MEET THE FOUNDER
YOGACARYA GEORGIOS DEMETRIADES

QUALIFICATIONS
Vedic priest (pandita) in training under Dr Bisraam Rambilass (M.A. Ph.D. Sanskrit, Vidya Vacaspati) and Pt Sugen Reddy of the School of Vedic Studies, South Africa
Samskrtam Praveshika
(Madra Puri Samskrtam Vidyalam, Chennai, India), 2022
(studies toward a B.A. Samskrtam)
IGCSE Samskrtam Grammar (University of Cambridge), 2018
500-HR ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda) Yoga, 2010
(accredited through the Yoga Teachers Fellowship of South Africa under Marina Contardo of Studio Namaste)
National Diploma: Graphic Design (Central University of Technology, Free State), 2007
Awards: Best 2nd Year Graphic Design Student, 2005; Best 3rd Year Graphic Design Student, 2006; Best National Diploma Graphic Design Student, 2006
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Yogacarya Georgios Demetriades has practiced and taught Yoga since 2008 and 2011, respectively. He is a certified 500-HR ISHTA Yoga teacher under Marina Contardo (Sannyasin Prem Bindu Mardevashaya) an initiate of Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger. The ISHTA system integrates the disciplines of Hatha Yoga, Tantra and Ayurveda specifically. He has devoted many years of deep study in the field of Yoga and metaphysics with a focus of the Vedic teachings of India.
From 2011 to the present, Georgios has taught at many Yoga studios and gyms, in Johannesburg. In 2020, he founded the Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation, which serves the community through the aforementioned sciences.
In addition, Georgios has studied and taught Samskrtam grammar (vyakaranam) since 2016 and 2018, respectively and integrates the subject into the school's curriculum. He believes that a systematic study of the Samskrtam language is vital for further studies and comprehension of Indian scientific, philosophical and scriptural literature. He has facilitated Samskrtam courses online, and in person, as part of Yoga teacher training. He is studying currently towards a B.A. degree in Samskrtam through Madra Puri Samskrtam Vidyalyam. As an extension of his profession as a yogi and samskrti, and to increase the awareness of the Vedic teachings relative to Yoga, Georgios is currently studying to become a Vedic priest (pandita) under the auspices of the Arya Samaj and Purohit Mandal in South Africa.
A professional graphic designer since 2007, he researches, develops and designs the school's visual and instructional collateral; promoting its ethos and services to people who have a sincere interest in reclaiming their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. In 2021, he developed and designed the Amrta Holistic Magazine, and is the editor thereof. Later that same year, he also developed the Yoga for Life Series (completed in 2022), a comprehensive three-part spiritual curriculum for those who desire to develop physically, mentally and spiritually.
His vision is to unite the "best" of the teachings of the oriental sages; creating an approach to Yoga that results in the integration of the body, mind and soul; and which promotes the elevation of human consciousness.
He follows the Kriya Yoga approach of Paramhansa Yogananda Giri Maharaj and the Kriya Yoga masters in the lineage (parampara) of Shiva Goraksha Mahavatara Babaji.