Zazen – the seated meditation at the heart of the Zen tradition – is a practice of disciplined stillness, silent observation, and awakening through direct experience. At Yoga in Mykonos, Aris Kapetanakis offers authentic Zazen instruction in both private and small group settings, providing students with a rare opportunity to engage in formal sitting meditation guided by a teacher rooted in Zen and yogic lineages.
Zazen is not about achieving peace or suppressing thought – it is about sitting in full awareness, seeing clearly, and returning again and again to the truth of the present moment.
What Is Zazen?
Zazen (literally “seated meditation”) is the central practice of Zen Buddhism. It is a method of non-dual awareness, where one simply sits upright, breathes naturally, and observes the arising and passing of thoughts without judgment or control. It is practiced:
- Without mantra, visualization, or guided instruction
- With the eyes softly open, gaze lowered, and posture alert
- In silence, allowing reality to unfold exactly as it is
Zazen cultivates mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual insight – not through effort, but through sustained presence. It is deceptively simple, profoundly transformative, and entirely experiential.
To explore Zazen philosophy and technique in greater depth, visit our article here.
Why Practice with Aris?
Aris Kapetanakis is among the first teachers in Greece to introduce Zazen meditation into a yoga shala, bridging the contemplative discipline of Zen with the internal aspects of Ashtanga Yoga. He has trained extensively under Zen master Shokan, and has participated in and hosted multiple sesshin (intensive meditation retreats).
His Zazen instruction is:
- Rooted in Soto Zen tradition
- Taught with precision in posture, breath, and attention
- Integrated with his broader understanding of asana, pranayama, and yogic stillness
Aris teaches Zazen not as a modern mindfulness practice, but as a rigorous spiritual discipline – one that refines perception, expands consciousness, and builds mental resilience.
What to Expect in a Zazen Session
Private Sessions: Ideal for beginners and experienced meditators alike. Includes step-by-step guidance in posture, breath awareness, mental observation, and subtle corrections for sustained stillness. Customised for your body and experience level.
Group Sessions: Held in silence with light guidance. Sessions include:
- Structured Zazen sitting (20–40 minutes)
- Kinhin (walking meditation) if needed
- Optional integration with yoga or pranayama
Sessions are typically conducted in the early morning hours to support clarity, focus, and internal receptivity.
Why Zazen?
Regular Zazen practice supports:
- Mental stillness and non-reactivity
- Regulation of the nervous system
- Cultivation of discipline, patience, and awareness
- Integration of breath, posture, and presence
- Access to deep meditative states without needing techniques or goals
Zazen complements all other forms of practice – especially yoga – as it trains the mind to observe without clinging, resist without reaction, and sit with what is.
Book Your Zazen Session in Mykonos
Sit in silence. Observe without judgment. Discover the clarity beneath the mind’s noise.
Contact us today to book a private or group Zazen session with Aris Kapetanakis at Yoga in Mykonos.
Just sit. Just breathe. Just be.