Welcome to Flow Yoga Center where classes are a celebration of life, awakening the very essence of who we are. The warmth of our eco-friendly center and the excellence of our teachers offer a natural haven for those who seek a nurturing and soulful environment.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER...
Studio updates
Discounts
Mysore
Kirtan - MC Yogi and Wah!
Stephanie Snyder
Special events and workshops
Yoga Therapy Program
DC Global Mala
Seva - The Yoga of Service
Glow
Yummy Vegan Recipe
Unity Walk
I honestly believe the colors you wear or even surround yourself with (like the hues you choose for your office or kitchen walls) can affect the quality and mood of your days. Sensitive to colors even as a little girl, I remember negotiating with my mom for the perfect shade of pink for my bedroom and, while cotton candy pink has evolved to a more soothing, ethereal “pale moon” for my boudoir, it still takes me a long and thoughtful time to decide on the perfect color scheme for various rooms or wardrobe. So, last month when we painted the studio for the 5th time, it was no surprise I walked around for many weeks with paint swatches, driving myself and my friends crazy. I wanted to find the perfect color scheme for practicing yoga in!
I know I am not alone in my color obsession. In fact color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, and the connection of energy and color is as ancient as yoga itself. Color affects our physical and emotional health and can enhance or detract from our life experiences. It has a powerful, emotional impact that is direct and personal. Each shade has a special vibration that has an energetic effect on us. Some colors (like the colors of Fall) are received as nourishing and grounding (maybe that is why my wardrobe is dominated by earthtones!). Other colors may feel depressing or encourage low energy. Yoga sister sciences and philosophies including chakras, ayurveda and vatsu (the yoga of design) offer insights on various color spectrums and how they can be used to help us paint our own personal canvases!
Red
Reds (linked to the base chakra, spine, hips and legs) are stimulating. Reds are said to boost energy, will power, clear up congestions and help with circulation. Red is also linked to sexuality and it is no coincidence red roses are an inspiring gift of love. Reds are wonderful colors for spicing things up in a bedroom or even for promoting Too much red may over stimulate and promote aggressiveness.
Orange
Orange is thought to encourage joy, socializing and optimism, which makes it a useful hue for healing depression or sadness. Oranges are great colors to have in places where people gather for engaging conversation. Orange is associated with the sacral chakra and it's believed to benefit the kidneys, urinary tract and the reproductive organs. Too much orange is thought to lead to tiredness, pessimism and confusion.
Yellow
Yellow is associated with the solar plexus chakra. An imbalance in the solar plexus chakra is thought to promote fear, apprehension, confusion, lack of determination, or power issues, which this color is believed to balance. Yellow is associated with the intellect and mental processes and is uplifting. An office accented in yellows (try daffodils) helps with concentration and clarity. The solar plexus chakra is also thought to influence the digestive system. Be wary though -- too much yellow is believed to lead to hyperactivity!
Green
Green is a color that's thought to encourage emotional stability, purity and calmness. It's related to the heart chakra, so it's believed to help with emotional issues, such as love, forgiveness, trust and compassion. Try wearing some green during your next heart to heart with a challenging relationship! You know you need a dose of greens when you feel fear within relationships, mistrust, jealousy or insecurity in your heart.
Blue
Blue is related to the throat chakra and is said to be connected to the throat and lungs. It's thought to enhance verbal expression and communication, artistic expression and willpower. It's a calming color and may help with insomnia, anxiety, throat problems, high blood pressure, migraine and skin irritation. Blues in a bedroom are perfect antidote to sleepless nights. Don some light blue yoga wear for a restorative practice like Harmony Flow.
Indigo
Indigo is associated with the third eye chakra, located between the eyes, and is related to the eyes and the lower part of the head. It's said to encourage greater intuition and strengthen the lymph system, immune system and help purify and cleanse the body. Perfect color to surround yourself with when you need to tap into your creative muse!
Purple or Violet
Purples are associated with the crown chakra, which is at the top of the head. It's thought to encourage spirituality, intuition, wisdom, mastery and mental strength and focus. Purple is wonderful color accent for meditation and prayer. Too much purple is thought to promote pride and arrogance.
The trick in choosing colors for your rooms or wardrobe is to avoid colors that feel depressing or jarring. Always trust your instincts. Get sample swatches before committing to a complete overhall and bring them into the room at different times of the day since sunlight and artificial lighting can make colors look quite different. Remember, colors don’t always have to be painted on walls or worn head to toe to enjoy the benefits. Accents like scarves, vases, pillows, or flowers work well too. My planner is a bold shade of red for example and I swear it helps keep me more on task than my old black covered one ever did!
Sending you warm oms from the Cape (and earth tones too!)
Debra
p.s. Check out one of my favorite non voc paint companies, Safecoat. They have an ayurveda palette to help inspire your color quests!
º New Fall Schedule introduces new classes and new times – be sure to check online before joining us in class beginning Sept 1 to verify times!
º Be sure to check out our reduced Labor Day schedule and special classes!
º Flow, Java Green and OCU’s Rejuvenation Retreat was a huge success raising over $5,000 - thank you to all that attended!
º Yoga Journal highlights Flow Yoga Center in September issue as a leading “green” studio! Check out page 70-74!
º Join us on Facebook and Twitter - receive special invites and connect with the Flow community.
º The ever-popular Midnight Yoga is now offered first and third Fridays!
Did you know that purchasing multi-pack or unlimited class passes make Flow class the best yoga deal in town? Many of our members pay as little as $7 a class! We even offer pay-what-you-can Sunday morning classes and a $10 class special on weekday 10:30am classes. In addition, we honor discounts of 15% on class-pass purchases for non-profit workers making under $40k, members of Live Green, members of WABA (Washington Area Bike Association), Seniors, Military and full-time students with ID. Even if you don't qualify for one of those discounts, you can purchase your class pass online and enjoy a 5% discount off most of our regular class passes
Back to Yoga School Special during the month of September....
¤Yoga Pass Unlimited Classes: 6 month is $110/month and $12 month yoga pass is 90/month!
¤20 Class Pass: For the entire month of September, our 20-class pass is on sale for 10% off the regular price! Enjoy an additional 10% off all 20 class passes purchased online! The 20 class pass is good for three months. Don't have a username and password to make an online purchase? Visit our website and create one!
Mysore is coming to Flow
The traditional way that Ashtanga is taught, Mysore is a self-practice within the Ashtanga Yoga system, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. The class is not "led" as a whole but rather instruction is given one-on-one as needed, within the group class setting. In this class, students practice the Ashtanga sequence at their own pace as the teacher assists each student individually. It allows you freedom to explore the Ashtanga system with hands on guidance and attention. You benefit both from the collective energy of being with a community of people working together and from the more personal instruction and guidance, while you work on your individual journey.. Always check the schedule as we will not practice on full or new moon days. The class is "open", meaning that you can enter the studio when you like and leave when you need within the scheduled time. Beginners should allow 45 minutes for their practice and as you are given more poses - you will require more time. Classes will be held on Friday and Sunday mornings.
October is Kirtan Month – Presenting MC Yogi and Wah!
Join Flow Yoga Center, Circle Yoga, Yoga Chai and Unity Woods Yoga Center for Kirtan in October!
MC Yogi – Saturday October 3
Combining hip-hop rhythms and rhymes with yogic belief and myth, MC Yogi has fast become a yogi's soundtrack staple. His recently released CD, Elephant Power, brought together famous kirtan artists, including Krishna Das and Jai Uttal, to provide background to creative takes on the myths of Shiva, Hanuman, and Ganesh. MC Yogi spent much of his teens at a group home for at-risk youth before he finally discovered yoga, which changed the track of his life.
Wah- Saturday October 17
Join world-renowned musician Wah! for an evening of inspirational and upbeat Sanskrit chanting. Hailed as singing "with the voice of a goddess" by Australian Yoga Life Magazine, Wah! has created 10 solo CDs and toured extensively to yoga and meditation communities, bringing her unique and creative style of devotional singing to bhaktas and music lovers around the world.
The Location for these events is 2639 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; the Woodley Park Aikido Studio. They will sell out so please reserve early!
Stephanie Snyder – voted San Francisco’s BEST Yoga Instructor – comes to Flow 
We are pleased to welcome Washington DC native, nationally-known Vinyasa Teacher extraordinaire Stephanie Snyder, of San Francisco. To celebrate release of her new DVD produced by Yoga Journal on October 24, Stephanie will lead an extended, all-levels class. Consistently voted as San Francisco's BEST yoga instructor, Stephanie is known for her inspirational teaching style, and her unique ability to infuse her rigorous and flowing Vinyasa classes with yoga philosophy, technical alignment, and heart-felt humor. Her commitment to breath, movement, happiness, and prayer make Stephanie one of San Francisco’s most sought after teachers. She is a guest teacher on her beloved teacher Sri Dharma Mittras teacher training faculty, and has also been deeply influenced by mentor Ana Forrest and the teachings of Anusara Yoga.
Stephanie's East Coast tour is being organized by Flow's own Jill Abelson, who cannot say enough about her extraordinary teacher and friend, and urges everyone to come experience truly one of the best. Sign up early - this will sell out!.
In addition to over 80 weekly classes, and our monthly First and Third Friday specialties - Acro Yoga and Midnight Yoga - Flow offers an array of workshops, special events and ways to get involved with the community. We recommend signing up early as most sell out!
Relax
Mindfulness Meditation with Hugh Sat Sept 12, Oct 3, Oct 31
Candlelight Prenatal Series with Siobhan begins Sun Sept 13
Renew
Expanding the Lotus Semi Private Classes with Megan begins Sun Sept 13
Yoga for Healthy Feet and Knees with Megan Sat Sept 19
Yoga for Depression with Gopi Sun Sept 20
Rejoice
Kirtan Concert - MC Yogi Sat Oct 3
Kirtan Concert - Wah! Sat Sat Oct 17
Stephanie Snyder Master Class with Jill Ableson assisting Sat 10/24
Reinvigorate
Jump into Flow 1 with Laura Sun Oct 11
Svadyaya Self Study Series with Carolyn Sun Oct 11, Nov 8
Learn more about each workshop and reserve your space by visiting us online
Yoga Therapy at FlowFlow Yoga Center is pleased to announce that it is expanding its therapeutic yoga offerings to two classes per week. Each month Flow teachers who have received advanced, specialized training will address specific therapeutic needs through in depth classes that address anatomical, physiological, and emotional needs through yogic principals. . Yoga therapy addresses conditions on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels and assists in the recovery from and management of injuries and chronic conditions. Flow also offers therapeutic private sessions to best address individual needs such as MS, arthritis, mood disorders, specific injuries and more. For more information about yoga therapy, bios of our therapists, and on scheduling a private session, please see the Wellness page on our website or call us at (202) 462-3569. If you are being treated for any condition or injury by a physician, be sure to obtain permission before you undertake any form of yoga or therapeutics class at Flow.
Upcoming Therapeutic Series:
Sunday
5:15 - 6:45 pm September 13th, 20th, and 27th Yoga For Anxiety with Angela
5:15 - 6:45 pm October 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th Yoga for Anxiety with Angela
Monday
5 - 6 pm, September 14th, 21st, and 28th Yoga for Depression with Gopi
DC Global Mala
This year’s DC Global Mala will be held on Saturday September 20, 2009, in honor of the Fall equinox and UN International Peace Day. Visit dcglobalmala.com to reserve your space!
"Seva" means community service, and it is a core tenet of yoga and part of Flow’s Mission to support and contribute to our community in a positive way. Seva also means selfless service. It implies being connected to all things. It's a way to express your own humanity and divinity. It's more than just a physical act; it's part of a spiritual practice - expanding the hearts of the giver and receiver.
Each month Flow offers the community opportunities to connect with other like-minded yogis and yoginis through our various charity and fundraising events.
On behalf of Flow Yoga Center, Java Green Eco-cafe and One Common Unity, we cannot thank you enough for your tremendous commitment and support of the recent Rejuvenation Retreat. The total amount raised through the Retreat was $5,806.52. This would not have been possible without your help, and your brilliant smiles and willingness to go out of your way for a great cause. To see some newly uploaded photos from the retreat visit: http://www.socialurl.com/rejuvenation
Yoga and Relaxation Supplies for Soldiers in Iraq
Flow Yoga Center and Anahata International are putting together a care package for soldiers in Iraq who are practicing yoga. We are collecting items that are easily shipped to be shared among the troops that are encountered by yoga teacher, Tony Daza, who has been working in Iraq for over 2 years. Supplies requested include: Yoga Journal magazines/books,Yoga DVDs, yoga nidra cds, eye pillows, massage tools, vitamins. Please make sure that materials are of high quality (only used magazines/books accepted, all else should be brand new). Collection dates are September 8 - September 12. The drop off box will be near the reception desk!
To stay aware of the opportunities please visit our Seva bulletin board near the check-in desk.
Many of you who attended our Vegan Bake Sale asked us for this amazing tasty recipe -- thanks Caroline!
Savory Shitake-Sunflower Pâté
(adapted from a recipe in How It All Vegan by Tanya Barnard & Sarah Kramer)
Ingredients:
1 c. onions, chopped
6 shitake mushrooms, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
splash of olive oil
1 c. raw sunflower seeds, ground in a food processor
1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c. nutritional yeast
2 heaping tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. sea salt
1 heaping tsp. dried thyme
1/2 heaping tsp. dried sage
1/4 tsp. kelp granules
Healthy pinch cayenne pepper
1 1/2 c. water
3 tbsp. Braggs Liquid Aminos, tamari, or soy sauce
1 c. spinach, chopped
1 c. potatoes, grated
1/3 c. olive oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a 9" pie plate (or 4–6 mini loaf pans). Sauté the onions, mushrooms, and garlic in olive oil until tender. In a large bowl, combine ground sunflower seeds, flour, nutritional yeast, basil, salt, thyme, sage, kelp, and cayenne. Add the water, Braggs or soy sauce, potatoes, spinach, and oil, and combine, then add the sautéed vegetables. Transfer mixture to a food processor and process until smooth. Spoon mixture into pie plate and bake about 45 minutes, or until center is set and browned. Chill thoroughly before serving. Serves 4–6.
Need some support for your practice? Glow is stocked with lots of earth-friendly choices including yoga mats, organic yoga clothing, eye pillows, lotions, potions, soy candles, CDs incense and more. We carry amazing clothes made from lush fabrics by eco-friendly brands, including plus we feature lots of hand-made and home-made goodies.
Unity Walk
Save the Date! The 5th Annual Unity Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 18th! The 2009 Unity Walk is gearing up for another exciting year of bringing thousands of people representing hundreds of organizations, religious groups and diplomatic communities together to join in "unity," building bridges of understanding and respect. This year we will visit a dozen houses of worship, experience moving presentations from international figures like Rev. Mpho Tutu, Arun Gandhi, Maureen Fiedler, and Rabbi Bruce Lustig and engage in thought-provoking dialogue with one another. The Unity Walk will also feature an interfaith community service fair for people of all ages. The internationally acclaimed event has been featured in major media outlets including CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera. We welcome new volunteers, interns, and donations. Please visit www.911unitywalk.org or email Eda Uca-Dorn at Eda@911UnityWalk.org for more information.
Blessings, Gratitude, Love and Peace and Yoga....
Debra and the Flow Sangha
Flow Yoga Center - DC's Eco-Friendly Yoga Center
1450 P Street NW (next door to Whole Foods)
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 462-FLOW
flowyogacenter@gmail.com
