Ashtanga Yoga Athens
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (eight limb yoga) as taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois ultimate goal is enlightenment, or profound inner peace. This should not understood as something we have to work hard to attain. Rather to be seen as the true identity of the awakened mind that is already present in all of us.
Wisdom and peace of mind are not mutually contradictory, neither are achievements, but given in everyone. The challenge is to discover the gifts that we already have. This is fundamental and absolutely the necessary approach towards our practice.
Awakened awareness is like being in love, when there seems to be no possible barrier between oneself and the other-in this case all the others. An awakened person has an inner peace and stillness and a joyful, energetic liveliness.
Vinyasa Krama yoga is a traditional system of yoga in the lineage of Sri T. Krishnamacharya. The practice consists of twelve major sequences. Each sequence contains subsequences with a classic yoga posture and some progressive variations of that posture or movement (vinyasa) which lead to the mastery of that posture with systematic practice. Transitional movements between sequences, numerous vinyasas within each sequence and counter-postures bring great variety to a regular practice. The mental attitudes and breath control required in Yoga are cultivated within the practice.
Zazen meditation- (Dhyana – seventh limb) will reveal that all objects or perceptions and thoughts are not permanent but come into being when other necessary conditions for their existence or manifestation are fulfilled. Just sit!
Pranayama (forth limb), the transition element from the outside practice to the internal.
Meet our team
Aris Kapetanakis
Aris is founder & lead Teacher of Ashtanga Yoga Athens. As a devoted practitioner of the Ashtanga Yoga method himself over the years he studied next to very important senior teachers of the Ashtanga method . In the recent years Aris has invited and organised workshops with Nancy Gillgoff,Tim Miller,David Garriques and others.These teachers are holding the lineage of the Ashtanga method as taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois.
He is authorized Level 2 by Manju P. Jois as well as authorised to teach Nadi Shodana Pranayama. Therefore Aris is part of the lineage of teachers of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois.
He is a Yoga Alliance India Certified Teacher (CYT 500).
Following the teaching of such teachers,Aris believes and teaches the traditional method where each student has each own unique potential and personality and has to be taught individually.Yoga is a holistic method and “one for all recipe”can not be applied.
Demetra Zavogianni
Demetra started practicing Ashtanga Yoga under the guidance of Aris Kapetanakis. Since 2011 and on a daily basis, she continues as an apprentice next to him and as a co-partner. Along with Ashtanga, she is practicing daily in Zazen and Pranayama.
Demetra is authorized Level 1 by the European Academy of Ashtanga Yoga to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
Over the years, she has attended workshops and teacher training courses with Manju P. Jois, Tim Miller, Nancy Gilgoff and David Garrigues, teachers who hold the lineage of the traditional Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Shri Krishna Pattabhi Jois.
Since 2012, as a Zazen practitioner, she is attending multiple days Zazen Sesshin – an intensive period of practice consisting of Zazen (sitting meditation), Kinhin (walking meditation), Samu (work practice) and Sutra recitation – with Zen Monk Shôkan Oshô Marcel Urech.
Prior to becoming fully committed to practice and teaching of Ashtanga Yoga she had a career as a advertising media manager in some of the leading advertising agencies in Greece. Her love and passion for the practice were crucial to be absorbed and devote to it.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.