Every teacher at Second Circle has trained and studied the ins and outs of this specific method. We practice together. We study together. We nerd out together over the weirdness of humans and the ways our practice can support them.

(click here to skip to the part about the dogs…)

Kyle Ferguson

@kylebreathes

Kyle is the teaching director for Second Circle. He initiated the creation of the method, though it has now grown beyond his ability to control it. As such he has submitted to its hive mind and bends to its will. He is a student and teacher of Yoga and Mindfulness with thousands of hours of personal experience teaching public and private classes. Certified in Hatha (E-RYT 200), Bikram, and Yin Yoga, Kyle has been teaching full time since 2011. He has studied meditation at the Zen Mountain Monastery and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Program for Mindfulness-Based Stress Relief.

He is the author of Beyond Hot Yoga, which he co-wrote with Second Circle student and friend Anthony Grudin, published by North Atlantic Books and distributed by Penguin in 2021.

Kyle has founded multiple studios and served as lead instructor for teacher trainings in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Vermont. The creator of the Alignment Program for 26 & 2, Kyle has over ten years of experience providing in-depth education on alignment, breathing, and philosophy. From 2016-2018 Kyle helped introduce hundreds of young men and boys to yoga as the creator and director of the Yoga and Mindfulness Program at Camp Dudley in Westport, New York.

Kyle moved from Philadelphia to Burlington, Vermont in 2018 because it’s very cold here and he is a glutton for punishment.

Betsy Baker

Both a teacher and Founding Member at Second Circle, Betsy Baker started practicing Bikram Yoga on New Year’s Day 2002 and went to teacher training in the summer of 2004. She has been an active yoga teacher ever since. At times, yoga has been her main athletic activity, other times it’s been auxiliary – keeping her healthy for hiking, running, CrossFit, and more. When teaching Betsy embraces the essence of Plato’s quote: “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”

Betsy is a graduate of Second Circle’s inaugural Teacher Development Program. She believes in working hard at the yoga, and being encouraging and compassionate with her students. Come stretch and sweat with her!

Robert Luce

A Founding Member at Second Circle on Pine Street, Robert has been teaching hot yoga since 2011. A graduate of Bikram Yoga Teacher Training, he continued his education as a member of Second Circle’s Teacher Development Program. A longtime student of Transcendental Meditation, Robert approaches teaching with a genuine passion for helping others.

We are proud to have Robert as part of the first class of Second Circle teachers. His enthusiasm for and commitment to this community and our practice is infectious. He has been instrumental in helping Second Circle grow and reach new students across the Burlington area. His class is lively, detailed, and filled with compassion.

Chris Landry

Chris started practicing Bikram yoga in January 2013 to supplement his training for the Vermont City Marathon. After the marathon, he continued his Bikram practice and then switched to Second Circle Yoga in 2019. He has been a consistent presence at Second Circle ever since, through online and outdoor classes during the COVID pandemic and when the studio shifted away from a hot yoga format in the spring of 2021. Later that year, Chris led the change of Second Circle from studio to club, and trained with Kyle Ferguson to teach classes at its current location. He recently completed the 200-hour YTT program at the Kripalu School of Yoga, and leads Kripalu, Foundations, and 7 Salutations classes. In his classes, Chris emphasizes self-awareness, combining intensity and focus with kindness and humor. When he is not at the club, Chris is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Vermont.

Ruth Hill

Ruthie doesn’t write bios for herself because she’s too cool for self promotion.

Ashley Weltz

Anita Licata

Anita began practicing Bikram yoga in 2007 and completed teacher training with Kelley Lyons in 2018. She has taught at Tapna yoga in Burlington, VT and is mostly just awed and humbled to be part of the amazing Second Circle community. One day she hopes to have a dog.

JJ

JJ was a rescue pit bull from West Philadelphia. His wisdom and guidance were unparalleled. He was a master (RYM-5000) of emotionally manipulating people friends.

We said goodbye to JJ at the end of 2021, but he was and will always remain an important part of our team. Yoga friends were always his favorite. He made the room better every time he walked in.

In his honor, Second Circle is a dog-friendly studio. (Just please make sure you contact the teacher before bringing your pup to class.)

Second Circle Dog Pack

Currently Second Circle has a few dog members. They all have voting rights and unlimited classes and are probably the ones in charge.

Kayzo (aka “Takezo” aka “Tomato” aka “Bean”)

Kayzo is a puppy mutt doofus. He is regularly in the studio, demanding you throw him a tennis ball. Sometimes he gets the farts, which we are all not super psyched about. But he’s very cute and affectionate and floppy and does these full-body stretches that are just the best, so we let it slide.

Hudson (aka “Baybee”)

Hudson is perfect. He’s the most handsome dog in the history of dogs. It’s not even right, it shouldn’t be possible. He’s like if Cindy Crawford was a Velveteen Bear. He’s like if a Cherubim was a Water Buffalo. He’s like if the soft orange glow of the harvest moon was also a Manatee.

Gus & Posa

Gus and Posa are the newest members of the Second Circle dog pack. They’re the wonder twins, a yin and yang of puppy energy. Posa is red lightning in a seltzer can. She’s the boss. Gus is an oversized cuddle-goof whose food motivation is matched only by his effort at manners. They’re a great team.

Floyd

Floyd was a sage. He was filled with wisdom and sniffles. He guarded the fire and the deck and the warm soft places around Shelburne Point.

We said goodbye to Floyd in the spring of 2023. Our lakeside deck yoga classes are now held in his memory.

KaIa

Kaia is astonishingly smart and well-mannered, she shifts all of the energy in the room. When you meet her it’s like meeting Princess Diana or something. She makes you want to be a better person.

Shiva

Shiva is the guardian and spirit guide of Mallett’s Bay. She watches over us when we practice in Colchester, and safeguards a certain sacred hot tub. She cannot be contained, wandering across property lines and into the homes of whomever she pleases. This is because Shiva is the actual boss around here.

The Second Circle Teaching Family