A group of Past Tense staff in various yoga poses in front of some of Mount Pleasant's colorful storefronts

Past Tense has called Mt. Pleasant home since 2009. Yoga is our practice. Community is our purpose.

Our Story

Kelly DiNardo founded Past Tense with the simple goal of creating a space where people could come as they are—no judgment, no pressure—just movement and connection. The name Past Tense is a wink to Kelly’s off-the-mat life as a journalist and author. Like yoga, writing has always been one of her ways of asking questions, finding meaning, and exploring what makes life feel rich, connected, and more joyful.

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Alicia Moyer Past Tense Yoga instructor

After working together for over a decade, Kelly and Alicia Moyer became partners. Alicia is a Mount Pleasant native, former research librarian, and lifelong learner, having completed more than 2,500 hours of training in movement, anatomy, and bodywork. She brings warmth, presence, and care into every space she holds. Her work and classes are a heartfelt invitation to grow together.

The Power of Shared Space

What sets Past Tense apart is our belief that time spent moving and recharging in community is a gift to every part of life. Engaging in healing movement together helps us feel more resilient, connected, joyful, and open to self-compassion. This energy then ripples outward—into our relationships, our families, our work, and our communities.

A group of people are taking a yoga class together at Past Tense, facing away from the camera they stretch into a twist. The lighting is warm.
Past Tense instructor Ellie supporting a student who is in triangle pose. She is in a denim jumpsuit and they're both under the trees in Rock Creek Park

Our belief in the power of shared space shows up in our commitment to affordability and inclusivity, in our variety of class and workshop offerings, and in our open, exploratory approach to teaching. But most of all, you’ll feel it in the studio—as people catch their breath after a stressful week, form new friendships between mats, or quietly support one another during life’s harder moments. There is an unspoken understanding that this space can hold whatever you bring—joy, grief, laughter, or stillness.

Kelly and Alicia remain rooted in leading with the heart, cultivating joy, and creating good compost—nourishing the soil of our community so it can flourish.

Our Timeline

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July 13, 2009

Kelly opened our very first studio at the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Park—a cozy space where the roots of our community began to grow.

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Fall 2016

Alicia launched our very first 200-hour Teacher Training with many from that first group still teaching with us today.

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Summer 2020

We teamed up with artist Chelsea Ritter-Soronen to bring the trompe l’oeil library and garden wall murals to life at our original studio.

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May 2021

We opened our Alley studio behind Ellē restaurant—complete with a wisteria mural by Chelsea on the doors.

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Summer 2022

Kelly and Alicia clink glasses at OKPB and walk out as partners with a plan to grow. Cheers to big dreams and bold moves!

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December 2022

We opened our Lamont studio—a second-floor space with a cheerful teal fence and stairs, and a skylight that brightens the inside with natural light.

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Summer 2024

We said goodbye to our Alley studio and hello to what’s next—a spacious two-room studio at 3131 Mt. Pleasant St.

September 1, 2025

Our new street-facing home opened its doors, featuring an accessible entrance, new classes, and two studios—the Sun Room and the Moon Room.

A group in a sun-lit yoga studio with props and plants in the background. Everyone is resting in child's pose
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