May 15, 2017

Meet Jovon Bernal of Downey Yoga

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jovon Bernal.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My first experience with yoga was when I pregnant with my daughter Jodie 13 years ago. I enjoyed it so I continued to learn and practice at the community college I was attending at the time, ELAC. Afterwards, I dipped around in it throughout the years becoming more interested in the practice. I meet friends that were also interested in it and it became a topic to talk about, but on a deeper level. It was then when I discovered that yoga is not just a physical exercise. A good friend of mine talked about being able to teach and offer yoga to the local community. At that time is was just talks not realizing that it was being put out in the universe to manifest. Years went on, and in between that time my friend went to YTT (yoga teacher training) as well as I. YTT for me changed my life. I began to reap the benefits of learning the various parts of yoga, such as meditation. As meditation became a frequent practice in my life, things started to shift. Working a 9-5, bone tired, stressed and not feeling fulfilled in my profession of international logistics, I quit! I came to a place in my life when I wanted to deeply be of service to my community in something that I know first-hand had changed my life. I used all the skills I learned at a managerial level from my former employer and then began to put Downey Yoga in place. I made a business plan using the free SBA website. I went to the Downey City Hall and asked many questions, made connections, and networked with other local business. All along using my meditation practice and the mind set of being of service. It was a 9-month process from getting the location secured, submitting plans, etc. to the grand opening day on December, 15th 2016.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Opening a new business, especially being this my first one has its challenges. However, I constantly maintain the mentality of looking for the solution and not to hyper focus on the problem.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Downey Yoga – what should we know?
Downey Yoga is a boutique yoga studio located in downtown Downey, CA. We are a vinyasa based studio, however we also offer other class variations, such as pre-natal, chair, and restorative yoga. Up until now the city of Downey did not have a local yoga studio. As a yoga practitioner one will have to commute at least 12 miles one way to get to the nearest yoga studio from Downey. Therefore as a company, I am most proud that we can offer this ancient and beneficial practice to the community. The city of Downey in which I love very much and the surrounding areas can now enjoy and practice yoga locally.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are many people that deserve a lot of credit for the opening of Downey Yoga. However, here are a few that I can name here.

-David Calvert, Accounting adviser, for helping me develop and understand accounting
-Craig Llyod, Contractor, for making the studio exactly how I painted in my mind
-David Blumental, Downey City Planner, for guiding me through the city process to obtain permits, etc.
-The City of Downey and the City of Commerce, for being so supportive and cheering me on
-Downey Center for Spiritual living and Reverend Sunshine Daye, for my spiritual family and for always praying for me.
-My teachers, Annette, Jared and Jesse, the first three to get this studio opened up. So proud to be a team.
-Good friends, such as Nicole, Marcela, and Wendy, for giving me support, believing in my and showing how proud you are of me.
-My family, for knowing that I could make this happen. For always loving me and being supportive towards anything I decide to do. I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did without my family by my side.

And finally…-The universe, for guiding me in the right direction once I learned to let go.

Pricing: