Manager Spotlight: Marcela Morales!

Meet our Manager of the Month, Marcela Morales! Marcela has been with Flow for over a year, and is one of the sweetest souls we have the privilege of working with. Say hi if you see her around the studio!

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

All of you!

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

Wow... what a question! I love every instructor at Flow — from Sam Breschi's delicious Prana flows to Alicia's enriching midday vinyasa. Dharma with Viveka Om makes my heart smile every time and I love going back to basics with Caroline or Angela's Level 1 Vinyasas. Last, but not least, Mimi with whom I spent a grueling and empowering 200 hours of teacher training last year.

What is your current practice like and how does it fit into your daily routine?

Oh dear... my current practice is mainly focused on gratitude-meditations and karma. My time has been very limited lately so I try to focus on just giving myself small moments of reflection and kindness throughout the day rather than scheduling classes. On a really good week, I'll make it to Corinna's restorative class Sunday evening after my shift.

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

I am a night owl and a binge watcher which is a very dangerous combination — I've been known to binge watch an entire season of a show (i.e. Queer Eye) in one night.

Anything else you would like to share?

I love and appreciate you all soooo much! I think a lot of us feel this way but my shifts at Flow never feel like work to me because of how beautiful this community is. <3

Teacher Spotlight: Susan Kihurani Skinner

Flowgis! Many of you already know our beloved Teacher of the Month, Susan Kihurani Skinner, as her classes are some of the most well-attended! Learn more about her below :)

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The amazing humans that come to Flow (whether it be to work or to practice) and the strong sense of community. I work a full-time job during the day, which can be really exhausting, and sometimes, in my often frantic hustle to leave my office and navigate the city to get to my class on time, I question whether this crazy dash is worth it. However, without fail, once I make it to Flow, I am instantly reminded of how much I LOVE being a part of this community. Whether it be the wonderful Karma Yogis, Managers, Teachers and other Flow staff, or the amazing students that come to practice, I am always inspired by the people and the amazing, uplifting energy. I always end up leaving my classes on a "yoga high," thanks to these wonderful humans! And am reminded that yes, it is more than worth it :) Much love and appreciation for the Flow community! And thank you Jen Beach and Kathleen A. Kern for making my Mondays extra special :)

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

I typically wake up around 5:45am and then walk my dog, Ella, before heading morning Mysore (I just started Mysore a few weeks ago and it's been a really challenging, grounding, and humbling experience, but I'm really loving it!). After Mysore, I walk to my full-time job, where I work as the Director of Contracts for a research firm. After work, if I'm not teaching an evening yoga class, then I'll try to catch a spin class, take a run with Ella (but only if the weather is just right, lol), or just hang out with my husband.

What was your first yoga experience like?

When I was in undergrad at GW, I needed to take a 1-credit class, and all my friends were taking this "really cool" step aerobics class (clearly showing how dated I am), but I wasn't able to get into the class. The only class that I could get into that fit in my schedule was a Yoga/Pilates 101. I signed up and have been hooked ever since!

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

Mimi Rieger has had the biggest influence on me. Mimi was the first yoga teacher that inspired me to start practicing regularly. Before I met Mimi, I would practice here and there, but not consistently. After taking one of Mimi's classes, I was instantly hooked and couldn't stop coming back for more. Mimi has shown me the importance of persistence and intention in practice. She has helped me grow in so many ways, both on and off the mat, and is such an amazing, selfless mentor and friend. Joan Wadopian has also had a big influence on me through her thoughtfully sequenced, precise, alignment focused classes, as well as her no-nonsense attitude. Other teachers that have influenced me include Cory Bryant, Sam Breschi, and Angela Meyer.

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

I am half Kenyan (my father was born in Kenya) and half Pennsylvania Dutch (my mother's family used to be Amish and Mennonite), which might be one of the oddest combinations, but definitely has made life interesting and full of character :)

Come check out why Susan's classes are so popular on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 14th St! Not only is she an awesome teacher, she's a truly wonderful person to be around.

We love you, Susan!

Manager Spotlight: Liz Cole!

Flow Fam! Check out Liz, our Manager of the Month.  Liz is an animal and nature lover - learn more about her below!

What is your current practice like?

It is amazing - I have always been a vinyasa power flow kind of girl but these days I’ve been getting into slower, deeper flows and finding my cardio elsewhere (mainly spinning). I like the idea of having balance in my “movement diet” (Clare Kelley shoutout) and this is how I’m trying to find it. But I like that yoga changes with the seasons of the year and of life and I’m just going with the flow on that. Embracing my practice for whatever it is whenever it is.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The community. Every time I show up at Flow I get to catch up and practice with someone I’ve grown to love in our Flow family. It really feels like a second home! And I lived in DC for over a year before finally finding Flow and I felt like I finally found my space once I found it. So much love and gratitude for this place and these people!

What would your perfect DC day look like?

Oscar Bear snuggles (the cutest mutt you’ll ever meet), matcha lattes or tea dates with close friends, a class at flow with a favorite teacher (maybe even a double header on a really perfect day!) and some time at home being a hermit with my husband.

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

Music is everything to me! I love it all depending on the class - from pop/hip hop/alternative to mantras. My home practice is full of music - it totally influences my energy.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

Clare Kelley and Adam LaPierre have had a great influence on me - I admire them both so much. But I’ve also been heavily influenced by all of my fellow teachers in my 300 hour teacher training - this has been an incredible year of growth with the support of Debra, Cath, Alicia, and all of my loving classmates.

We love and appreciate you, Liz!

(*pictured with Oscar Bear here!*)

Karma Yogi Spotlight: Nana!

So much love to our KY of the Month, Nana! A total sweetheart with an inspirational practice, we are so grateful to have Nana on our team :) Learn more about her below!

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The teachers and the classes Flow offers. It is such a blessing to be a part of the community and have so many amazing yogis that inspire me to come back and practice yoga often.

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

After I finish work around 5:30 pm, I will go home and get ready for the class in the evening. I usually walk to Flow from Adams Morgan where I live, which is about 25 minute walk. I manage to practice at least 3-4 times a week regularly (Monday Rocket Vinyasa with Elyse, Wednesday Rocket Vinyasa with Jonathan, Friday Happy Hour Flow with Kevin, and Mix Tape Heated Flow with Mimi). After the class, I will stay in the classroom for a while and hang out with other yogis. I will either walk home or take a bus home after that.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

I usually practice with Jonathan, Mimi, Chris, and Kevin. I've never practiced Rocket Vinyasa before 2018, and after I started practicing with Jonathan earlier this year, I fell in love with Rocket Yoga. Jonathan can easily push me out of my comfort zone, and I have learned a lot and improved working with him. Mimi's and Chris' classes are always very dynamic, which is very helpful for strengthening my body. Kevin's Happy Hour Flow is very mindful yoga practice. I love to practice the Happy Hour Flow with Kevin and Mix Tape Flow with Mimi on Friday. Such a good combination! Other influential teachers: Cory, Adam Lapierre, Dolly Lee and Lisa Pettinati. They all inspire and enlighten my practice in so many different ways.

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

I moved to DC from China two and a half years ago which is why I have a bit of a Chinese accent :) I speak 3 Chinese dialects, a little bit of Japanese and Spanish. When I was new to DC, Flow was very helpful for me to connect so many wonderful people and make me feel like a part of the community. I'm currently working at the LINE DC Hotel accounting office. Come and say hi if you are ever around :) The restaurants are fantastic!

Anything else you would like to share?

I am starting a yoga clothing business with my family. The brand is called VOL, short for Voice of Love. We all deserve to have our own voice of love. I hope that if anybody in the community has any advice or guidance, please feel free to connect with me. You can reach out through Instagram @dcyogi_nana, I always love to meet new people!

We <3 you so much, Nana!

Teacher Spotlight: Clare Kelley

Teacher Spotlight - Clare Kelley!

We love everything Clare brings to Flow! Her passion for experimentation, knowledge, and experience is palpable and contagious. Thanks for your dedication to your craft - you are one of a kind! <3

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The community. When I look at my life, I'm astonished by the richness and support of the amazing people around us.

What is your current practice like?

Innovation. I went through a traumatic brain injury from an environmental poisoning, which turned me into what's known as neuroatypical -- my brain works fundamentally different from most people. Going through neurocognitive rehab opened a flood of learning that the mind-body connection is very literal. So I include a lot of somatic work and things that challenge my brain and body to adapt to new movement patterns.

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

Ha! I don't have typical days; they vary radically from day to day. This is what today looked like: I woke up at 5:45 to meditate before I taught a 7 AM class. I came home and had private clients. Sometimes I see clients from my home studio, sometimes at a studio, and lots of time out in the woods -- I'm also a forest therapy guide and a health and wellness educator. I worked on my side project -- creating a massive coalition between several federal agencies, medical groups, non-profits, community organizations, researchers, and policymakers to make nature therapy a regular part of the public health system prescribed by doctors. (You know you live in DC when that's your side project ;) ). I filmed a video for the social media project I'm working on for progressive movement education. Tonight I'll teach another class and then try to sneak over to Mimi's class. Then I'll go home and paint watercolors with my cats. I hope I'm making teaching look as incredibly unglamorous as it is. Don't let the cat leggings fool you.

I fit practice wherever I can. What's most important to me is that throughout the day, I'm moving, never static for very long. I sit on the floor and don't use my hands to get up, which gets my legs strong. Try a no-hands day sometime -- it's illuminating. I have yoga/fitness props all over my apartment so I can play with new moves when they pop in my head. I When I need a break from work, I go do some pull-ups or flip upside down on my hanging bar. I walk everywhere. I love using my body as a laboratory.

As important to me as my yoga practice is my nature connection practice -- which is just another form of yoga, union. Every day I sit with nature for at least 20 minutes, just soaking in the sensory experience of this world that reminds me I belong to it.

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

I have a TreeFF in Dumbarton Oaks Parks Conservancy, the woods in Georgetown that connect to Rock Creek. It's my happy place. Sometimes I'll go and sit on the roots of the big tulip tree in Logan Circle. I know I should put something here about mindful eating and smickety smackety, but a lot of times I dash into CVS to snag a Larabar to get some blood sugar. Meh, we can't all be perfect wellness fairies all the time.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

That list would go on forever! My primary teacher is Greg Marzullo, whom I apprentice with -- we talk a few times a month. He's has taught me nothing about asana and everything about yoga. Other influential teachers in no particular order: Trina Altman, Jenni Rawlings, Carol Collins, Alicia Moyer, Caroline Weaver, Christina Sell, Ariele Foster, Cory Bryan, Tim Feldman, Krista Shirley, Kevin Waldorf-Cruz, Mariska Breland -- there's so many more. What makes me an educator is that I'm a voracious learner.

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

I moved to DC to work in the photo archives of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Oh, and I spent a big chunk of my childhood in Ireland, which is why sometimes I have a bit of an accent.