Karma Yogi Spotlight: Sarah Belpedio!

Please meet Sarah Belpedio, our featured Karma Yogi!  Sarah recently came on board in June and has blown us away with her kindness, generosity, and team player spirit.  She has jumped in to help out our fellow staffers on several occasions, and we are so very grateful to have her as part of the team!  Learn more about her below.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

The first time I stepped foot into P St, I knew Flow was different. I have been to countless studios over the past ten years, but they never felt quite right. The warm, vibrant community of teachers, staff, and Flowgis welcomed me, and I immediately felt at home. The incredible teachers and staff at Flow inspire me each and every day I walk through the doors. It is truly an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city, and I feel so fortunate to have found this wonderful community.

What was your first yoga experience like?

Yoga was offered as an elective at my school, so I took yoga in 8th grade!

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

Cory! I first met Cory in one of his Asana Tune-ups. I loved that he took the time to help us understand how our anatomy works in the asanas. Since then, I have joined him for Buddha Time and his Fundamentals workshop. You can find me at his Thursday morning class (nearly) every week and any classes he subs! I love how Cory integrates philosophy and the yoga sutras into his classes. He always reminds us that yoga is so much more than a physical practice. I also love Sam's classes. I grew up a dancer and a gymnast, so I love Sam's flow, which at times feels like a dance. No better way to start off the weekend than Sam's Saturday class! I love how every single one of his classes are different, constantly exposing us to new yogic experiences. I also love Mimi's classes! Her ability to adjust you with her words amazes me! Together the three teachers offer different, but complementary styles of yoga. I love it :)

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

My practice has become much more consistent since joining Flow a little over a year ago. I typically practice at Flow 3-6 times per week, depending on my travel plans. My love for Cory's classes has drawn me to ashtanga and inspired me to join the Mysore program, which I plan to start soon. I love practicing in the morning - the best way to start my day!

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

I love to travel, and my job sends me around the world! In my current role, I travel to meet with NGOs across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe to train them on how to make their work more gender-sensitive and inclusive. I also conduct trainings on integrating self-care and wellness into the workplace. I am also very interested in holistic and functional medicine.

Thank you for sharing, Sarah, and for being such a bright light in our community!

Teacher Spotlight: Angela Cerkevich

Yoga Teacher + Psychologist

Please meet our featured teacher, Angela Cerkevich! A dedicated yoga practitioner with a background in clinical psychology, Angela blends challenging asana with mindfulness practices.

What inspires you to practice at Flow?

Several items animate my desire to practice at Flow. First and foremost is Flow’s steadfast commitment to providing a wide range of quality classes. These, along with workshops geared towards mental and physical wellbeing, foster an environment where the practice of both participants and practitioners can grow and evolve. Additionally, a commitment to community has always defined Flow as a place that stands out from other studios. Having been with Flow since it first opened in 2004, I have been inspired by generations of Flowgis and their genuine interest in deepening their practices while building a community.

What was your first yoga experience like?

I grew up watching my father practice headstands in the morning, but it wasn’t until college that I explored the practice myself. However, my first class was in high school at a spa. While I have no recollection of the asana practice, I recall the sivasana as being unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It felt like heaven. I felt so clear, spacious and at ease. I wanted more of that.

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

Yoga is fully integrated into my physical, mental, and spiritual life. I practice asana that supports my body’s changing needs and while this is what the observer would recognize as "yoga," it is only a small part of what I consider my practice. Yoga colors and shapes the perspective through which I view and engage with the world. This includes studying my thoughts and emotions, creating space for a pause to respond to others with a non-judgmental stance, and utilizing yoga nidra to restore my nervous system.

Who are some of your most influential teachers?

Joan Ravinsky. Richard Miller. Eric Baret. John Schumaker. Doug Keller. Para Soma. All the people in my life who have challenged me. All the people in my life who have loved me.

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

Before working as a yoga instructor and clinical psychologist, I owned a pet–sitting company and cared for dogs, cats, and birds all over the DMV.

Anything else you would like to share?

My asana classes are geared toward balancing the mind as well as the body. That means that while you will get a workout, the emphasis is on a practice that results in mental and emotional alignment. I use the breath, specific energetic alignment cues, and a moderate, steady pace to do this. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Georgetown. While I believe in the power of this work, I am convinced that talk-therapy can be more effective when combined with a body-oriented practice. This two-pronged approach is most useful in rewiring the circuitry of negative psycho-emotional habits.