European Satyananda Yoga Family

Organisations Worldwide

Swami Satyananda Saraswati (1923-2009) was a true visionary who reshaped the wisdom of the traditional yogic and tantric teachings and made it accessible to a vast number of people regardless of their gender, social background and religious orientation.

In the past 50 years, besides the Bihar School of Yoga, a network of various institutions was created in India and throughout the world based on his vision.

Following, some of these institutions are introduced:

Sivananda Math (1984)

Sivananda Math, a social-charitable society, was founded in 1984 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in remembrance of his master, Swami Sivananda Saraswati.

The aim of the institution is to support the poor and the underprivileged people – especially in rural areas of India, which often are far away from the economically stronger cities and thus only marginally benefit from industrial development.

The aim of Sivananda Math in those areas is to support the people in need through seva (service), karuna (compassion), prem (love) and sneha (sympathy).

Examples of activities of Sivananda Math:

  • Schooling for children
  • Meals for children and the elderly
  • Clothes and food for those in need
  • Free medical help and distribution of medicine

Sivananda Ashram (2004)

Sivananda Ashram was founded in 2004 by Swami Satyasangananda Saraswati as a social-charitable organization. The aim of this institution is to take care of underprivileged aged persons.

With the support of simple aids, this neglected social class is able to spend their last years with respect and dignity.

Activities of Sivananda Ashram:

  • regular medical check-ups, treatment and distribution of medicine
  • providing kitchen utensils and food
  • distribution of clothes and blankets in winter
  • reintegration of widows
  • planning of a home for the elderly is in full progress

Rikhiapeeth (2006)

Swami Satyananda Saraswati left the Bihar School of Yoga in 1988 in order to free himself of all institutional duties. After spending some time as a pilgrim he settled in 1989 in Rikhia to live the life of a paramahamsa and started intense sadhana.

The first few years he lived in total seclusion with only a few sannyasins and received no visitors. After some time, he gave in to the demands of his devotees to see him and opened the doors at specified occasions.

An ashram grew, which he named Rikhiapeeth in 2006, appointing Swami Satyasangananda as the first Peethadishwari.

Today, Rikhiapeeth is a unique and pulsating centre. It combines programs, events and seminars with the spiritual atmosphere of Swami Satyanandas’ Tapobhumi (place of intense austerity).

Rikhiapeeth is a modern gurukul institution (students and teachers live in a community) with the aim of teaching the original wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. All activities of Sivananda Math and Sivananda Ashram are under the management of Rikhiapeeth.

Sannyasa Peeth (2010)

Sannyasa Peeth, a centre for higher spiritual learning, was founded by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati in 2010 to preserve and revive the ideals of the sannyasa tradition in a modern, practical and systematic way.

Sannyasa Peeth inspires the sincere seeker to adopt the right samskaras (mental impressions and archetypes) and the traditional sadhanas (spiritual discipline). A spiritual lifestyle and sannyasa discipline ensure a lasting internalization of the teachings and instructions. 

Every year the Lakshmi Narayan Mahayajna (8.-12. September) is held at Sannyasa Peeth, in the same way as Akshay Tritiya and Sat Chandi Mahayajna are conducted at Rikhiapeeth and Sri Yantra aradhana during Basant Panchami at Bihar School of Yoga.

Satyananda Yoga Academy Europe

Even though there are various options of training in the Satyananda system of yoga, the Satyananda Yoga Academy Europe (SYAE) should be mentioned.

In 2004 SYAE was founded with the aim to preserve and spread the teachings of the Satyananda Yoga tradition throughout Europe by offering well-established yogic studies and teacher training courses.

The courses offered by SYAE provide the highest qualitative and quantitative standard available. All yogic studies and the teacher training modules are compatible with the courses of other Satyananda Yoga Academies in North and South America.

Publications in Europe

Many of the books, published by the Yoga Publication Trust, have been translated into various languages by members of the locale Satyananda Yoga communities and are available from local publishing houses.