History 1989 to 2014

Yoga Competition history

Yoga competition is part of India's rich history. But Yoga Competions is not Asanas Competion. It is said that the yoga asana (posture) practice originated over 5,000 years ago. Yoga Competitions have been taking place for 2,000 years now, albeit in a more philosophical and spiritual formwith anothers yoga angas. Today, it is estimated that the yoga competition in its current form began about 200 years ago. At least one yoga competition takes place daily in India and South America.
And world or international yoga competions in its current from began about 22 years ago with the father of World Yoga Championships and International Yoga Sports Movement: Swami Maitreyananda (Dr. Fernando Estévez-Griego) who is the organizator of 20 world yoga championship all over the World and 40 International Yoga Championship, 50 International Yoga Asanas Championship, 60 Continental Yoga Championship. Maitreyananda is the founder and creator of Artisic Yoga™ and Rhythmic Yoga the poem and nice art of yoga.

Swami Maitreyananda was the leader behind International Yoga Sports Championships. He was the organizator of World Yoga Cup from 1989 in, India, Uruguay, Spain, Italy, Portugal, U.S.A. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, etc. In this regard he is considered the founding Father of the International Yoga Sports Movement. Due to his inspiration and support, the International Federation of Yoga Sports instituted an annual World Yoga Championship from January 1989 all over the World

The aim of Yoga Sport, as the concept of competing not only in asanas. the competitions is Pranayama, Pratihara, Concentration, Meditation , Santosha, Maitri, Karuna, Jnana, Spirituality and all the yoga angas. Was to introduce young people to the art and science of yoga through competitions. At the time, Yoga Sports was considered an ideal sport for India as no infrastructure or costly equipment was required, and people from all walks of life could achieve so much from it.

The First World Yoga Championship was held in 1989 are in Montevideo and Pondicherry under the guidance of Swami Maitreyananda. Today, The International Council for Yoga Sport of the International Federation of Yoga Sports is the international governing body of Yoga Sport sand is based in South America, Asia and Europe

Yoga Asanas Competions and Yoga Competions

The First World Yoga Championship was held in 1989 in Montevideo, Uruguay under the guidance of Swami Maitreyananda. The First World Yoga Asanas Championship was held in 1989 in Pondicherry, India under the guidance of Swami Gitananda.

In Europe, there is the annual European Yoga Championships organized by the European Yoga Alliance and International Federation of Yoga Sports www.yogasports.org In America there is the annual American Yoga Championships organized by the Latin America Yoga Union and International Federation of Yoga Sports. Asia have annual Asian Yoga Championships organized by the Asian Yoga Union and International Federation of Yoga Sports.

Yoga Federation of India and Yoga Federation of Argentina both raditional world Champions are members of National Olympic Committee.

Competition history

Yoga competition is part of India's rich history. But Yoga Competions is not Asanas Competion. It is said that the yoga asana (posture) practice originated over 5,000 years ago. Yoga Competitions have been taking place for 2,000 years now, albeit in a more philosophical form. Today, it is estimated that the yoga competition in its current form began about 100 years ago. At least one yoga competition takes place daily in India.

And world or international yoga competions in its current from began about 22 years ago with the father of World Yoga Championships and International Yoga Sports Movement: Swami Maitreyananda (Dr. Fernando Estévez-Griego) who is the organizator of 20 world yoga championship all over the World and 40 International Yoga Championship and 40 International Yoga Asanas Championship. Maitreyananda is the founder and creator of Artisic Yoga and Rhythmic Yoga the poem and nice art of yoga

Presidents of Yoga Sports 1989 - 2014

M.S. Vishwanth (India) 1989 - 1994	Swami Gitananda (India- Canada) President Of Honour 1989 - 1993	Yogacharya Fernando Estevez Griego Sw. Maitreyananda (Uruguay) 1994 - 2000	Yogshiromani Dr. Gopal Ji (India) 2000-2008	Yogacharini Eugenia Salas (Sw. Lakshmi) Argentina 2010-2014