My Week in Athens… Feb 28

I’ve been toying with the idea of trying yoga. Not full-on sweat-soaked, body-bending, soul-searching yoga. But rather ‘yoga for dummies’, at least for a start.

So when my friend invited me to the yoga studio where she teaches, I was rather concerned. Am I ready for this? Will it hurt? But when she added – ‘it’s not a class, it’s a party!’ – I thought that here was the best way to have my first taste of yoga. With a glass of wine in hand.

The Bhavana Yoga Studio in Monastiraki is actually rather nice, decorated for relaxation, candles, large practice space, spotlessly clean, shoes off at the door. You can even buy specialty yoga clothes in the reception area. If anyone is looking for yoga in English, check out Bhavana on Mondays at 6:30pm.

Yoga seems to cross all social and economic class lines. This was also mentioned to me by someone I met there that night: mid-40s, Greek, always laughed at yoga, until he tried it on a whim last year. He has been coming to classes every day (that’s EVERY DAY) since.

The studio feels like a place of focus and also of acceptance – your life outside is irrelevant to the time-honoured practices inside. I met some interesting people who all seemed to have a smile on their face. Could have been the wine and the music, but somehow I doubt it.

After my first yoga session (ahem!), we headed to Kolonaki to the classic Café Boheme for an upscale pub-style drink and a bite to eat. Interesting music, tasty food and a relaxed atmosphere – an easy choice.

So with my chakras and my stomach fully aligned, Saturday was declared a good time.

Until next week,

Jack

43 Aeolou Street – Monastiraki
www.bhavanayoga.com

36 Omirou Street - Kolonaki
www.cafeboheme.gr

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…