love from the heart, of ego and intention towards the Divine, towards the good of all.

Eric has shared yoga philosophy, history, and the energetic body with my 200 hour YA Lighting the Path Yoga Teacher Training for the last 2 years. He does an amazing job of breaking down information so that is easy to understand and he does it in a methodical playful way. His presentation skills rock and he has a depth of information that blows me away every time I work with him. Check him out.

Eric Shaw not only holds of wealth of information regarding yogic philosophy but has the unique gift of the ability to share and infuse it to his students. I knew Eric was a highly regarded Teacher and consequently sought him out to teach a small group session for 6 weeks on the Bhagavad Gita. He is able to teach to all levels of experience and knowledge and makes ancient texts significant in present day life.
I look forward to learning with him consistently.
Eric is a great resource to integrate your asana practice with the all-​encompassing philosophies of yoga. If you have the opportunity to learn with him it will be a gift of growth you give yourself.

Eric Shaw has been a wonderful asset to the yoga teacher training program that I coordinate. His extensive background is very well-​rounded such that he can cover most any topic from asana to philosphy to pranayama and beyond. He supports the program as a whole with his teaching, he integrates, and makes space for, the specific approach that my TT program has. Eric keenly observes, he participates and offers suggestions where he has them and appreciates the opportunities that might stretch him a bit.
Eric’s classes are well thought out, clearly delivered, dynamic and interesting. His ability to connect with the students is whole and instinctual, making his teaching that much more potent and alive. The mood of his classes is both light and informative. It’s a pleasure to have him on board!
Leah Gillman
Flow Yoga Teacher Training
Barefoot Movement
Downtown Oakland

Filled with warmth, lighthearted humor, and a vast knowledge of yoga history, anatomy, and asanas, Eric is an awesome yoga teacher and practitioner. He is sure to dazzle and inspire you, if not with his amazing asana practice, then surely with his sparkly blue eyes. He teaches with an open heart and soul and that allows everyone in the room to relax and breath. He generously shares his energy without expectation or judgment.
When Eric speaks, I listen. He teaches with over 10 years of yoga experience and is working on his PhD in yoga studies! That is dedication. What is refreshing is that Eric is not pretentious at all and will happily engage in debates, discussions and reflections about yoga, life, and other oddities.

The pièce de résistance is his gift, one that I have never witnessed in a yoga teacher — a direct connection to his students’ central nervous system. When he leads you into a pose your cells, your nerves, your muscles, your soul, all obey. It is like he channels his energy into your body and for that moment you too are a powerful yogi.
With his guidance, I have overcome my fear of headstand and handstand. He has a deep empathy and understanding of his students’ bodies, their limitations, injuries, strengths, and will work with you to help you deepen your practice. Who knows, maybe one day he will teach me to levitate or fly. I would give him more stars if I could!

I have had the pleasure of attending a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program with Eric and it has been enlightening and enjoyable! He leads his Vinyasa classes creatively by pullng together his vast experience and study of many types of yoga and building a flowing sequence that is both benificial to the students and a whole lot of fun! He has a great sense of humor and will often begin the session with youthful, playful warm-​ups followed by an energetic mix of well planned targeted poses.
Eric has a knack for giving constructive feedback. I have heard him say some of the kindest comments to and about his students: whether it’s their character, their skill, their demeanor, he always finds a positive way to express himself. I remember someone in the class once said «I can’t do it» and he earnestly responded «I think you can,» and I could tell, he really believed it! After that moment the student found her way and taught beautifully!
Eric also gives lectures all over the bay area on the history and philosophy of yoga. I attended a talk called «the history of women in yoga» at Yoga Garden SF and was utterly impressed by his knowledge and delivery.
I highly recommend attending a class with Eric, whether it be a yoga class, a philosophy and history class, or teacher training– I guarantee that you will learn a lot and have so much fun in the process!

Like many people, I came to yoga purely for physical reasons. But just as my relationship to the poses has evolved, so has my passion for the practice. I’ve tried to step off the mat to explore other areas, such as devotional chanting and philosophy, which led me to Eric.
Eric is rare as both a committed, skilled yoga practitioner/​teacher and a consummate scholar. In fact, he’s writing a book about the history of yoga and, in the process, is sharing his excitement and knowledge through public lectures. I attended his talk on the history of women and yoga. He draws together innumerable sources while explaining his own rich ideas, but he’s also an animated storyteller, bringing clarity and lightness to yoga’s complex world of characters, lineages, concepts, and other aspects. He also introduced discussion topics that made the material more relevant to our lives today, bringing what could have been very heady material down to earth.
I recommend that you attend one of Eric’s talks if you’re eager — out of reverence for this incredible practice — to learn more about its origins.

Eric is an amazing yoga teacher. Watching him in the poses is awe inspiring. We call him a «show off»! His class is invigorating and relaxing at the same time. It is physically challenging, but gentle and spiritually rich. The pace is fluid with little down time. While the focus is on serious technique and «no fidgeting», we do crack an occasional joke which Eric will laugh at. He incorporates breath work into the class, which I find centering. He also sings some lovely chant/​songs during savasana, which is of course everyone’s favorite part of class! I’m not a morning person, but his class is worth getting up early for. I look forward to each class and my life is better because of his yoga teachings. It’s definitely worth going out of your way to try one of Eric’s classes!

Eric is a frequent sub for our yoga class at our office gym. Wish he would teach at our gym more often. His classes are a good work-​out, and you always feel great after one of his sessions. He has an amazing memory for names/​faces, and likes to personalize each of his classes to the students. Definitely recommend a class with Eric.

I am so lucky that I have found Eric Shaw’s class at Yoga Garden! He is an incredible and patient teacher who has opened up a world of yoga that is gentle yet challenging– exactly what I need. Eric has a magic about his teaching that makes me so comfortable and motivated in every class. I can not say enough great things about Eric’s teachings! He is fantastic!

Love his classes! Have been going for several years. They are both very athletic and meditative at the same time. Eric really gave me the chance to take my yoga to another level and inspired me to begin my own practice.

Without question, Eric is one of the best yoga instructors in North America. In my experience, many instructors tend to focus on either the physical or spiritual components of yoga practice. Eric’s sessions, however, pull together movement, breath, spirituality, and philosophy. The poses and sequences that are integrated into each session accommodate students of all levels and further challenges each student both physically and mentally. Eric’s warm and kind-​hearted personality makes each session fun and allows his students to feel comfortable in their practice. As impressive as his yoga instruction is his expansive knowledge about the history of yoga, which he imparts piecemeal at the end of each session and at various workshops offered throughout the year. If you are a true novice or have been practicing for years, I recommend Eric as an instructor who can accommodate your needs in the practice of yoga.