In the heart of Washington DC, where life moves fast and minds are always on the go, there’s a quiet but powerful practice that helps people slow down, breathe well, and connect within. Ashtanga Yoga isn’t just another style of yoga; it’s a moving meditation built on structure, discipline, and tradition. With its fixed series of poses, synchronized breath, and steady rhythm, Ashtanga offers a unique way to build strength, sharpen focus, and develop true inner balance.
Ashtanga Yoga Washington DC
What makes Ashtanga yoga in Washington, DC, even more special is how this ancient practice combines with modern urban life. You’ll find early risers rolling out their mats in Mysore-style classes before heading into the city’s hustle and evening practitioners using the mat as a space to reset after long, demanding days. Contrary to fast-paced fitness trends, Ashtanga practice is about coming back to the same sequence again and again, not for perfection, but for presence.
In a city known for its ambition, Ashtanga Yoga invites you to find a different kind of power. The kind that comes from breath, awareness, and the quiet strength of showing up with each self-paced practice. The doors open early, welcoming you to join us and other students on a steady path of breath, movement, and tradition through Ashtanga Yoga.
So, let’s check out the Yoga Alliance registered studios for Ashtanga Yoga –
Flow Yoga Center
About –
Flow Yoga Center was founded in 2004 by Debra Mishalove, who had a passionate love for yoga and had just moved to Washington, DC, from San Francisco. She missed the warm and welcoming yoga studios she had known there and felt something was missing in DC.
With just one page of notes and her savings, Debra found a cozy spot on P Street. She painted the walls in bright colors, added lots of plants, and created a studio that felt like a little escape from the busy city. Her simple goal was to give people space where they could feel better in body, mind, and soul.
Now, two decades later, they have two beautiful locations and over 1,000 people practicing yoga each week with them.
Ashtanga Offerings –
- Mysore‑Style Ashtanga Yoga Classes – These are self-led Ashtanga (Primary Series) accessible every day where you can practice independently, and receive on‑the‑spot assistance and adjustments from lead teachers.
- Private / Individualized Mysore Ashtanga Support – This is a highly individualized support process where the progress is student-paced with teachers issuing new poses intentionally.
- Traditional Ashtanga Primary Series – These classes are focused on posture, breath (vinyasa count), and drishti (gaze focus).
Website – https://www.flowyogacenter.com/
Yoga District
About –
Yoga District isn’t your typical yoga studio—it’s built with heart, purpose, and a big dream to make yoga affordable and welcoming for everyone.
It was started in the early 2010s by Jasmine Chehrazi, someone who believed that yoga should be more than just a luxury class in fancy studios. Jasmine had worked in law and office jobs before realizing that yoga was what truly helped her feel calm, connected, and alive. She started volunteering at yoga studios just to learn more and eventually turned her passion into a life mission!
Her goal was to create a space that felt like a community, where anyone, no matter their background or income, could develop their personal practice in a safe and inclusive way.
Their focus is on diversity, kindness, and service. Jasmine makes sure that teachers are paid fairly, classes are kept low-cost, and students feel seen and respected, no matter where they start from!
Ashtanga Offerings –
- Mysore-Style Ashtanga – These sessions follow the traditional method from Mysore, India, which is self-paced Primary Series practice with individualized teacher guidance, set within a supportive group setting.
- Led Ashtanga Primary Series Classes – They host three weekly led Primary Series classes where the traditional Ashtanga sequence is followed and made accessible with modifications and level options.
- Ashtanga & Rocket Yoga – These classes mix traditional Ashtanga sequencing with the dynamic, playful Rocket style yoga.
- Ashtanga-Inspired Workshops – The studio occasionally runs workshops titled “Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga”, which include a historical overview of Ashtanga, breathwork (pranayama), a 90-minute class covering a modified Primary Series, and guidance on safe modifications and sequencing.
Website – https://www.yogadistrict.com/
Woodley Park Yoga
About –
Woodley Park Yoga has been a quiet home for traditional yoga practice since 2007. The studio was started by Faith Scimecca, a dedicated yogi with a huge love for Ashtanga Yoga. Faith didn’t just study this yoga style from books, but she traveled to Mysore, India, and spent two full years learning directly from the source: Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Jois.
Her goal was to bring the heart of authentic Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga back to DC. She wanted to create a space where students could practice in the same way it’s taught in India—slowly, consistently, and with personal attention!
They stay true to their mission of meaningful practice, where their small team offers early morning Mysore sessions, guided Ashtanga classes, and a space where each student is supported in their own personal journey.
Ashtanga Offerings –
- Intro to Ashtanga Series – This is a progressive 4-week series designed for beginners, introducing posture sequencing, breath–movement coordination, and foundations for home practice.
- Mysore‑style classes – It’s a personalized instruction class within a group setting, allowing progression through the traditional Ashtanga sequence at individual pace.
- Guided Quarter/Half/Full Primary Classes – These are teacher-led versions of the Ashtanga primary series, scaled by length and intensity like Quarter Primary, Half Primary, and Full Primary series.
Website – https://www.woodleyparkyoga.com/
Bluebird Sky Yoga
About –
Bluebird Sky Yoga was founded in 2016 by Jennie Light in Brookland, Washington DC, which began as a creative experiment with community pop-up events mixing yoga, art, and music. Jennie wanted to create a space where people could move, breathe, and connect not just through yoga, but through meaningful experiences and local art. It was inspired by the peaceful clarity of a “bluebird day”, and the studio was built to be warm, welcoming, and rooted in joy. In 2022, Kristine and Kris Erickson, both long-time students of the studio, took over as owners to take Jennie’s vision forward.
Kristine teaches Mysore-style Ashtanga yoga with a calm and thoughtful approach while Kris helps run the studio and brings his love for nature to the community. They continue to offer diverse yoga classes, host rotating art shows, and serve as a lively neighborhood space where creativity and connection are always in flow!
Ashtanga Yoga Offerings –
- Mysore-style practice is the traditional method of learning Ashtanga, where students work individually on a set sequence, moving at their own pace while teachers provide personalized guidance in a group setting.
- Guided Led Ashtanga Session (Full Primary) – These are Led Ashtanga classes where teacher-led full Primary Series instruction is conducted on Fridays.
- Intro to Mysore / Intro to Ashtanga – The new students can begin through an Intro to Mysore workshop (offered 2–3 times a year) or by attending the led Full Primary class regularly for at least a month.
- Private Instruction – These are one-on-one or small group sessions available for those wanting personalized launch or refinement of their Ashtanga/Mysore practice.
Website – https://www.bluebirdskyyoga.com/
Final Words –
Ashtanga Yoga in Washington DC is more than just exercise. It’s a path to build strength, focus, and calm inside. This practice connects old traditions with a warm community ready to support you. If you want to get stronger, find peace, or understand yourself better, the Ashtanga Yoga Studio Washington DC here will help you on every step of the way. Doing Ashtanga means learning patience, being present, and keeping steady—not just on the mat, but in life too. So, if you’re ready to begin, Washington DC is here to welcome you and guide you!
