what is Yia mas?
Yia Mas is a lifestyle brand and workshop series inspired by the traditions of wellness and self-inquiry embedded in Hellenic culture. We create herbal teas, wellness events, retreats, and conscious objects inspired by Greece's land and ancient wisdom.
Dedicated to wellness, Hellenism, and community, Yia Mas workshops are equal parts informative, social, and interactive. What began as an event at COCO-MAT in New York City has expanded into workshops held virtually, and throughout the U.S. We also host retreats in Greece, the land that inspired it all!
Our brand and ethos celebrate the richness of Greece's land and culture. We aim to elevate alternative perspectives of Greek culture beyond the mainstream.
Our WORKSHOPS
Our immersive workshops fuse elements of Greek culture and philosophy with modern methodologies. We hope you'll walk away from any Yia Mas experience feeling curious, inspired, and more deeply connected - to yourself AND your community.
We have several turnkey workshops that we can personalize for your group or community, including:
- Greek Herbs for Wellness, Greek Dance for Human Connection, and Exercise (suitable for all levels).
-Greek Dance and the Art of Kefi (second-level Greek dance workshop for those who already have some background).
-Thrive with Goddess Archetypes (great for women's groups).
- Know Thyself: A Modern Approach to Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Our events are NOT just for Greeks and Phil-Hellenes! We aim to be inclusive and love sharing our culture with people of all backgrounds and identifications! Due to the ever-increasing popularity of Greece as a touristic destination, we find it important to present alternative perspectives about the country's rich culture and land. Yia Mas began as an event series in New York City at COCO-MAT's flagship Soho store. Since then, we've hosted events throughout the U.S. and retreats in Greece.
OUR EVENTS & RETREATS ARE GREAT FOR:
-Your community.
-Networking! This is not just another happy hour. Build deeper connections through a shared experience.
-Team building! Our founder has a background in corporate wellness in NYC.
-Bachelorettes
-Youth groups!
-Experiential marketing. Bring us into your business! Our events pair well with wellness-based businesses.
Yia Mas can come to you! Scroll down and fill out our contact form to get in touch about bringing Yia Mas to your community.
our founder
Yia Mas is founded by Greek American Kristina Maria Headrick. After witnessing the effects of Greece's devastating financial crisis on friends and family, Kristina felt compelled to share more about the country's culture and support Greece by bringing Greek wellness products to America.
Yia Mas marries Kristina's Greek upbringing with her research on Greek philosophy, dance, design, and culture. Kristina's curiosity and appreciation for self-inquiry inspire her to share Greek folk remedies and ancient traditions and promote Greece beyond the usual diaspora narrative.
Kristina holds a degree in history from the University of Virginia. She has extensive experience studying yoga and meditation (200-hour RYT, 100-hour meditation teacher training with Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science, 75-hour training with Katonah Yoga, and the Mentorship program at Sky Ting Yoga in NYC). With a background in writing and digital marketing, her work attempts to bridge the gap between our increasingly digital realities and tactile experiences. She balances digital work with teaching movement and meditation, including in corporate and co-working space settings in New York City.