OUR HISTORY Innovation for the future.

The Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation opened in October 2020 as an online service provider, ministering to people during the CO-VID19 pandemic; with the online platform long since dissolved, the school nevertheless continues with its online spiritual offering minimally.

The Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation is the consummation of many years (since 2011) of dedicated Yoga teaching (abhishiksha), self-practice (sadhana) and self-study (svadhyaya) as a form of service to humanity (nri yajna). It's founder Yogacharya Georgios Demetriades has painstakingly dedicated his life to the study of the scriptures, philosophies and sciences of India, and, to date, continues with his quest for knowledge, which he disseminates to those who seek his counsel and training, and which enables him to innovate the educational offering to Westerners without losing the spiritual vitality and authenticity of the teachings of India's sages, which unfortunately has become the norm in the West.

He is an ISHTA Yoga teacher by training. ISHTA is an acronym for the Integrated Science of Hatha [Yoga], Tantra and Ayurveda, and focuses on these three main systems which integrate well to produce a holistic system which conduces to the integration of the psycho-physical and psycho-spiritual aspects of human life. By uniting the "best" teachings proffered by the oriental sages, Georgios assists people through an integral approach to Yoga which is both safe and gentle. He assists the aspirant yogi in discovering the unique blend of Yoga techniques, Tantra and Ayurveda which best suits his/her unique constitution (prakrti). Further, as a Sanskrit scholar, he vitalises the ancient teachings by bringing to those prospective students' attention the importance of acquainting oneself with the Sanskrit language, which roots them in the ancient Sanskrit traditions of India, as well as including them in all publications produced for the Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation.

He follows the Kriya Yoga approach of Paramhansa Yogananda Giri, author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, and a great illumined saint of India.

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QUALIFICATIONS

Second-year Vedic priest in training (School of Vedic Studies, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha South Africa, 2023 - present)

Studies toward a BA degree in Sanskrit (Madras Sanskrit College), 2021 - present

IGCSE Sanskrit Grammar (University of Cambridge), 2016 - 2018

500-HR ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda) Yoga under Marina Contardo (Studio Namaste), 2010

National Diploma: Graphic Design (Central University of Technology, Free State), 2004 - 2006

Awards: Best 2nd Year Graphic Design Student, 2005; Best 3rd Year Graphic Design Student, 2006;

Best National Diploma Graphic Design Student, 2006

OUR NAME & EMBLEM A visual herald for positive change through Yoga.

In 2019, just before the Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation became a reality, Georgios designed this logotype to represent the Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation as a reputable spiritual organisation and disseminator of Yoga. The Sanskrit name Hiranya Mandala translates into the 'Golden Circle'.

According to the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda Giri, the symbolism of the various elements of the logo is described below:

The circle is a symbol of continuity and unity. It acts as a container that unites the various elements of the emblem. On a deeper level, it signifies the One Simplicity that holds the ideational potentialities for life within Itself, and their multifarious and multitudinous expressions. Conversely, and in the same way, the multiplicity of energies and consciousness in the multiverse have the potential of merging into, and becoming one with, the “One Formless Verity.”

This element comprising 3 circles, rotated on its axis - clockwise - represents the 3 modes (triguna) of undistorted Nature (Mula/Para-Prakrti): activating force (sattva guna), neutralising force (rajo-guna) and distorting force (tamo-guna). The Sanskrta word guna is defined, literally, as “a strand of a cord or rope”. These cords, which bind the soul to materiality, must be transcended by the yogin through the Yoga practice (sadhana).

This element comprising 3 circles, rotated on its axis - anti-clockwise - represents the 3 aspects of action (karma): (1) actions performed in a former birth with their corollary effects in the present time (prarabdha karma), (2) actions performed in one’s current birth (kriyamana karma) with their respective results in the present, (3) present actions that give rise to future births (agamin karma). These must be transcended by the yogin through the Yoga sadhana.

The preceding two elements conjugate to form the corolla of a lotus (padmam). The lotus has always been used, throughout the ages, in India, as a metaphor for spiritual growth/evolution. The lotus of spirituality grows up out of the abysmal mud of primordial darkness or ignorance, and unfolds in the light of spiritual transcendence.

The golden sphere, in its totality, represents the Cosmic Vibration of OM/AUM, the Pranava Shabda, that gives rise to the creation. It also stands for time (kala), space (desha) and atom/particle (anu/patra) which are categories of phenomenal existence and have their origin in the Illusive Force (Maya) itself - the Pranava Shabda, aforesaid - and which are transcended by the yogin through the Yoga Knowledge (Vidya). In the western scriptures Cosmic Vibration is referred to as the "Holy Ghost", the "Word", "Gabrielle's Trumpet",

and/or "Amen."

The blue orb signifies the Cosmic Intelligence (Kutastha Caitanya) of Spirit (Paramatman), immanent in vibratory creation. It is the Omniscient Feeling of love, the Attraction (Premabhijam Chit) which draws all minor forms of energy and consciousness back to the One, and which guides Cosmic Vibration (OM/AUM) to create “according to the perfect pattern of God.” In the western scriptures Cosmic Intelligence is referred to as the "Son of God."

The pentagonal white star signifies the Cosmic Conciousness (Brahman Caitanyam) of Spirit (Paramatman), beyond vibratory creation. According to Adi Shankaracarya it is defined as the “Ever-Existing, Ever-Conscious, Ever-New Bliss” or “Sat-Chit-Ananda”.Each point of the star also represents one of the five elements (panca mahabhutas/mahatattvas) of Nature (Prakrti) that comprise the human body in various combinations and permutations: earth (kshiti/prthvi), water (apas), fire (tejas), air (prana/vayu/pavana), ether (akasha/vyoma).In the western scriptures Cosmic Consciousness is referred to as "God the Father."

The pictogram in its totality, represents the Eye of Shiva, or the Third Eye, seen during deep ecstatic(samadhi) meditation.In the western scriptures it is known as the symbolic "dove descending from heaven", or the "star in the East."It is said by masters of Yoga that, when the yogi's consciousness and life force penetrate the triune lights, he achieves Cosmic Consciousness or unity with Spirit beyond vibratory creation."

Firmly holding the spine, neck, and head erect and motionless, let the yogi focus his eyes at the starting place (the spot between the two eyebrows); let him not gaze around in various directions." - Bhagavad Gita 6:13

"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." - Matthew 6:22

"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light." - Revelation 22:4 - 5

ETHOS & PERSONA These are the qualities which underlie our efforts.

The Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation's ethos and personality are defined fully:

YOGA INTEGRATION
It’s not enough to learn the theories of Yoga, only, but it is more important to integrate these, into one’s daily life, practically.

BALANCE
Human beings have a trifold nature: material, mental, and spiritual. In order to achieve balance, these aspects of being should be developed, uniformly, in order to avoid over-sided development. We can then sow the seeds of spiritual growth in the fertile soil of our minds, and reap a rich harvest of well-being and bliss (anandam).

WELL-BEING
By achieving the aforementioned balance in our lives, the attainment of well-being comes spontaneously. According to the Great Ones, all suffering is borne of the contact of the five senses with their sense objects, and the subsequent attachment to the objects in question. We propose, by the practice of the aforementioned yogic techniques, to create an energetic impetus toward the inner world of Spirit, whence healing and transformation come, spontaneously. The “yogi practitioners”, having experienced the superior joy that comes as a result of accessing that inner world, can then compare the lasting happiness - borne of the contact with Spirit - with the evanescent pleasures of the senses, and so make the changes necessary in order to perpetuate that joy in their lives; achieve the fourfold aims; uplift those around them, and by extension, help to harmonise the community, and the world at large.

SUPPORT
The enervating energies of the material world can be detrimental to the well-being that we are striving to attain. To create a loving and supportive environment in which the “yogi practitioners” can come together, practice, and uplift one another, is an important part of the spiritual path, and helps us to sustain, and reinforce the efforts made in our spiritual practices (sadhana).

The following keywords describe the personality of the Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation:

INNOVATIVE
The Hiranya Mandala School of Yoga Integration and Meditation is aligned to serving (seva) people by creating access to the scientific methods of meditation, as taught by Paramhansa Yogananda Giri; the creation of innovative educational courses, based on the Vedic sciences, of India, that help to expand the minds of those who are serious about their spiritual life, spherically, and so that they may serve, in the world, in turn.

DYNAMIC
We serve the public with energy, enthusiasm and positivity. We work tirelessly to produce a high-quality level of service. Paramhansa Yogananda always emphasised the need to smile. He said, “Be a smile millionaire.” We serve people with smiles on our faces; sincerity, and with a genuine interest in our hearts.

AUTHENTIC
Those who work at the Hiranya Mandala School are living what they teach! This is of vital importance. The Sanskrta word non-hypocrisy (arjavam) brings this quality into focus. One cannot be a councillor and live a desultory life, simultaneously. Through the regular, systematic, and disciplined practices of Yoga, and through the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that these practices engender, the “yogi practitioner” becomes better equipped to teach and guide others, toward an understanding of the subtleties and intricacies of spiritual life.

RELIABLE
We are at the service of the student, always, as he/she progresses in an understanding of the teachings of Yoga. We also provide post-education support that helps the student to continue with his/her practices, uninterruptedly. No student is ever turned away!