Adam talks to Kristina Karitinou.  

Kristina has been teaching the tradition of Pattabhi Jois since 1991.  She was qualified as an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher by her late husband Derek Ireland, authorized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and certified by his son, Manju Pattabhi Jois in 2012.

After many years of assisting Derek Ireland around the world, Kristina became one of the first Ashtanga teachers in Europe.

While living in the UK she was the main teacher of the Ashtanga Yoga community at the Natural Health Centre in Brighton and the first to teach the method at Brighton’s Evolution Centre.

In 2001, Kristina and Michael Anastassiades established the Yoga Practice in London. Upon her return to Greece, Kristina’s focus shifted to the education of future Ashtanga yoga teachers and has since spread Derek Ireland’s teachings all over Europe, Asia and Latin America.

For the past few years she has been actively involved in the practice of Zen chanting and sitting under the guidance of Zen Master Hyon Gak Sunim. Brought up in an artistic family, Kristina keeps herself in touch with her creative side and believes that knowledge, practice, meditation, arts, music, therapy, healing, healthy relationships, nutrition, nature are the vital elements to a balance life.

As a teacher, Kristina respects and appreciates the honest efforts of practitioners, their choices and the influence of their own teachers. Her mission is to support the Ashtanga method and community with honesty and devotion. Kristina considers herself honoured to belong to the Ashtanga Lineage. She believes that teachers and Gurus belong to the lineage and not the other way around.

Kristina’s work is a continuation of Derek Ireland’s teaching principles and techniques. Derek Ireland was one of the first students of Sri K Pattabhi Jois and is considered one of the most important yoga teachers of our era, having spread the Ashtanga method to and across Europe. Kristina’s work is dedicated to him.

Kristina is currently living on the beautiful island of Crete where her yoga studio is also located. She teaches the Primary, Intermediate and Advanced A Sequence of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and offers classes, workshops, retreats and teacher training courses all year long around the world.

You can see more about Kristina on her website.