Meet Vas Priebe | Studio Owner – Pilates and Yoga Instructor, Health and Wellness Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vas Priebe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vas, how do you think about risk?
In business, you have to be willing to take risks, if you aren’t, owning your own business may not be for you. In my experience, they go hand in hand. There are no guarantees in business, so simply starting your own business is a risk, especially if it’s your full time gig. On that same note, I think that’s what drives me, almost inspires me… that little rush of adrenaline when making decisions that will change the trajectory of your business – for better or worse – hopefully, better. For me, the same has been true in my personal life. Maybe it’s because my life and my career are so intertwined. I’m in wellness because I got sick. Healing my body required me taking risks, different kinds of risks, but risks nonetheless. In the end, the option to take a risk is dependent on the person. Some choose to make “safe” choices, for me, that’s just no fun. I like to keep things interesting.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ESO Live Well is a wellness collective in Newport Beach, CA offering services that heal the mind, body, and spirit. Our collective is made up of independent teachers, doctors, coaches, and mentors that bring a variety of holistic healing modalities including yoga, meditation, Pilates, physical therapy, nutrition, sound, and energy work to help clients on their path to wellness.

At ESO, we believe in the power of connection and are inspired by our clients commitment to their wellness. We specialize in private and semi-private services, intimate group classes, workshops, and retreats. Together as a collective we are able to help clients achieve their goals, not only through offering a variety of services, but by collaborating together as team to best support the needs of each individual client.

ESO was one of the first movers in the area to really bring together this idea of a true collective. From the day we opened we weren’t simply a yoga and Pilates studio. Our focus from the start has been to not only bring practitioners together, but to also create an environment for clients where they feel at home – a place where you can get guidance on your mind, body, and soul without having to go to multiple places. A place where clients feel at ease and safe, At ESO, we really get to know our clients which is part of our magic – when you actually know your clients you can help them in a deeper way. The results are unbeatable.

Personally, I have grown to love 1-1 sessions where I can really help clients “get to the bottom” of their bodies, so to speak. I use my education derived from yoga, Pilates, and fitness, and more than often I find inspiration from my years as a gymnast growing up. I learned from a young age that to develop body awareness and skills, wether it be skills in movement or say cooking perhaps, takes time, effort, trial and error, patience, and compassion. There needs to be a willingness to put the effort in as well as well as the faith and the foresight to believe it possible. I am able to deliver excellent results by employing all of the above to each session. I think that’s really what sets me apart. My willingness to not only see my clients potential, but to help them get there because I know they can.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, you should hit the beach and enjoy a swim, a walk/run, bike ride, surf, etc. To eat, I love VIBE. It’s an organic plant based quick service restaurant. Sidecar Doughnuts is my absolute favorite and the owners also own the most beautiful tea studio, The Village Tea Hut. Group reformer at The Full Routine (located in the back of ESO) or try a yoga class at OH Yoga in Costa Mesa. If you’re in the mood to shop, Lido Village is great OR you’ve got Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza, The Red Balloon is a great local shop too. If you’re in Huntington Beach, Sweet Elle cafe is delicious as well as AOSA Coffee. Fermentation Farm is fantastic. The Ecology Center is another fabulous place that’s worth the visit – you can pick strawberries, which I love, when in season. Rye Goods has the absolute best bread. I love hiking the back bay in Newport as well as the Wetlands in Bolsa Chica State Beach. If you’re in the mood for a cold plunge and breath work, Robert VDH is the best and he offers private plunges.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many people to thank that helped me get to where I am today. My parents, of course, have been my biggest supporters alongside my husband, Josh Priebe. The list of names would be too long, but I can say that I have found mentors, teachers, and guides in many different places. To name a few… Dr. Cindy Almonte, DPT, Dr. Megan Kelly, DPT, Katie Fitzpatrick an amazing body worker, Hilde Otterholt an amazing Rolfer/Structural Integrationist, Suzanne Simon the best Iyengar yoga teacher, Kate Garland my very first yoga teacher, and Andrea Smith and Katherine Slay, two of the best Pilates teachers and just overall cool humans. I’m also obsessed with Carolyn Myss. She is a spiritual teacher and her work has changed my perspective and life. I’ve read all of her stuff, can’t get enough.

Website: www.esolivewell.com

Instagram: @esolivewell

Image Credits
Denise Bovee, Oak & Air