Manager Spotlight: Carmen Harris

Meet Carmen! She is a dynamite manager at Flow, creating a wonderful sense of community on every shift. Learn more about her below :)

What is your current practice like and how does it fit into your daily routine?

Most recently, I started going to evening Mysore which is something my first dc-based yoga teacher, Kalah Hill, suggested to me. It’s not something I ever thought I would try but it’s been fun and a challenge. I very much appreciate Cory’s approach to Mysore - it’s a very accessible way to practice for any student which works well for me.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

I was initially drawn to flow because of the different class offerings, particularly there were a lot of options for practicing Ashtanga at Flow. I stayed at Flow because I really liked the teachers and of course, the people. I remember Amber was the first person that ever called me by name at Flow and now I work with Amber on Thursday evenings to make other folks feel as welcomed and known at Flow as she made me feel. It’s a full circle of community.

What was your first yoga experience like?

My first yoga experience was in 2001 in Texas while I was an intern at Johnson Space Center. I was coming off of tough junior year of college and I decided to take a beginners yoga class at a local studio. It was great. We had a typed up curriculum and everything. I was very fortunate that my teacher was a black woman so there was someone I could identify with in my class. I remember she taught us how to breathe. We spent a lot of time on breathing which is what always stayed with me.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

In terms of yoga, Kalah Hill was and still is pretty influential in my yoga journey. As divine nature would have it our paths crossed at just the right time. She taught me how to be aware of my body and breath as well as the beauty of mutual benefit of a student-teacher relationship. It’s really important to build the trust and I think she learned as much from me as I did from her. My “losses” have taught me a lot over the last few years since I’ve been here. I’ve learned that I’m pretty resilient and nothing is ever really a loss. I appreciate my family and friends as teachers and reflections of who I am as a woman.

What is something the Flow community may not know about you?

I have a twin sister that also lives in DC and we were born on our dad’s birthday - 2/2. My sister is fraternal so you don’t have to worry about seeing double :)

Anything else you would like to share?

“God is good all the time and all the time, God is good.” -The Black Church

Karma Yogi Spotlight: Jordan Bloom

Karma Yogi Spotlight - Jordan Bloom! You've likely seen Jordan around the studio - she's the one always asking if anyone needs any help when she comes to take class. Jordan embodies the spirit of the Karma Yogi so well - please give her a thanks if you see her! And learn more about her below! :)

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The amazing, supportive, and encouraging community Debra and Ian have built! You can feel the love that everyone gives, whether it be the teachers that bring their gift to every class, the KYs and Managers that keep things running behind the scenes, or the students that show up every day. Being around the energy of the studio always makes me want to commit more to my practice.

What was your first yoga experience like?

I first stepped on to a mat in college as a way to unwind during finals and occasionally stretch out my sore muscles from Rugby, but I didn't start a regular practice until I moved to Richmond, VA when I fell in love with the way yoga challenged both my mind and my body. When I moved to DC almost 2 years ago finding a yoga studio was top priority. I found Flow immediately, and it's felt like home ever since!

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go, pre- and post practice?

I'm almost always rushing to class from sleeping or from my 9-5 job depending on the time of day. Post practice you can almost always find me at Whole Foods. On Sundays I love going to the Dupont Farmers market before heading to class!

Do you like to listen to music when practicing? If so, what are some of your favorite songs to hear in class?

I struggle to practice without music! It helps me find my breath and set a pace for practice, either invigorating or restoring. Right now I'm loving anything by Ben Howard, Bon Iver or Leon Bridges.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

I've been practicing regularly with Leah Kalinosky, Susan Skinner, and Clare Kelley, but I've enjoyed every teacher I've practiced with at Flow! Leah's classes have helped me build a strong foundation where I feel comfortable to modify my practice for my body, Susan's classes always have fun sequences that seems to fit exactly what I need on a given day, and Clare's classes challenge my body and mind in ways nothing else seems to.

Anything else you would like to share?

Come take Cory's Heated Vinyasa (1-2) on Tuesdays at 6:30AM and say hello!

We love you, Jordan!

Manager Spotlight: Kathy Kern

Manager spotlight - lovely Kathy Kern!  Kathy is a shining example of a team player who is proactive, communicative, warm and friendly. We love you Kathy, and are so grateful you are part of the Flow Fam!

Learn more about Kathy below!

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

Initially, seven years ago, the location and the diversity of classes offered inspired me to practice at Flow. I was new to DC and looking for places to go and people to meet. Since then, the inspiration has evolved as I have gotten to know people who make Flow their yoga spot to practice and those in front and behind the scenes who collectively make Flow a great space to just be me.

What is your current practice like?

Right now, my practice leans towards the active. Vinyasa, Prana, Ashtanga, an occasional Rocket, mat Pilates to wake up the core. Together with running and painting, these practices are a meditation for me. To gather my thoughts and tuck them away for awhile. Of course, there is nothing like including in this active mix a restorative, completely relaxing class on Sunday evening to set the stage for the week to come.

What are some of your current favorite asanas and why?

I love headstands (Śīrṣāsana) and pigeon (Kapotasana). Headstands have been a part of my practice since the beginning. I am always amazed by the headstand pose in the way it allows the body to coordinate various bandhas and produce a pose that appears effortless and is, with practice. Each time I do the pose (and will do whenever I have a chance!) I learn more about how the bandhas can control the body and how the mind directs the bandhas.

Pigeon pose was one of my most elusive poses for years. It wasn’t comfortable. My mind would never relax while in it. Then one day, something clicked (in a good way) whether in my body or my mind or both, and the pose became one of calmness for me, a place to rest.

What is a typical day like for you and how does practice fit into your daily routine?

Currently, I am job searching. I begin the day with an early class (6:30 or 7 am). This gets me out of bed, moving and ready to focus on the day ahead.

During the day, I will take a break to meditate and refocus the efforts of the morning and then again in the evening I will practice on my own to wind down the day. I have been picking up a number of shifts at Flow and appreciate this as I have enjoyed getting to know most if not all of the people who practice at Flow, the KYs and managers.

I am grateful for being able to have the time to have the practice I have developed over the past few months. As I transition to a new position, I am keen to maintain the practice I have developed and also the relationships established at Flow.

Anything else you would like to share?

Thank you for selecting me. I enjoy my time behind the desk and on the mat at Flow!

Guest Spotlight: Valerie Brown

New Feature: Guest Spotlight! 

Many of you know Valerie, who has been coming to Flow since 2016. She is an incredibly dedicated practitioner, who inspires us with her presence and devotion (she usually practices about 5 days a week!). If you see her around the studio, please give her a congrats, and thank her for bringing her light and inspiration to Flow!

Learn more about Valerie below:

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The atmosphere, and the teachers (they always take me farther than I think my body can go!).

What is your current practice like?

Usually I practice 5 days a week, whether that's movement or meditation. Recently I've been adding Kundalini on Saturdays with Chelsea.

Do you like to listen to music when practicing? If so, what are some of your favorite songs to hear in class?

Yes! I love what Alicia or Brittanie or Sam plays because it matches the poses that you're doing. Aqeel's music is also great because you know never know what he's going to play, but it always fits the class and the poses.

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go, pre- and post practice?

Pre-practice I usually like to go and eat. Places that have salads (or sometimes I want a cheeseburger, depending on how I'm feeling).

What is something the Flow community may not know about you?

I have two grown kids!

Community Spotlight: Irene Farrow

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The. Community. And the amazing caliber of teachers and students, especially the morning mysore crew! They are the best people to 'bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus' with. Flow has an immensely diverse student body and I wish more studios could emulate it.

What was your first yoga experience like?

While serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Peru, I was given a hatha yoga DVD that I practiced with on my laptop in my tiny dirt-floor room. As I explored the postures, I became increasingly enthralled with how this yoga thing unlocked tight parts of my body and helped me stand taller, breathe deeply, and think clearly.

What would your perfect DC day look like?

Sunny, warm early summer. A big cup of coffee, followed by a fierce mysore practice or fun Rocket class, followed by an enormous breakfast with lots of cheese and kabocha squash. Then a relaxing day - enjoying the fresh outdoors or an art gallery with my boyfriend, drinking tea and catching up on New Yorker articles, and baking something chocolate-y and gluten-y. No television, minimal connectivity.

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go pre and post practice?

I am a firm believer in Guruji's assertion, "No coffee, no prana." Before mysore practice, I almost always down plenty of coffee, black.

Anything else you would like to share?

I would love to take up classical piano again. If anybody has a used keyboard for sale, hit me up.