
“The Moment I Took My First Class…
I Felt Like I Belonged.”
We believe that yoga enlivens the best in each of us, nourishes the roots of our well-being, and empowers us to care for the lives around us. We're on a mission to uplift people’s lives and brighten our world from the inside out - through warm-hearted human connection and inspired classes led by a world-class teaching team.
We opened Flow in 2004 to create more than a yoga studio—we wanted a place that felt like an exhale. A space that softens the edges of your day and reminds you who you are beneath the to-do list. Every detail, from our post-class tea to the way the light spills across the wooden floors, was chosen with care to help you feel good just being here.
Movement should meet you where you are—not the other way around. Some days you crave a sweat that clears your mind. Others, a slow stretch that feels like therapy. Our classes honor both the science of the body and the soul of the practice, helping you move in ways that feel nourishing, not punishing. (And we don’t believe you need to “fix” yourself. You’re already enough. Whether you’re finding strength using weights in our power sculpt class poses or sweet stillness in savasana, we’re here to help you feel your best inside and out.
Our Teachers = Magic Makers
Our teachers aren’t just skilled—they’re soul-led leaders who teach from the heart. Known as of DC’s very best, they bring experience, presence, and genuine care to every class. And unlike most studios, we employ our teachers (not contract them), because supporting them is part of supporting you.
A Studio with a Happiness Team
We love creating moments of joy inside of your Flow experience. Debra, Cindy and Corinna (aka Flow’s Happiness Team) are always dreaming up little touches to make your visit special: like special essential oil blends at our free aromatherapy bar, Saturday post class tea parties, community events, guest passes, or the animal crackers that somehow taste better after yoga. It’s the small things that make the big difference.
A Healthy Space
Designed by a LEED-certified architect and filled with 40+ living plants, Flow feels like an urban jungle oasis. Every room is filled with windows, and our 14th Street space even has a classroom that opens onto a deck! Think real wood floors, eco-clean everything, crystals in the windows, and a blueberry bush just outside the door (yes, you can pick your own snack). We have a state of the art air system that keeps the air fresh and clean. Step inside, and you’ll feel the energy shift.
The Heat That Heals
Our infrared heating system doesn’t just warm the room—it warms your muscles, boosts circulation, and helps you sweat in the best way. It’s the kind of heat that feels like it’s working with your body, not against it. You’ll never want to take a “hot” yoga class without it. Add our healing famous red light savasanas & advanced air filtration system, and it’s a breath of fresh air in every sense.
Come For the Yoga, Stay For the Community
Yoga has a way of turning neighbors into friends. That person you passed on the sidewalk may end up rolling out their mat beside you—and soon, you’re sharing post-class tea and conversation. Our lounges are a space to land, linger, and connect. Come early. Stay late. Sip tea, journal, or just soak in the calm. Some of our best conversations happen off the mat, on a couch, over a cup of something warm. (We even had 6 weddings thanks to chance meet ups at Flow, and Flow babies ;).
Here, You Belong
Flow is community-first and status-never. Our classes are body-positive, diverse, and deeply inclusive—because yoga should feel like home for everyone. We’re proud to offer free classes to DC public school teachers, donate to local orgs like N Street Village and One Common Unity, and share free yoga with students and educators across the city. Need a scholarship? Curious about our BIPOC teacher training support? We’re here for that too.
Practice From Anywhere
Life gets busy. That’s why we built a hybrid schedule that lets you join us from your mat at home or inside our sunlit studio. Whether you’re local or logging in, Flow is here to help you stay grounded, consistent, and connected.
Local Love
We’re woman-owned, DC-grown, and here for the long haul. Every class you take with us supports grassroots wellness work in our city and beyond. And we’re not just showing up in the studio—we’re co-founders of events like Yoga on the Mall and DC Yoga Week. When you practice at Flow, you're part of something bigger. Have any ideas or feedback on how we can make your Flow experience better? We’d love to hear from you!
Our Story
A Note from Our Founder
Our humble beginnings started with a leap of faith—and a love for yoga—in 2004.
I had just moved to DC from San Francisco, hardly knowing a soul, and was surprised how hard it was to find a yoga studio. Back home, my local studio had been my second home—woven into the fabric of my social life and my sense of belonging. I knew in my heart that DC, with its fast pace and hustle culture, needed a place like that too.
I loved my career in nonprofit marketing, but I knew I could contribute even more by sharing yoga with my new community. So, within six months of moving here, I wrote a one-page business plan, searched high and low for a space, used my life savings, and opened Flow. We started on the third floor of our original P Street location—if you were around back then, you might remember the purple staircase and the bright orange walls!
The same month Flow opened, I married my boyfriend Ian, a fellow yogi I’d met while working in progressive politics. (Our first date was actually at a yoga class in NYC—I'll share that story another time.😉) Ian was my biggest cheerleader and supported this wild dream from the start. A few years in, he even left his job to help me run Flow. It’s been a family affair ever since.
Fast forward 20 years, and we’ve grown to two locations, with over a thousand people practicing with us each week. These studio walls have witnessed countless classes, downward dogs, smiles, hugs, and deep breaths. We’ve laughed together, sometimes cried together, and weathered all kinds of storms—election cycles, relationship changes, snowmageddon, COVID, and the many ups and downs of small business life. Every time, we’ve come out stronger, thanks to our incredible teachers and community.
Our dream for Flow has always been simple: the moment you walk through our doors, you step into a bright, plant-filled, welcoming refuge. You feel at home. You meet awesome people. You take classes led by world-class teachers who truly care about you.
One of our guests once told us that coming to Flow feels like an adult version of a playground ;). In a world that asks us to hustle constantly, we believe everyone deserves a place to pause, move, play, and reconnect—with yourself and with good people.
When you practice at Flow, you’ll meet neighbors, make new friends, and discover classes that match your mood—whether you’re craving a sweaty power flow, a soothing restorative class, or something in between. We always encourage a playful spirit and a sense of adventure.
We hope you’ll join us—inside one of our beautiful studios, outdoors at one of our favorite DC spots, or virtually from wherever you are. And when you do, please say hello! I’d love to personally meet you. I’m usually around the studios on Fridays.
We can’t wait to welcome you.
Warmest regards,
Debra
debra@flowyogacenter.com
Core Values
These core values inspire our work to bring Flow’s mission to life for you and our community…
Flow: Transitioning from Hustle to Harmony
We believe in the transformative power of flow. This philosophy guides us from the relentless "hustle" to a state of inner harmony, permeating everything we do – from the seamless choreography of our classes to the way we operate behind the scenes. We believe that it's through flow, not force, that we uncover insightful solutions, listen with clarity, and tap into the most authentic versions of ourselves. Experiencing flow opens a space for enhanced creativity, clear thinking, and mindful presence in our best moments. In turn, this fosters a sense of empowerment and conscious decision-making, freeing us from the burdens of stress and reactivity. Through flow, we discover those serendipitous "aha" moments that fuel our growth, helping us navigate life's complexities and contribute to the greater good. While achieving constant flow might not always be possible, the more we experience it, the clearer our path towards personal growth and positive impact becomes.
Embrace Curiosity: A Path to Growth and Deeper Connection
At Flow, we value fostering an environment where curiosity thrives, allowing everyone to grow individually and together, building stronger bonds and ultimately enriching the lives of those around us. We embrace being open to discovery, acknowledging that mistakes are opportunities for learning and development. This fosters a growth mindset, allowing us to approach everything with humility and a willingness to continually improve. By embracing curiosity, we not only pave the way for personal and community-wide growth, but also for deeper understanding and stronger connections. Asking questions, actively listening, and seeking diverse perspectives allows us to step outside our own experiences and gain valuable insights into the perspectives of others. This cultivates empathy and fosters a more connected and supportive community.
Belonging, Rooted in Community
Creating a culture of belonging stands as the cornerstone of the inclusive and supportive environment we strive to cultivate. Our commitment is to establish a space where individuals not only feel at home within our community but also in their own bodies. From the moment one steps through our doors, personalized greetings create a warm and inviting atmosphere, emphasizing that every person is valued, respected, and supported. Our community thrives on inclusivity, fostering genuine connections and celebrating the richness of diverse perspectives. Within our yoga practice, our passionate teachers dedicate themselves to creating a safe and inclusive haven for all students. When people feel a strong sense of belonging, they gain the confidence to venture beyond their comfort zones, realizing their full potential and thriving in their yoga journey and everyday community interactions. As our community extends beyond the studio walls, it serves as a source of inspiration, nurturing connections that have a positive impact on different areas of our lives.
Check out our video to get to know us better…
Meet Flow’s Founders
Ian Mishalove
Ian’s professional life is focused on inspiring people to nurture life on earth – starting especially with their own well-being. He currently serves as the Director of “Flow” for Flow Yoga Center, which he co-owns with his wife Debra. There, he ensures operations run smoothly for the bustling Flow community, which currently numbers over 2,000 visitors per week.
Prior to that, Ian worked for 12 years directing online communications departments and organizing activist supporters for the Campaign for America’s Future and the National Wildlife Federation. Ian received an MES from Yale’s School of Environment and a BA from Princeton University, and in both places focused on how to empower progressive social‑movement networks – esp. through online technology. Outside of yoga and activism, Ian spends as much time as possible playing (mostly in the great outdoors) with friends and family.
Debra Perlson - Mishalove
Debra is the Creative Director and Founder of both workFlow Wellness (corporate well-being programs) and Flow Yoga Center, named by Washington City Paper & Washington Post as the “Best Yoga Studio” in DC and the recipient of the Mayor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Featured in the Washington Post, NY Times, Yoga Journal, Wall Street Journal, NBC, and NPR, Flow offers yoga, wellness & fitness classes enjoyed by over 2000 guests each week both online and in person.
A Senior Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Coach & Reiki Practitioner, Debra created Flow as a model of a conscious business that strives to minimize its environmental footprint & maximize its participation in social justice and community building. Debra raises thousands of dollars each year for local organizations and organizes the annual Yoga on the Mall, which attracts 10,000 area yogis. Mama of 2 active little boys, a big dog, and her husband Ian who runs Flow with her, she is grateful for the balance & presence of her yoga. practice brings into her life. Follow Debra @finding_flow_dc