Meet Nikki Chappelle | Yoga Studio Owner and Wellness Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Chappelle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand, Gather Yoga and Wellness, has been the commitment to creating a judgment-free and inclusive space. After spending 27 years as a competitive dancer, I experienced firsthand the challenges of self-judgment, comparison and unhealthy body image. These struggles were often fueled by societal pressures and competition, which left me feeling disconnected from my true self. Yoga transformed my life by offering a practice that emphasizes self-acceptance and mindfulness. At Gather Yoga and Wellness, we cultivate a community where individuals can gather together to learn, heal and share their journeys without fear of judgment. It is essential for us to provide a supportive environment that encourages personal growth, fosters connections, and promotes overall well-being. We encourage everyone to embrace their own unique experience on and off the mat. This inclusive approach not only enriches the practice of yoga but also creates a nurturing space for all to thrive.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, running businesses in one capacity or another since childhood. It is so fun to watch my youngest child, August, following the same path. He is 11 years old and has so many business ideas, some of which include full business plans and outreach to investors. Right around his age, I was a competitive dancer. I was doing very well and drawing the attention of the other young dancers in my company. I started a side business on the weekends training other dancers to prepare for their upcoming competitions. It was quite lucrative and paid for my own competition fees and costs. This sparked my passion to combine teaching and entrepreneurship. As an adult, I embraced this journey by renting studio space and freelanced as an instructor, teaching everything from ballet to ballroom dancing. When I began to feel the toll dancing took on my body and my mind, I transitioned into yoga. Yoga healed me from all those years of demanding so much from my body. When I trained to become a yoga instructor, owning my own yoga business was always the goal. I went to school for Business and launched my first venture, Nadanta Yoga and Wellness. Nadanta thrived for the first few months until Covid hit. The challenges posed by the pandemic only solidified my determination. I moved my business to fully online and managed to keep Nadanta going. I knew business ownership was my calling. For the next several years, I focused on strategies to grow my business through my passion for wellness, movement and desire to create an inclusive space for healing. Eventually, I bought Gather Yoga and my business partner and I created Gather Yoga and Wellness. I transitioned Nadanta into an Ayurvedic Wellness consulting business, which I run out of the same building as Gather, and they complement each other beautifully. I have learned to meet each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. I have learned to show up for myself every day no matter what. This is how dreams become reality. This is how I help others to heal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week in our amazing little mountain town of Evergreen, Colorado, we would obviously head to my business first and start each day with an awesome yoga class at Evergreen’s favorite yoga studio-Gather Yoga and Wellness! We could get in Sivananda with Nancy, Kundalini with Samantha, Power Vinyasa with Kayla, YinYasa with Brooke, All Levels Flow with Nolen, Yoga Sculpt with Virginia and Gentle Flow with Jeanie! Gather has everything we look for in a yoga studio and a welcoming community of students and teachers. We would definitely take some time to head outdoors and take a paddle on Evergreen Lake and hike our local trails like Three Sisters and Maxwell Falls. Muddy Buck is a great spot for best friends to chat over coffee. Evergreen Brewery is great for lunch. They have healthy options for lunch and you can sit on the patio and enjoy the sunshine! Dinner at Murphy’s Mountain Grille would likely be a stop for us and maybe some wine at Creekside while we watch the local wildlife.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my success as a yoga studio owner to my daughter, Hannah, whose genuine ability to be unapologetically herself inspires me daily. When Hannah was born, I made it my mission to never let her get lost in the sea of negative self-judgment and comparison. For me, being a girl meant being constantly judged as not enough. I couldn’t let my story be her story. I needed to make changes and create space for her and for others to shine. I made those changes and created that space and now, Hannah’s fearless authenticity reminds me of the importance of embracing one’s true self, and it has become my mission to encourage others to do the same. Through Gather Yoga and Wellness, I strive to offer a space and a practice where everyone feels empowered to express their individuality and authenticity without reservation. Hannah’s light fuels my passion, and it drives me to create an environment where all can explore their unique journey through the healing and transformative practice of yoga. At Gather, student and teachers practice yoga, they sing, they dance, they play music and they share their experiences in a safe and welcoming community.

Website: https://www.gatheryogaevergreen.com

Other: Also check out my other business, Nadanta Wellness, in the same building as Gather Yoga and Wellness:

www.nadantayogaandwellness.com