Ursula Lyon

Austria

Ursula Lyon

Austria

Ursula Lyon is described as one of the pioneers of yoga and Buddhism in the West, and is considered to be one of the leading Western Dhamma teachers.

Ursula Lyon as a youth lived through World War II in Germany. She studied nursing, and later trained in massage. From 1952-1964, she lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she married Austrian-American lawyer, Jesse Lyon. She had two daughters, and used natural birthing methods. This sparked her in interest in natural healing methods. Her joy of movement brought her to yoga. While in Brazil, she also came into contact with Buddhism.

Since the early 1960s, Ursula Lyon had been teaching autogenic training developed by German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz. This practice involves three 15-minute sessions per day in relaxation techniques.

Upon her return to Germany, she began teaching yoga. In 1980, she followed her husband to Vienna, Austria, where she has lived ever since and taught at the Buddhist Center.

In 1985, she took a course with Ayya Khema, who had studied and ordained in Sri Lanka. Ursula Lyon became a student of Ayya Khema until her teacher's death in 1997. She was authorized to teach by Ayya Khema.

Thus, Ursula Lyon began integrating autogenic training, yoga and Vipassana meditation. She was undeterred by the skepticism of both her yoga colleagues and those responsible for Buddhist associations. Her integration of these practices is why, throughout German-speaking countries and northern European countries today, yoga and meditation are equal parts on the same path of practice.

Ursula Lyon established along with her husband, Buddhist centers in both Vienna and Scheibbs, Austria. She also established the Vienna Peace Pagoda, the Austrian Buddhist Religious Society and was involved in the creation of numerous other groups and centers, including:

Founder and leader of the Ginko Sangha and Sampada Sangha; the Theravada School in Vienna; Buddha House Association; Association of Buddhism in the West; and Kirchberg am Wechsel Monastery. Her efforts led to Buddhism receiving state recognition in Austria.

Her publications on Buddhism include:

Rituals for the whole life: Buddhist Inspired.

Light on Your Path.

Anti-Stress Training.

Touched by Buddha.