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As long as I can remember, I've set up special places in my home for reflection and meditation. My college roommate used to tease me about the carefully placed "knickknacks" that took over our limited dorm space. In my thirties, a few months before I met the man I'd eventually marry, I spent hours perfecting a "love altar" - mindfully placing two antique wooden statues from Russia of a little old man and woman closely facing each other, surrounded by a candle, a small jar of water, a special stone and a love note I had crafted to my future mate. Perhaps it is no wonder my husband is of Russian descent. ;)


Traditionally, altars have been revered as special places religious ceremonies, offerings and spiritual connection. While I am in awe of the ancient traditions, I am also moved by my own experience of creating sacred spaces within my own home. Having a special space at home is a constant reminder that the even in the most ordinary of moments of our lives we can re-connect to what is sacred.


I have an altar set up in my bedroom, gracing our dresser. The centerpiece is a beautiful reclining marble Buddha that my husband fell in love with years ago when we were window shopping in NYC. The rest of the space is adorned with beloved photos, small candles, special objects, a poem, and a wishbox filled with my dreams yet to come. Sometimes I change the color of the cloth on which the objects rest, or even the items themselves - always with the intention to reflect something meaningful I'm experiencing in my life.

I visit this spot each day -- either with a glance as I walk by or a more formal practice of yoga and meditation. It's a sacred space that reminds me of what matters most in my life. When I see it, I feel nourished. It serves as a reminder of my intentions and helps connect me more deeply to my own spirituality. It also connects to the gratitude I feel for the many blessings that fill my life. It's an amazing counterpoint to all of the busy-ness that can take over my days.

I adore that my little boys love to create their own altars too. They place found objects from the natural world -- often representing the seasons. A leaf, a stone, a prized toy. Their latest evolution includes a handmade bird house to welcome spring, a little clay Moses basket that connects them to the upcoming Jewish holiday of Passover and a drawing we made together.

Altar picture

What I love most about personal altars is that they can be created purely on feeling and instinct. As we turn towards Spring, I invite you to set up an altar or special space in your own home that brings you some peace and joy. There are lots of great online resources with tips on getting started -- like where to set one up (Feng Shui tradition suggests NW corner of your home), specific items to include, and even how to clean your altar. Shiva Rea's new book Tending the Heart Fire: Living in Flow with the Pulse of Life [ http://amzn.to/1orjZq7 ] is a treasure and dedicates some beautiful pages to the subject.

If you create one we'd love to see it and share with others in our community for inspiration. Please send us a photo at care@flowyogacenter.com [ mailto:care@flowyogacenter.com?subject=My%20Spring%20Altar ].

I look forward to seeing you this Spring at Flow where we will be getting our Spring alter set up in the tea lounge!

With love and gratitude,

"Debra"


Five Day Spring Immersion with Shiva Rea


Join us for an in-city retreat called "Elemental Vinyasa - Embodying the Power of Nature" led by Shiva Rea. Our body is comprised of all of the elements which make up life - the food of the earth, the sacred water of our primarily fluid body, the metabolic and electrical fire of our cellular and neural network, the air which is the breath of life that nourishes every cell and the space which primarily pervades our body. Awakening the "elemental body" is the primary energetic map in Prana Flow that forms the foundation for our wave sequencing of movement alchemy, our embodiment of nature and an integrated flow between our practice and life.
Reserve your space with Shiva! [ http://flowlove.me/18xEy8p ]


[ http://flowlove.me/18xEy8p ]


Yoga of the Gospels: Good Friday at Flow


Beyond denominations and dogma, the messages of Jesus carry deep wisdom that can be directly connected to the words of India's holiest texts.

On Good Friday join Greg Marzullo for an evening lecture and discussion on the intersection between Christ's message as laid out in the gospels and the transcendent philosophy of yoga. "There is no movement in this workshop; it will be lecture and meditation." Reserve a space! [ http://flowlove.me/14P0Su6 ]

"
"


[ http://flowlove.me/14P0Su6 ] [ http:// http://flowlove.me/11q58eS ]


Liquid Asana Weekend Flow


Micheline Berry looks forward to returning to her DC home shala Flow Yoga Center, for a powerful weekend Liquid Asana, exploring multi-dimensional art of Vinyasa, from detoxing core work to the moving poetry of the body in flow, from heart opening back bends to exhilarating inversions, landing in the healing, synaptic stillness of meditation in its many forms.

Whether a teacher or curious student, you will come away from this immersion in touch with the creative potential of your yoga, on and off the mat. Micheline is a treasure and you will love her workshops!!!
Join us April 25-27, this is one event you don't want to miss! Reserve your space! [ http://flowlove.me/1kpC4i9 ]


Spring Cleaning: Tonic Cleanse with Goûter!

Spring has sprung and after a long, cold winter, this is a perfect time to reset and refresh with a juice cleanse! We've teamed up with Goûter, a local company handmaking fresh tonics, nut melks, and yummy salads for an all-green juice cleanse. Choose from one of three options so you can make sure your body gets exactly what it needs.

We'll set you up for success with an orientation, guide on cleansing and with the support of the Flow community.Learn more and reserve! [ http://flowlove.me/1jAWyIB ]
[ http://flowlove.me/1jAWyIB ]

Yoga Fundamentals Bhakti Yoga Teacher Training

Join Gopi and Gaura Vani for this weekend immersion deep into the heart of Bhakti. Dive into the rivers of Bhakti, through Mantra (sacred sound and movement), Puja (ritual and sacred space), Lila (sacred stories), Sadhana (practice), and Prasad (sacred food).

Dive into these interactive weekends of Bhakti Yoga. Enjoy both weekends for a full training, or join us for either one.Bring More Love Into Your Life [ http://flowlove.me/17KOjjY ]


Spring Special Offerings
The Bouyant Heart is the Happy Heart

The front body is what we present to the world, representing your ego and the future--make it open and spacious! Join Megan on April 5 to create space in your front body without compressing the back or lungs. Only a few spaces left....
[ http://flowlove.me/11q58eS ]
Moving from the Inside Out: Finding Strength and Stability in the Core

Your core, the deep front line through the body, is your deepest support system and runs from the soles of the feet all the way up to the tongue! Explore techniques to activate and align these deep structures through asana, myofascial release and an introduction to the anatomy/physiology of the center of the body. Explore your core with Megan on April 12
[ http://flowlove.me/11q58eS ] Awakening to Peace Through Mindfulness Meditation

It's hard to see the patterns in your behavior when you're going through the motions of your day-to-day life. See your habits more clearly with Dr. Hugh Byrne during this half-day immersion which examines how to fully accept your emotions and develop greater piece and equanamity in the face of change. Become more mindful on April 19
[ http://flowlove.me/12410C8 ] Yoga and Creativity MC Yogi and Amanda return April 20th!

Loosen up and make your yoga practice more playful in this two-hour immersion with Amanda and MC Yogi. Learn to tap into your creativity through yoga and a medium-intensity vinyasa practice. More info here! [ http://flowlove.me/1hV2hlS ]
Ashtanga Dispatch: Foundations of Ashtanga with Jen Rene and Peg Mulqueen

The dynamic duo -- Jen and Peg will lead this all-level workshop covering the importance of vinyasa, the tristhana, or posture, breath, and drishti, and the bandhas in the practice. They'll teach the foundational postures of Ashtanga and how they relate to the rest of the practice. Join Jen and Peg April 27 [ http://flowlove.me/12kAfNh ]


[ https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=736 ]
Community Updates *

*Gather*

Yoga on the Mall [ http://dccy.org/ ]is Saturday May 3! Stay tuned for details on the week and the special gathering of over 1008 of DC's yogis on the national mall! Over 25 area studios are participating in this week long event.


*Yoga Fundamentals
*

Join Flow for yoga fundamental series beginning at the end of April. Laura will guide beginners and seasoned yogis through the five-week series covering the building blocks of yoga. Choose from Monday [ http:// http://flowlove.me/OefqyZ ] or Thursday [ http:// http://flowlove.me/11BvSwi ] evenings or Sunday [ http://flowlove.me/11BvSwi ] afternoons with Laura.


*Bhakti Yoga Immersion
*

What's love got to do with it? Everything! Join us in in May [ http://flowlove.me/17KOjjY ] to go deep into the heart of Bhakti!


*Community Class on Thursdays in April*

Our friends at One Common Unity will be the recipient of these by-donation classes on Thursday nights at 7:45PM led by our blossoming teachers. All proceeds go directly to DC Public School programs that bring yoga & mindfulness into the classrooms. Drop ins are welcome!


*Reserving Classes
*

A friendly reminder that if you need to cancel any class reservations, please do so at least 2 hours prior ot the class or give us a call and let us know. This lets others get into classes and keeps the online reservation system working well. Thank you!!!!!


*Favorite Flow Links *

Here's a collection [ http://flowyogacenter.com/favoritelinks ] of the links used most often by Flow's guests to help you navigate our site & your account more easily!


*Tuesday Nights at Flow *- New class at 9:15pm!

Our latest offering is perfect for those of you who enjoy a later practice! Candlelight Flow led by Catherine Zack is now held each Tuesday night at 9:15pm. It has been so much fun for us to watch this class grow and we are excited to serve the DC folks who leave work a bit later but still want their yoga!


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Flow Yoga Center | 1450 P Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005.
*Phone* | 202-462-FLOW (3569) *e-mail* | Flowyogacenter@gmail.com [ mailto:Flowyogacenter@gmail.com ]
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