Jacqueline Kowalik shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jacqueline, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’ve always felt most at home leading big, free outdoor classes. There’s something powerful about gathering people in nature and reminding them that movement and community don’t have to cost a thing. That will always be part of what brings me joy. But lately I’m being called to stretch beyond what’s familiar. Corporate wellness, private clients, and brand collaborations are all new territory for me, and I used to feel a little intimidated by that. Now I’m learning to see it as an opportunity to take this work I love and bring it into spaces that really need it. It’s not about leaving my roots behind. It’s about expanding the reach of what I do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Jackie, the founder of Yoga Jawn. I’ve been teaching yoga since 2017 and coaching swimming since 2002, but my real passion is using movement to build community. Yoga Jawn began with free outdoor classes that felt more like a gathering of friends than a traditional yoga class. Since then, it’s grown into a full wellness experience that includes large-scale events, mentorship programs for new teachers, and accessible practices that meet people where they are.
Right now, I’m building out the private side of my business, offering custom wellness events for birthdays, retreats, and team-building days. I’m also diving deeper into corporate partnerships and brand collaborations, creating activations that blend mindfulness, movement, and fun in ways that feel fresh and engaging. Whether it’s a yoga flow by the ocean or a curated wellness lounge at a hotel, my goal is always to help people feel more grounded, connected, and supported.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Becoming a parent completely shifted how I see the world. It cracked me open in the best way. Now when I look at people, even strangers, I can’t help but think, “That’s someone’s child.” It softened me, made me more compassionate, and gave me a deeper sense of connection to others. At the same time, it raised the bar. I hold people to a higher standard of kindness because I want the world to be better for my kids and for everyone else’s too. Parenthood made me more hopeful and more honest. It taught me that we can lead with love and still ask more of the world.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When everything shut down in 2020, I really thought that might be the end of it. I had built something special with my classes, and suddenly it was just gone. The idea of starting over felt so heavy. I wasn’t sure I had it in me to rebuild. But when I started reaching out to former students, just casually asking if they’d want to come back, their excitement was all the push I needed. That energy reminded me why I started in the first place.
And then it happened again. When the city tried to shut us down with the outdoor yoga ban, I felt that same wave of doubt. I kept asking myself, why am I even doing this? How can we possibly win something that feels so set in stone? But I showed up anyway. I went to city council meetings. I talked to the press. I worked on building relationships with elected officials and tried to make them understand what this meant to our community. There were days it felt like I was shouting into the void. But when the court ruled in favor of keeping our classes, it reenergized me. It reminded me that even when things feel lost, even when the odds are against you, it’s still worth fighting for what matters.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is community. Not just in the big-picture sense, but in the small, consistent ways we show up for each other. I believe that in order to have friends, you have to first be a friend. That means checking in, holding space, and making people feel welcome exactly as they are. They’d also say I care deeply about creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and each other through movement, breath, and shared experience. And knowing them, they’d probably add that I’m the kind of person who makes sure no one leaves without a hug, a laugh, or at least one new connection.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do. Movement has always been the thing that helps me settle my mind, whether it was swimming, yoga, or Pilates. I used to think I was just following what felt good, but looking back, it’s clear I was building toward something all along. In high school, I signed up for an adaptive aquatics class without fully realizing why it called to me. Now, years later, I’m teaching those same kinds of classes to children. I’ve always wanted to move, to play, and to connect with people through that shared experience. And now I get to do that every day. It feels like everything led me right here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yogajawn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_jawn/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yoga-jawn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogajawns
Image Credits
Second Image Joseph Anzaldo Photography
