We recently had the chance to connect with Jack Utermoehl and have shared our conversation below.
Jack, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel called to step out more publicly, to share my voice and perspective in the public eye. For a long time, I preferred to stay behind the scenes, focusing on the work itself: teaching yoga, creating meaningful products, and cultivating community in smaller circles. Now, I’m being pulled to expand that circle.
That means saying yes to opportunities I used to shy away from like festivals, podcasts, interviews, and video content. While I cocooned myself to learn, grow, and evolve, it’s not time to bring my ideas into the larger conversations about yoga, embodiment, and personal growth. There’s vulnerability in that visibility, but also purpose.
The fud (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) is unwarranted. I’ve directly, personally impacted many lives for deeper thinking, more love, and greater wellness in all aspects of life. I’ve gone through a complete evolution, I’ve reformed who I am into the man I am today. The only mistake would be not sharing my story with those that can benefit from it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jack Utermoehl. I am the founder of Asivana Yoga Company and Bhav Spiritual Jewelry, and a certified E-RYT 200 yoga teacher and YACEP (Yoga Alliance continuing-education provider).
In simple terms: I teach yoga, create tools and resources for yogis and seekers, and build community around personal transformation. My work bridges asana (physical posture) practice, meditation, mantra, philosophical inquiry, and everyday living.
What makes it interesting (and special) is this: I went from a place of deep struggle with depression, existential questions, feeling disconnected from everything to discovering yoga and going through a deep personal metamorphosis.
I use that story not as a badge of trauma for attention, but as a bridge to help others in similar situations. I create products and experiences that speak to the edge between who we are and who we might become.
With Asivana Yoga Company, I’m not just selling mats or props, I’m offering entry points into a bigger conversation: how yoga supports embodiment, transformation, authenticity. With Bhav Spiritual Jewelry, I’m giving symbols and adornments for that inner journey so when people wear the pieces, they remember: “I am on my path.”
Right now I am working on expanding my presence: offering more festival workshops, producing more YouTube videos, podcast appearances, and media engagement. I’m stepping into the public eye more intentionally, because the internal work has lead me here.
In essence: I build bridges. Between body and mind. Between inner growth and external expression. Between community and individual awakening. I want all beings to be happy and free. That’s what I’d like readers to know: this is my story, this is my brand, this is what I’m here to do.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Meeting my friend and mentor, Manoj Chalam, was the moment that reshaped my entire understanding of life and purpose. It didn’t happen instantly though. His influence unfolded over time but it redirected my path toward self-realization, teaching, and service.
Through his guidance, I began to see life as lila (divine play), an unfolding experience of growth, learning, and exploration rather than something to control or conquer. That perspective continues to inform how I live, teach, and create today.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I sometimes think that I’ve only ever learned from suffering.
Like a seed that must feel pressure before it can break open, growth has always come through discomfort. Every cell divides through tension; every expansion of consciousness requires friction. Suffering has been my greatest teacher because it reveals what I’m attached to and what I’m ready to release.
The deepest lesson it taught me is that I can suffer from suffering, or I can suffer for something greater. My perspective determines the quality of my experience. If I focus on pain, I stay confined by it. If I focus on the strength, insight, or compassion that emerges through it, then suffering becomes a minor obstacle.
Even when I feel internal resistance like when faced with ideas or truths that challenge what I believe, there’s growth if I stay open. That willingness to meet discomfort with awareness has shaped everything about how I live, teach, and create.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, absolutely.
Satya (truthfulness) is a core principle in yoga, often understood as authenticity and sincerity. I hold that principle close. The public version of me is the same person my students, friends, and family know. It’s not easy to live that way, it’s much easier to create an image or persona that draws attention without vulnerability.
But to live truthfully is to accept being seen, judged, and sometimes misunderstood. Those judgments or projections are part of the practice; they remind me to stay grounded in who I am and allow me to challenge my own convictions.
My purpose here isn’t to garner your attention for money rather it’s to share my story, knowledge, and wisdom with you so that you too may live an authentic and quality life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I think this might actually be a possibility in the future and it would revolutionize how we live. I personally would work towards creating something that connects and unites us in our shared humanity. Helping people overcome the various challenges and problems we all face.
I’d want to build yoga studios and a network that brings people together. To connect people with people, services, and products that benefit their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
I believe I’m already working towards this objective.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://asivanayoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_utermoehl/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackutermoehl/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jackutermoehl108
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
