History of the European Union of Yoga
The EUY was founded in 1971 by Gérard Blitz and André van Lysebeth.
The representatives of the National Federations met in Switzerland in 1971 to create the European Union of Yoga Federations (UEFNY) which later became the EUY.
The founder members were:
Switzerland K. HUGH
France : Mme Claude PELTIER, Roger CLERC,Nil HAHOUTOF
Belgium: André VAN LYSBETH, Eric GOMEZ
Germany: Martin LÜDTKE, Friedrich SCHULZ-RAFFELT
Mr K. Hugh was nominated as General Secretary at the first meeting.
The first UEFNY congress was held at Zinal, situated in the mountains in the Swiss Valais, in 1973 at the suggestion of Claude Peltier.
She was delegated to organise it at the premises of Club Méditerranée which Gérard Blitz, who was at the time Vice-President of the “Club Méd”, put at her disposal.
During the second congress in 1974 since Mr Hugh had retired, the founding Committee elected Gérard Blitz as General Secretary. This picture form Zinal 1984 shows Carlos Fiel, Arnaud Desjardins, Swami Chidananda, Swami Satchidananda, Sri Sri Sri Satchidananda, André Van Lysebeth and Roger Clerc.
For many years he organised a large congress in Zinal , which was unique in Europe and in 2022 will celebrate it’s 49th anniversary. After M. Blitz’ s death in 1990, Raoul Lenz, the President of the Swiss Federation succeeded him as Director of the EUY and of the Zinal congress. Diana Kendall of Great Britain was the next to be elected as General Secretary and from 1994 to 2006 Antonietta Rozzi of Italy served in the post. Next was Marianne Mascini (2006-2010), Claire Bornstain (2010-2012), Herman Seymus (2012-2014) and Gabi Gillessen (2014-20). Since 2020, the EUY President is Virginie Zajac.
At present the Union consists of 22 national Federations. The seat of EUY is in France.
History
The EUY was founded in 1971 by Gerard Blitz and Andre van Lysebeth. The representatives of the National Federations met in Switzerland in 1971 to create the European Union of Yoga Federations (UEFNY) which later became the EUY.
Teacher Training
The Aim of the Initial Training Program is to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become effective teachers of Yoga, and to provide a basis for the continued study of the philosophy, principles, and practice of Yoga.
EUY Vision
The European Union of Yoga (EUY) has brought National Yoga bodies together since 1971 to share common values. The EUY carries the message of Yoga that has eternal value to people in this millennium.
EUY Mission
The EUY’s mission statement is to be an outstanding organisation, promoting and protecting the essence and authority of the teachings of yoga as well as upholding the spiritual maturity …
EUY Values
1. The EUY adopts the basic Yoga tenets as defined in the Yogasutras of Patanjali.
2. The EUY Yoga training follows the framework given by the classical yoga texts.
EUY Articles
The EUY Articles and Internal Regulations guide and direct the EUY Organisational governance.