Manager Spotlight: Carmen Harris

Meet Carmen! She is a dynamite manager at Flow, creating a wonderful sense of community on every shift. Learn more about her below :)

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

Most recently, I started going to evening Mysore which is something my first dc-based yoga teacher, Kalah Hill, suggested to me. It’s not something I ever thought I would try but it’s been fun and a challenge. I very much appreciate Cory’s approach to Mysore - it’s a very accessible way to practice for any student which works well for me.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

I was initially drawn to flow because of the different class offerings, particularly there were a lot of options for practicing Ashtanga at Flow. I stayed at Flow because I really liked the teachers and of course, the people. I remember Amber was the first person that ever called me by name at Flow and now I work with Amber on Thursday evenings to make other folks feel as welcomed and known at Flow as she made me feel. It’s a full circle of community.

What was your first yoga experience like?

My first yoga experience was in 2001 in Texas while I was an intern at Johnson Space Center. I was coming off of tough junior year of college and I decided to take a beginners yoga class at a local studio. It was great. We had a typed up curriculum and everything. I was very fortunate that my teacher was a black woman so there was someone I could identify with in my class. I remember she taught us how to breathe. We spent a lot of time on breathing which is what always stayed with me.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

In terms of yoga, Kalah Hill was and still is pretty influential in my yoga journey. As divine nature would have it our paths crossed at just the right time. She taught me how to be aware of my body and breath as well as the beauty of mutual benefit of a student-teacher relationship. It’s really important to build the trust and I think she learned as much from me as I did from her. My “losses” have taught me a lot over the last few years since I’ve been here. I’ve learned that I’m pretty resilient and nothing is ever really a loss. I appreciate my family and friends as teachers and reflections of who I am as a woman.

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

I have a twin sister that also lives in DC and we were born on our dad’s birthday - 2/2. My sister is fraternal so you don’t have to worry about seeing double :)

Anything else you would like to share?

“God is good all the time and all the time, God is good.” -The Black Church

Karma Yogi Spotlight: Maghee Disch

Meet Maghee! She is a newer Karma Yogi, transplanted from San Diego, who used to be an ICU nurse. Learn more about her below :)

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

In a perfect world I would make it to a class everyday, it truly is the only way I can seem to de-stress and shut my mind down for 60 minutes. The reality however, is that I travel quite a bit for work and just like everyone else, life gets busy. Typically, I can make it to 2-3 classes a week but then I do practice in small bites at home. I suffer from tension headaches and migraines so hanging forward fold and neck/shoulder stretches are a daily occurrence. While I am an experienced yogi in my own practice and have even completed teacher training, I much prefer to be guided in a classroom setting so that I can focus on my breath, flow and get the most benefit from my practice.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

One of my favorite things about Flow is the diversity and the feeling of being welcome; in every class, when you walk into the studio, you just feel safe. The energy in the studio whether I am practicing or working is both calming and grounding for me which is such a nice change to my hectic daily life and work. I love that there are so many different types of classes and teachers which inspires me to explore and step outside of my comfort zone in my practice. I am also inspired by the contentedness of the entire Flow community and that everyone is so willing to share, to teach and to be a friend.

What was your first yoga experience like?

My first few experiences with yoga were in large donation based classes and I honestly felt really lost and didn't understand why people loved yoga so much. A few years later after some encouraging by one of my sisters I went back to a group class and actually got a little personal instruction from the teacher that day and figured I would give it another try. Just happened to be that a friend of mine (who is now a badass yoga teacher) was in the process of doing her first teacher training and she wanted to practice her instruction with me. It was those one on one sessions with her teaching me the asanas and me finally understanding how it really felt to hold a pose, breath and let go that hooked me for good. From then on I became a regular at my local studio in Columbus, Ohio and really began to find my own practice as well as reap the many benefits yoga has and continues to give me. Yoga has taught and continues to teach me so many things in addition to the physical benefits.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

My most influential teachers are those who started me on this journey in Columbus, Ohio at Studio 543 and as well as my teachers at Reach Yoga in San Diego, CA where I both practiced and completed my teacher training. It was at Reach that I really gained a sense of taking my practice off of my mat and into my every day life, practicing patience, respecting the process and being grateful for all that I have. Last but not least one of my best friends in the world Ashley Dexter who became a yoga teacher way before any of our friends even knew what it was, she is a constant resource and guide. While I may follow others on social media or have read some of their books and even taken classes, it is the personal friends and those who truly have taught me in a personal way that influence me both on and off my mat.

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

That I am an advanced practice nurse who worked in the cardiac ICU and heart transplant unit for 10 years and that I now work for the American College of Cardiology where I am so lucky to be able to travel the world teaching nurses and physicians and helping to improve patient care and outcomes. I truly love my job and am grateful to have the experiences and opportunities it has afforded me. Also, that I have 8 siblings (blended family to the max!) I love each and every one and visit them as much as possible.

Anything else you would like to share?

Joining the Flow team and community has been such a great experience thus far and has helped me to feel more a part of my neighborhood and a group outside of my work. Having moved here in April it has been a really nice way to start meeting people and get back into my own practice. It even inspired me to start teaching a few coworkers each week at my office and finally put my teacher training experience into action!

Teacher Spotlight: Catherine Zack

Meet Catherine! A yogi, teacher, & mother, Catherine is such a joyful presence at Flow. Read on about her below. :)

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

My daily yoga practice is my rock & reference point. It's where I come to check in everyday & reconnect with myself. It's not complicated or fancy or particularly long. It's simple & steady enough that I can come back to it everyday. One of the *best* things about any daily yoga practice is that it can grow & shift as you do. Right now, I'm the mama to an energetic toddler & I have a full workload of teaching, seeing private clients, designing workshops, and leading Flow's teacher training programs. What I need most is something consistent, that I can count on to help calm my mind, focus my attention, and get me centered. Right now, my daily practice consists of two non-negotiable practices: a short daily writing practice & do an 11-minute Kundalini Meditation. A few times a week I do some simple yoga poses to get my back, hamstrings, hips, shoulders, & neck feeling good.

After 17 years of practicing yoga & meditation, I'm not really interested in practicing to get better at yoga (like doing the fancy, Instagram-worthy poses!). I practice yoga & meditation to get better at my life! I 100% believe that the tools yoga & meditation gives us can help us wake up to our life and show up more fully for ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and our work.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

I still remember the feeling I got in my first yoga class at Flow. It was a Tuesday in August in 2010. I was about to move to DC from Philly for a new job & I was in town for the day apartment hunting. I knew nothing about DC, I knew less than 5 people, and I was seeking not only a place to live, but also a sense of community. As soon as I walked in the doors of Flow, ascended the stairs, caught the way the late afternoon summer light poured through the windows, and felt the warmth of the walls in the small room Shakti (12 yogis nice & cozy, practicing side-by-side on a hot summer day!), I felt welcomed home. I couldn't have even imagined then what now, 8 years later, I have found at Flow. It's where I met my husband. It's where I did my Yoga Teacher Training & where I get to do the work I love everyday: teaching yoga & meditation to DC's vibrant & compassionate community of yogis.

Not only does Flow feel more than ever like home, I feel lucky to count the Flow family as my family too :)

What was your first yoga experience like?

I started practicing in high school - not intentionally, more like by accident. I have three distinct early memories of yoga. First, peeking though Iyengar's Light on Yoga book at the Barnes & Noble and being absolutely fascinated by the wild-looking yoga poses, but not really having a reference point for what yoga was. This was almost 20 years ago, when yoga was still an underground, not so mainstream practice. I also remember practicing yoga in high school gym class - opting to watch a yoga VHS tape on a fuzzy TV instead of playing yet another game of kickball! And I also remember borrowing early Gaiam Yoga VHS tapes of Rodney Yee, Seane Corn, and Patricia Walden from my friend's mom. I practiced with those tapes & eventually DVDs for years before stepping into my first official yoga class in 2007.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

I feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to practice with some truly transcendent yoga teachers: Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Elena Brower -- teachers who have devoted their life & life's work to the study, practice, and teaching of yoga. Each of them have made deep imprints on how I practice & offer yoga to my students each day. I'm also overjoyed to have spent thousands of hours practicing with teachers who walk the walk everyday (& many of whom are right here at Flow!): Simon Park, Sam Breschi, Shawn Parell, Greg Marzullo, Jess Lazar, Debra Mishalove.

And finally, my ultimate everyday teachers, off the yoga mat, are my husband Sam (who is also my teacher on the mat!) & our son Louis. They are my mirrors for self-study & growth, they are my inspiration, and being wife & mama to them is a daily devotional practice I am so grateful for.

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

Every Friday night is pizza night in our house. We make dough from scratch in the morning & it's something we look forward to each week. Making pizza every week is kind of like practicing yoga -- a lifetime of chances to come back to something you love, without really worrying about whether it's perfect!

Anything else you would like to share?

One of my favorite ways to share the yoga I love is in the Teacher Training setting. Taking teacher training myself was one of the most transformative experiences of my life -- in fact it was the pivot point from the path I had been on that, while successful on the outside, was draining & wearing me down on the outside.

Manager Spotlight: Julia Holland

Meet Julia! She is a manager and member of the HR team here at Flow, as well as a delightful human being we're lucky to have around the studio :) Read on to get to know her!

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

I try and do some form of movement each day. Sometimes that's my own practice, which consists of me shuffling the living room furniture until I have enough space to unroll my mat. (Trust me, it's a great way to warm up.) After that, I do an energizing sequence that focuses on strength and flexibility. I prefer to practice in the morning, but I haven't mastered the whole "Yoga before breakfast" thing.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

Community and variety! While I love to practice at home in my pajamas, taking class at Flow allows me to explore new postures and push my limits. Practicing alongside Yogis who are so passionately dedicated to their work (both inside and outside of the studio) is awe-inspiring, and I always walk away from class feeling nourished and invigorated.

What was your first yoga experience like?

Confusing! Yoga is a language my body is constantly learning and relearning. My personal practice has grown over time, but there are still days when my body's like "NOPE." I do remember the first time I cried after practicing, though. That was pretty special.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

I attribute most of my knowledge and ability to Kim Brooks Mata, the director of U.Va.'s Dance Program. Kim liked to emphasize the way LMA (Laban Movement Analysis) can be used to explore different forms: Yoga, ballet, Graham technique, Gaga, etc. She encourages her students to develop their own "movement signatures," which is how I approach Yoga (and life) today. I'm just doing my own thing, y'all.

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

When I'm in class, I have no idea what I'm doing about 80% of the time. I usually have to peek around at everybody else!

Anything else you would like to share?

I'd love to be certified sometime down the road, and I dream of adopting my very own kitten. Also, let's take class and/or eat breakfast food together!

Karma Yogi Spotlight: MaryKate (aka MK) Chaath

Meet MK! She is a longtime Karma Yogi who loves changing up her practice at Flow. Learn more about her below :)

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

My current practice is a mix of me trying to be fit and also giving myself the time and space to be centered through a regular practice. I try my best to get to the studio to practice with one of my favorite teachers but if that doesn't work for my schedule, I am a recent subscriber to yogaia where I have found some pretty good instructors to practice with in my living room.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The dedicated teachers and fellow yogis. People are genuinely kind and personable which has created a welcoming space for me to practice but also feel as if I am part of "something." I also love the space at 14th street. I love practicing in the open studio that is bright and clean--it is refreshing to have the windows open on a beautiful day.

What was your first yoga experience like?

My first yoga experience was my senior year of high school. I practiced on a beach towel at a hospital community center with people who were mostly my mom's peers. I was very active at that time--dance, volleyball, track so yoga was a great addition to my physical activities. I didn't really understand that there was more to yoga than a physical practice. I have had a number of stops and starts with my practice and now finally feel as if it is (somewhat) consistent and always brings me back to feeling good and feeling like I am rooted.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

I think have to give a shout out to Rodney Yee who may have been my first yoga instructor on a VHS. I actually think Rodney is a great teacher and helped me start to love yoga. At Flow, I love a power flow with Mimi, a kundalini practice with Chelsea (I miss her), a dharma experience with Brittanie, core for yogis/pilates with Claire and yoga fundamentals with Caroline. I love to change it up and integrate different styles into my practice.

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

I got bored sky diving!

Anything else you would like to share?

I really care a lot about the laundry at flow and the health of the washing machine!