The Association
"Practice and all is coming" [K. P. Jois]
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Association or Community of Greece has as its main purpose the promotion of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system with its philosophical and technical background in Greece, to support the physical, mental and emotional empowerment of today's people.
As a community, it looks forward to the support and association of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Educators and Friends in Greece for the exchange of knowledge and views and the strengthening of their relations at Greek, European and global level.
The name of the Association (in Greek and English) as well as the logo of the Association are register trademarks © .
Our History
The Astanga Vinyasa Yoga Association or Community of Greece was founded in 2014. It is supervised by a 7-member Board of Directors, whose service stands for two years. The service of the current Board concerns the period 2026-2027.
You can contact the Association via e-mail and social media and also be informed about the events organized by the Association.
The participation of all members and friends in the activities of the Association is the joy and pursuit of the Board with the aim of sharing, participating and exchanging fruitful views about Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa in particular without exclusions.
Association Board 2026-2027
& Honorary Members
Alexandra Dimitriou
Practitioner since 1974 - PRESIDENT
Alexandra Dimitriou, a pioneer in Yoga and alternative therapies (colonic irrigation-lymphatic treatment) started as a yoga student in 1974. She studied with great Masters, who helped her gain many experiences on Raja, Hatha, Ashtanga Yoga. To this day, she teaches with the same enthusiasm, inspiring and helping students to learn the hidden secrets of Yoga and take care of their health with alternative methods of treatment.
Nektarios Mitritsakis
Practitioner since 2010 - VICE PRESIDENT
Dimitra Bessa
Practitioner since 2012 - SECRETARY
Maria Karapanagiotidou
Practitioner since 2007 - CASHIER
Sesilia Kapodistria
Practitioner since 2006 - MEMBER
Vasiliki Boufa
Practitioner since 2019 - MEMBER
Maria Douska
Practitioner since 2006 - MEMBER
Elina Hami
Practitioner since 2015 - ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Kristina Karytinou
Practitioner since 1989 - HONORARY PRESIDENT
Kristina Karytinou was born in 1971 in Athens. She was involved in theater, music, dance and Hatha Yoga. At the age of 19, she was introduced to Ashtanga Yoga at the Lotos center by Linda Kapetaniou and Pericles Christodoulopoulos, while she attended a training program at Satyananda Yoga Greece (1989-1993).
She completed her studies in the method with the internationally renowned teacher and husband of Derek Ireland. She received the blessing of the teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India (she was the first Greek woman to receive this honor), as a practitioner, trainer and then as a teacher of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system.
Her apprenticeship continues through her collaboration with his son and successor, Manju Jois. Her personal search led her to the practice of Zen and she studied with Hyon Gak Sunim for several years!
Kristina Karytinou has studied and worked at the first Ashtanga Yoga school in Europe (1993-1998 Practice Place), was the first Ashtanga teacher in the South of England (NHC Brighton 1999-2003), while she also collaborated with Michael Anastasiadis at the Yoga Practice company (2000-2005) in London.
She continues to this day the traditional teaching of the method with seminars and retreats in Europe, South America and Asia, always with dedication to the training of the next teachers of the method.
She is also honorary president of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Association of Greece, while also managing "The Practice Place" (practiceplace.gr).