yoga

Founder Kelly Carnes, found her way to the mat as a favor to a friend, and never left. She fell in love at first breath, and the beautiful practice became much more than a habit, it became a lifestyle. She spent three years on the mat before traveling to India to train in teaching, so that she could return an instructor and share the blessings and benefits of yoga with others. While her body came back, part of her soul is still meditating on that beach, which is a big part of why she pursued a career path with more freedom - so she could practice, teach, and not let the daily grind extinguish her bright spirit.

She’s set up public yoga programs at the Hirshhorn, the Kennedy Center, Right Proper Brewery, and Beuchert's Saloon - attracting hundreds of yogis to new spaces and associating them with mindbody wellness. She also inspired a yoga program at Historic Congressional Cemetery, “Yoga Mortis” which she has also taught. She developed a “Zombie Yoga” class specifically for the space, which speaks to her unique teaching style. She loves composing her classes to epic movie soundtracks, with creative sequencing to move the body and breath into shapes that tell stories. She’s found this approach to be a fun and familiar way to create accessible entry-points for intimidated yogis who are eager to experience something new. She even taught the first-ever goat yoga class in DC!

Signature Programs

Sound Health at the Kennedy Center

Kelly inspired and managed the free community yoga program that was taught at the Kennedy Center 2017-2019.

Photos from the Lord of the Rings-inspired class here.

Kennedy Center Grand Foyer, image credit: Patrick Rey

Photo Credit: Patrick Rey

Yoga Mortis at Historic Congressional Cemetery

video credit: Colleen McCartney

Yoga Mortis, supported by a generous grant by TKF, occurs Spring to Fall. The class is a 60 minute, all-levels vinyasa practice held in the Historic Congressional Cemetery either in Chapel or on the grounds. No sign-up is necessary, but do BYOMat. Classes are held on select Saturdays, listed on the cemetery’s website.