Markandeya Yoga

Traditional Hatha-Yoga & Wing Chun Kung FuClasses in the Bavarian Oberland ‐ Est. 1995

"Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind."

Yoga is one of the oldest systems for self awareness and mindfulness training. Authentic Hatha-Yoga includes correct body exercises (Asanas), correct breathing (Pranayama) and meditation (Dhyana).

Wing Chun is a fascinating, natural and intelligent system for mindfulness training. The goal is to achieve maximum effectiveness and effect with the lowest possible effort.

Schedule

Regular group classes are currently offered in Hatha, children's, and teen yoga and in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Even beginners can join at any time (except for Intensive Yoga).

Monday Yoga
Villa Vivendi
Heißstraße 7
Bad Tölz
18:30 - 20:00 Uhr
Wing Chun Kung Fu
Erlenstraße 19
Gaißach
20:15 - 21:30 Uhr
Tuesday Yoga
Erlenstraße 19
Gaißach
18:30 - 20:00 Uhr
Thursday Wing Chun Kung Fu
Erlenstraße 19
Gaißach
20:15 - 21:30 Uhr

Courses and Workshops

You can book me for courses and workshops lasting three, six or nine days. I look forward to hearing from you!
Click here for my contact details.

Prices

Yoga:

Introductory class
20,00 €
3 month 1 time per week
200,00 €
6 month flat rate
480,00 €
Private lesson
70,00 €
10 visit pass
180,00 €

Teen-Yoga:

Introductory class
15,00 €
Class
12,00 €

Wing Chun Kung Fu:

Introductory class
20,00 €
Monthly 1 time per week
60,00 €
Monthly 2 times per week
100,00 €

Introductory classes are available for all classes.

Traditional Hatha-Yoga

"Ha": Sun (movement, hot), "Tha": Moon (calm, cold).

Hatha Yoga is the path to unifying the opposites (harmony between tension and relaxation) by controlling the body, life force and meditation. It is an important technique in Raja Yoga and is also known as Kundalini Yoga.

The 4 main paths of yoga:

  • Raja Yoga
  • Jnana Yoga
  • Bhakti Yoga
  • Karma Yoga
More information on the four main paths

Raja Yoga

Founded by Patanjali (approx. 400 BC). The most scientific and comprehensive approach to self realisation (spiritual mastery).

Raja Yoga uses the following techniques for a systematic analysis of the spirit:

Hatha Yoga

Unity of opposites (physical). Bringing opposites into unison and harmony. Similar to the Chinese Ying-Yang principle. Mastery of the life force (Prana), energy channels (Nadis) and energy centres (Chakras).

The techniques of Hatha Yoga:

  • Asanas - body postures
  • Prana Yama - breathing exercises
  • Kriyas - purification of the physical body
  • Bandhas - closing off techniques within the Sushumna Nadis (energy channels in the spine)
  • Mudras - hand positions (seals)

Yantra Yoga

The use of geometric shapes for meditation.

Mantra Yoga

The singing or humming of holy names and words such as Om.

Nada Yoga

The use of sounds and music for meditation.

Laya Yoga

Deep relaxation - transcending the inner sounds (Anahata).

The 8 limbs of Raja Yoga

All forms of Raja Yoga are Ashtanga Yoga and have the 8 limbs, which can also be combined with several techniques. The key principles are the same, only the focus is different.

  1. Yama (non-violence, truthfulness, chastity,
    non-possessiveness, non-stealing)
  2. Niyama (inner and outer purity, contentment,
    asceticism, the study of spiritual texts, devotion to God)
  3. Asana (body postures)
  4. Pranayama (various breathing exercises)
  5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses,
    freeing the spirit from disruptive things)
  6. Dharana (concentration)
  7. Dhyana (meditation)
  8. Samadi (contemplation)

Meditation

Meditation is a voyage within, through which one reaches the centre of one's consciousness which is the centre of all existence. It is about the person (ourselves), not about the state of being.

Recognising oneself (seeing) is doubtlessly the most important thing there can be (in our life)! Man and the universe ("God") are one. Meditation is not something one can do. One can "only" be in meditation (no action, but rather being).

Jnana Yoga

The most direct path, study of spiritual texts, reflection and intellectual analysis of these "truths". The spirit questions its own nature, transcends the mind in order to become one with "reality". Who am I? Where do I come from? Why am I? Where am I going?

Bhakti Yoga

The path of devotion and love, through prayers and singing, telling stories of saints, masters and God, cultivating humility and altruism, becoming an instrument of "God". (no fanaticism! everyone imagines "God" the way they want to!).

Karma Yoga

Acting to serve selflessly, without personal reward and through abnegation of recognition and praise. A "sacrifice" made to the common good, nature and God. Opening of the heart, destruction of egoism.

Teen Yoga

Nowadays quite a few adolescents suffer from a significant lack of exercise, since they don't really move much and/or correctly.

The locomotor and respiratory systems often receive too little attention

The various yoga exercises (Asanas), performed in a playful and age-appropriate manner, give teenagers a healthy body awareness. They learn to move their body correctly, they relax and feel well since they know how to use their bodies.

These Asanas have a positive effect on the entire body and mind of adolescents.

Wing Chun Kung Fu

Wing Chun is a fascinating, natural and intelligent system for mindfulness training.
Its goal is to achieve maximum effectiveness and effect without spectacular acrobatics, but rather with the least possible effort and thus in an energy saving and economical manner.

Principles of Wing Chun

When using Wing Chun, you can't be thinking at the same time.
The feeling is what matters most!
The forms are the foundation for good Kung Fu.
They require constant practice, practice, practice.
All movements in the forms are designed to be used.
The hips and legs always work together.
The stance strengthens the organs and stabilises the body.
Through Chi Sao, one learns the feeling for applying the technique perfectly.
There is no "ideal practice". The one which can be applied correctly in the moment is the best one.

Be mindful of distance and good positioning of the body.
Be mindful of timing. No "jumble"!
Always one technique after another.
All movements must be directed from one's own centre toward the opponent.
Footwork must be combined with a good stance.
Only use a kick if a good opportunity presents itself.
Hand and footwork must always be coordinated.
The heart of Wing Chun is Chi-Sao (sensitivity training, "sticky hands"):
A more or less random sequence of various techniques, which allow a (rather sensitive) exchange of energy (cause-effect) to take place.

Chi Sao

is not combat,
has no Ego,
feels, perceives,
is ever changing intent,
doesn't want, but happens,
yields, follows, controls,
doesn't use force,
is structured relaxation,
has rhythm and flow!

Positive "side" effect of Wing Chun

Bodily (physically):
  • Equilibrium
  • Posture and coordination
  • Tone and relaxation
  • Defending the Self
  • Combat
Mentally (psychologically):
  • Awareness and attention
  • Control of emotions
  • Intuition and empathy
  • Patience and acceptance
  • Confidence

Markandeya - Raphael Lang

Portrait of Raphael Lang

I was born May 1971 in Munich. After a carpentry apprenticeship, I began to travel the world and to learn and assimilate yoga, meditation, various martial arts and massage techniques.

My yoga studies in Sivananda began in 1993, and I completed yoga and advanced yoga teacher training in 1994 in Canada where the title of "Markandeya" was conferred on me - this means "The one who conquered death". Then I taught for 9 months in various Sivananda Yoga Ashrams, including in Canada, New York and the Bahamas.

Later I studied various yoga practices and meditation techniques, learned additional martial arts and massage styles, and spent extended periods in several Ashrams and Zen monasteries. After that I continued to teach and give massages in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, India and Spain.

Today I live in Bad Tölz, give public yoga and Wing Chun Kung-Fu lessons in group and private classes and work as a motivational trainer.

Further information on my training

Ausbildung

Training duration (within 2 years):
total of 838 training hours (of 45 minutes each)

Yoga teacher

63 training hours Asanas, Pranayama, Kriyas
18 training hours Anatomy and physiology
28 training hours Karma Yoga
98 training hours Meditation and Kirtan
19 training hours Bhagavad Gita
79 training hours Philosophy of the 4 paths of yoga
65 training hours Yoga teaching practice
28 training hours Reviewing the training material
3 training hours Individual interviews

In total 401 training hours

Advanced yoga teacher

137 training hours Asanas, Pranayama, Kriyas
46 training hours Anatomy and physiology
8 training hours Karma Yoga
88 training hours Meditation and Kirtan
19 training hours Raja Yoga Sutras
88 training hours Philosophy
28 training hours Reviewing the training material
3 training hours Individual interviews

In total 437 training hours

Given lessons so far:

about 3500 (December 2020)