About Us
It was in 1989 that a group of Satchidananda Ma’s students in Hampshire joined her to help form a Charitable Trust that would by means of Yoga instruction and Complementary therapies help people. The help given could be specific and direct or it might assist people to learn and thereby help themselves but the basic tenet is the same.
Forming a Charity is no longer as straightforward as it once was and the Charity Commissioners analyse each detail before granting their consent. We remained patient and were able to persist, drawing upon the vast legal experience of one of our founder Patrons whose advice cleared up the final objections in order to realise full charitable status on 25th April 1991.
The Satchidananda Wholistic Trust is therefore a registered charity with much to
aspire to, simply by living up to its literal name. Satchidananda is a Sanskrit word
meaning sat (truth) cit (self-
The intention is to take everyone who needs and wants help or treatment irrespective of class, creed or status. The inability to pay should not deter anyone in need from seeking help. Equally, those wishing to join Yoga classes at any level will be able to do so, regardless of whether the price of the lessons is beyond them.
The aims of the Trust are threefold:
- To promote good health by means of the practice of Yoga. To alleviate ill health by using the therapeutic benefits of Yoga and complementary therapies.
- To educate by means of instruction, advice and example. Illustrating to all aspirants how life can be enriched and lived to the full, whilst shouldering one’s duties cheerfully.
- To restore faith and encourage righteous devotion, kindness for fellow beings and self respect by understanding encouraged through meditative and concentration techniques, as well as study of sacred scriptures from all Religions.
About the name
Swami Satchidananda Ma was the spiritual name given to Pat during meditation by the
late Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. Later, one of Sivananda’s respected disciples
formally initiated Pat, confirming, the name given her by Sivananda several years
earlier. Satchidananda is a Sanskrit word and translated means, sat (truth) cit (self-
"Truth is the only substance that underlies and pervades this world of beings…
Self-
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"Wholistic or holistic is defined a form of medicine which considers the whole person physically and psychologically rather than treating merely the diseased part".
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Trust means confidence, reliance, implicit faith or moral responsibility. However, in the context of our title, trust acknowledges full charitable status.
It follows therefore, that the Satchidananda Wholistic Trust has much to aspire to. The intention is to take everyone who needs and wants help or treatment irrespective of class, creed or status. The inability to pay should not deter anyone in need from seeking help. Equally, those wishing to join Yoga classes at any level will be able to do so, regardless of whether the price of the lessons is beyond them.
About The Logo
At the base is a lotus flower from which rays emanate, like the rays of the sun. Above is a sword with its handle forming a cross uppermost. The serpent appears to have risen from the lotus flower and coils around the sword. The whole is contained in a golden egg.
Whilst all the individual elements used in the logo have different symbolic interpretations, the considered meaning of the logo centres on man’s continued evolution through life. The lotus is a natural symbol for all forms of evolution. It equates with the mystic centre of man and thus the heart wherein God dwells. The rays of the sun signify illumination. The sword is one of discrimination. Because of its implied connection with physical extermination, it represents another symbol of evolution. The cross formed by the handle of the sword is a traditional symbol of love. The upright beam is the axis of the world, whilst the cross beam is the world of phenomena. They stand for the conjunction of opposites, thereby wedding the two worlds in the ultimate goal of true love. The serpent is symbolic of energy itself. A force pure and simple, snakes are guardians of the springs of life and of immortality. The egg is an emblem of immortality which conveys the essence of all beliefs. The vault of space which is the cosmos became known as an egg.
