where do you live?
Nicosia is home to Shiva, a giant, fluffy female “Zen Master” cat.
What did you have for breakfast?
Yogurt with banana chips and dried ginger.
Describe your perfect day
A “slow” day could be anything: at the beach or in the ocean, alone, in “good” company, or even doing a little yoga.
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
Wow, it’s hard to choose. I love each one for different reasons, but I think that “Women Who Run with the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes is about exploring the powerful and instinctual side of women through myths, fairy tales and stories from different cultures. It’s a journey to reclaim inner strength and creativity, to explore the layers of the female psyche and its natural connection to the world around us.
What is your best childhood memory?
I have many childhood memories, but one that will never leave me is from when I was 12 years old. Not a kid, but not a teenager either. I went on a school field trip. My teacher told me we were still playing in the park, and I looked at her in confusion. She said, “Stavri, if you forget what it means to be a kid, life will lose its meaning.” Those words have stayed with me ever since. Sometimes I just enjoy being a kid.
What’s always in your fridge?
Yogurt, tomato, hummus
What music are you listening to in your car right now?
Indie pop, alternative, mantra, etc.
What’s your spirit animal?
A Lioness. She embodies the qualities that resonate with me: patience, intuition, and nurturing. Lionesses are natural leaders and protectors, empowering, confident, and great at teamwork.
What are you most proud of?
What I’m most proud of is finding something that makes me happy and fulfilled and doing it as a job. Working with kids and teens is a big part of teaching yoga. I’m proud and grateful to be a teacher that they can talk to, ask for advice, look up to, have fun with and be their whole self.
What scene from the film stands out to you?
One scene in I Origins that really stuck with me was when a scientist discusses faith and the unknown, science and spirituality with an Indian doctor. It’s a reminder that sometimes we don’t need all the answers or evidence, but it’s just as important to trust our intuition and embrace mystery. It’s a powerful reminder that we need to balance logic and intuition to navigate the complexities of life.
If you could choose any person, living or dead, to go out with for an evening, who would you choose?
Mahatma Gandhi was an influential figure and was known for his philosophy of non-violence, which is something humanity needs very much right now, so I think there are a lot of interesting aspects of his work and his life to discuss.
If you could time travel, where and when would you like to go?
The Big Bang – Experience how it all began
What is your biggest fear?
Restrictions on my freedom on every level: physical, emotional, freedom of expression, work, creativity.
What would you say to your 18-year-old self?
Don’t worry about the future, enjoy the journey and trust that everything will work out fine – and so far it has!
What’s one thing that would stop you from dating someone?
If we’re not compatible or the other person is rude, I won’t date them.
If the world was going to end in 24 hours, what would you do?
Watch the sunset with your loved ones, including Shiva, as it is proof that endings can also be beautiful.
