Dr. Manoj Chalam
Manoj (people call him a spiritual standup comedian) uses an uniquely entertaining, interactive story telling style using Hindu/Buddhist deities in his workshops to illuminate Bhakti practices as well as deep non dual philosophy. He uses these deity archetypes to help people in their hero’s journey as elucidated by Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung. An Indian-born scientist with a PhD in Chemical engineering from Cornell University, Manoj helps individuals find their archetypes in Hindu/Buddhist Yogic deities and teaches the 5 practices to work with their archetype as a spiritual practice. He has also compiled a book on the symbolisms of these deity archetypes.
Manoj is in the business of story telling to inspire people. He has many you tube videos with deity statues as a compelling media to tell stories. Manoj was interviewed by the Ram Dass foundation for their podcast on “The Deities”. Manoj, Jyothi and Kurt have created an “online ashram” under Patreon. Under Murtis and Vedanta Youtube Chanel. They have a physical ashram in San Diego called Vivekodayam Ashram where Manoj conducts retreats, all for no charge as Seva. Manoj’s workshops are usually 70% lecture/group exercises, 15% archetypical deity yoga meditations, 10% Mantra chantings and 5% light spiritual stretches.
Kurt Folkendt
Kurt lives to serve, and through his service, to lead. His entire life has revolved around discerning right from wrong (Truth from illusion) and trying to lead by example.
From his early years in the Boy Scouts where he became an Eagle Scout, through his undergraduate studies where he served as the President of his Fraternity (which he helped to found) he was exposed to challenging situations that forced him to grow and evolve. After earning two Masters degrees in 2003 and climbing the corporate ladder, in 2016, Kurt walked away from a successful career as a leader in higher education analytical research to begin his new life as a student and teacher of esoteric and occult philosophy, vedanta, mythology and analytical psychology.
He has embraced his inner mystic by staring directly at his own shadow to see, understand, and embrace the collective shadow of humanity. Kurt’s archetype is that of Hanuman, his alter is dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurti, his son is the Krishna to his Radha, two books he recommends everyone read and contemplate upon are the Bhagavad Gita and Siddhartha (by Hermann Hesse), and his teacher Jyothi taught him the value and power of studying and practicalizing the teachings of Vedanta.
Jack Utermoehl
Jack lives to beam bhakti from his heart! Having always been drawn to the deeper meaning of life, he seeks to learn from the guru within. A devout hatha vinyasa practitioner and bhakta yogi, he fuses asana with pranayama, delving headfirst down rabbit holes and living in the bhav. Jack helps individuals bring out their inner hero along their personal hero’s journey. Personal growth is of the utmost importance to Jack, he’s most alive when planting seeds in others that grow into forests.
Jack has studied intensely with teachers around the country and svadhyaya (self-study). He’s an E-RYT 200 certified yoga teacher specializing in vinyasa yoga. His classes will put you in the bhav, the flow of movement and love within yourself. He travels to yoga festivals, retreats, and YTTs to teach about the deities, vinyasa, and the yoga sutras of Patanjali. Jack loves community building and entrepreneurship. He started Asivana Yoga in 2022 to design and provide yoga mats, equipment, and apparel to help yogis find their inner hero⎯ Jack’s mission in life.
You can find Jack on Instagram @Jack_Utermoehl and Asivana Yoga @AsivanaYoga website: https://AsivanaYoga.com/