Jack Utermoehl
Welcome! I'm Jack Utermoehl, the founder of Asivana Yoga Company and Bhav Spiritual Jewelry. I'm also an E-RYT 200 certified yoga teacher and Yoga Alliance certified continued education provider (YACEP).
My journey through the realms of yoga has been one of exploration, adventure, and deep interconnectedness. Let me share with you a little bit about myself.
My Journey
There was a time when waking up each day felt like an insurmountable challenge. Depression wasn't just a fleeting feeling; it was a constant shadow that enveloped my every moment. Inside this dark cloud, I was blind. I had emotional traumas and lacked external support.
In my teens, I found myself grappling with overwhelming questions: Why am I here? What's my purpose? I felt like I was standing at the edge of an endless road, unable to see a path forward or understand the very essence of "here". I felt like life's only purpose was to suffer then die.
Desperate for answers, I immersed myself in hundreds of books and experimented with various modalities—from religious practices to new age philosophies to psychedelics. I moved to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to get away from everything. Yet, nothing seemed to fill the void or quiet the restless questions in my mind.
One day, feeling particularly lost and unmotivated, I went to the gym with no real desire to lift weights or use the machines. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a vinyasa yoga class was about to begin. Something compelled me to walk in. I unrolled a yoga mat in the far back corner, hoping to remain unseen.
As the class progressed, something extraordinary happened. The flow of the movements, the rhythm of the breath—it was like a dance I didn't know I needed. For the first time in years, the heavy fog of depression began to lift. I felt a clarity and lightness that was entirely new to me. My body felt invigorated, and more importantly, a spark of passion ignited within my heart.
I was hooked. That single class became a turning point. I started attending yoga classes every week, then multiple times a week. Within three months, I was practicing yoga daily, consuming everything I could about it—reading, watching, and discussing yoga non-stop.
Yoga Teacher Training
My first yoga teacher announced a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) that would span ten transformative months. It felt like destiny calling. In 2015, I enrolled, ready to dive deeper into this newfound passion.
Years earlier, in 2014, a spiritual experience at a Vipassana retreat had pulled me from Minnesota to Colorado. I felt an inexplicable draw to the Rocky Mountains, often half serious, half humorously, stating they're the Himalayas of America. If you've ever stood among these majestic peaks, you know the sense of awe they inspire.
In Colorado, I was blessed to connect with a supportive yoga community filled with beloved yogis, teachers, and practitioners. Immersed in YTT, I was practicing yoga for six or more hours a day—whether through asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), or dharana (concentration). Each practice peeled back layers, revealing a clearer, more authentic version of myself. I was rapidly evolving into the man of yoga I am today.
But the journey wasn't easy. Confronting and overcoming deep-seated traumas, depression, and personal baggage required immense dedication. I embraced a myriad of sadhana (spiritual practices) to heal and transform. This path taught me resilience, self-compassion, and the profound impact of inner work.
In 2016, I met two individuals who would become dear mentors and friends: Manoj Chalam and his wife, Jyoti. They introduced me to the concepts of bhav (devotional mood), bhakti (devotion), and Advaita Vedanta (non-dual philosophy)—practices and teachings that now form the cornerstone of my daily life.
The wisdom they shared didn't just change my perspective; it transformed my entire being. Through mantra meditation as kriya yoga, the devotional practices of bhakti yoga, and the deepening of my vinyasa practice, I found a path that resonated with my soul.
Bhakti House Yoga Studio
Fueled by this newfound purpose, I opened the Bhakti House Yoga Studio. It wasn't just a physical space but a sanctuary where practitioners and seekers could gather, celebrate, and share their personal journeys. My home became a hub for heartfelt connections, filled with both familiar faces and new friends.
We created yoga discussion groups and hosted yoga immersions, workshops, and a series of yoga classes. Each gathering a supportive and connecting experience. I cherish every moment spent in the warmth of this collective energy.
When Jyoti transitioned during the challenging times of the pandemic, I felt a deep call to support my friend and mentor Manoj of Murtis and Vedanta. Together, we traveled to yoga festivals, conducted workshops, and participated in YTTs across the country. Our shared mission was to spread the teachings that had so profoundly impacted our lives.
A Pilgrimage to India
Traveling to India with Manoj Chalam and a group of incredible yogis and seekers was a life-altering experience. Stepping onto the soil of a land rich with spiritual history, I felt a deep connection to the roots of yoga.
I experienced and unlocked a deep rooted trauma while on pilgrimage. I felt an overwhelming darkness emerge and uncork within me. I poured it out and felt its depth. I went to a place I can only explain as infinite. Once there, I felt love, deep love. I knew form and formlessness in this moment.
India changed me in ways I hadn't anticipated. The vibrant culture, the sacred sites, the wisdom of the sadhus—it all seeped into my being. I returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and a heart overflowing with gratitude.
Asivana Yoga Company
Integrating the lessons from my journey, I founded the Asivana Yoga Company. What began as a venture to provide quality yoga gear and accessories quickly evolved into a platform for sharing yoga knowledge and information.
I poured my passion for writing into creating a comprehensive Yoga Hub—a resource filled with articles, guides, and insights on various aspects of yoga. My aim was to make yoga knowledge and teachings accessible to all who sought them.
Helping thousands of people find the right yoga gear and supporting hundreds of studios with quality props has been incredibly fulfilling. But beyond the physical products, my deepest joy comes from contributing to communities that offer the gift of yoga.
My purpose crystallized: to bring people together. There's an unparalleled joy in witnessing individuals unite over a shared love—especially when that love is for yoga, life, and people.
Bhav Spiritual Jewelry
Continuing my mission to connect souls, I ventured into the world of spiritual adornments with Bhav Spiritual Jewelry. I believe that all paths lead to the divine, and pure spiritual jewelry can be a powerful symbol of that journey.
The purity of metals and gemstones resonates with the practice of purification in yoga, meditation, and other spiritual disciplines. Wearing pieces crafted with intention allows us to connect more deeply—both symbolically and physically—to our personal practices.
Moreover, adorning ourselves with meaningful symbols opens doors for connection with others. It's a silent language that says, "I, too, am a seeker." Through Bhav Spiritual Jewelry, I hope to foster these connections, continuing my efforts to bring people together.
Now, I travel to yoga festivals not just as a vendor but also as a presenter, sharing insights on symbology, mythology, kriya yoga, the Yoga Sutras, bhakti yoga, and vinyasa yoga.
A Lifelong Dedication to Yoga
My love for yoga is eternal. This is my place—I am here, in the now, fully present and deeply grateful.
I look forward to serving you, to walking alongside you on this path of self-discovery, empowerment, and unity.
Thank you for being a part of my journey. Together, we explore the transformative power of yoga.
Blessings and gratitude,
Jack Utermoehl