Today we’d like to introduce you to Saumil Manek.
Xaver Jewels: Saumil Manek had no idea how much his vacation to India would change his life. Originally an investment banker, Saumil visited a diamond sorting facility in Mumbai, and it was love at first sight. Within a matter of weeks, he quit his job and started sorting diamonds on the factory floor full-time. It didn’t take long before his passion was recognized, and he moved up to jewelry design. After two years of training under masters in his field, Saumil returned to Houston with a wealth of knowledge on diamonds and jewelry design, and a plan to put his passion to use.
In the beginning, Saumil was shocked to find out how often clients are taken advantage of in the industry and vowed to make a positive difference. He started out by selling a small supply of handcrafted jewelry out of his parents’ garage. In 2001, Saumil’s dream of running his own jewelry design studio became a reality! For over 14 years, Xaver Jewels has been providing beautiful and unique handcrafted jewelry to Houston and throughout the United States. Saumil offers custom jewelry design, jewelry, and watch repair, diamond and gold buying, and more.
With so many years of experience in the industry, Saumil has established himself as an expert in his field. He has written for both NSIDE magazine and Bay Area Health and Wellness about the business of jewelry making as well as his other passion – yoga and meditation. Saumil’s passion for yoga and meditation fuels the culture of Xaver Jewels, ensuring that each client receives personalized service that is simply unmatched in the industry.
Montrose yoga Coop: I am a 200 HR-RYT, and I guide a restorative yin-inspired, spiritual meditation. I embody YOGA as a lifestyle, and I have practiced various types of yoga around the world. My extensive knowledge, much of which was picked up during my own personal journey has reinforced his commitment to teaching. I am also a powerhouse jewelry designer, my conscious designs are Yoga inspired and will weave my natural YIN energies through your daily YOGA practice.
I will guide you to see your own strength and flexibility – on and off the mat. My mantra is “When you silence your mind, you awaken your soul.” My classes enhance your ability to live with more presence, patience, gratitude, and courage – letting go of fear, indecision and that which no longer serves you. I combine singing bowls, peaceful movements, and meditation to create a sweet, gentle and spiritual experience.
The Organization: YOUniverSOUL is an organization that serves to collaborate with like-minded visionaries to create workshops and presentations of live interactive art, music, movement, and education. Our mission is to awaken human nature and contribute to the overall health and happiness of our city. By encouraging unity through bringing together our strong and beloved communities to co-exist in the same space, we hope to inspire personal growth and a deep connection to humanity and earth.
The dream of having a conscious festival in Houston that promotes oneness has been circling in our hearts for years. The idea of making our city known for its self-sustainability is our prime goal. This dream was put into action on April 7, 2017, when the name was established, and a Facebook group was created. On April 15, 2017, the first brainstorming meeting was held, and the vision has grown exponentially from there.
Has it been a smooth road?
The one major obstacle has been ME. Having confidence and mental clarity to do my best. We always worry about the past, so we live in anxiety, We can’t change what has happened. Thinking about what may happen is living in fear. So all we can do is live in the moment and trust the process. This has allowed me to make practical decisions and lead with my heart.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
XAVER JEWELS is a custom jewelry design studio based in Houston, Texas. Each piece of jewelry is entirely hand-built by Master Designers utilizing their unique design concepts.
Every design XAVER JEWELS creates uses environmentally friendly and certified conflict-free gemstones and diamonds as well as certified eco-friendly precious metals. Therefore, quality craftsmanship and only the finest materials are used.
XAVER JEWELS associates work with each customer to create a truly unique piece of art. Utilizing the highest quality precious metals and gemstones. XAVER JEWELS can create one-of-a-kind wedding & engagement rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and almost anything else you can imagine.
Montrose Yoga Cooperative was created to respond to a clear call from the Houston Yoga community for affordable, accessible, intelligent yoga. Intelligent yoga entails a working knowledge of the human anatomy while practicing the relationship between breath and movement. Every unique sequence that is crafted begins with this physiological understanding.
The teacher/owners here, hail from a variety of influences that co-create diversity in every class. We see the teacher-student relationship diluted by a structure where teachers are expected to fulfill the beliefs and ideas of an overseer; instead of responding to and prioritizing the relationship between teacher and student. Our cooperative is different in structure and a step forward to positive changes in the teacher-student relationship.
Here, we listen to the needs of the community. We considered the value in living with kindness and conducting business with a conscious. Rooted in these values, we do not sell single-use plastic, we have sustainable bamboo flooring, and we support local artists. We have a library of Vedic and Yogic texts because we believe knowledge will guide growth in each individual practice.
We decided several owners, whose boots are on the ground and whom practice frequently, would serve the community the way we would like to be served- as yoga community members. When deciding on our pricing structure, time and time again, we circled back to making yoga accessible and inclusive for more people.
Like so many Houstonians, we were devastated by Hurricane Harvey. After a soft opening in late August, our studio was destroyed. Several of our teacher/owners lost vehicles and property. Thankfully, with our lives and dreams intact, we were in a place to feel the support of the community as we began rebuilding and practicing the tenet of non-attachment.
Our dedication to creating a cooperative environment, in the face of adversity, was rewarded with a new and larger space. Come visit and meet each of us, we are a group of leaders and yogis, and we are honored to serve the Houston Yoga Community.
The Festival: YOUniverSOUL Fest is a one-day ticketed consciousness festival with a unique blend of yoga, art, music, and community. Other festivities include dance, philosophy, spirituality, healing, social interactivity, plant-based food, sustainable living, and children’s programming.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do feel Houston is a beautiful city to grow and evolve in Jewelry and wellness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.xaverjewels.com, www.youniversoulfest.com, www.montroseyogacoop.com
- Phone: 2812500671
- Email: maneksaumil@gmail.com
- Instagram: xaverjewels, Youniversoulfest, montroseyogacoop
- Facebook: xaverjewels, youniversoulfest, montroseyogacoop
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/xaver-jewels-houston
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/ZhZF6U
Image Credit:
Userofreality Photography – Bhavin MIsra, Arexpressions Photography – Anthony Rodriguez, Chris-Spicks-Photography – Chris Spicks
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
