Vangelis Syrigos – Founder/Owner

Vangelis Syrigos – Founder/Owner

RYS 200,

Vangelis Syrigos – Founder/Owner’s Bio

Teaching since 2007

Despite his financial success at age 35, Vangelis started to wonder if there is more to life than financial rewards. Poor health contributed to his inner turmoil as well. More specifically, doctors in Greece advised Vangelis that the only way to heal his back was through surgery. Driven by thirst to find something of higher value, Vangelis took a journey to holy mountain, Athos in 2003.

Later on, a path of exploration led him to Thailand. When he arrived at Koh Phangan he felt at home. Vangelis returned to Greece with an idea in his mind to return to Thailand for good.

In 2004, during his second visit at Koh Phangan, Vangelis stayed at Thai Temple with monks and meditated. This was a time of emotional turmoil for Vangelis. He felt emotionally drained and physically weak.  At some point he could not stand up as his back was locked and in pain. He received a healing massage from a monk. He was amazed how this helped him without medication or surgery, which was advised to him back in Greece. This experience gave him new hope for different methods of healing.  This also helped him to understand his emotions, accept himself and made him feel stronger to start over again.

In Koh Phangan, Vangelis discovered Agama Yoga School. After one month of yoga, Vangelis realized that the teachings of Swami Vivekananda Saraswati were important to his life. He felt connected to the people he met and felt inspired by the teachers and the Swami. At this time there was only one yoga hall and Agama school was not well known. Vangelis felt inspired to build a home for Agama school teachings with yoga halls and accommodations, a swimming pool, a sauna and restaurant all on the same property. Vangelis was sure that the school had a bright future and he received Swami’s blessing.

Nonetheless, the decision to move was not that simple. Vangelis returned to Greece to volunteer for the Olympics.  This was a time of confusion, as one side of him wanted to explore a new path in Koh Phangan, and the other side wanted to stay safe in familiar Greece. In the beginning of 2005, Vangelis arrived in Koh Phangan with no return ticket.

By this time, Agama school was growing and more people moved to the island after a tsunami, making it more difficult to find land for the resort. After a long search for available land, Vangelis’ destiny changed.  He was able to find land, make a deal, sign papers and put down the deposit all in one day! He knew he was meant to be here! He started to build Ananda Yoga & Detox Center.

During this time, Vangelis practiced yoga and body purification methods. His back was getting stronger, he was becoming happier and more fulfilled. Vangelis knew that he was on the right path, despite all of the challenges while building the resort.

In January 2006, Ananda Yoga & Detox Center was completed with accommodation, a restaurant with healthy meals, a swimming pool, sauna and yoga studio. His struggles were rewarded when the government constructed a paved road and the local people came to realize the benefits of employment and business expanded as a result of Ananda.

Through experimentation on himself and learning from other yogis about body purification, Vangelis understood how important detoxification is to well-being.  As a result he experienced more clarity in his thinking, more energy, higher feelings of bliss and joy for life, and overall good health. In 2007 Ananda Yoga & Detox Center started to provide detox as a compliment to the other well-being services at the resort.

Over 10,000 people have come from all around the world to undertake detox programs at Ananda. Vangelis has received lots of thank you letters and “you changed my life” feedback, which inspires him to continue with his mission.

Vangelis continues his personal growth and spiritual evolution. He continues to practice tantric yoga at Agama and he is always furthering his knowledge about body purification methods to offer best services to the people who are seeking well-being and happiness.

In Spring 2007 one of the Vangelis’ dreams came true to visit Tibet and learn about their spirituality and tradition. In Patala, Vangelis was inspired by the humbleness of the monks and a way of kindness that still resonates with him today.

In 2011, Vangelis visited Shaolin temple in China and experienced powerful emotional energy healing through Qigong, which widened his vision and expanded the concept of well-being.

In 2013, he completed the 500 Hours Internal TTC in Agama School and started to teach yoga with the blessings from his teacher, Swami Vivekananda Saraswati. Vangelis’ class focus is for people who are fasting or have special health needs.

In 2015, he became a member of the 500 RYT Yoga Alliance®.  In May of 2015, Vangelis was honored at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. at the Global Goddess Artemis Award Ceremonywith an award given by Congresswoman, Carolyn B. Maloney.

In March of 2017 Vangelis graduated at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) which broadened his knowledge in the holistic approach of wellness and good health.

Vangelis has been involved with many philanthropic events and has even created his own for the Koh Phangan community.  He has given local people scholarships for government-approved masseuse certifications, taught at Ananda, hoping to help create their careers in wellness and health.

Vangelis enjoys living in Koh Phangan and can often be seen swimming, kayaking, bicycling or simply meditating at sunset. He especially enjoys meeting like-minded people.

Vangelis reflects on his journey and talks about tantric yoga and detox with a gratitude in his eyes as it has brought good health, joy and bliss back to his life. With passion and enthusiasm in his eyes, Vangelis exclaims, “I know that I am in the right place and doing the right thing at the right time”.

Currently Working With

Ananda Yoga & Detox Center, Koh Phangan, Thailand