About Us
Our founder, Gabrielle Semel, is passionate about building community- supported wellness opportunities. She has spent the past 12 years devoted to leading private and group yoga classes, and mastering the craft as co-founder of Inner Balance Studio.
With Pawling Yoga & Wellness, she brings expanded programming for the local community through weekly classes, wellness services, and ongoing workshops.
Pawling Yoga and Wellness is a not-for-profit organization, and contributions and grants will make it possible to offer many of its programs on a pay what you can basis.
Team & Board
Gabrielle Semel, Founder
A graduate of Rutgers University with a BS in Exercise Physiology, Gabrielle moved on to yoga to broaden her understanding of movement and the body-mind complex. Gabrielle has been living and leading others in the practice of yoga in private and group settings since 2007. She has managed and directed a local yoga studio since 2011 as well as coordinated monthly workshop offerings, staffing, community outreach and yoga teacher training. Her passion led her to co-create an innovative approach to childbirth education in founding TrueBirth Yoga incorporating breathwork, asana and meditation as centering tools for the birthing process. In her desire to continue to make these practices as accessible as possible, Gabrielle has also developed an Employee Wellness Yoga Program for Putnam County Employees. She is passionate about building community- supported wellness opportunities.
melanie hopwood, chair
Melanie is a Professional Life Coach and founder of The Restorative Coach. She works with a range of clients who all have a common goal: To find peace of mind and content so they can enjoy a more fulfilling life and perform at their best. By understanding the human experience and where stress comes from, and through increased awareness, Melanie's clients find relief from their ever-changing psychological experience and are able to ground themselves to their innate wellbeing and wisdom. People become less reactive to their experience and find more meaning and purpose in the quiet corners of their mind.
Steve Rooney, treasurer
Mr. Rooney has extensive experience in nonprofit financial management and in yoga and wellness organizations. He retired in 2015 from the International Center of Photography, a 501(c)3 cultural organization in New York City, where he served as Chief Financial Officer since 1982. Mr Rooney is past member of the Board of the New York Association of Museums and co-founder of the ad-hoc association of Chief Financial Officers of New York City Museums. He is currently a management and planning consultant for nonprofit organizations and a Yoga Therapist, certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
Amie Rennolds, secretary
Descended from Pawling’s original Quaker settlers, Amie Rennolds believes in getting involved in the community. She has served on the boards of the Pawling Community Foundation, the Oblong Land Conservancy and the Akin Hall Association.
Amie heads a solo architectural design practice specializing in residential projects although she is most proud of her involvement in the design of a yoga studio, music shed and bakery café because they are spaces that foster community.
The practice of yoga has been an integral part of Amie’s life for three decades and she is grateful that Pawling Yoga and Wellness has found its new home in the village of Pawling.