Athens Yoga
Maja Zilih
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Yoga Alliance International Experienced Registered Yoga teacher
Anusara-InspiredTM Yoga Teacher
Bsc in Economy
Bsc in Social Sciences
Msc in Political Science
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Maja's life and her teaching are devoted to connecting with people with commitment and care, offering the teachings of yoga in a way that respects the needs of each individual, inviting them at the same time to unfold their full and true potential.
Her studies and training in yoga include Anusara Yoga Teacher Trainings with John Friend, Chris Chavez and Desiree Rumbaugh, 200 hour training with Vivi Letsou, NYSY studios, Bhakti Flow training with Rusty Wells, Prenatal yoga teacher training with Sue Elkind, Anusara Yoga Anatomy and immersions with Jordan and Martin Kirk, Yoga of the Chakras and Raja Yoga with Swami Nirvikalpa, Jivamukti Yoga for teachers with Petros Haffenrichter. She also holds a diploma in Primal Integration Psychotherapy training in Ontario, Canada.
Maja was born in Belgrade – Yugoslavia in 1977. She moved to Athens, Greece at the age of 16. In early 1990s her interest in psychology and spirituality led her to start practicing yoga and attend meditation seminars.
In 2004 she enrolled in a school of Satyananda yoga tradition, where she attended Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Chakras, and Meditation with her first teacher Swami Nirvikalpa, and meditation sessions with Swami Bhajanananda. Practicing with these extraordinary yoga teachers changed the path of her life, and she embarked on a new journey to becoming a yoga teacher herself.
Excited about the benefits of yoga, her teaching started spontaneously, before she even underwent the training - with family, friends and co-workers. Her devotion and passion for yoga grew continuously and finally led her to the training for yoga teachers. After the completion of the 200-hour Teacher Training Program with Vivi Letsou she registered with Yoga Alliance International. Since then she has been holding over 500 classes yearly, and she also takes part in teacher trainings and seminars every year with world-known teachers. She has over 400 hours of official training and she holds an Anusara-inspired status. During her first year of teaching she also held regular yoga classes voluntarily in Mosaic centre for immigrants and refugees in down-town Athens.
In 2008 Maja and her partner Miltos founded Athens Yoga and Yoga Vidya as a gate to health and awareness through meditation and yoga practice.
Her university studies include:
Economy and social sciences at the Greek National University of Athens, and Open University of UK, respectively.
Master degree in political science at the Greek National University of Athens with thesis: "Conflict transformation in the Balkans by non-violent means and grass-root peacebuilding"
Maja is also involved in projects and activities that promote human rights and equal treatment of people. She co-operates with European Network of Women, holding regular weekly yoga classes on voluntary basis to the SOS line group of women - victims of domestic violence.
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Maja's note:
The continuous practice enriches my life with knowledge and joy. I draw inspiration from all the students and all the teachers whom I have been so blessed to walk with on this spiritual path. I am deeply grateful to all the teachers who share the knowledge of yoga so beautifully and selflessly, especially Swami Nirvikapla and Vivi Letsou. Their wisdom, guidance and support over the years has been crucial in my life and in my growth both as a teacher and as a person.
My dedication to yoga far exceeds the mere hour-and-a-half practice on the mat. I believe that through living yoga in daily life people of our planet are transforming their lives on the path of learning, of awakening. These changes are taking place on individual, group and global levels. Before as a student, and now as a teacher who is more than ever a student, I see this whole truth-seeking journey as the most valuable adventure I have ever embarked on.
Yoga is above all a spiritual practice, freeing us from various limitations of the conditioned concepts of ourselves, connecting us with our hearts, and opening us to the vasteness of spiritual potential, which is no other than the overwhelming feeling of unity, of service and gratitude, of deep pure LOVE.
Namaste!
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