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 updates and discounts
workshops and visiting teachers
ring on the new year!
jivamukti focus of the month
belabumbum
capital pilates
i heart dc survey
mitten drive
glow
focus of the month
If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate in yourself. By practicing gratitude, we’re directing our attention and awareness on what we want. This conscious focus of awareness is a key step in manifesting our deepest desires and intentions. Deepak Chopra
Last year after my son Jonah was born, my heart was filled with the deepest sense of gratitude. I decided that it was important for me to ritualize the gratefulness that I felt in my heart for him and the other sweet things in my life in the form of a daily gratitude ceremony. Excited about this daily ritual, I added it to my planner and bedside so I would see it and be reminded of it. According to plan, each night when I retire for slumber – I am supposed to light a candle, take out my journal and list 5 things I am grateful for. Simple, yes? Well, I can count on one hand how many times I have actually gotten around to doing this. I can give you lots of excuses why it does not happen, including being too tired, or being needed by someone else, or that I simply cannot find a pen. So much for fulfilling my goals, right?
Well, a funny, kind of magical thing happened over the past few months. I began to notice that upon waking up each morning -- a feeling of gratitude washes over me and things I am grateful for comes into my awareness. Apparently, my conscious didn’t consult my daily schedule because it is about 11 months off, and there isn’t a candle in sight, but in some sweet way, my “gratitude ceremony” is happening -- almost daily and effortlessly.
I am sharing my gratitude story because, I am guessing, like me, many of you also have a hard time "sticking" to your set plans. And sometimes when we don't accomplish something we feel is important to us- we end up feeling like we are failing and give up. But, please be assured that if your intentions are honest and aligned with your highest self – and if you dare to put those plans out there – perhaps by sharing them with a friend or writing them down and posting them near your bedside – the universe will always answer – maybe not in the exact way you planned but always in the way you truly need. Have faith, they will manifest!
Now that the holiday season is in full swing I know that messages of thanksgiving and gratitude sometimes get overused and even commercialized. But, I’ll bet if you do find the time to take a few moments to reflect on some of the good stuff going on in your life – you may find, like me, that the heavier, harder stuff gets put into perspective. Need little motivation? Take Deepak Chopra’s gratitude quiz or check out these suggestions on how to connect to your grateful self.
1. Keep a Gratitude Journal: Each day list at least five things for which you are grateful. Challenge yourself by not repeating items from the previous days, for this will make you look more deeply at all the “little” things that enhance your life and give you joy. Here are a few things I am grateful for today: my 6 year old beautiful niece who has a rare genetic disorder is speaking her first words; my new homemade chai recipe ; Jonah’s open hearted, fearless giggle; my mom came home from the hospital (pneumonia); my cozy fireplace.
2. Write a Thank You Letter: Make a list of at least five people who have had a profound impact on your life. Choose one and write a thank you letter expressing gratitude for all the gifts you’ve received from that person. In studies of people who have practiced this form of gratitude, the results have been amazing. Often the recipient of the letter had no idea what an impact he or she had had on another person and were deeply touched by the expression of such authentic gratitude.
3. Give Thanks to a Current Challenge: This is a particularly useful practice when you’re feeling down or filled with stress and worry about something. See your "challenge" as a nudge from the universe for positive transformation. For example, a "friend" who was told she had cysts in her cervix practiced a daily ritual that included thanking the universe for her condition. She took on her challenge by shifting her diet, doing visualizations and meditation exercises and practicing restorative yoga. The result was that she was able to avoid surgery and she picked up some powerful new healthy ways of being. Embracing a struggle is a powerful way to shift your mood and open to the flow of abundance that always surrounds you.
What are you grateful for right now?
Warm oms,
Debra
Flow Updates and Class Pass Specials
Sharing is great, but please don't share the flu. ;). If you're feeling any flu-like symptoms, out of 
consideration for your fellow guests at Flow, our staff and their families, please take a break from your yoga practice. We encourage you to rest at home, and look forward to seeing you back at Flow as soon as you're healthy.
Afro-Brazilian and Meditation Class Pass Sale In Studio 1 pass = $11 Online 1 pass = $9.50 In Studio and Online - $45 for a 5 pack- only $9 a class (good for a year!)
Take Unlimited classes at Flow with our YogaPass Sale. Twelve Month Yoga Pass = $90/month (if you take 3 classes a week, it averages to only $7.50 a class) Six Month Yoga Pass = $110/month (if you take 3 classes a week, it averages to $9/class) Easy to implement vacation pause policy, offer expires 12/31. Please pick up an application at reception desk.
Thai Yoga Therapy Special - $95 for 90 minutes
Full Time Student Special $10 for all classes between 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday.
New to Flow? Enjoy 2 classes for $20 or 1 month of unlimited yoga for $50!
Receive discounts and connect with community. Join us on Facebook and 
Svadhyaya with Carolyn Butcher 12/13 and 1/10 Carve out some time this busy holiday season for reflection. Bring honor and closure to experiences of the past and begin the exploration of what’s possible in the new year. Through coaching, journaling, movement, meditation, and experiential exercises (e.g., 2009 highlights, 2010 wish list, you will leave with insights into burning questions such as What Can I Celebrate & Set Free? What Wants to Emerge in the New Year? 
Yoga Trance Dance Holiday Midnight Flow - with Rob Hess 12/18 Yoga Trance Dance is an exploration of the eternal flow of natural movement through yoga. Yoga Trance Dance flows into an exploration of free-form, breath driven movement to liberate one's creative life-force and cultivate embodied freedom.
Mindfulness Meditation Immersion with Hugh Byrne, 1/2 Insight or Mindfulness Meditation is the simple practice of paying attention on a moment-to-moment basis to our own direct experience in our lives. This workshop will provide systematic instructions on working with all elements of our experience to develop concentration and cultivate insight. In this workshops you will alternate periods of instruction, sitting and walking meditations and dialogue.
Post Holiday Bootcamp with Mariska Breland, 1/4- 1/8 Did you overindulge over the holidays? 
Experience a little too much culinary bliss? Or do you just want to start off the New Year with a new commitment to increased strength and stamina? Join us at this special bootcamp where Fuse Pilates is taken up a notch with increased intensity and weight work - all designed to welcome 2010 with a bang (and a couple dozen pushups). Sorry, no drop-ins.
Pilates for Yogis with Jen Rene 1/9 Pilates may not offer the same spiritual or meditative benefits that yoga does, but its core strengthening exercises can change and invigorate your yoga practice. Pilates not only helps to strengthen the core, but it also teaches us how to consciously tap into the power of the center to create greater stability and alignment in our yoga practice. By developing a deeper awareness of your core strength you will develop greater control over your movements. The goal of this workshop is to help yoga students develop a personal Pilates routine that can help them advance their yoga practice
Belabumbum Sale at Flow This Sunday 12/13, 11am – 4pm 
Don't miss great holidays deals on Belabumbum lingerie, loungewear, and maternity! DC's own Belabumbum is known for its eco-friendly fabrics, luscious laces and fashion-forward color choices. We'll have lots of bamboo loungewear, maternity apparel, and lacy gift items! Stop by and visit http://www.belabumbum.com for a preview!
Seva at Flow - Flow's Annual Mitten Drive This Saturday and Sunday Dec 12 & 13
Flow is holding a clothing drive to benefit DC homeless shelters. Please bring any and all mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, sundry outerwear, and sleeping bags that you would like to donate to those in need! Donations will go to Street Sense, Miriam's Kitchen, and other area shelters.
Ring in the New Year! Bring on the Balance! 
What is your Burning Desire for this upcoming year? Would you like to experience more?
Carolyn Butcher, Tazima Davis, and Tom Coen, your Prana Power Wellness team, present a series of workshops designed to harmonize your mind, body, and spirit with your deepest intentions, and cultivate your flow to make 2010 a year of transformation and fulfillment. Dates: Tues, Wed and Thurs 1/19 - 1/23.
Part I: Get Focused
During this 3-day intensive, we'll help you establish goals and intentions that resonate deeply with your true self, a personalized approach lifestyle to that honor your strengths , a customize plan of action to bring your dreams into reality. This is just the beginning step toward your experience of real, sustainable balance, fulfillment, and success on your own terms.
Part II: Dive Deeper
In this session we will deepen the principles and knowledge begun in the "Get Focused" intensive. Students will explore ways to manifest their dreams and integrate the power of their Highest Self through the mediums of Life Coaching, Holistic Nutrition, and Zero Balancing. Consists of 6 1 hr workshops and 1 private Zero Balancing session
Kirtan in January
Kirtan, also known as devotional chanting, is a practice that merges the ancient tradition of mantra repetition with the magic of music, thus using sound vibration for spiritual upliftment. Please reserve your spaces early these magical concerts typically sell out:
Sean Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band Jan 10 and David Newman Jan 16
EarPeace
As the Obama administration is working to make American healthcare a system for everyone, one of our 
entrepreneur Yogis is trying to save the world's hearing. EarPeace is high-fidelity, virtually invisible hearing protection that is available in three different skin-tone colors.
"As a big fan of live-music and having already lost a measure of my hearing, I was looking for a way to continue to enjoy an active lifestyle in a loud world,” says Jay Clark, our yogi founder of EarPeace. The most common hearing protection is bulky, foam ear plugs that protect, but significantly reduce sound quality. EarPeace improves the nightlife experience without sacrificing sound quality, comfort, or style.
Tested at the foremost audio testing facility in the country, silicone EarPeace ear plugs are low profile and let in a small amount of unobstructed sound. The reusable silicone EarPeace plugs also come in a sleek, red or silver aluminum tube, and easily attach to a key chain or slip neatly into a small purse or pocket. People are taking notice. "I've been using EarPeace for the past five weeks of Jay-Z's current "Blueprint 3" tour,” says Patrick Dierson, Concert Lighting Director. “I have been very impressed with both the performance and ease of use. They've been working really well for both me and special guests that join us front of house.” Flow Yogis and Yoginis get a 15% discount when they use the 'earpeacelovesflow' coupon during their checkout at www.earpeace.com.
Capital Pilates Opens
Flow’s Fidel Garcia opens his own Pilates Studio and is offering Flow students 10% off! The website is: www.capitalpilates.com. The address is 3408 Wisconsin Ave, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20016. Please congratulate Fidel when you see him Sundays at Flow and stop by his new and very beautiful studio!
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. Here are last month's survey results:
Best Place for Coffee/Tea – Teasim; Best Dentist – lots of unique responses here so we thought we would post the most mentioned: Sheila Samaddar, Joel Sendroff, Dr. Minovi, Jeff Pukatch, Eugene Gadaire, Dr. Roanne Wiczer, Dr. Bonner, Washington Center for Dentistry, Davidson Dentistry; Best Physician - same here - lots of unique answers including Dr. Emmanuel Brown, Joel Taubin, Dr. Kerri Gray (Bethesda), Marie Rodriguez ND; Best Fine Dining- Proof; Best outdoor space to play- Rock Creek Park; Best Place for Brunch -Tabard Inn ; Best Handyman - Jose the Painter found right outside of Flow; Best Place for a Casual Meal - tie between Logan Tavern and Java Green; Best Place to Hear Music – tie between 9:30 Club and HR 57; Best Massage - Jessica White. Looks like we need some new recommendations in this area because Jessica has moved to New Orleans!
December's Jivamukti Focus of the Month
The focus this month starts with a story. One day, after a full meal, a large raptor soared skyward with the leftovers of his prey. As he rose above the trees, crows appeared and flew after him, diving and striking. They called him names and swore at him. He flew with great difficulty, owing to the heavy prey he carried and his full stomach, but stubbornly clinged to his burden. Finally, he released his prey. The hungry crows dove down after it, leaving the raptor alone in the sky. He flew away, having attained freedom from suffering by letting go of greed.
In the Jivamukti tradition, we're encouraged to look deeply into things, to discover the root causes of suffering. A story like this reminds us that every day, if we just look around, nature offers us meaningful and poetic lessons about divine intelligence, life and the way towards happiness. I recently discovered that California's redwood trees have very shallow roots, yet the roots spread so wide that the trees literally hold each other up under the soil. This is how they grow to be so tall.
These days, many of us find ourselves too busy to appreciate the rich landscape of first-hand interactions with nature and with each other. It's no wonder that in our culture, we sometimes feel a loneliness and separation. Stories like this help us push away from our computers, to take a walk in the immortal and real presence of the teachers in each encounter with the natural world. Contributed by Jill Abelson via David Life!
Focus of the Month
Hip opening poses are important to practice, especially if you sit at a desk all day. Long hours of sitting in this "flexed" position, cause the hip flexors to shorten and shrink-- limiting our ability extend and possibly affecting the pelvic position and the lower back. This month at Flow, we will practice various poses that encourage the extension of the hips -- gently inviting our hips to open! As your hips become more flexible, you may experience a sense of emotional release, as we carry much of our anxiety and tension in our hips. Join us in class as we explore blissful hips!
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
