Washington Best Yoga Studio In DC Winner, Flow Yoga Center

Flow Yoga Center Voted Best Yoga Studio in Washington DC

For nearly twenty years, Flow Yoga Center has flourished with the love and support of our DC community—our students, teachers, and friends who make this place feel like home. Since 2008, your ongoing encouragement has helped us earn 19 consecutive years of nominations and more than 20 wins from Washington City Paper, Washingtonian, DC Luxury, and The Washington Post, including our most recent Best Yoga Studio Winner in the 2025 Best of D.C. readers’ poll. We’ve also been humbled to be featured in local & national publications (NY Times, Wall Street Journal, NBC, Fox …. and wellness conversations about sustainability, leadership, and community—recognition we cherish deeply. Below is a collection of links through the years.

 

Our Story

A Note from Our Founder

Our humble beginnings started with a leap of faith—and a love for yoga—in 2004.

I had just moved to DC from San Francisco, hardly knowing a soul, and was surprised how hard it was to find a yoga studio. Back home, my local studio had been my second home—woven into the fabric of my social life and my sense of belonging. I knew in my heart that DC, with its fast pace and hustle culture, needed a place like that too.

I realized that for it to exist, I’d have to build it myself.

I loved my career in nonprofit marketing, but I knew I could contribute even more by sharing yoga with my new community. So, within six months of moving here, I wrote a one-page business plan, searched high and low for a space, used my life savings, and opened Flow. We started on the third floor of our original P Street location—if you were around back then, you might remember the purple staircase and the bright orange walls!

The same month Flow opened, I married my boyfriend Ian, a fellow yogi I’d met while working in progressive politics. (Our first date was actually at a yoga class in NYC—I'll share that story another time.😉) Ian was my biggest cheerleader and supported this wild dream from the start. A few years in, he even left his job to help me run Flow. It’s been a family affair ever since.

Fast forward 19 years, and we’ve grown to two locations, with over a thousand people practicing with us each week. These studio walls have witnessed countless yoga sessions, downward dogs, smiles, hugs, and deep breaths. We’ve laughed together, sometimes cried together, and weathered all kinds of storms—election cycles, relationship changes, snowmageddon, COVID, and the many ups and downs of small business life. Every time, we’ve come out stronger, thanks to our incredible teachers and community.

Our dream for Flow has always been simple: the moment you walk through our doors, you step into a bright, plant-filled, welcoming refuge. You feel at home. You meet awesome people. You take classes led by world-class teachers who truly care about you.

One of our guests once told us that coming to Flow feels like “recess on the playground—but for adults.” In a world that asks us to hustle constantly, we believe everyone deserves a place to pause, move, breathe, and reconnect—with yourself and with good people.

When you practice at Flow, you’ll meet neighbors, make new friends, and discover classes that match your mood—whether you’re craving a sweaty power flow, a soothing restorative class, or something in between. We always encourage a playful spirit and a sense of adventure.

We hope you’ll join us—inside one of our beautiful studios, outdoors at one of our favorite DC spots, or virtually from wherever you are. And when you do, please say hello! I’d love to personally meet you. I’m usually around the studios on Fridays.

We can’t wait to welcome you.

Warmest regards,
Debra
debra@flowyogacenter.com

Core Values

These core values inspire our work to bring Flow’s mission to life for you and our community…

Flow: Transitioning from Hustle to Harmony

We believe in the transformative power of flow. This philosophy guides us from the relentless "hustle" to a state of inner harmony, permeating everything we do – from the seamless choreography of our classes to the way we operate behind the scenes. We believe that it's through flow, not force, that we uncover insightful solutions, listen with clarity, and tap into the most authentic versions of ourselves. Experiencing flow opens a space for enhanced creativity, clear thinking, and mindful presence in our best moments. In turn, this fosters a sense of empowerment and conscious decision-making, freeing us from the burdens of stress and reactivity. Through flow, we discover those serendipitous "aha" moments that fuel our growth, helping us navigate life's complexities and contribute to the greater good. While achieving constant flow might not always be possible, the more we experience it, the clearer our path towards personal growth and positive impact becomes.

Embrace Curiosity: A Path to Growth and Deeper Connection

At Flow, we value fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, allowing everyone to grow individually and together, building stronger bonds and ultimately enriching the lives of those around us. We embrace being open to discovery, acknowledging that mistakes are opportunities for learning and development. This fosters a growth mindset, allowing us to approach everything with humility and a willingness to continually improve. By embracing curiosity, we not only pave the way for personal and community-wide growth, but also for deeper understanding and stronger connections. Asking questions, actively listening, and seeking diverse perspectives allows us to step outside our own experiences and gain valuable insights into the perspectives of others. This cultivates empathy and fosters a more connected and supportive community.

Belonging, Rooted in Community

Creating a culture of belonging stands as the cornerstone of the inclusive and supportive environment we strive to cultivate. Our commitment is to establish a space where individuals not only feel at home within our community but also in their own bodies. From the moment one steps through our doors, personalized greetings create a warm and inviting atmosphere, emphasizing that every person is valued, respected, and supported. Our community thrives on inclusivity, fostering genuine connections and celebrating the richness of diverse perspectives. Within our yoga practice, our passionate teachers dedicate themselves to creating a safe and inclusive haven for all students. When people feel a strong sense of belonging, they gain the confidence to venture beyond their comfort zones, realizing their full potential and thriving in their yoga journey and everyday community interactions.  As our community extends beyond the studio walls, it serves as a source of inspiration, nurturing connections that have a positive impact on different areas of our lives.

 
 

Check out our video to get to know us better…

Meet Flow’s Founders

Ian Mishalove

Ian’s professional life is focused on inspiring people to nurture life on earth – starting especially with their own well-being. He currently serves as the Director of “Flow” for Flow Yoga Center, which he co-owns with his wife Debra. There, he ensures operations run smoothly for the bustling Flow community, which currently numbers over 2,000 visitors per week.

Prior to that, Ian worked for 12 years directing online communications departments and organizing activist supporters for the Campaign for America’s Future and the National Wildlife Federation. Ian received an MES from Yale’s School of Environment and a BA from Princeton University, and in both places focused on how to empower progressive social‑movement networks – esp. through online technology. Outside of yoga and activism, Ian spends as much time as possible playing (mostly in the great outdoors) with friends and family.

Debra Mishalove

Debra is the Creative Director and Founder of both workFlow Wellness (corporate well-being programs) and Flow Yoga Center, named by Washington City Paper & Washington Post as the “Best Yoga Studio” in DC and the recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Featured in the Washington Post, NY Times, Yoga Journal, Wall Street Journal, NBC, and NPR, Flow offers yoga, wellness & fitness classes enjoyed by over 2000 guests each week both online and in person.

A Senior Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Coach & Reiki Practitioner, Debra created Flow as a model of a conscious business that strives to minimize its environmental footprint & maximize its participation in social justice and community building. Debra raises thousands of dollars each year for local organizations and organizes the annual Yoga on the Mall, which attracts 10,000 area yogis. Mama of 2 active little boys, a big dog, and her husband Ian who runs Flow with her, she is grateful for the balance & presence of her yoga. practice brings into her life. Follow Debra @finding_flow_dc