Karma Yogi Spotlight: Krista McAra
Meet Krista! A longtime Karma Yogi, you can find her often in a handstand during Rocket class. Learn more about Krista below :)
Meet Krista! A longtime Karma Yogi, you can find her often in a handstand during Rocket class. Learn more about Krista below :)
What inspires you to practice at Flow?
The people-- there are so many beautiful human beings I've met through being a karma yogi at flow. I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful community of yogis.
Tell us about your current practice including some of your favorite classes & teachers?
My current practice includes vinyasa, ashtanga, and rocket. I hurt my hamstring about a year ago and since then alignment has become very important in my practice. I find it interesting that one small adjustment can change the entire posture.
Why is your yoga practice important to you?
Yoga helps me flex my mind and my body. It has taught me so much about myself, good and bad. It is important to me because it reminds me of what is really important.
What are some things you love about DC living?
You don't need a car. I love being able to hop on my bike and get almost anywhere I need.
What is something the Flow community may not know about you?
I was in the Peace Corps.
Manager Spotlight: Khristyn Brimmeier
Meet Brim! A warm & welcoming presence behind the desk, Brim helps make the Flow community feel like a family. Learn more about her below :)
Meet Brim! A warm & welcoming presence behind the desk, Brim helps make the Flow community feel like a family. Learn more about her below :)
What inspires you to practice at Flow?
The community and variety of teaching styles inspires me to practice at Flow, and it's one of the reasons I started coming to the studio 10 years ago. I wanted to experience different styles and approaches to yoga. Some days I feel like working hard in a power class, other days I want to have a more relaxed or contemplative practice. I appreciate so much the wide bandwidth the teachers at Flow are given to develop individual approaches.
Tell us about your current practice including some of your favorite classes & teachers?
I currently practice 2-3 days per week, and my favorite teachers (variety!) are Mimi Rieger, Cory Bryant, Juliet Stoval, Aqeel Yaseen, and Brittany DeChino. But, I'm definitely a bit of a power junkie right now, so I mostly go to classes with Mimi.
Why is your yoga practice important to you?
My yoga practice is ESSENTIAL to my wellbeing. Both my mental and physical health depends upon it greatly. Fifteen years ago I was definitely in the yoga skeptic camp, but a friend at the time convinced me to go and keep going, and then one day it finally clicked. I've been practicing regularly ever since, and definitely know when I need a class/when it's been too long. My body doesn't feel good and my mind gets a certain edginess to it. Yoga helps me keep my body and mind in balance. As a long-course/endurance athlete, yoga helps me develop strength, flexibility, and the mindfulness necessary to take on new challenges. It makes me feel strong and powerful, connected and part of a community.
What are some things you love about DC living?
I've been in D.C. for over twenty years and oh how it's changed! I've been living in Park View for 5 years and I have to say that I love this neighborhood so much. It's quiet but with just enough bustle. The local businesses like Colony Club or Room 11 still feel really local - I know my bartenders and baristas, and they know what I drink. I also love that I know a lot of my neighbors just from walking around and saying hello to people. I'm a Rock Creek Park addict! I go there at least once a day to run or hike with my dog. It's a TREASURE that I'm not sure I could live without. It truly feels like being in the woods right in the middle of the city and it's amazing. And one of my favorite places in the summer is Banneker Pool on Georgia Avenue for lap swimming, sun bathing and unrivaled people watching.
What is something the Flow community may not know about you?
I'm a member of a local triathlon team, District Multisport. I've been a team member since 2013, and with the support of my teammates I've evolved into a long-course/endurance athlete. I've finished multiple Ironmans and ultra-marathons (with another one on the docket for this summer!), and it brings such joy and purpose to my life. I LOVE training and racing with this group of amazing people, and can't imagine life without it (the team or the sports). I have a pit-bull mix rescued from the Humane Rescue Alliance; her name is Rosemary and she's definitely my partner in crime...
Anything else you would like to share?
Thank you to Flow for this recognition and for creating such an amazing space!
Yoga Teacher Training - What To Consider Before Signing Up
We believe a teacher training should be led with utmost integrity, depth and the highest standards because we know a quality teacher who is both knowledgeable & prepared can make all of the difference in healing the world, from the inside out, one person at a time. If you’re curious about Yoga Teacher Training, we put together a great list of questions to consider!
I said "YES" to Yoga Teacher Training in 2001.
I just moved to D.C. from San Francisco for work. I didn't know too many people. I felt lonely. I was starting to question the move & considering leaving.
And then I saw a sign at the local yoga studio where I was taking classes.
It said "Yoga Teacher Training.
I said yes. And, the moment I did - the universe started to say yes right back to me-- everything started to fall into place in the most unexpected perfect ways.
I met my best friends in the training. The "chosen family" kind I'll have forever.
And, though I didn't take the training to teach (I just loved yoga & wanted to learn more about it!), a few weeks in something inside shifted & I began to offer "practice classes" in my tiny living room in Cleveland Park. We could squeeze in 6 mats & I served tea afterward.
About halfway through the training, I gave notice at my job. A job I liked. A job I was good at. A job where I often asked myself...."is this it? Is this the job I want to be doing in 5, 10, 20+ years? A job that before the training I would have never had the guts to leave.
Looking back, I know it was the steady yoga practice we did so often in the training that helped me get clear. I know these “ah -ha” moments were not by chance or coincidence...transformation is exactly what happens when we take the time to check into our lives using yoga & our steady practice as a lens for inquiry. Change for the better is possible when we take a good and honest look at our current situations, ask (and answer) the tough questions including what is working and more importantly, what is not working. Change also becomes possible when we feel the encouraging support of a good community of fellow trainees & program leaders cheering us on and holding us accountable.
There were SO MANY REASONS that I could have said NO. So many excuses- from me not being good enough at yoga, to the investment, and all the unknowns in between. I actually doubted the value of investing in myself. I'm so glad I did.
Many of you know the rest & the beginning of the next part of this story.....a story that brought forth Flow Yoga Center ;). We are now in our 16th year!
All of this is to say....if you're curious Teacher Training, or want to take free class w/ any of the lead teachers. Now is the time. No question is too big or small.
If you’ve been considering training - here are a few inquiries we recommend to assess the strength of the program. Remember - any teacher training worth of your time and investment should be led with utmost integrity, depth, and the highest standards.
How long has the program been around? Does the program “accept” everyone that applies or is there an interview/vetting process? How many “teachers” have graduated from the program? Where are they currently teaching?
Who are the teachers leading the training - and what are their experience/credentials. Did they write the curriculum? Who are their teachers? Where did they do their training? How many trainings have they led?
What is the specific format of the training? Is it led by the main teacher or mostly guest teachers?
Is the training based on a system of yoga? Who is the leader of the system?
How does the training address cultural appropriation and the social injustices that can be found in the current world of wellness?
What is the expectation for your attendance and workload outside of the training? How do they handle missed sessions?
What kind of support will you get upon completion of the program?
Is the program associated with the Yoga Alliance? Make sure you compare the Yoga Alliance criteria to the training schedule to assess if the syllabus is actually meeting the standards including the full 200 hours. You can also take a look at Yoga Alliance reviews - each trainee is asked to rate & remark on the training upon graduation.
Does the school have advanced trainings to explore, like a 300 hour training and continuing education credits if you would like to further your studies?
Finally, make sure you talk to program graduates to help give you insight on their training experience.
Taking training is a big decision - and a big investment so take the time you need to make sure it is a good fit for you. If you find the right one, it may just change your life too!
Our Teaching Community
Perhaps the greatest gift a teacher can give is to help students unearth their own deep source of wisdom & intuition. From my experience, as a forever student, seeker and studio owner - that exchange most often happens when teachers are steady in their own wisdom journey and skilled at building trust and holding space for others.
Ahh, look at these faces….they seriously light up the room!!!!Alone, we can do so little, together, we can do so much. --Helen Keller
Dear Flow Community,
Perhaps the greatest gift a teacher can give is to help students unearth their own deep source of wisdom & intuition. From my experience, as a forever student, seeker and studio owner - that exchange most often happens when teachers are steady in their own wisdom journey and skilled at building trust and holding space for others.
I am so grateful for the teachers who have gathered in this way at Flow & made their teaching home here with us. Our team is large, over 30 and growing in diversity and offerings -- with each teacher bringing their own special magic to their classes. They wake up early, stay late, take risks, follow their dreams, and stand strong in their passion to share & practice. Together we laugh, debate, grow, support and learn from each other.
When we opened in 2004, Gail, Leah, Angela C, Caroline, Jen, and Cory were some of our first teachers. Later around 2009-2010 came Jess, Hawah (who is returning!!), Brittanie, Todd, Clare & followed by Mimi & Cath. By 2013-2016- Alicia, Jonathan, Angela M, Chris A, Susan, Jen D, Nicole, Aqeel, Michael, Monica, Pia and Sam joined our team and 2018 we completed our roster adding classes with Chris R, Amie, Elyse, James, Mike, Brandon, Yael, Dan, Sonia and Ashley.
As I write this, I’m also thinking of teachers who moved away but whose impact at Flow was so big -- You may remember them! Some moved out west: Jill, Peg, Tori, Manisha, Greg, Lara, Adam, Kristin, Mike, Shawn & Jen, and south: Krista, Sierra, Siobhan, Joan, Christine Johanna, and north: Tazima, April, Ximena and some even out of the country: Radika, Terrence, Ximena G, Murat, Istar, Vanessa. A few even went on to teach elsewhere and open or manage other own studios: Fidel, Hugh, Rob, Susie, Mariska, Gopi, Corinna, Megan, Hari. And gratefully we have been graced by the amazing community of teachers who step in a sub like Caroline, Paige, Scott, Leti, Monica, Atticus, Marie who continue practice & teach with us.
Each teacher is a beautiful thread in the tapestry we’ve weaved together over the past 15 years to make Flow a unique & special home for you to practice. They help us stay steady during times of transition and encourage us to wake up to our truths, nourishing us along the winding path of our lives.
This past month we spent time celebrating them on Instagram & we will continue into March so please follow along as we continue to share our gratitude, and also stop by our community board on P Street to share your love notes with them too!
We hope to see you in class soon and if you have a favorite teacher or Flow story, we’d love to hear from you!
Warmest regards,
Debra
Teacher Spotlight: Elyse DiBartolo
Meet Elyse! A teacher AND student at Flow, she can be found in Rocket classes around the studio. Read on to learn more about her :)
Meet Elyse! A teacher AND student at Flow, she can be found in Rocket classes around the studio. Read on to learn more about her :)
What inspires you to practice at Flow?
The Rocket community keeps me coming back to Flow. I've met some amazing yogis that have turned into my family here in DC. Especially from my teacher training group led by Jonathan.
Tell us about your current practice including some of your favorite classes & teachers?
What got me hooked on yoga was Jonathan Ewing's Rocket Yoga class. I came from an athletic background so I naturally loved the challenge and sequence for Rocket. After I found Rocket, I shortly started practicing Ashtanga under Michael Joel Hall. I also love to drop in on Gail's Ashtanga class. If I had to choose one class Rocket 3 and brunch on Sundays is something I love to do every week.
Why is your yoga practice important to you?
I value a healthy lifestyle, staying fit, and having a strong group of friends. Yoga has brought me all three.
What are some things you love about DC living?
I love all the good coffee spots close to Flow, endless brunch options on 14th street, post-yoga dinner Wednesday at Commissary, walking distance to my friends, and inspirational people.
What is something the Flow community may not know about you?
During the day I work on launching PBS TV shows on digital platforms. I'm a middle child. I grew up on the Jersey Shore. Skiing is probably tied with yoga for being my favorite activity. I was always the nonflexible dancer growing up.