Yoga lessons

NEW: This year, also online! Consult our weekly programme!
Yoga, along with meditation, constitute the most ancient and most complete holistic exercise system (body- mind-soul). They strengthen the immune system and keep the physical, energetic and mental state of the body in excellent condition, freeing the practitioner from psychosomatic pain and mental limitations.

Yoga is an excellent method of preventative medicine and personal development. The non-violent, non-traumatic exercises make it accessible to everyone regardless of age and fitness level: they have a very positive effect on the heart, the brain, the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, digestive and musculoskeletal systems.

The synchronization of breathing with movement and immobility – in the pauses and the poses – gradually leads to a feeling of psychological balance, rest and fulfillment.

At Shantom, we adapt the exercises to the particular needs of every practitioner, taking into account the uniqueness of their personality, their personal difficulties or strengths*.

The lesson includes:

  • Asanas: The traditional exercises/poses.
  • Pranayama: Breathing exercises that control and strengthen the energy field.
  • Dhyana: Meditation – exercise in psychological and mental balance and pause.
  • Theory: We study Patanjali’s “Yoga Sutras” as well as related philosophical texts which, with exceptional accuracy, analyze the nature of pain and the root of human anguish.

Free for enrolled yoga students:

  • A monthly 3-hour theory seminar (on Sundays).
  • A weekly 1-hour meditation session, every Friday.

*Before you start your first lesson, it is necessary to make an appointment for an in-depth meeting with Leda (at no extra charge).

Leda ShantalaLeda Shantala

A Sorbonne Graduate in French Literature. Choreographer, Dancer, spiritual master in Yoga, Teacher of Indian Classical Dance Bharata Natyam, Dance movement therapist GDTR Senior, Creator and Director of Shantom House of Culture.

After graduating in Paris, France ((Dipl. Licence Es Lettres Paris IΙΙ Sorbonne), where, among others, she studied yoga, modern dance, ethnology and humanistic psychology, Leda Shantala travelled to India following a powerful inner call. She stayed and studied in Chennai. For three years she was trained in the art of classical Indian dance Bharata Natyam (dance, expression, music, rhythms, singing) graduating from the Indian Dance Academy «Bharata Kalanjali» and the Indian School of Exression «Abhinaya Sudha» in Chennai, where she still returns for the creation of performances and for artistic collaborations.

She studied yoga, theory and practice -deeply delving into the ancient texts of Indian philosophy- in the most distinguished schools of India. She is a graduate of the “Kaivalya Dhama Υoga Research Institution”, in Lonavla (Pune) and was a disciple of many contemporary yogis and sages.

Her teachers were sri Rocketti, Arnaud Desjardins (France), Leopoldo Chariars, (Argentina), Baba Khan (Egypt), Swami Satyananda, B.K.S Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikatchar, sri Chandra Swami Udason (India). She is still in constant contact with the latter and visits his ashram Sadhana Kendra with every opportunity.

She studied Dance Movement Therapy with Dr. Marcia B. Leventhal (of New York University) as well as the African “Mombwiri” dance therapy of the Mitsogo tribe in Gabon. She is the only Western student who was accepted by the Pygmies to learn with them this primeval healing method.

After her return in Greece in 1985, Leda Shantala brought the Indian classical dance Bharata Natyam to the Greek public. In the same year, she created the Mandiram Centre, the only institution in Greece for Indian dance and artistic/anthropological research in the culture of ancient civilizations, while also offering regular lessons in Yoga, Indian classical dance Bharata Natyam, and later on, Dance Movement Therapy sessions. In 1987 she founded the Leda Shantala Dance Theatre, through which she has been applying her multicultural research to dance-theatre performances.

In 1987 she founded the Leda Shantala Dance Theatre, a unique culturally diverse dance company, which presents innovative multimedia productions combining the art of Bharata Natyam with the art of theatre and the contemporary dance idiom with the ancient Greek art form of the Muses.

In 2003, with her mother Smaro Stefanidou, she created the Shantom House of Culture, which she is still heading. A three-storey modern multi-purpose building in Kato Halandri, of multi-cultural scope, hosting regular courses in yoga, dance movement therapy, many kinds of dance, martial arts and fitness methods from all over the world.

In 2006 she co-wrote, with Irene Maradei, the book "Bharata Natyam", in Greek, about the Indian classical dance.

In 2022 she was chosen by the EICBI (Europe India Centre for Business Industry) among the 60 European people, 60 legends who EICBI believes have played a key role in influencing EU-India relations over the past 60 years and included in the publication EUIndia60 Legends Coffee Table.

She is the daughter of singer Vassos Seitanidis and actress Smaro Stefanidou.

After 30 years of teaching, she has developed a personal way enabling her to approach her students in a direct and personalized manner enriched by her personal experience and daily practice. Experiences which enable her to see and interpret the above studied system drawing from her personal source of wisdom.