Elisabeth Haich was a spiritual teacher and author of several books dedicated to spiritual subjects.
She was the second of four children born into an upper middle class family in Budapest, Hungary. As a young child, her unique gifts were expressed as a pianist, painter and sculptress. She was an internationally recognized artist in the time after the 1st world war and her sculptures are exhibited in Hungary, as monuments and in plazas.
In addition to her inclination to art, she began from early age to show special interest in esoteric knowledge.
She got married and had one son who later joined her in teaching Yoga in Switzerland.
At this time, Haich began her lifetime spiritual partnership and companionship with an Indian yoga teacher called Selvarajan Yesudian. They are to be together constantly for the following 55 years until her death (Selvarajan Yesudian himself passed away in October 1998). In close connection with Selvarajan Yesudian, she began giving Yoga lectures in 1939.
At the end of World War II she was forced to leave Hungary when yoga teaching became forbidden by the communist government of Hungary. Together with Selvarajan Yesudian, they decided to resettled in North America but on their way they were asked by friends to stop in Switzerland, the stop turned to be permanent, she settled in Switzerland and lived there until the end of her life.
Together with Yesudian, she founded in Zurich the oldest and largest Yoga school in Europe, Yesudian-Haich Yoga School (in german: Yogaschule Yesudian-Haich). At the same time they founded in Diano Marina, Italy, the Yoga Summer School which was moved in the beginning of the 50s to Ponte Tresa, Switzerland. Both schools operated until 1989 when they were closed due to the advanced age of both founders.
In 1953, at the request of her students, Elisabeth Haich wrote her best known book, Initiation (in german: Einweihung) which has been translated into seventeen languages with millions of copies sold worldwide. In the book, she relates the dramatic story of her past life in ancient Egypt and her apprenticeship with Divine Ptahotep.
Her other books include The Day With Yoga, Self Healing, Yoga & Destiny, Sexual Energy and Yoga and Wisdom of the Tarot.
Until the end of her life, Elisabeth Haich lectured and counseled seekers.
Elisabeth Haich died on July 1, 1994. The following is an excerpt from a letter (dated 28th Oct 1994) written by Yesudian to the students of the Yoga School after the death of Haich:
...She left us all at the wonderful age of 98, completely healthy, spiritually aware and conscious - only her body was not capable of containing her great spirit. Her last words were: “I shall held the Exercitium and nobody else”. These determined words will be fulfilled in her next life. She was never a burden to those who looked after her physical needs till the last. She left after fulfilling her universal mission. She will continue to work through her wonderful books and through people who received her enlightening message and pass it on to those in need. Personally I miss her company very much after being with her for about 55 years constantly. It was a great privilege for me to shoulder her responsibilities which needed much strength, which flowed into me the more I served her. She was always a symbol of strength which
will inspire all those who knew her personally...
About Selvarajan Yesudian
Selvarajan Yesudian, son of an Indian doctor, came in 1936 to Europe to study medicine. In Hungary he met Elisabeth Haich and from that time onwards they remained in close companionship for 55 years and share therefore a similar biography.
Soon after they met, he began to give together with her lectures and courses about Hatha yoga.
They wrote their first book “Yoga and Health” which reached an edition of 100,000 in Hungary within three years (Today more than 1,8 millions in numerous languages).
During the 2nd world war Yesudian assisted his pupils and friends unshakably and remained to them a light and support.
At the end of World War II, he relocated with Haich to Switzerland and there they established their famous Yoga schools.
Details about his life and past lives can be found in the book Initiation.
Selvarajan Yesudian passed away in October 1998.
