Taking the Step

Gabriel Halpern established the Yoga Circle as a home for teaching and practicing yoga in the Iyengar tradition more than 35 years ago. For the last four years, the studio has been owned by our friend David Carpenter, who has served as both Treasurer and President of the IYNAUS board of directors, and fully embraced teaching Iyengar Yoga upon retiring from a distinguished corporate law practice. In early April (of 2022), David announced that, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he was closing the studio at the end of June. I’ve been studying at the Yoga Circle fairly consistently since October 2000. My mother began studying there several years prior and encouraged me to give it a try. I eventually did and have never looked back. Like many fellow practitioners, it has become a vital part of my life. Having been an entrepreneur longer than a yogi, and wanting to sustain this practice and community, I didn’t hesitate to jump into action upon learning of David’s intentions. I don’t intend to embark on this journey alone and have been heartened by the incredibly supportive and grateful response I’ve received from many of my fellow long-term students. I feel an obligation to both Gabriel and David, as well as all the gifted teachers from whom I’ve learned, to honor their contributions and co-create the new iteration of this vibrant legacy that I’ve been privileged to have received.