From January to December – live and online, a monthly 12 part series was conducted, titled Sri Swami Satyananda: Lessons of Life with Swami Sivamurti Saraswati. The series is dedicated to the life, teachings and work of Sri Swami Satyananda.
Themes include: Maha Sivaratri and overcoming suffering, Women and Sannyasa, Ashram life, Yogic lifestyle, Agaman, Bhakti Aradhana and little acts of kindness, Acceptance, Cultivating Happiness, Guru Bhakti, Overcoming Problems, Deepening Awareness and Mind Management.
People from various countries visiting the ashram and those who cannot travel due to distance have been enjoying this series as it honours the legacy of our beloved guru. Much inspiration and knowledge is gained; it is also motivating the participants to create their own projects in their countries on the principles of Serve, Love, Give.
On 1st October, an online lecture was organized in association with the Bulgarian Yoga Association. Wisdom about love and caring was shared. The deep benefits of seva yoga was imbibed and participants felt that the idea of seva as the ‘purpose of life’ touched them deeply.
January to December 2023, live and online programs were conducted:
Attendees of these programs have been from Greece, Europe, the UK, the US and Australia. Satsangs given by Swami Sivamurti Saraswati connected the participants with the enormous work of Sri Swami Satyananda and its relevance today.
It has been offered for free (accommodation, food and the program) to all members of society in Greece and abroad as part of the final goal of the Sankalpa of Seva for 2023 which is Daan and Saha Yoga. This event has been sponsored financially by a disciple of the Satyananda tradition with the aim of reaching out to the community and enabling both members of the Satyananda family as well as new members to be able to visit the ashram with ease.
22nd to 30th March, this event focused on the importance of implementing sadhana into one’s life sincerely and in a committed way. Participants enjoyed being at the ashram and taking part in the chanting, shatkarmas, the satsangs and uniting with other like minded people.
29th January and 22nd October – live; instructors from Satyananda Yoga and other systems, their students and those interested in yoga came to experience a day of yoga
February 2023 – online; organized by the Bulgarian Yoga Association, Swami Sivamurti Saraswati spoke on the ways to overcome obstacles faced in life, how to improve the quality of one’s life, enhance spiritual aspirations and support one’s sadhana. It was attended by Bulgarian and foreign participants made up of yoga instructors, yoga aspirants, friends and students. It was inspiring to read the Bhagavad Gita daily. Light was shed on how relevant the Gita is today so as to contemplate and find ways to manage obstacles.
From 1st to 9th March, Swami Sivamurti Saraswati did an extensive tour to different parts of Greece meeting with yoga instructors, Women’s Groups, students and aspirants discussing the challenges they and their communities were facing during covid, and motivating them to arrange events for their local community to uplift, unite and inspire them. The tour was organized by the Ashram and Enosi, (Hellenic Union Teachers)
January to July – online and live bi-monthly sessions:
The Centre for Creative Activities for Children is set up in Thessaloniki as part of an outreach project for 2023. Children, age 5 to 12, from underprivileged backgrounds are offered creative activities after school including arts & crafts, music, cooking, robotics, theatre, cultural excursions and ways to learn basic computer principles.
From 2nd to 8th December, Satyanandashram opens its doors to everyone to come and stay on the grounds and enjoy the festive season in the true spirit of Satyananda Yoga. This event has been sponsored by a disciple which will enable members, students, teachers, aspirants and newcomers to visit the ashram grounds.
On 24th December, a series of online satsangs with Swami Sivamurti Saraswati began and continue into 2024 so as to connect with many people who cannot visit the ashram in person.