Yoga Teacher + Psychologist
Please meet our featured teacher, Angela Cerkevich! A dedicated yoga practitioner with a background in clinical psychology, Angela blends challenging asana with mindfulness practices.
What inspires you to practice at Flow?
Several items animate my desire to practice at Flow. First and foremost is Flow’s steadfast commitment to providing a wide range of quality classes. These, along with workshops geared towards mental and physical wellbeing, foster an environment where the practice of both participants and practitioners can grow and evolve. Additionally, a commitment to community has always defined Flow as a place that stands out from other studios. Having been with Flow since it first opened in 2004, I have been inspired by generations of Flowgis and their genuine interest in deepening their practices while building a community.
What was your first yoga experience like?
I grew up watching my father practice headstands in the morning, but it wasn’t until college that I explored the practice myself. However, my first class was in high school at a spa. While I have no recollection of the asana practice, I recall the sivasana as being unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It felt like heaven. I felt so clear, spacious and at ease. I wanted more of that.
What is your current practice like and how does it fit into your daily routine?
Yoga is fully integrated into my physical, mental, and spiritual life. I practice asana that supports my body’s changing needs and while this is what the observer would recognize as "yoga," it is only a small part of what I consider my practice. Yoga colors and shapes the perspective through which I view and engage with the world. This includes studying my thoughts and emotions, creating space for a pause to respond to others with a non-judgmental stance, and utilizing yoga nidra to restore my nervous system.
Who are some of your most influential teachers?
Joan Ravinsky. Richard Miller. Eric Baret. John Schumaker. Doug Keller. Para Soma. All the people in my life who have challenged me. All the people in my life who have loved me.
What is something the Flow community may not know about you?
Before working as a yoga instructor and clinical psychologist, I owned a pet–sitting company and cared for dogs, cats, and birds all over the DMV.
Anything else you would like to share?
My asana classes are geared toward balancing the mind as well as the body. That means that while you will get a workout, the emphasis is on a practice that results in mental and emotional alignment. I use the breath, specific energetic alignment cues, and a moderate, steady pace to do this. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Georgetown. While I believe in the power of this work, I am convinced that talk-therapy can be more effective when combined with a body-oriented practice. This two-pronged approach is most useful in rewiring the circuitry of negative psycho-emotional habits.