The Ritual of a Daily Practice

“……And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth…. a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by participating in a ritual, participating in the myth, you are being, as it were, put in accord with that wisdom, which is the wisdom that is inherent within you. Your consciousness is being re-minded of the wisdom of your own life. I think ritual is terribly important.”  ― Joseph Campbell

Dedicate yourself to creating the shifts you desire by committing to a ritual of daily practice.

Living in a city like ours, it’s increasingly familiar to feel overwhelmed and hurried. A daily ritual of an embodied practice like yoga, especially within a supportive community offers a true refuge to recharge your spirits and renew & balance your energy and emotions.

Last year over 200 of you participated in our 30 Day Challenge and this year we begin on January 2nd. If you love the benefits you already notice from an occasional practice, imagine what consistency will bring.

We hope you will join us — and let us help you make that happen!

We’ll start the challenge with an optional in person kick off meeting where we’ll gather together set our intentions, create a plan, and envision the next 30 days and beyond. Challenge participants will get in studio and online support, a daily tracker, lots of gold stars to mark your progress and be part of a community of support & encouragement to hold you accountable so all you have to do is show up!

Inspired, Calm, Strong and Ready. Join us for 30 days of magic!

Here’s what this years challengers are saying when asked why they’re joining:

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I did the challenge last year and absolutely loved how my body and mind felt after the 30 days. I've been looking forward to rebooting my practice and this is the best way I know how to do it!

I love the flow challenge!

To decrease injury and fight gravity (and win!)

To get back into a habit of practicing and to set myself up for success in the new year!

At this point, it's a January tradition!

Looking to start 2019 off right with intention, purpose, and clarity.

To help re-commit to yoga in the new year!

For a good start to a new year!

Start the year on the right foot!

To rebuild with healthy techniques.

To stay connected with and support my community at Flow!

To hold myself accountable and refocus on self care in 2019!

I did it last year and had a lot of fun!

I try and do this every year, it helps to keep me on the right path of maintaining a regular practice.

I'm planning to participate in the yoga teacher training at Flow, and have several milestones to complete this coming year, so I'd love to set my intentions right from the beginning!

I want to dedicate myself more to my practice and this is a great way to start!

I want to focus on prioritizing on making time for myself by practicing yoga more frequently and becoming more mindful.

It really helps get through January which is otherwise pretty depressing.

To start the new year on the right and positive footing! :)

To restore balance

Manager Spotlight: Stephanie Seiler

Meet Stephanie! She is a senior manager with Flow and a member of our Happiness team, taking care of our Flowgis. Read on to find out her dream dog and how she got into yoga.

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

Yoga is something that I have to prioritize and make part of my regular routine because it has so many benefits on my well-being. Currently I practice at Flow 3-4 times per week, which usually includes a vinyasa yoga class after work and a vinyasa or flow fit class after my Flow shift on Wednesday! I love getting in a variety of classes when I can and switching it up with a pilates or ashtanga class a few times per month. Coming to Flow is the perfect way to end my workday and if I don't have time to make it over to the studio sometimes I do a self led practice on my small balcony at home :)

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

There are SO many things that inspire me to practice at Flow! From the moment I first stepped into the studio I was greeted so incredibly warmly and immediately felt welcomed into the amazing Flow community. The positive energy and warmth is infectious and can be such a wonderful respite from the busy, fast paced, and at times intense energy that surrounds us in DC. Also, the variety of teachers and types of classes at Flow have inspired me to move out of my comfort zone and try classes and yoga postures that I wouldn't have been drawn to otherwise!

What was your first yoga experience like?

I attended my first yoga class apprehensively based on friend's urging and definitely wasn't yet buying into yoga and how amazing she kept saying it was. I remember being surprised at how challenging the class was and how much strength it required. It wasn't until I started attending a yoga studio regularly in upstate NY, after having moved there with my husband, without a job and a lot of time on my hands initially, that I truly discovered my love for yoga. I was hooked immediately and loved the combination of challenge and calm that I got from my practice. I also remember my first class there being the first time I ever took a heated class and being completely sweaty and unprepared!

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

This is a such a hard question because there are so many amazing teachers who have had an influence on me! My love of yoga started at a Baptiste affiliated studio in NY, which is also where I did my teacher training, so I was hugely influenced by several teachers there at the beginning of my yoga journey. Here at Flow I am inspired and challenged by so many teachers which has definitely provided me with a more well rounded and intelligent practice.

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

Hmm something people may not know about me....I lived in the state of NY for 11 years before moving to DC (in NYC, Queens, and Rochester) so even though I grew up in the MD/DC area, NY still feels like my other home. I know DC tends to be a pretty transient place so it's nice being somewhere where I think a lot of people can relate to this!

Also, I love pugs and hope to have one someday :)

Anything else you would like to share?

I love Flow and feel so grateful to be part of the family!!

Guest Spotlight: Nate Gorence

Meet Nate! A Flowgi for the last six years, Nate is dedicated to Flow's Mysore program but can also be found in a Pilates or Rocket class. Learn more about his love of Flow & fly fishing.

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

My practice is focused on Ashtanga and Pilates, but I mix in a few other classes here and there. I aspire to make Mysore every morning, but, between work travel and lack of sleep, my Mysore practice is far from daily. Still, I try to get to the studio every day that I'm in town--for a led primary or Vinyasa class, or Rocket on Sunday. I also try to make Pilates 2-3 times a week to compliment my yoga practice. I'm definitely more focused, more energized, and happier when I practice daily.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The entire Flow community--great mix of welcoming, dynamic, and motivating teachers and practitioners.

What was your first yoga experience like?

First yoga experience was a gym yoga class in 2009. I had no idea what I was doing and could barely touch my toes. I thought it would be good to increase my flexibility after a week-long backpacking trip that left me with a little tendinitis. I gradually started practicing a few times a week until Mimi Rieger told me that she thought I would really enjoy a more consistent practice at a studio. So, I gave that a whirl and haven't looked back. I think I've been a Flow member since 2011, which is hard to believe.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

Whoo, I have a lot. The Flow Ashtanga clan: Jen Rene, Gail Harris, Todd Anderson, Cory Bryant, Nicole Kaib, and Chris Anderson. Mimi Rieger, who got me beyond gym yoga. Jonathan Ewing for Sunday Rocket. Clare Kelley and Juliet Stovall for cringe-inducing but ultimately rewarding Pilates. David Kyle, who taught my teacher training and helped focus my Ashtanga practice.

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

As much as I love yoga, I love fly fishing more. There are a lot of similarities between the two, but fly fishing will always be first passion.

Anything else you would like to share?

If you run to Flow, you can go easy on the first few Vinyasas.

Karma Yogi Spotlight: Graham Downey

Graham is a newer, exemplary addition to the Karma Yogi program here at Flow. His enthusiasm and selfless service truly embody the Flow community! Read on to learn more about him :)

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

I practice four or five times a week, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. I try to make it to class at flow at least two or three times a week, but when I can't I practice at home and see if I can recreate some of the great sequences from my favorite led classes.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The care and creativity of the teachers. Every class feels made for me - a balance of challenge and support.

What was your first yoga experience like?

I took my first led class as a Sophomore at my college gym. I wasn't able to do most of the poses, but I still felt the physical rewards immediately. My body felt stronger and lighter and more open. It didn't translate into a regular practice immediately, but I did immediately tell a lot of people they just absolutely had to try it.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

When I moved back to DC in 2016, Eric Schwarz's unusual and fun classes showed me that yoga wasn't just a workout. And then John Thurman showed me how an intense practice could energize my mind as much as my body.

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

Practicing yoga has helped me become a much better bike polo player. We play pickup twice a week in DC; you should come with me sometime!

Teacher Spotlight: Angela Cerkevich

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.