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
Special events and workshops
Focus of the month - Nada Yoga
Yoga Therapy Program
Seva - The Yoga of Service
Glow
Live Green
Rejuvenation Retreat
A spark in your Intentions
I am tired. After five and a half months of being a mama, I am feeling the effects of moving through the world with a very big to-do list and very little sleep. I have come a long way in these past months, and I am trying my best to pause - and to acknowledge and appreciate my journey.
What brought me to this space was a simple question a friend asked of me during a quiet moment....which was – “Aren’t you psyched about all you have accomplished this year?”
It was a funny thing to witness my mind at work when this question arose. My friend was referring to all of these awesome things that my year has been filled with, including a miracle baby, a wonderful award from the mayor, a studio photo shoot for Yoga Journal, a speaking engagement at a conference, a thriving studio, and being surrounded and supported by an amazing tribe of loved ones But instead of these great acheivements coming to the forefront, my mind raced to all that I hadn’t accomplished this year and towards the things that are feeling heavy for me. Ian (my husband) is about to leave his full time job to join me at Flow to help me improve and expand. My work days have been reduced to work moments stolen in between Jonah's naps, leaving me overwhelmed. My yoga practice is at a minimum, and even guided yoga nidra cannot quiet my thoughts. I mention these things not to ask for your sympathy but to share with you a process that I think we are all witness to along our journeys.
A very wise friend -- and fabulous Life Coach -- Julie Zeff,taught me that as we move through our lives, we have these special friends, called "gremlins" that like to join us for the ride. They appear as the naysayers -- the voices we hear over and over again - especially when we are dreaming our big dreams. Our gremlins are the first to remind us that we are not smart enough or skinny enough. They whisper in our ears that if our husband quits his job that we will go absolutely broke. “How frivolous,” they taunt when we dream about taking the summer off to retreat to Cape Cod. gremlins can be pretty powerful, and sometimes it is quite a battle to ignore them.
I would like to share with you some of Julie’s crafty tricks for banishing these unwated friends, because I have a feeling you may be dealing with some gremlins of your own.
1. First and most important is just to notice your Gremlins. A good exercise can be to take a one-hour time period, have pen and paper next to you, and try to capture all of the negative thoughts and beliefs that pass through your mind. Hint: Anytime what you are doing or thinking feels hard and heavy, there is a good chance a Gremlin is at play. List them out. Get them out on paper. Just simply getting them out on paper can quiet them and make them less powerful in your mind.
2. If there were no Gremlins what would you say to yourself instead? Example: ” I cannot wait for Ian to join me at Flow – we will finally have the space and time to create the sweet happy life we have always dreamed of!” “Hmmm, should I choose a house on the beach or the bay this summer at the Cape? I am going to come back this fall inspired and refreshed!”
3. Any time the Gremlins pop up catch yourself engaging them and giving them air time. Turn down the Gremlin dial and turn up the dial on the words/messages that you want to hear. Be vigilant. Make it a game. How many times can you catch yourself thinking Gremlin thoughts in an hour, an afternoon, a day - challenge yourself.
4. Know that the minute you start to negotiate or talk to your Gremlins you’re sunk. They want you to engage with them. The point is not to engage them, try to convince them to go away or even to eradicate them. The main idea is to ignore them. Walk right past the gremlins and toward your compelling vision, the things that enliven and excite you – like living the life of your dreams.
warm oms,
Debra
º Summer Specials: Mon- Fri all 10:30am classes are $10! Available for in-studio purchase only.
º JavaGreen, Flow and One Common Unity will host the Rejuvenation Retreat July 24 - July 27.
º Join us on Facebook and Twitter - receive special invites and connect with community.
º The ever-popular Midnight Yoga is now offered first and third Fridays!
º Thai Yoga Teacher Training with Angela and Vanessa begins August 1.
º Wish Tom a happy birthday on June 17th!.
In addition to over 80 weekly classes, and our monthly First and Third Friday specialties - Acro Yoga and Midnight Yoga, Flow offers a cosmic array of workshops, special events and ways to get involved with the community. We recommend signing up early as most sell out! This month's line up focuses around our theme of Nada Yoga.........
º º Afro Brazilian Dance Party with Angela Ingram(come celebrate -- it's her birthday!) 
º º Yoga and Writing with Laura Zam
º º Beach Body Boot Camp with Mariska Breland
º º Singing Yoga with with Lynne Feingold & Christine Romero
º º Svadhyaya Coaching with Carolyn Butcher
º º Journey of the Warrior- Exploring The Bhagavad Gita with Alanna Kaivalya
º º Sacred Sounds - the Power of Nada Yoga with Alanna Kaivalya
Learn more about each workshop and reserve your space by visiting us online
Focus of the Month - Nada Yoga
Many people think of nada yoga - the yoga of sound - as an extremely esoteric practice but in reality, it's one of the most basic forms of yoga that we can do. All of us have experienced the power of music in our lives. Anytime we hear a song that connects us to a powerful time, we are immediately transported back into the sentiment of that moment. Music has the power to join us, empower us and transform us. When we access this power on our mat, what we access is the deeper, inner music that resides in the heart. Each of us has our own internal rhythm, and when we breathe together and move together, we are creating a kind of music that has the power to transform us more powerfully than any other melody. In the sacred texts, it is said that heightened listening for this internal song is the gateway to true happiness. Let your yoga bring you to that rhythm, and give you access to that innate joy. By Alanna Kaivalya
Alanna is coming to Flow this month! She is offering workshops on Nada Yoga and the Bhagavad Gita June 26 & June 27 and will be assisted by Flow's Cory Bryant.
Rejuvenation Retreat We all need and deserve time to recharge our batteries and experiment with creativity and mindfulness. Rejuvenation is a retreat meant for those who want an enriching experience, desire skills that will improve the quality of their life, and meet new people who are on a similar journey.
Retreat days are filled with: morning and evening yoga, deep breathing and meditation classes, evening bonfires, drum circles, self-discovery, and health & wellness workshops.
It is designed for students of all levels and participants will have choices to either be camping, staying in tents, cabins or the lodge house. It is being co-organized by One Common Unity, Flow Yoga Center and Java Green Eco-Cafe.
Please visit our site for more information -- it will be updated shortly with full details!
Yoga Therapy at Flow
Yoga therapy encompasses a wide range of applications and is used to treat injuries and chronic conditions of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine systems. Yoga therapy addresses conditions on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels and assists in the recovery from and management of injuries and chronic conditions. Many of our teachers are trained in the therapeutic application of yoga as a healing art to improve overall health and well being. Our therapists are available for both private and small group yoga therapy sessions. Practitioners include Megan, Neva, Angela and Tazima! Our first small group session begins on Mondays 6/8- 6/29 with Angela Cerkevich and will focus on Hip and Core Stability.
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.
Put a Spark in Your Intentions
Does your mind go blank during class when your teacher asks you to set an intention? Do you begin to fidget or think I wish we could just begin our sun salutes? Why not take a few minutes off the yoga mat to reflect on your highest intentions? Find a quiet spot and take out your journal. Peruse the following questions and pick a couple that stand out to reflect upon. Be bold and free with your answers.
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If money were no object, what would you do differently?
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What makes your heart soar?
- When do you feel spiritually void?
- What makes you vulnerable?
- At what moments do you feel your best self?
- How are you withholding your creativity?
- What are you holding back?
Now it is time to create your intention. Let yourself be free, messy, real and raw as you create a simple sentence or two reflecting on how you'd like to walk on this earth! Don't withhold anything! Use your intention before beginning your next practice. I promise this practice will help inform your decisions and guide you on your true path.
"Seva" means community service, and it is a core tenant 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. Last month, during Movie Night, we raised over $1,500 for One Common Unity.
This month's activities include classes for patrons of Martha's Table, A Cereal Drive for Miriam's Kitchen, Live Green's Anniversary and lots of prep work for our next big charity event - The Rejuvenation Retreat. To stay aware of the opportunities please visit our Seva bulletin board near the check-in desk.
Live Green
Flow Yoga Center is proud to be a sponsor of an exciting upcoming event with our partner, Live Green. Their mission is to make green living easier and more affordable and are hosting their one-year anniversary party at Local 16 (1602 U St NW) on Wednesday, June 17. You are officially invited! The festivities will be kicking off at 6:30pm and will include food, drinks, and even some live tunes from SEE-I [www.myspace.com/seei]. There will be a cover charge of $15 at the door, but discounts are available online so be sure to buy your tickets in advance. Live Green members also receive a discount at the door, and non-members will receive a FREE Live Green membership along with their ticket. Check them out and join us at Local 16 on the 17th for a great time!
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
