Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Gill.
Hi Jackie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
A little over a year ago, I left a 15-year career in personal training in order to create a children’s mindfulness brand called The Enchanted Forest. I got certified in yoga over Covid and it was incredibly transformative. It not only changed how I approached workouts and goals with clients, but it also taught me tools to regulate my own nervous system. I couldn’t stop thinking about what life would be like if these concepts were taught to everyone while they were young.
I began to weave these mindfulness tools I had learned and practiced into children’s fairy tales. My dream was always to create a physical Enchanted Forest space that allows children and families to experience the magic of mindfulness in person.
The universe has an interesting way of bringing everything together. At the beginning of summer, I reached out to local yoga studios asking about space availability. I was hoping to rent a room in order to start building a community. I connected with the owner of Surya Yoga and when I went to check out her space, she told me she was actually selling the whole practice. Something in me said ‘tell me more’ and as of July 1st, my husband and I are the new owners of Surya Yoga.
There is already an amazing community of students and teachers there. In the fall, I’ll begin weaving in elements of The Enchanted Forest and offer regularly scheduled kids and family classes in addition to the adult classes already running there.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t know that anyone would ever call entrepreneurship a smooth road, but I always had the anchor of nervous system regulation tools to come back to during the tougher moments. I knew that if I was creating a space where I would teach others how to regulate, I needed to create it from regulation, not survival.
Early on in The Enchanted Forest journey, the funding we thought we were going to receive for the physical venture turned out not to be viable option. I remember lying on my yoga mat in our basement and breathing into the discomfort of the unknown. Having a strong vision but losing the path I thought I was supposed to take to bring it to life felt incredibly disorienting.
But as I allowed myself to feel the discomfort and as my nervous system started to come out of fight-or-flight, I had a very clear inner knowing that I should start with the stories. The fairy tales were the bridge to build community, to show others what it was that I was teaching.
The irony was not lost on me that first fairy I chose to start with was Bloom the Brave Fairy. Bloom feels paralyzed by her big fears, but just when she thinks they’ll never go away, she meets a wise fairy who teaches her a kid-friendly meditation. It doesn’t happen overnight, but day by day, Bloom practices her belly breathing and her meditation, taking one brave step at a time to face her fears. By the end of the story, she is able to face her biggest fear yet. It was such an incredible reminder to me of the power of courageous baby steps. And that was what I kept coming back to every step of the way.
By the time I was presented with the opportunity at Surya, I was so used to breathing through fear that it actually didn’t feel that scary stepping into an ownership role. It felt very aligned.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Surya Yoga KC & The Enchanted Forest?
Surya Yoga KC & The Enchanted Forest is a welcoming space where you can truly come just as you are. Whether you roll in wearing your pajamas for a gentle stretch class (yes, I’ve done exactly that!) or show up ready to move and breathe through a stronger Vinyasa flow, this is a place that meets you where you are—physically, mentally, and energetically.
We specialize in yoga that feels accessible and transformative for real lives. There are already incredible adult classes ranging from gentle, restorative sessions to dynamic Vinyasa flows. Every time I invite someone new into the studio, they are blown away by how much better they feel when they leave.
What I’m most proud of is the growing kids and family programming we’re building at The Enchanted Forest (blending into Surya). We’re creating experiences that make mindfulness feel like pure magic for children and families—through movement, play, breath, and wonder. You’ll find a full kids schedule alongside special family pop-up events that bring everyone together in a joyful, grounded way beginning in the fall.
What sets us apart is this blend: deeply intentional adult yoga rooted in nervous system awareness, paired with enchanting, age-appropriate programming for kids and families. We’re not just another studio—we’re a community space where healing, connection, and a little everyday magic happen under one roof.
We’d love for Kansas City readers to know that whether you’re seeking calm, strength, playfulness for your kids, or a place that feels like coming home, Surya Yoga KC & The Enchanted Forest is here for you.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
This journey has been deeply personal, and I’m so grateful for the people who helped light the way. My husband deserves credit for supporting the vision when I first approached him a year and a half ago about going all in on The Enchanted Forest, even though taking big risks isn’t his natural comfort zone.
I’m especially thankful for the early supporters (friends & family) who ordered and reviewed my books right away and began reading them to their students, children, and grandchildren. Those early votes of confidence meant the world when the vision was still forming and tangible proof of concept was just beginning to emerge.
Equally important have been the inspiring voices I connected with through the algorithm—other creators and entrepreneurs building similar heart-led projects. Their stories and encouragement made me feel so much less alone and helped me trust that this work was truly needed.
And honestly, even though I’m still fairly new to Surya, I have to give the Surya community credit. They already understand the importance of nervous system regulation and community. I’ve felt completely welcomed, which has continued to fuel my energy throughout this exciting, but sometimes overwhelming, transition.
Together, these people and connections have reminded me that even when the path feels internal and winding, we’re never truly building in isolation.
Pricing:
- New student special: Two weeks for $33
- Weekly community classes: $10
- Monthly Memberships: starting at $99/mo
- Adult drop-in rate: $25
- Kids drop-in rate: $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suryayogakc.com
- Instagram: @suryayogakc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suryayogakc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-gill-5a549ab8/
