Meet Jackie

Hi, it’s me, Jackie! I use they/she pronouns interchangeably. I wanted to share some moments of my life and pieces of my identity that may help inform why Interwoven came to be and how I see/interact with the world around me.

I grew up in a multicultural/multigenerational/immigrant home in colorado. There I was introduced to sewing and fiber manipulation from a young age. I had the privilege of a college education which resulted in degrees in Technical Theatre Production and Political Science at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. The education I received deepened my tolerance for nuance and compassion for my fellow global citizens. I spent time processing these larger truths in the costume shop sewing over 500-hours for our department’s productions in addition to stage managing them.

I began my path to Yoga 11 years ago in an attempt to reconnect to my body and mind after surviving traumatic experiences. When I moved to Denver, I knew practicing in spaces led by Queer, People of Color that prioritized anti-colonialism would be the only way to continue my relationship with Yoga. This journey led me to Courageous Yoga, where I received 500-hours of Teacher Training rooted in the Hatha Yoga Traditions.

My continued education includes incorporating postures and knowledge from Kemetic Yoga rooted in ancient North Africa and furthering my affinity for hands-on adjustments to full-on bodywork services.

My Dharma or purpose is interwoven with decolonizing our collective relationship to touch/bodywork, supporting survivors of abuse, and holding space for beginners in yoga and fiber arts!

I encourage all People of Color, Queer, Immigrant/First Generation, and Neurodiverse/Disabled community members to participate. I am intentionally holding space for marginalized people to be seen and reclaim joy!

I live in the denver area with my yorkie, Nut. Where we spend time grounding, eating, and loving on our wide-expansive support system.

Mission. Values. Vision.

Our MISSION is to connect community members through fibers, communication, touch, and activation!

We VALUE tools that aid in our collective liberation. The process of Decolonization outlined by Poka Laenui which includes (1) Rediscovery & Recovery, (2) Mourning, (3) Dreaming, (4) Commitment, (5) Action is a cornerstone. Each phase can be experienced at the same time or in combination.

We are rooted in expanding accessibility for people with disabilities of all types at all times. Acknowledging what we don’t know and how we can honor the various human experiences with appreciation.

Anti-Racism is at the forefront of all Interwoven connections. We aim to support those with less resources, health, and wealth due to the systematic and colonial structures designed to abuse and erase Black, Brown, and Indigenous experiences. We are aware of the grips of white supremacy and consistently and patiently work to untangle ourselves.

We ENVISION a world where land is entrusted to the original stewards and technology is utilized to support the well-being of all creatures. Interwoven empowers individuals to acknowledge their inherent creativity and act on their creative solutions and personal visions!

We dream of people with regulated nervous systems and a multitude of tools to regulate when the world rattles us.

We dream of a world where people reuse garments by transforming them into one-of-a-kind pieces or materials for another project down the line subverting landfill waste.

We envision confident community members gathering together to learn, shed old versions of themselves, and experience belonging.

We dream of a community filled with mission-driven small businesses, owned-by Black, Brown, Indigenous, Queer, and Disabled people. We aim to direct community members to these spaces that allow the dollars in this community to stay in our community.

COMMUNITY COMRADES

  • Denver Tool Library

    Interested?! Let’s find ways to get you involved whether it is through attending a sewing class, becoming a member to borrow tools, or building a community relationship.

    The Denver Tool Library (DTL) is an inclusive non-profit providing affordable access to thousands of tools and skills for home improvement, artistic expression, and community development.

    Learn More

  • Grounding Down

    Through community engagement, indigenous reclamation, and soulful retreats Interwoven & Grounding Down are creating and collaborating.

    Grounding Down is where Xicana-led wisdom meets modern magic.

    Grounding Down (GD) blends traditional medicine with our modern approach to wellness, education, and the transformative power of community. They believe everyone deserves to ground down, reclaim holistic wellness, and remember their ancestral medicines.

    Learn More

  • S.A.C.R.Ed Eco-Center

    At S.A.C.R.Ed Eco-Center, we strive to provide our community with the resources and tools to heal and move forward in a culturally-informed and holistic way. We are committed to creating a brave space for our members to reconnect with their ancestral roots by decolonizing, integrating, re-indigenizing and transforming their lives.

    Learn More

  • Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning

    A public school of Expeditionary Learning captures the power of Outward Bound principles and research about best practices and combines them in the classroom to promote high academic achievement and character development.

    Interdisciplinary learning

    Collaborative learning

    Active engagement in real issues, content and skills

    Development and demonstrations of deep knowledge, higher-order thinking skills and effective communication

    Service and character

    Connected through the Denver Tool Library Community, Jackie has supported their ‘Future Fashion’ program & ‘Making Meowwolf’ public exhibition.

    Click Here

  • The Center for Trauma & Resilience

    The Center for Trauma & Resilience is dedicated to offering culturally and linguistically responsive services and fostering health promotion for people affected by crime and trauma. We provide services to those affected by crime and the resulting trauma, at no cost.

    Jackie provides yoga services to the community through their trauma-informed ‘Befriending the Body’ program.

    Click Here

  • Quince Coffee House

    Around the world and in every culture, coffee symbolizes togetherness. It is the common thread that we share. Through its generations of ownership, Quince has been dedicated to creating a welcoming space for all, one aimed at bringing communities together over warm cups of coffee.

    In our dedication to our local partners, Quince features an array of Denver vendors, with pastries, food, and much more from local shops. We feature our own espresso as well as hand-roasted Ethiopian, Columbian, and Brazilian coffees. Each of our vendors has the same honest commitment to the community we share.

    Explore Quince Coffee!

TESTIMONIALS

  • Jackie has amazing energy and was also great at breaking down what can be an intimidating activity.

    — Paige C.

  • Jackie is a wonderful teacher! Her energy and enthusiasm makes the class fun but leaves you with a sense of accomplishment with what she teaches you. Her encouragement and ability to answer any of my sewing related questions has given me a ton of confidence in my sewing abilities and I can’t wait to put my new learned skills to use!

    — Bertina M.

  • Jackie’s teaching style! Loved that they reaffirmed that perfection was not the goal. It was helpful to say no to sarcasm or being critical to myself since it was my 1st time learning this! Loved using the machine! Appreciated Jackie’s guidance as part of the learning process as much as using the machine!

    — Peggy W.

  • There’s not enough good things I can say about this class! The teacher was so knowledgeable, kind, attentive and empowering. I truly feel like I learned everything set in their objectives from anatomy of the machine to intuitively feeling the fabrics and tuning with how I wanted to flow with sewing. And the end product…? an evening of laughs and confidence building… community building! AND a FAB bag I can’t stop saying “I MADE THIS!!!” I sooo look forward to future sewing classes and even others at denver tool library.

    — Sabrina T.

  • It was a private class for our book club and the attention from Jackie to our individual learning styles and needs was amazing!

    — Allaina W.

  • Jackie's instructions and energy was top notch

    — Caren R. B.

  • Jackie is such an awesome teacher that brings great presence to her class, it was also really amazing to be in a BIPOC space.

    — Giselle C.

  • Jackie shared lots of great tips from their years of experience that I found so valuable! It is the kind of knowledge that is so helpful but often not included in tutorials.

    — Olivia N.

  • The teacher! She is super approachable and makes the content easy to absorb.

    — Richa S.

  • Jackie! She made the class so fun and safe, and her teaching style was incredible supportive while also allowing space/agency to solving your own problems and give you more confidence.

    — Anna Marie G.

  • Jackie is an exceptional teacher who is knowledgeable, engaging, and has a passion for sewing that is contagious. She took the time to make sure that each student understood the concepts and techniques, and was always available to answer questions and provide individualized attention.

    — Jenn G.

  • Jackie was such an encouraging and knowledgeable teacher! I left feeling excited and empowered to take on another project.

    — Katie B.