Miles incorporates yoga, inversions, and calisthenics into his practice. Follow along to a series of strength building exercises to incorporate into your yoga practice.
What inspired you to specialize in calisthenics and how did you first encounter this practice?
I first discovered calisthenics in 2016 through a YouTube video. It was a simple demonstration of basic bodyweight exercises, but what caught my attention was the name itself: calisthenics. The word comes from the Greek terms “κάλλος” (beauty) and “σθένος” (strength), and that immediately sparked my curiosity. As I dug deeper, I learned that calisthenics was originally a fundamental strength-training method used by Spartan soldiers to prepare for combat. Their routines focused on bodyweight exercises, complemented by acrobatic movements performed in pairs or groups—movements that, today, could even be likened to dance flows. The purpose wasn’t just to build strength and flexibility, but also to enhance proprioception and foster seamless coordination and communication among soldiers.While the modern form of calisthenics has evolved, the core principle—becoming strong and flexible using your own body—immediately resonated with me. From my very first practice, I was hooked. There’s something incredibly rewarding about pulling or pushing your own body, a sensation I had missed with traditional weight training. And when I started exploring skills and acrobatic movements, I knew I had found my true passion.
Are there particular teachers, athletes, or experiences that have influenced your teaching style?
There are so many! I had the privilege to get to know, work and be coached by a lot of talented people, like Leo Gashi & Denis Piccolo, the guys behind the Sthenics team, Giorgos Votsis, who owns the Art of Calisthenics studio in my hometown, Thessaloniki, and of course Elpida Tsintsifa, a person who has dedicated her whole life in the science of Sport, and I was lucky enough to have as a mentor, on my early days.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their journey with inversions or calisthenics?
Seek for guidance and a good coach, always warm up properly, listen to the body, be patient and mostly, fall in love with the process.
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Learn more about yoga teacher and calisthenics coach Miles on the Manduka Teacher Spotlight here and find him on Instagram.
