Dimitra Yoga promotes karma, community

Local yogi Dimitra Kotanides said she hopes to use her business to promote good acts and build the Cape Region yoga community.

Since November, when Kotanides assumed sole ownership of Soul Yoga, a hot yoga studio on Plantation Road, she has assembled nearly a dozen instructors to offer more classes and assist in yoga outreach through the studio.

In addition to several levels of hot yoga classes, Kotanides said, "We have added unheated yoga classes and open meditation."

"We want to bring more people into yoga," she said,

Kotanides updated her facilities with hardwood flooring in the Plantations West clubhouse. In addition, she the has been busy organizing weekend teacher training this winter and spring, where Kotanides said she wants to emphasize outreach and good acts, or yoga karma outside the studio.

As part of the training, Kotanides said students must raise nearly $2,500 in yoga karma funds for a charitable organization of their choice.

Despite big demands, she said registration filled fast.

Ever since she moved to the Cape Region, nearly seven years ago, Kotanides has hosted a variety of free or donation-based community yoga classes such as yoga in Canalfront Park, on Lewes Beach and at group homes for women in crisis, she said.

Karma is an intrinsic part of many types of yoga and is understood as selfless service, she said.

Showing support for a variety of organizations that respond to disaster or crisis, Kotanides said she has a hard time saying ‘no’ because she empathizes with those in need.

Clothing Our Kids Founder Mary Rio said her organization, which supplies clothing for students in need and extra garments for school nurses across Sussex County, said she was ]the surprise recipient of Kotanides’ yoga karma over the holidays.

"She called me up and said 'I looked into your organization and I want to help you out. I will be sending you a check'," Rio said. "She gave me a $500 check. She is very good and said she can help me out whenever I need her."

Kotanides said she hopes to share the benefits of yoga practice in her newly-renovated studio with continued classes, workshops and the Yoga Alliance-certified teacher training seminar beginning in early 2014.

Teacher training will be spread out on weekends beginning in January and provide training in anatomy, adjustments, meditation, chakras, ethics and the business of yoga.

For more information about Dimitra Yoga studios, classes, teacher training or workshops, visit dimitrayoga.com or call 302-645-9100.