We believe that yoga enlivens the best in each of us, nourishes the roots of our well-being, and empowers us to care for the lives around us. We're on a mission to uplift people’s lives and brighten our world from the inside out - through warm-hearted human connection and inspired classes led by a world-class teaching team.

Our focus is on fostering a body-positive, welcoming, and diverse community. Authentic smiles, community gatherings, cozy lounges, and lush greenery create an atmosphere of connection and belonging. We even have our very own Happiness Team dedicated to dreaming up ways to infuse magic into every moment you spend with us.

We're thrilled to share some of the fantastic things we're doing to bring Flow’s mission to life.

You’re Amazing Just The Way You Are We're redefining the harmful messages we receive from social media filters, diet, and fitness culture that tells us over and over that we need to push harder and that we are far from enough. Our classes aren't just about poses; they're invitations to reach deeper, to close your eyes and truly connect with your innate power & wisdom, and to honor the pauses you deserve.

Superstar Teachers Our instructors are no ordinary team – they are superstar-embodied leaders widely recognized as the best in DC in the fields of yoga, mindfulness, and movement. It’s a difference you feel each & every class. And, unlike many yoga studios, we are so proud to have our teachers as employees, not contractors. It’s a progressive step that helps us take better care of them and you!

Meet Our Happiness Team We actually have a team (Debra & Corinna - aka the Happiness Team) dedicated to creating the warmest most welcoming space possible. We meet each week to dream up ways to make your Flow experience extra special. Whether it’s coming up with the perfect essential oil blend for our post-class aromatherapy towels, planning community events, or making it easy for you to bring friends free to join you in class - we’re dedicated to creating as much joy as possible at Flow!

Everything is Better With Friends Rolling out your mat next to friends and loved ones makes classes extra fun. Based on your input, all our class passes are now shareable, because everything's better with friends!

Community Is Our Heartbeat We’re not pretentious. We’re not exclusive. Our focus is fostering a body-positive, welcoming, diverse community that celebrates each person’s uniqueness. Everyone deserves a chance to experience yoga’s helpful benefits but regrettably, boutique fitness can sometimes exude an exclusive vibe and falls short in representing people of color and historically marginalized groups. This situation isn't acceptable. Our aim is to drive and exemplify change and we’re on a mission to make everyone who comes through our doors feel like they belong. Need a discounted pass or are interested in one of our BIPOC teacher training scholarships? We’d love to meet you!

Our space is a masterpiece of eco-goodness Did you know Flow was designed by a LEED-certified architect, received the DC Mayor's Award for Environmental Excellence, and was featured in Yoga Journal as a standard for how to run an eco-friendly studio? Practicing on fake wood (aka plastic) floors is no fun. You’l love our gorgeous real recycled wood & cork floors, paints that are free of yucky VOCs, and our eco-friendly cleaning products. In every choice we make we consider our eco-footprint and help us live in greater harmony with our planet.

Air Quality Aficionados Take a deep breath. It feels so good here! Flow is all about clean, fresh air thanks to our innovative state-of-the-art HVAC system equipped with virus-killing UV lights and Merv-13 filters. Did you know that all of our classroom’s air is cycled through this system every few minutes? Every inhale is like a sip of nature's finest.

Infrared Heating Panels Whether or not your class is heated, our panels provide more than just warmth. Infrared technology promotes better circulation, relieves muscle tension, and supports overall well-being. Experience the comfort that not only keeps you cozy but also contributes to your health during every yoga session.

Urban Jungle Vibes Stepping into our studio is like entering a lush oasis that instantly lifts your spirits and feels great to practice in. Over 40 different species of plants fill our studios helping to keep the air fresh and space beautiful accompanied by enchanting warm lights, huge windows, healing crystals and an outdoor deck with a gorgeous crate myrtle tree, We even have a blueberry bush so you can pick your own post class treat.

Cozy Lounges Our pillow-filled couches are designed for unwinding, chatting, and soaking up good vibes between those classes. We highly recommend giving yourself some time to enjoy good company and taking some time to relax, phone-free and meet new friends.

It’s The Little Things Too! Flow’s been voted Best In DC (Washingtonian + City Paper over 12 times so far and we don’t take this honor for granted. We know it’s the big and little things that make a difference. Like not charging you “extra” each time you need mats or towels. Or offering free passes to bring your friends to class. And of course our famous post-class aromatherapy towels!

Locally Owned, Community Grown We’re a DC-born-and-bred, woman-owned small business. Every class you take with us helps us support and share yoga with local charities and schools in our community. Each year we raise thousands of dollars and donate countless hours to local and global causes that are close to our hearts including our dear friends at N Street Village and One Common Unity. We also recognize the power of uniting people in the community and are proud to be founding organizers of DC’s annual Global Mala, DC Yoga Week, and Yoga on the Mall.

We are a work in progress. Have any ideas or feedback on how we can make your Flow experience better? We’d love to hear from you!

Our Story

Our humble beginnings started with a huge leap of faith in 2004 and a love for yoga.

I had just moved to DC from San Francisco, hardly knew anyone, and was surprised that it was so hard to find a yoga studio (one of my favorite things about living in San Francisco was my local studio—it was my home away from home and part of the fabric of my social life there too). I knew in my heart that DC, a fast-paced city with so much stress and hustle culture, could use a place like that too.

I realized that for a place like that to exist, I would have to build it myself.

I loved my career in nonprofit marketing, but I knew I could contribute even more to sharing yoga with my new community. So, within 6 months of living here, I created a one-page business plan, searched high and low for a space, used my life savings, and opened Flow. Initially, we occupied the 3rd floor of our P Street location. If you were around back then, you’ll remember the purple staircase and orange walls! The same month Flow opened, I also married my boyfriend Ian, a fellow yogi whom I met through work in progressive politics. Our first date was actually at a yoga class in NYC. I’ll share that story later ;). He was my biggest cheerleader and wholeheartedly supported my crazy dream. A few years in, he eventually left his job to help me run Flow. It’s been a family affair ever since.

Fast forward 19 years, and we've expanded to two locations. Over a thousand people join us each week for class. These studio walls have witnessed countless yoga sessions, downward-facing dogs, smiles, hugs, and breaths taken together. We laugh often and sometimes shed tears. We’ve weathered election cycles, relationship changes, snowmageddon, COVID, and all the challenges small businesses often face. Each time, we emerge stronger than before, thanks to our amazing teachers and community.

Our dream for Flow, then and now, has always been simple: the moment you walk through our doors, you step into a beautiful, plant-filled, sunny studio refuge. You feel warmly welcomed, have a sense of peaceful at-home-ness, meet awesome people, and always know you can take incredible classes led by world-class teachers.

One of our guests once told us that coming to Flow feels like an adult version of “recess on the playground.” So much of everyone’s time these days is spent rushing and hustling. Most of us just need a place to pause, put our phones down, move our bodies, relax our minds, and connect with good people.

When you take classes at Flow, you’ll meet your neighbors and make new friends. We always encourage a playful approach, and a sense of adventure, and offer a variety of class choices from relaxing restorative yoga to hot power flows, because we know each of your days might feel a little different.

We hope you’ll join us inside one of our beautiful studios, at one of our inspiring outdoor locations, or virtually, from anywhere you are. And when you do, make sure you say hello! I’d love to personally meet you and am typically in the studios on Fridays.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Warmest regards, Debra
debra@flowyogacenter.com

Core Values

These core values inspire our work to bring Flow’s mission to life for you and our community…

Flow: Transitioning from Hustle to Harmony

We believe in the transformative power of flow. This philosophy guides us from the relentless "hustle" to a state of inner harmony, permeating everything we do – from the seamless choreography of our classes to the way we operate behind the scenes. We believe that it's through flow, not force, that we uncover insightful solutions, listen with clarity, and tap into the most authentic versions of ourselves. Experiencing flow opens a space for enhanced creativity, clear thinking, and mindful presence in our best moments. In turn, this fosters a sense of empowerment and conscious decision-making, freeing us from the burdens of stress and reactivity. Through flow, we discover those serendipitous "aha" moments that fuel our growth, helping us navigate life's complexities and contribute to the greater good. While achieving constant flow might not always be possible, the more we experience it, the clearer our path towards personal growth and positive impact becomes.

Embrace Curiosity: A Path to Growth and Deeper Connection

At Flow, we value fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, allowing everyone to grow individually and together, building stronger bonds and ultimately enriching the lives of those around us. We embrace being open to discovery, acknowledging that mistakes are opportunities for learning and development. This fosters a growth mindset, allowing us to approach everything with humility and a willingness to continually improve. By embracing curiosity, we not only pave the way for personal and community-wide growth, but also for deeper understanding and stronger connections. Asking questions, actively listening, and seeking diverse perspectives allows us to step outside our own experiences and gain valuable insights into the perspectives of others. This cultivates empathy and fosters a more connected and supportive community.

Belonging, Rooted in Community

Creating a culture of belonging stands as the cornerstone of the inclusive and supportive environment we strive to cultivate. Our commitment is to establish a space where individuals not only feel at home within our community but also in their own bodies. From the moment one steps through our doors, personalized greetings create a warm and inviting atmosphere, emphasizing that every person is valued, respected, and supported. Our community thrives on inclusivity, fostering genuine connections and celebrating the richness of diverse perspectives. Within our yoga practice, our passionate teachers dedicate themselves to creating a safe and inclusive haven for all students. When people feel a strong sense of belonging, they gain the confidence to venture beyond their comfort zones, realizing their full potential and thriving in their yoga journey and everyday community interactions.  As our community extends beyond the studio walls, it serves as a source of inspiration, nurturing connections that have a positive impact on different areas of our lives.

Meet Flow’s Founders