A minute with Stavri Ioannou Yoga Teacher & Mindful Educator / Founder of Kids Alternativities

Where do you live?
Nicosia with Shiva, a huge and fluffy female ‘Zen master’ – cat!

What did you have for breakfast?
Yogurt with banana chips and dried ginger.

Describe your perfect day
Any day as far as it is “slow” and includes beach/sea time, some alone time, time with “good” company and a little bit of yoga!

Best book ever read?
Wow that’s hard to choose, many books I like for different reasons. I guess the Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés cause is all about diving into the powerful, instinctive side of women through myths, fairy tales and stories from different cultures. It’s like a journey to reconnect with inner strength, creativity, explore the layers of the feminine psyche and our natural connection to the world around us.

Best childhood memory?
I have many childhood memories, but the one that will stay with me forever happened when I was 12. I was on a school trip at that age when you’re not quite a kid but not yet a teen. A teacher told me she still played at the park, and I looked at her, puzzled. She said, ‘Stavri, if you forget to be a kid, you lose the meaning of life.’ That phrase has stuck with me ever since. Every now and then, I enjoy just being a kid!

What is always in your fridge?
Yogurt, tomatoes, hummus

What music are you listening to in the car at the moment?
Indie pop, alternative, mantras etc…

What’s your spirit animal?
The lioness. She embodies qualities that resonate with me: patience, intuition and nurturing. Lionesses are natural leaders, protectors, empowering and confident, and good at teamwork.

What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of finding what makes me happy and fulfilled and turning it into my job. A big part of my yoga teaching is working with kids and teens, and I’m proud and grateful to be that one teacher they can talk to, seek advice from, respect, have fun with, and be their true and unique selves around.

What movie scene has really stayed with you?
The scene in I Origins where the scientist discusses faith and the unknown and science and spirituality with the Indian doctor really stuck with me. It reminds me that sometimes we don’t need all the answers or proof; trusting our gut and embracing the mystery can be just as important. It’s a powerful reminder of balancing logic with intuition in navigating life’s complexities.

If you could pick anyone at all (alive or dead) to go out for the evening with, who would it be?
Mahatma Gandhi because he was an influential figure, known for his philosophy of nonviolence, something that humanity really needs right now. So, I guess we would have many interesting aspects of his work/life to discuss.

If you could time travel when/where would you go?
Big bang – to experience how it all started

What is your greatest fear?
Restrictions of my freedom on all the levels – physical, emotional, freedom of expression, work, creativity etc.

What would you say to your 18-year-old self?
Don’t worry about the future, enjoy the journey and trust that everything will unfold as it should – it actually did so far!

Name the one thing that would stop you dating someone
Wouldn’t date someone if there’s no chemistry between us and if they’re rude.

If the world is ending in 24 hours what would you do?
Watch the sunset with those I love including shiva – sunsets are the proof that endings can be beautiful too!