About iYoga
Why yoga?
By practicing yoga poses regularly, one developes a healthy balance between Flexibility, Power, Endurance and Stability. Observing the breathing process refines body awareness and trains the ability to concentrate. This creates a stable basis for mental and spiritual development.
In addition to physical strength and flexibility, yoga practitioners feel more and more emotional resilience, which helps them to take on life's challenges more positively.
Everyone can benefit from a hatha yoga practice and experience more joy in life!
Our team
Studio directors / "Senior Teachers"
Michael Forbes
Level 3 (formerly "Senior Intermediate II"), founder and studio director
Margarete Eckl
Level 3 (formerly "Senior Intermediate I"), studio director
Our Teachers
Andrea Treffer
Lecturer, Level 1
Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher IYD since 2019. Training with Margarete and Michael.
andrea.treffer@web.de
Birgit Meissner
Lecturer, Level 2
Born in 1970, Iyengar Yoga teacher training since 1995 at the iYoga studio in Munich, graduated in 2007.
Certified (Level 2, 2017), IYD.
bib.meissner@gmx.de
Christl Anders
Yoga practice since 1993 with Michael Forbes, certified Iyengar Yoga teacher IYD 2011, training with Rita Keller and Bob Blaeser.
christl.anders@gmx.de
Andrea
Mehnert-Lange
Lecturer, Level 2
Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher IYD since 2019. Training with Margarete and Michael.
drea.mehnert-lange@vingerstr47.de
Lecturer, Level 2
Lecturer:inside 1
Lecturer, Level 2
Lecturer, Level 2
Lecturer, Level 1
Lecturer:inside 2
Claudia Lamas Cornejo
Elisa Bruni
Jessica von Saucken
Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher since 2018, Level 2 since 2023. Board member of the IYD.
yoga@claudiyengar.com
www.claudiyengar.com
elisa-bruni@t-online.de
Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher for many years. After several years in her native Australia
back in Munich.
Born in 1971, certified Iyengar Yoga teacher, IYD 2012, practicing yoga since 1995, trained at iYoga in Munich.
Own courses since 2003.
jsaucken@mail.de
Iason Papaioannou
Lecturer, Level 2
Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher since 2019, Level 2 since 2023.
iapapaioa@gmail.com
Lecturer:inside 3
silke.severin@yahoo.de
Born in 1976, trained by Michael Forbes at iYoga Munich
Certified Iyengar yoga teacher level - 2023, practicing yoga since 2012, own courses since 2022.
Silke Severin
sonja.berger@web.de
Born 1967, graduate psychologist,
Iyengar Yoga since 1988, own courses since 1993, SKA degree in 1994, certified Iyengar Yoga teacher IYD. Zazen since 1993.
Yoga & Zen in Almtalzendo, Austria.
Sonja Berger
bouyssy@t-online.de
Born 1968, designer.
Yoga practice since 1998, Iyengar Yoga since 2003, training with Margareta and Michael. Own courses since 2016, IYD certificate 2018.
Lecturer, Level 2
Sabine Bouyssy
Michela Digiusto
Lecturer, Level 1
Born in 1972, practicing yoga since 1993, own classes since 2020. Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher Level 1, 2022 (training with Michael and Margarete).
quispedigiusto@outlook.de
Lecturer, Level 1
iapapaioa@gmail.com
Lecturer, Level 1
Lecturer:inside 4
Stefanie Soft
Born 1968, certified Iyengar yoga teacher since 2017, trained with Michael and Margareta. Certified sports teacher for rehabilitation and prevention TUM, alternative practitioner. Own practice in Munich-Pasing (osteopathy, Gestalt psychotherapy and TCM).
stefanie.weich@gmx.de
Lecturer, Level 1
Here you can find us
Waltherstrasse 23
at Goetheplatz
80337 Munich
Rooms & equipment
In spring 2005, after 14 years in Maistraße, we took over a floor of the office building Waltherstraße 23, Rgb. (at Goetheplatz) with almost 600 m². We spent 5 months building and practiced for the first time in the fall. First, all existing walls, ceilings and floors were removed from the former open-plan office. We installed special load-bearing partition walls and wall ropes for approx. 60 participants, comprehensive ventilation with heat exchangers, ceiling ropes for approx. 50 participants and bamboo parquet flooring in all rooms. There is also a spacious lounge area, a checkroom with lockers and a shower. Now, after 19+ years here, we are happy to have made the investment in an optimal practice environment and invite all those interested in yoga to get to know the studio live.
Everyone interested in yoga is welcome
Newcomers
Newcomers are always welcome as participants. After the initial orientation, many continue practicing regularly in the course.
Advanced
Advanced yoga practitioners will find challenging courses and seminars that will keep them going for years and decades.
Preparing for teaching yoga
Prospective yoga teachers are trained and supervised from their first beginnings to establishing themselves in the profession.
iYoga in English
Our friendly and competent certified Iyengar Yoga Teachers
We always teach in German.
But all teachers can teach bilingually, German / English, as required.
(Elisa and Michael are "native speakers".)
Also look out for the Foundations Class on Mondays with Michael with English as the primary language!
iYoga online
All courses and seminars can be found in presence take place. Some of them take place in hybrid form (also online at the same time). These can be seen in the schedule tables and can then be attended here in the studio or via Zoom at home.
iYoga video recordings
Since March 2020, we have made many hundreds of recordings of yoga classes by Margarete and Michael. In addition to the possibility of practicing in a course and then receiving the recording of it, you can also choose from our catalog of over 1000 recordings and "buy" access to them.
Frequently asked questions & answers
Does iYoga offer a trial lesson?
You can take part in a trial lesson without obligation by making an appointment by telephone. The trial lesson costs €14.
You can then
- register for a single class or as a series
- buy a 3, 4 or 10 ticket or
- buy a season ticket (weekly, monthly or quarterly).
What kind of people practise in class?
Young and old (teens and seniors), men and women, beginners and advanced, office workers and athletes, poets and journalists, carpenters and bricklayers, heart-focused, head-focused, body-focused. Everyone can use Iyengar yoga.
Do I have to be young to take part?
No. Regardless of your age and fitness level, you can start yoga at any time. There is also a "gentle" yoga class if you are worried that the normal class might be too strenuous.
If you have significant health problems, please see the information below.
What if I can't do the yoga poses that are being taught?
Never mind ?
None of us can do "all" yoga poses. Every pose can be adapted to your needs, e.g. with the appropriate use of aids.
And anyway - the attitude as a practitioner and as a learner is to face the challenge of the moment with equanimity and interest. Once you have understood the structure and the inner work of the posture, then it is important to stay at your personal limit from moment to moment. The idea of "can" is of little relevance.
What can I actually expect in an Iyengar yoga class?
Iyengar yoga can be recognized by the
- Precision and Alignment practicing the postures (asanas), at the
- consciously designed Sequence of attitudes that should lead to a certain goal.
- the Timingthe dwell time and the rhythm in the postures as well as on the
- Use of Auxiliary means in some situations to help the student achieve an optimal postural experience. Aids not only align one part of the body to another, but the whole body learns to function better. When the body is precisely aligned, the breath becomes just as finely tuned. When the breath is in balance, the mind, emotions and senses are also in balance.
Teaching the postures in an Iyengar yoga class is essentially the same all over the world. The teacher teaches the postures they have chosen for their goal, but the way of teaching is the same everywhere. This means that a student can go to any Iyengar Yoga teacher and immediately join the group.
The class generally begins with a moment of silence to get in the mood for the practice. This is followed by a few preparatory postures to activate the body and promote a state of concentration in the mind. Standing postures are often practiced to learn the basic alignment and most important corrections of the body. These must be internalized before more advanced postures can be mastered. Standing postures also form the foundation of the most difficult postures and must be practiced continuously.
The practice could then move on to special categories, e.g. backbends, more standing postures, forward bends, inversion postures or restorative postures. Pranayama (which involves breathing and relaxation techniques) is normally practiced in a class specifically designed for this purpose. Students usually start pranayama after two years of normal asana practice, although some basic pranayama exercises can be incorporated into the final relaxation of a normal asana class. A class ends with restorative and restorative postures.
Often a series of yoga classes is set up to practice certain types of posture in a continuous monthly scheme to practice:
- 1. standing postures
- 2. forward stretches
- 3. backbends
- 4. regenerative attitudes.
The high level of competence and training of the teachers enables safe teaching for the students. Many students leave an Iyengar yoga class feeling more upright and full of energy, even though the work has been quite intense.
How can I take part after the trial lesson and what does it cost?
If, after the trial lesson, you have decided to attend yoga classes with us in the near future, the teacher can advise you on the possibilities. A special offer for newcomers is the trial 4-person card for €39.00 (4 appointments with 4 different teachers, valid for 4 weeks). Otherwise there are 3 ways to book our yoga classes:
Individual appointments
For free spirits who can't or don't want to commit themselves
Dropin: 27 €
1 x 90 minutes
Trial 4-card: 54 €
Valid for 4 weeks, 1 x each with 4 different teachers, non-transferable
3-ticket: 77 €
Valid for 4 weeks, transferable
10-ticket: 245,00 €
Valid for 1 year, transferable
Course series
Exercise regularly once a week in the same course
Price: 19,77 €
On average per appointment
13 dates
Per trimester
Catch up
Missed appointments can be made up for under certain circumstances
Time card
Time-based flat rate to be able to practice in all courses at any time
1 week: 77,00 €
Get to know iYoga flexibly
1 month: 220 €
Approx. 27% savings
1 quarter: € 297,
352 € or 429 €
Approx. 55% savings
In addition to the courses, we also offer seminars (usually 180 minutes or longer) with an emphasis on various aspects. Click here to book.
Which courses are the best to start with?
Ideally, you should start with the "introduction". This gives you an impression of practicing and our approach. However, all courses with the level designation I, I-II or I-III are also open to beginners.
What should I bring and how should I dress?
You can bring your own yoga mat or a towel etc., but you don't have to. We provide all the necessary equipment. You are also welcome to purchase aids for use at home afterwards in our boutique or conveniently and securely online in our online store.
You should preferably wear shorts and a T-shirt or leggings and a T-shirt, please do not wear "loose" clothing that covers the contours of your body. We practise yoga barefoot.
Should I eat something just before the yoga class?
The best way to practise is on an empty stomach, so don't eat anything about 2 hours before the lesson.
Are there any rules that I have to follow as a participant?
- Come to class on time.
- Wear suitable, freshly laundered clothing to class. Pay attention to personal hygiene. (There are also shower facilities in the studio. If you come to practice straight after work in the evening, consider whether it would be fair to your fellow practitioners to take a quick shower before practicing).
- Please take off your shoes at the entrance.
- Turn off your cell phone! (even if it stays in the checkroom!)
- Please lock valuables in the lockers. The studio is not liable for lost or stolen items.
- Do not bring drinks into the practice rooms.
- Be careful with the tools. Clean up after the lesson and stow away the used items neatly.
Can I shower before or after yoga at the studio?
If necessary before the lesson, in any case !!! But also afterwards if necessary. Most yoga classes are challenging but not a total sweaty workout. We offer the shower, provide bath towels and leave it to the participants ...
I am in poor health. Can I still practice in class?
If you have any serious health problems, you should call the studio manager in advance to discuss the right yoga class for you. The teacher should be informed of other problems or conditions (including menstruation) before your yoga class begins. We are practiced in dealing with the most common everyday complaints ("simple" knee, back, neck or headaches, mild high blood pressure treated with medication, etc.). However, yoga in the courses does not mean specific therapy for such problems. You must seek this from your doctor or alternative practitioner. For existing problems, we look for ways to help you develop a normal and comprehensive yoga practice with as little risk as possible.
Can Iyengar yoga solve health problems?
Mr. Iyengar has achieved remarkable success in treating a whole range of health problems, from the walking apparatus to emotional disorders. He has passed on much of his knowledge to his students. This work is reserved for advanced teachers. Certified Iyengar yoga teachers will know in which cases they are competent and can help. ("Healing" and "therapy" are only permitted by law in Germany for members of the state-recognized healing professions).
What is the practice for menstruation?
Women with normal menstruation can / should attend their normal lesson. Please inform the teacher before the lesson. Postures that tighten or stretch the abdominal area, inversion postures and generally strenuous postures should be avoided. The teacher will therefore offer you alternative postures in parallel to the "normal" practice for the group, which are more suitable for menses.
In general, the woman should take a step back and practice regeneratively, avoid inversions and recover. For more detailed explanations, please see Geeta Iyengar's essay "Questions and answers about menstruation" (2003).
I am pregnant. Can I still practise in class?
Yes, of course. The best way to do this is as a newcomer to our pregnancy yoga course. You will be able to practise the most important postures and principles that apply to yoga practice during pregnancy in a smaller group. Experienced practitioners who become pregnant can usually continue practicing in their course. If possible, tell your yoga teacher straight away that you are in different circumstances. They will sometimes offer you an alternative pose.
When can I start doing yoga on my own at home?
What you think you have understood from the lessons can of course be practiced at home. After about six months of yoga classes, it is advisable to slowly start practicing yoga methodically at home.
Which yoga literature is recommended for beginners?
From the Iyengars: "Yoga in Motion", "The Yoga Handbook according to the Iyengar Method", "Light on Yoga", "Yoga for Beginners". You are also welcome to take a look at the books section of our online store.
What yoga props do I need for practicing at home?
Of course, you can improvise at the beginning with normal household items (telephone book, old tie, blankets, etc.). If you are prepared to invest in professional tools, then
- First, non-slip mat, belt and block (better 2).
- It would be very nice if you also had a good blanket and a shoulder stand mat.
- A large cushion and a folding chair extend the possibilities.
- The "Basic Practice" CD with the recorded lessons is also helpful.
All aids are available in our online store,
- also the practical, functional short yoga pants in beautiful colors.
Does Iyengar yoga have a philosophical basis?
Iyengar yoga as a method consists of postures and breathing techniques, practiced carefully and intimately - "meditatively". This meditation is based on the "Yoga Sutras" by Patanjali, who lived around 2000 years ago. The concise sayings of the Yoga Sutras deal with the lived reality of a person and their structure of consciousness, mental peace, harmony, the alleviation of mental suffering and finally the ultimate bliss (Samadhi). This is explained in several books by Mr. Iyengar. The simplest explanation is probably in the introduction to "Light on yoga".
What are the general rules of conduct in yoga?
Act according to Patanjali's recommendations in relation to others:
- Do not injure
- Do not lie
- Do not steal
- Do not abuse (seduce)
- Do not hoard
and in relation to yourself:
- Be pure in thought, word and deed
- Be satisfied
- Be disciplined and committed
- Learn and reflect
- Dedicate your efforts to the big picture.
Contact us
Address
Iyengar Yoga Munich - iYoga
Waltherstr. 23 at Goetheplatz
80337 Munich
Telephone:
+49 (0) 89 537 170
Fax:
+49 (0) 89 543 790 42
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 10:00-13:00
E-Mail:
info@iyoga.de
Do you have any questions, suggestions or just want to get in touch with us? Write to us and we will reply within 24 hours on weekdays. Alternatively, you can also call us during our office hours Mon - Fri 10:00 - 13:00 at +49 89 / 53 71 70 reach.
