John Bultman: Captain America

There is something about John that strikes a person as wholesome. In a different age, we might've described him as an "All American." Of course, that’s before some of us were awakened to nativism and privilege. Still, watch Captain America and you can understand what allows him to hold Mjölnir. He has something pure and true about him that allows him to wield Thor’s hammer. He is selfless and leads through example. He brings all of us in the room together, which is essentially beautiful. 

John was a preacher’s son quite dissatisfied with dogma though sought out, like his father, to know things.  He trained as a classical vocalist and guitarist. And yet, he preferred, like Miles Davis, to make something different, a punk hand made “people’s music.” 

Upon finding yoga, he approached the project of yoking his mind and body as a carpenter would approach a piece of wood. He cut away that which wasn’t necessary, bent the wood where he could, and efficiently created a work of art.   

John has the natural humility of the craftsman. He brings that humility to his intellect, which allows him to survey the land in a disinterested fashion— that is to say, without mental projection. John would strenuously argue that he is furthest person from perfect, and that is why he tries with all his might.

Prior to joining the team at the University of Virginia in the Contemplative Science Center, John taught geology at a college for 7 years. He was an environmental geologist, who took on odd jobs painting murals and doing ceramics, while continuing to play and write music for an indie rock band. He's a skateboarder who would, on occasion, jump off bridges and howl back at the moon.

Although he has a tattoo, he refuses to admit to being even remotely close to "punk."

After a serious motorcycle accident in India, where he cracked his femoral head and broke his hand in several places. After only 18 months, he made an incredible recover and had relearned the practice, keeping a journal, and focusing his mind to the point where he was able to practice in a film project demonstrating primary and intermediate series with his teacher R. Sharath Jois.

He recounts his first impressions of being in the Shala in Mysore, India, and how his relationship with Paramaguru Sharath Jois has grown and changed over the years. He’s assisted Sharath Jois 4 times in the main Shala from 2012-2016, and continues to practice six days a week in a traditional way... Early morning hours, before teaching his classes and sharing his energy with his students. 

Even though he’s a Fourth Series practitioner, John still feels inspired and hungry for more.

He met John Campbell in 2008 and quickly became his most devoted student. Years later he was invited by him to become Program Manager for the Contemplative Sciences Center where continues to manage the Ashtanga Mysore Yoga program.

He is one of only a few Certified Ashtanga teachers under Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois, and has made 12 trips to India. He has kept a daily Ashtanga Yoga  practice for over 16 years, and humbly hopes to share this practice with the the same knowledge, strength, love, and  humor as his teachers continue to share with him.

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The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case. Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. MAKE A DONATION