Course Duration: 7 days
Format: Lectures, practical sessions, and optional site visits
Dates: April 5th-10th 2026
Location: AIHAA, Digeni 4, Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
This intensive one-week program explores the intersections of body, spirit, and culture through comparative traditions of India and Greece. Participants will engage in immersive practical sessions, philosophical dialogue, and creative workshops designed to foster both personal healing and intercultural understanding.
For groups of fewer than 10 participants
Category Price (EUR)
600 euro (OFFER!)
*Note: The excursion to Meteora would only take place if there are more than 5 participants.
Participants will receive:
• Certificate of Participation
• Appreciation of Yogic Philosophy, India, and Greece relations in Antiquity
• Participation in experimental and experiential ancient pottery workshop
• Begin a positive journey with Yoga and incorporate in lifestyle.
• Students can request for ECTs on the completion of the course, based on discussion with the director.
Course Components
Yoga and Meditation for Healing (8 hours)
• Instructor: Guru Shri Siddhartha Shiv Khanna, Siva Om School of Yoga
• Aim: Cultivate physical balance, inner peace, and spiritual resilience through daily guided yoga and meditation practice. Participants will learn practical techniques rooted in ancient Indian wisdom for harmonizing body and mind.
• Structure: (120-minute sessions, which will include Invocations, mantra chanting, Yoga Asanas and Meditation)
SivaOm opens its doors and welcomes all yoga enthusiasts, who wish to experience traditional Indian yoga and meditation practices first hand. SivaOm Yoga which is a practice of yoga developed by Guruji Shri Siddhartha Shiv Khanna through the inspiration of Adi Guru Bhagwan Shiv. This practice includes a mystical union of the four main branches of yoga (raja – karma – jnan – bhakti) combined in its original teachings from Ancient India, into single seminars of 90 minutes each. Besides classes, SivaOm also hosts Yoga Education Certificate courses (basic and advanced), workshops and organizes yoga retreats.
Born into a distinguished Hindu family, Guru Shri Siddhartha Shiv Khanna was introduced to the practices of Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga from a tender age. Growing up amidst the rich tapestry of Indian spirituality, he imbibed the essence of surrendering oneself to God and engaging in selfless acts of goodness towards all beings.
Under the teachings of his revered Guru Ji, Shri Yogi Anoop Ji, Guru Shri Siddhartha delved into the realms of Raja Yoga – the yoga of the self. Immersing himself in rigorous practice and dedicated study, he found a harmonious balance between physical discipline and spiritual inquiry. Asanas and scriptures became his constant companions, guiding him toward a state of profound inner equilibrium and proximity to self-realization and God-consciousness.
Inspired by his guru’s guidance, Guru Shri Siddhartha embarked on a mission to share the transformative power of yoga with the world. Settling in Greece, he dedicated himself to teaching both basic and advanced yoga training courses, nurturing a new generation of teachers and seekers. His teachings, rooted in ancient wisdom and firsthand experiences, serve as a beacon of hope for those yearning for inner peace and spiritual fulfilment.
At the End of this course: the participants will receive.
- Understanding on the basics of Yoga, Meditation
- A start to their yogic routine for physical and mental wellness
- Learning the history of Yoga, through the instruction of Guruji Shri Siddartha Khanna
- Regular practice will also show significant developments in body posture, mental strain, and stress relief.
Ancient Indian Philosophy Lectures (8 hours)
- Instructor: Professor Anil Kumar Singh (Greek Chair, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India)
- Aim: Deepen intellectual and spiritual awareness by studying core ideas from Vedic and post-Vedic traditions.
Dr. Anil Kumar Singh (Born 1974) is educated at MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, CCS University, Meerut, University of Ioannina, Greece and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He holds Ph.D., MBA and MA Degrees and has attended courses in Modern Greek Language, Literature and Culture Studies at prestigious Greek Universities.
He got scholarships from ICHR, Govt. of India and State Scholarship Foundation, Greece for his academic research. He is Managing Editor of Journal of People’s History Society “Janitihas” and associated with International Journal of Indian Society for Greek and Roman Studies “Yavanika” as Guest Editor. He has edited four books, Dialogue of Civilizations: India and Greece (Aryan Books International, 2019), Hindu Dharma Ke Aadhar Tattva (IHRC, 2022), Discourses in Greek Studies (IHRC, 2024) and Recent Trends in Research: Indian and Foreign Languages (Goyal, 2025) besides many research papers/articles in reputed journals and has attended and organised many national and international seminars, conferences and workshops.
The Greek Chair at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, established in 1998, offers optional courses in Greek Studies at BA and MA levels, and regular full time Research programme which leads to Ph.D. degree, covering Modern Greek Language, Ancient Greek Civilisation, History, and comparative studies between India and Greece.
Pottery as Healing: Ancient Greek Craft (4 hours)
- Instructor: Dr. Georgia Kordatzaki (Ionian University, Corfu)
- Aim: Experience the meditative and restorative qualities of traditional Greek pottery-making. Working with clay, participants explore craft as a means of grounding, creativity, and cultural connection.
Dr. Kordatzaki Georgiahas done postgraduate studies in Archaeology (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens). In 2008 she completed her PhD thesis at the University of Crete, studying the technology and origin of Minoan pottery from the peak sanctuary of Vrysinas, Rethymnon on Crete, Greece. Since October 2024 she is a postdoctoral researcher at the Ionian University, and a former British School in Athens ceramic specialist.
She is a specialist in Aegean prehistoric archaeology and investigates the technology and origin of the pottery and the wider exchange networks. For several years she has been a key member of the research project on the island of Therasia, conducting the analysis of the pottery. From 2012 to 2023, she was an external collaborator at the Fitch Laboratory of the British School at Athens.
At the same time, Georgia works as a freelance researcher in the field of experimental archaeology. She has undertaken the experimental reproduction and study of manufacturing techniques of a group of vessels within the research project Study of Minoan Perfumery of the French Archaeological School and is conducting a series of experimental firings for a deeper understanding and investigation of ceramic technology issues.
She conducts experimental pottery firings either individually or in collaboration. She took part in Hallstatt’s first ceramics workshop held in 2022. In 2018 she held her first solo ceramics exhibition in Athens and has also taken part in group exhibitions under the artistic name Jasper Handmade Ceramics.
Lecture: Dialogue on Happiness and Virtue: The Philosophical Encounter between Socrates and Laozi (2 hours)
- Instructor: Ms. Melin Lyu, Director, AIHAA (PhD candidate)
This seminar explores the conceptions of happiness, virtue, and the good life through a comparative dialogue between Socrates and Laozi, two foundational thinkers of Greek and Chinese philosophy. Rather than treating Greek and Chinese traditions as isolated systems, the course places them in conversation, examining how Socratic ethical inquiry and Daoist wisdom respond to shared human concerns: how should one live, what constitutes moral excellence, and how harmony—within the self and with the world—can be achieved.
Through key texts, concepts, and philosophical practices, students will reflect on reason, virtue, spontaneity, and moral cultivation from both traditions. The seminar aims to offer not only historical insight, but also practical philosophical perspectives that remain relevant to contemporary life.
Meilin Lyu is a PhD candidate in Classical Archaeology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, working at the intersection of archaeology, cultural heritage management and science and technology studies. MA in Greek and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology, Msc. in European Inter-University Association on Society, Science and Technology, and BA in philosophy/liberal arts and sciences in University of Freiburg in Germany. She has delivered guest lectures and talks at institutions including Peking University, Soka University, and Tongji University, focusing on cultural heritage, and Sino-Hellenic intellectual exchange. Her teaching and public work aim to foster cross-cultural dialogue and make classical thought accessible to contemporary audiences.
Meditative Tasting events: Moments of Stillness, Drops of Gold
Greek Olive Oil Tasting as Philosophical Sensibility
Greek olive oil tasting is approached here not merely as gastronomy, but as a practice of attention and discernment. By engaging the senses—smell, taste, texture—participants learn to recognize quality, balance, and harmony, echoing ancient Greek ideas of moderation (sōphrosynē) and cultivated judgment. The tasting becomes an embodied exercise in slowing down and appreciating the relationship between land, labor, and human well-being.
Chinese Tea as a Meditative Retreat Practice
Chinese tea is presented as a quiet ritual of mindfulness and presence. Through the preparation and sharing of tea, participants are guided into a contemplative state that emphasizes stillness, breath, and natural rhythm. Rooted in Chinese philosophical traditions, tea here functions as a meditative retreat—inviting inner clarity, simplicity, and a renewed connection between the self, others, and the natural world.
Indian Food Tasting Evening
This tasting evening invites participants to experience Indian cuisine as a balance of flavor, nourishment, and cultural wisdom. Through carefully selected dishes and spices, the event highlights how Indian food reflects ideas of harmony, care for the body, and mindful enjoyment.
Site Visit: Excursion to Meteora (1 day)
- Instructor: Ms. Melin Lyu, Director, AIHAA (PhD candidate)
One of the greatest monuments of the world, protected by UNESCO and characterized by it as “A Preserved and Protected Monument of Humanity,” Meteora is the most important (after Aghios Oros) monastic center in Greece. The first ascetics came here in the 11th century. Meteora, however, flourished as a monastic center between the 13th and 14th century as many people who lived in the nearby areas embraced the monastic way of living.
Many years ago the only way of accessing the monasteries of Meteora was by climbing. Back then this meant that you must strive for isolation and pursuit of God. Nowadays this is an alternative activity and the best way to enjoy the uniqueness of the landscape.
Important Information
Tuition Fees Include
The tuition fees cover all academic lectures and working materials required for the course, as well as curated culinary tastings featuring Greek olive oil and Chinese tea. Participants will also enjoy one group dinner and private round-trip bus transportation for the excursion day.
Note: The excursion to Meteora would only take place if there are more than 5 participants.
Not Included
The tuition fees do not include any expenses not explicitly listed above. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own airfare, visa fees, and accommodation.
Payment & Registration Policy
- A 30% deposit of the total course fee is required to secure admission.
- The deposit is non-refundable, except in cases of force majeure.
- Accepted payment methods for deposits:
- Bank transfer
- WeChat or Alipay
- Cash deposit at the office
- The remaining balance is payable on the first day of registration.
- Participants are responsible for arranging their own airfare, visa, and accommodation.
- A formal invitation letter for visa purposes can be provided upon request.
Payment Details
Recipient: Organization of Interdisciplinary Humanities and Archaeology in Athens
(Οργανισμός Διεπιστημονικών Ανθρωπιστικών Επιστημών και Αρχαιολογίας στην Αθήνα)
Bank: Piraeus Bank
IBAN: GR91 0172 0760 0050 7611 5756 561
SWIFT/BIC: PIRBGRAA
Alipay: sarameilin@163.com
Contact & Admissions
🌐 Website: aihaa.edu.gr
📧 Email: info@aihaa.edu.gr
💬 WeChat: doli-thalassia-atana (Ms. Yao, Secretary of AIHAA)