Karma Yogi Spotlight: Jordan Bloom

Karma Yogi Spotlight - Jordan Bloom! You've likely seen Jordan around the studio - she's the one always asking if anyone needs any help when she comes to take class. Jordan embodies the spirit of the Karma Yogi so well - please give her a thanks if you see her! And learn more about her below! :)

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The amazing, supportive, and encouraging community Debra and Ian have built! You can feel the love that everyone gives, whether it be the teachers that bring their gift to every class, the KYs and Managers that keep things running behind the scenes, or the students that show up every day. Being around the energy of the studio always makes me want to commit more to my practice.

What was your first yoga experience like?

I first stepped on to a mat in college as a way to unwind during finals and occasionally stretch out my sore muscles from Rugby, but I didn't start a regular practice until I moved to Richmond, VA when I fell in love with the way yoga challenged both my mind and my body. When I moved to DC almost 2 years ago finding a yoga studio was top priority. I found Flow immediately, and it's felt like home ever since!

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go, pre- and post practice?

I'm almost always rushing to class from sleeping or from my 9-5 job depending on the time of day. Post practice you can almost always find me at Whole Foods. On Sundays I love going to the Dupont Farmers market before heading to class!

Do you like to listen to music when practicing? If so, what are some of your favorite songs to hear in class?

I struggle to practice without music! It helps me find my breath and set a pace for practice, either invigorating or restoring. Right now I'm loving anything by Ben Howard, Bon Iver or Leon Bridges.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

I've been practicing regularly with Leah Kalinosky, Susan Skinner, and Clare Kelley, but I've enjoyed every teacher I've practiced with at Flow! Leah's classes have helped me build a strong foundation where I feel comfortable to modify my practice for my body, Susan's classes always have fun sequences that seems to fit exactly what I need on a given day, and Clare's classes challenge my body and mind in ways nothing else seems to.

Anything else you would like to share?

Come take Cory's Heated Vinyasa (1-2) on Tuesdays at 6:30AM and say hello!

We love you, Jordan!

Manager Spotlight: Kathy Kern

Manager spotlight - lovely Kathy Kern!  Kathy is a shining example of a team player who is proactive, communicative, warm and friendly. We love you Kathy, and are so grateful you are part of the Flow Fam!

Learn more about Kathy below!

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

Initially, seven years ago, the location and the diversity of classes offered inspired me to practice at Flow. I was new to DC and looking for places to go and people to meet. Since then, the inspiration has evolved as I have gotten to know people who make Flow their yoga spot to practice and those in front and behind the scenes who collectively make Flow a great space to just be me.

What is your current practice like?

Right now, my practice leans towards the active. Vinyasa, Prana, Ashtanga, an occasional Rocket, mat Pilates to wake up the core. Together with running and painting, these practices are a meditation for me. To gather my thoughts and tuck them away for awhile. Of course, there is nothing like including in this active mix a restorative, completely relaxing class on Sunday evening to set the stage for the week to come.

What are some of your current favorite asanas and why?

I love headstands (Śīrṣāsana) and pigeon (Kapotasana). Headstands have been a part of my practice since the beginning. I am always amazed by the headstand pose in the way it allows the body to coordinate various bandhas and produce a pose that appears effortless and is, with practice. Each time I do the pose (and will do whenever I have a chance!) I learn more about how the bandhas can control the body and how the mind directs the bandhas.

Pigeon pose was one of my most elusive poses for years. It wasn’t comfortable. My mind would never relax while in it. Then one day, something clicked (in a good way) whether in my body or my mind or both, and the pose became one of calmness for me, a place to rest.

What is a typical day like for you and how does practice fit into your daily routine?

Currently, I am job searching. I begin the day with an early class (6:30 or 7 am). This gets me out of bed, moving and ready to focus on the day ahead.

During the day, I will take a break to meditate and refocus the efforts of the morning and then again in the evening I will practice on my own to wind down the day. I have been picking up a number of shifts at Flow and appreciate this as I have enjoyed getting to know most if not all of the people who practice at Flow, the KYs and managers.

I am grateful for being able to have the time to have the practice I have developed over the past few months. As I transition to a new position, I am keen to maintain the practice I have developed and also the relationships established at Flow.

Anything else you would like to share?

Thank you for selecting me. I enjoy my time behind the desk and on the mat at Flow!

Guest Spotlight: Valerie Brown

New Feature: Guest Spotlight! 

Many of you know Valerie, who has been coming to Flow since 2016. She is an incredibly dedicated practitioner, who inspires us with her presence and devotion (she usually practices about 5 days a week!). If you see her around the studio, please give her a congrats, and thank her for bringing her light and inspiration to Flow!

Learn more about Valerie below:

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The atmosphere, and the teachers (they always take me farther than I think my body can go!).

What is your current practice like?

Usually I practice 5 days a week, whether that's movement or meditation. Recently I've been adding Kundalini on Saturdays with Chelsea.

Do you like to listen to music when practicing? If so, what are some of your favorite songs to hear in class?

Yes! I love what Alicia or Brittanie or Sam plays because it matches the poses that you're doing. Aqeel's music is also great because you know never know what he's going to play, but it always fits the class and the poses.

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go, pre- and post practice?

Pre-practice I usually like to go and eat. Places that have salads (or sometimes I want a cheeseburger, depending on how I'm feeling).

What is something the Flow community may not know about you?

I have two grown kids!

Community Spotlight: Irene Farrow

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The. Community. And the amazing caliber of teachers and students, especially the morning mysore crew! They are the best people to 'bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus' with. Flow has an immensely diverse student body and I wish more studios could emulate it.

What was your first yoga experience like?

While serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Peru, I was given a hatha yoga DVD that I practiced with on my laptop in my tiny dirt-floor room. As I explored the postures, I became increasingly enthralled with how this yoga thing unlocked tight parts of my body and helped me stand taller, breathe deeply, and think clearly.

What would your perfect DC day look like?

Sunny, warm early summer. A big cup of coffee, followed by a fierce mysore practice or fun Rocket class, followed by an enormous breakfast with lots of cheese and kabocha squash. Then a relaxing day - enjoying the fresh outdoors or an art gallery with my boyfriend, drinking tea and catching up on New Yorker articles, and baking something chocolate-y and gluten-y. No television, minimal connectivity.

What are some of your favorite things to do/places to go pre and post practice?

I am a firm believer in Guruji's assertion, "No coffee, no prana." Before mysore practice, I almost always down plenty of coffee, black.

Anything else you would like to share?

I would love to take up classical piano again. If anybody has a used keyboard for sale, hit me up.

Staff Spotlight: Pia Economou

Meet February's manager of the month - Pia! <333

Read more about Pia below and be sure to say hi to her next time you see her managing or teaching at the studio!

"What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The instructors and the communal practice space

What was your first yoga experience like?

At a dance studio in Dupont circle Joy of Motion. The instructor was a boss lady! My first class I witnessed a female student do full arm balance in the middle of the room and was so inspired by her strength.

What would your perfect DC day look like?

Chill morning, long home yoga practice, walk around my neighborhood park, ramen for lunch and back at my patio for sunset.

What are some of your current favorite asanas and why?

triangle pose- has always been my favorite. keeps my back healthy
down dog- the OG of postures/my home base
pyramid pose-i get to feel my legs
headstand- each day is so different and it brings different things up each time i practice it

Do you like to listen to music when practicing? If so, what are some of your favorite songs to hear in class?

Sometimes I like the silence. Otherwise DJ Drez, or reggae/disco inspired beats and definitely Krishna Das."