Our story

Emma and Alessandro, met in 2019 at the Satyananda ashram Hellas, a yoga monastery outside Athens where Alessandro previously lived for 5 years. A few months later they went on their first adventure together - skiing in the Greek mountains, a unexpected experience for Emma, a Swede. This trip sparked a series of explorations; Emma introduced Alessandro to many beautiful places in Sweden, while Alessandro revealed hidden gems in Greece, including hiking trails and secret thermal springs.

Our shared experiences and love for nature and adventure inspired us to create something meaningful together and True Naturetreats was born.

Read more about us individually here

Alessandro Ortona

Born in Italy, Alessandro began practicing yoga at the age of 15 under the influence of his mother. As a young boy he was deeply influenced by his encounters with various teachers who frequented the house. He graduated in business administration and worked in the shipping industry for a few years. In search of a more peaceful and inspiring life, he gave up his career and moved to Antigua, in the Caribbean, to start a new life. He lived there for six years, understanding that external change doesn't mean too much, so he decided to dedicate himself to yoga and began practicing intensively. He met the great yogi Sri Sri Sri Satchidananda from whom he learned the foundations of the ancient tradition of Hatha Yoga. In Italy he studied with Walter Ruta (Tirak) and began teaching and helping him to develop the Pramiti Yoga School. Later he decided to experience life in an Ashram and so he came to Greece where he met his guru Swami Shivamurti Saraswati, where he spent a few years at the Satyananda Ashram in Paenia. There he learned the principles of Karma Yoga and the teachings of the Satyananda tradition. Since 2005 he has been living in Lagonisi and teaching in Athens and all over Greece and abroad.

Emma Harlin

Meet Emma, a yoga teacher whose journey began with thrilling adventures and led to profound inner exploration. Her story is one of self-discovery, courage, and dedication to a life of inner peace and teaching. Early Adventures Emma's love for adventure started young. At just 19 years old, she traveled to Australia, where she experienced skydiving and scuba diving. One day, while exploring the Daintree Forest, she saw a sign for yoga on the beach. Curious, she attended the session, which sparked a new path in her life. It was through this experience that Emma realized the power of internal experiences over external ones. Academic Pursuits Though deeply moved by her introduction to yoga, Emma was still young and decided to pursue higher education. She enrolled in International Business Administration. During her studies, her Canadian boyfriend, who was pursuing an MBA, planned a field trip to Riga and Prague. Emma, curious about a career working in trade councils and embassies, asked to join him. A Defining Moment While on this trip, Emma found herself at a mingle event at the Japanese embassy. In that moment, everything changed. A deep, internal voice told her, "No, this is not your path this lifetime. Your journey is inner exploration." This revelation was profound, and Emma knew she had to follow this inner calling. Transition to Yoga Less than a year later, in 2006, Emma took a break from her studies and traveled to India. There, she visited ashrams and attended a Teacher Training Course (TTC) in Sivananda Yoga. This experience solidified her commitment to yoga. The following year, she began a two-year training program in Satyananda Yoga. Teaching and Transformation After giving birth to her first daughter, Lilly, in 2009, Emma started teaching pregnancy yoga. This gradually expanded to more courses, and by 2012, she left her human resource consulting job to dedicate herself fully to teaching yoga. Since then, Emma has been teaching full-time and leading retreats in Sweden and other locations. Continuous Learning and Teaching Emma regularly visits ashrams to deepen her knowledge and experience. She integrates yoga into everyday life, continually exploring how it can bring inner peace and fulfillment. Emma's journey from a young adventurer to a dedicated yoga teacher is a testament to following one's inner voice and passion. Emma's story is an inspiration to all who seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.