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.

Opening Muse
Studio Specials
Special Event Announcements
108 and Shower Curtains
Karma Cloths Swap and Thanksgiving Day Class
Glow
I Heart DC Survey
Jill Satterfield
Live Green Party
Private Yoga and Small Group Lessons

ahimsa-pratishthayam tat-sannidhau vaira-tyagah (PYS II.35) When you stop harming others, others will cease to harm you. 

Written by guest muser, Jill Ableson

A few months back, my husband called me up to say he had just found an injured, baby sparrow in Dupont Circle. He joined forces with a neighbor in the area, who offered to take it to the animal hospital on P Street, and a DC policeman, who later drove the bird all the way to the wildlife rescue center in Gaithersburg. So three people came together to help the bird. More recently, my husband called me excitedly from Porter Street, with a similar story, this time a baby squirrel fallen out of its nest. Same happy ending. I was proud of him for going out of his way for these other creatures. He simply replied, "You taught me how to do it."

In "An Offering of Leaves," Ruth Lauer (coming to Flow this month!) tells the story of coming to terms with ants that invaded her kitchen one summer in India. She couldn't tolerate them, yet also felt a deep inner conflict over killing them. One day she did kill them all, and felt terrible. A few days later, she made a salad, and watched with wonder as soon afterwards, several ants laboriously and methodically organized to carry a piece of shredded carrot across the counter, up the wall, and out the window. She decided that she would let the ants do whatever they wanted.

The Jivamutki Focus for November, ahimsa, is the pillar of yoga practice. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali gives us five recommendations, called yamas, for how we should treat others if we want to attain liberation. The first yama is ahimsa, meaning "non-harming," or abstinence from ill will toward all living beings in every way and at all times. The yogi tries to cause the least amount of harm and suffering to others possible. Many yogis adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet, to personally drive this point home in their dietary choices.

Compassion is an essential ingredient of ahimsa. Through compassion, you begin to see yourself in other beings. Why is this important? Compassion trains the mind to see beyond outer differences of form. You begin to catch glimpses of the inner essence of other beings, such as Ruth's ants, which is happiness. You begin to see that every single creature desires happiness. The distinction between you and other beings wears thin as awareness begins to dawn. This is what we mean by the oneness of being.

Don't miss Ruth Lauer-Manenti who will be at Flow on November 22!

Love,

Jill

Listen! Hear more about Ahmisa with Alanna Kaivalya.

Flow Updates and Class Pass Specials

Special Event Announcements & Visiting Teachers

In addition to over 80 weekly classes, and our First Fridays 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!

Let's Flip It - Midnight Flow (with Cory Bryant) Friday 11/6
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 2:33 reads: Vitarka badhane pratipaksa bhavanam. This can be translated to mean "when negative thoughts disturb the mind, cultivate pondering over their opposites". In this workshop we will explore the use of specific asanas - INVERSIONS - to embody this sutra and carry it forth into our daily lives. Note: A percentage of this class profits will be donated to Dreams Fulfilled Relief Organization.

Body of Myth - Inanna's Descent (with Greg Marzullo) Saturday 11/7
Pairing the tale's thematic elements with a vigorous vinyasa practice, you will explore the story of Inanna's confrontation with her sister Ereshkigal and her trip down the dark roads we all must walk.

Svadhyaya - Self Study Life Coaching Group (with Carolyn Butcher) Sunday 11/8
Sundays 11/8 This workshop will help you cultivate a practice of Svadhyaya - that's Sanskrit for self reflection and inquiring into your true nature -- through coaching, journaling, movement, meditation, and experiential exercises.

Midnight Rocket - Take a Red Eye Flight to the Moon (with David Kyle) Friday 11/20
David Kyle, of It's Yoga Puerto Rico, will be leading the class through an intensely strong and sweaty yoga class that will prepare you to fly through the Friday night party like a crazed monkey hopped up on jujubes!

Progressive Ashtanga (with David Kyle) Saturday 11/21
Progressive Asthanga is a style that combines the traditional Ashtanga Yoga of Pattabhi Jois, the non-traditional Ashtanga Yoga of Larry Schultz and adds the encouragement and fusion of personal creativity from David -- aka "The Mula Bandha King".

An Offering of Leaves Master Class -- and book signing (with Jivamukti Senior Teacher Ruth Lauer Maneti) Sunday 11/22
Many students and teachers at Flow have heard about and/or experienced Ruth Lauer Manenti. Affectionately known to her students as Lady Ruth, she is one of the most sought after and revered Jivamukti teachers in the world. Her teachings combine a wealth of scriptural study, intense asana practice and an unparalleled depth of humility and unconditional love.

The Way of the Happy Woman, A Nourishing Holiday Respite (with Sara Stover) Saturday 11/28
In a container of compassion, rest, and mindfulness, we will share yin yoga, flowing yoga, journaling, meditation, and group practices with an intention to rejuvenate, inspire, and deepen intimacy with our own hearts, bodies, and lives.

Jai Hanuman and Surfing the Vinyasa Wave (with Simon Park) Saturday and Sunday 12/5 &6
Experience the latest evolution of Prana Flow. Dynamic asana, creative flows, and integrated pranayama as a moving meditation that will tune and tone you from the inside out while giving you the tools for navigating life's changes with grace, power, and confidence.

New Years Surf and Yoga Retreat (with Gopi and Gaura Vani!)
Bring in the New Year with this empowering and rejuvenating week of deep, healing Yoga with Gopi, accompanied by Gaura Vani and the transformative and uplifting sounds of sacred Kirtan.  Allow the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean to cleanse your body and mind. Surf the waves; commune with the natural elements; bring renewal and rejuvenation. This is the perfect retreat to reflect on the previous year and let go of the stagnation and congestion of the past.  For more information visit- www.gauravani.com

108 and PVC

The number 108 has always been a magical number across religions, astrology, sciences and cultures. http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2579 But when I read that 108 is the number of volatile compounds released from a shower curtain made of PVCs (which is what the majority of shower curtains sold in the US and elsewhere are made of) I was dismayed. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice says that 108 is 15 times greater then the recommended amount for indoor air quality established by the US Green Building Council. What is even more troubling is that the majority of the yoga mats sold today are made of the same exact toxic PVC material as the shower curtains. Put 20 together in a room, you have greatly reduced quality of the air. What to do? Purchase a non PVC shower curtain and yoga mat. A variety of mats are available for purchase at flow. For shower curtains - here are some cute ones.

Seva - The Yoga of Service

Karma Clothing Swap (with Caroline Weaver) Saturday 11/14, 12pm - 4pm
Did you know Most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time! Join us for a Flow community clothing swap. Go shopping without spending any money... reduce, reuse, recycle! And after you've found that cute new hoodie, stick around for complimentary tea and treats with your fellow Flowgies. Get ready to clean out your closet and make room for something new in your life! In the market for a new shirt or that perfect pair of yoga pants, but trying to be mindful about your spending and consumption? How to Participate (aka the rules....) 1. All clothes must be clean and good quality, in wearable condition. 2. Clothes are given and taken freely. 3. All items that don't find a new home by the end of the swap will be taken to a local charity.

Cultivate Gratitude - a Thanksgiving Day Workshop (with Megan Davis) Thursday November 26
Thursday 11/26, 10am - 12:30pm In this pay-what-you-can donation workshop, we will do 60 minutes of vinyasa and pranayama and 30 minutes of restorative poses followed by a 30 minute yoga nidra practice.

Private Lessons at Flow

Did you know that Flow offers private one on one or small group private sessions in Yoga, Pilates, Flow Fit, Meditation and Dance (including Ballroom, Mambo, Samba, Waltz, Salsa and Tango?). Visit our website for details.

Glow - An Eco-tique

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, plus we feature lots of hand-made and home-made goodies.

I Heart DC Survey

We often get asked for recommendations on where to find the best doctor or handyperson or restaurant. I thought why not survey our Flow community to share these resources. Take a minute to take our survey -- I will post the results next month!

Jill Satterfield Comes to DC

Remembering Health: Guiding the Body Back to Its Original State Sunday, November 15 -- Please visit Circle Yoga to get more information and to learn how to sign up!

Live Green DC's Big Green Bash

The Reef, 2446 18th St. NW -- Thursday, November 19, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Drink Specials | Light Fare | Music | Heated Roofdeck
This fall has been amazing for us here at Live Green. We've got new Spots, are running The Big Green Boost, and are officially launching Live Green Chicago this December. We'll be breaking in their new DJ booth and dance floor, and having lots of fun on their heated roof deck. Learn more about the event and RSVP on our website or on our Facebook page. If we've learned anything over the past year and a half, its how to throw a great party! Prepaid tickets are $13 or $9 for Live Green members and the first 200 prepaid tickets come with a free drink!

Blessings, Gratitude, Love and Peace and Yoga....


Debra and the Flow Tribe
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