Discover Jivamukti Yoga Cologne

DISCOVER JIVAMUKTI YOGA COLOGNE

In conversation with Jivamukti Yoga Cologne Studio Founders, Jög Buneru and Lan Ly

1. What inspired you to open a Jivamukti Yoga studio?
When we completed the Jivamukti training, there were unfortunately very few opportunities to practice Jivamukti in Cologne. We missed the community, the spirit, the teachers, and the satsangs. Our goal is to bring Jivamukti to Cologne, build a Jivamukti community, and pass on the method. We want to create a space where everyone feels comfortable, surrounded by love and heart.

2. How would you describe the mood of your studio in three words?
Everyone is welcome, love, and good energy.

3. What’s the most unique fact about your studio?
The most unique fact about our studio is that we bring the Jivamukti method to Cologne and create a warm, heartfelt community defined by love, mindfulness, and transformation.

4. Which teachers are currently offering 500HR Jivamukti Apprenticeships at the studio?

Jörg Buneru (Continuing Education Director)
Ninya Lehrheuer

5. How does your studio contribute to the local community?
Our studio contributes to the local community by offering a space for personal growth and spiritual development. We focus on mindfulness, compassion, and connection, creating a welcoming environment where people can come together. In addition to regular yoga classes, we host events, workshops, satsangs, and kirtans to support both physical and mental well-being. Once a month, we organize a special event to deepen our practice. We also invite guest teachers to share their unique perspectives and enrich our community.

6. What do you love most about the Jivamukti Yoga method?
The lineage and spirituality.

7. What is your favorite Jivamukti Yoga sequence and why?
I really enjoy the Jivamukti Open Class, which has a great mix of powerful and calming and creativity elements. I especially like sequences with backbends, hip openers, and standing poses because they open up the body while providing stability and flexibility. I also love when pranayama and meditation are integrated into the sequence, as they deepen mindfulness and inner calm.

8. Can you share a memorable moment from a class at your studio?
A particularly memorable moment for me was when I assisted my mentor Jörg in an Open Class. The room was completely full, and we all chanted “Om” together. The vibrations and energy in the room were indescribable. When Jörg chanted the focus mantra of the month, Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, I got goosebumps. It was a moment where everything felt deeply connected, and the power of the community and practice was truly palpable.

9. What’s the best feedback you’ve received from a student?
One of the best pieces of feedback I received was during a festival where I presented our studio and the Jivamukti method to over 100 people. After the presentation, a student came up to me and shared that she had been moved to tears during the chanting. The energy and vibrations had touched her deeply. It was a beautiful reminder of the transformative power of the practice. Interestingly, only one person in the audience had encountered Jivamukti before, while the rest were completely new to it. This showed me how impactful the practice can be, even for beginners.

10. What is one piece of advice you have for someone new to Jivamukti Yoga?
Approach Jivamukti Yoga with an open heart and mind. The practice is not just about physical postures; it’s about connecting with yourself on a deeper level and integrating philosophy, meditation, and chanting into your experience. Be patient and allow the process to unfold naturally. The more you immerse yourself, the more you’ll experience its transformative power.

11. What type of classes or events do you offer that are unique to your studio?
We offer a variety of unique classes and events that reflect the essence of the Jivamukti method, such as themed classes based on the lunar calendar. For example, we hosted a special Lunar New Year class during the Year of the Snake. We also invite guest teachers, offer workshops, and integrate sound healing and Reiki sessions. Every month, we host a satsang with Jörg or a Kirtan Night featuring an invited kirtan band.

12. Can you share a fun fact about your studio’s history or inception?
My friend Güli and I are like Yin and Yang—Güli is Yin, and I am Yang. During my 75-hour training, I wrote in my book: “My big dream is to open a Jivamukti school in Cologne with my friend Gülli.” In the same year, we completed the training and opened our Jivamukti center with our director, Jörg Buneru.

Before this, Güli and I had completed a 500-hour Vinyasa training together but didn’t feel truly at home. After the 75-hour training, I told Güli that Jivamukti was where we would feel at home. Even though she had no prior experience with Jivamukti, she trusted me and signed up for the 300-hour training alongside me.

13. What are your future plans or goals for your studio?
Our future plans include expanding our offerings to reach more people and building a strong, inclusive Jivamukti community in Cologne. We aim to host more workshops, retreats, and events, including sound healing, kirtan nights, and guest teacher sessions.

We also plan to offer the 75-hour training to provide students and future teachers with the opportunity to dive deeper into the Jivamukti method. Additionally, we want to support students’ growth by offering advanced teacher training programs. Ultimately, our goal is to create a space where people feel connected, supported, and inspired to live with love, purpose, and mindfulness.

14. What do you hope students take away from their experience at your studio?
We hope students leave our studio with a deep sense of connection—to themselves, others, and something greater. Through the Jivamukti practice, we want them to feel inspired, empowered, and supported on their personal journey, both on and off the mat. We aim to provide an environment where they can find inner peace, build strength, and experience yoga’s transformative power, carrying love, mindfulness, and community into their daily lives.

15. How do you stay connected with the global Jivamukti Yoga community?
We stay connected by regularly exchanging ideas with teachers and mentors, attending trainings, workshops, and retreats. We invite guest teachers to share their energy and knowledge with us and participate in global satsangs and events through social media and online platforms. By collaborating with other studios, we help spread the Jivamukti method and continuously draw inspiration from the global community.

16. What is your favorite time of day for your sadhana and why?
My favorite time for sadhana is at 4:30 am, just before sunrise. The stillness and quiet at that hour create the perfect atmosphere for focus and connection. It feels as though the world is at peace, and this sacred time allows me to fully dedicate myself to my practice. As a mother of two, I deeply appreciate this quiet time before the day begins with my family.

17) What is your favorite vegan recipe?
Vegan Spring Rolls with Stir-Fried Vegetables

Ingredients:
10-12 rice paper sheets
100g rice noodles (or vermicelli)
100g tofu (fried or cut into small cubes)
1 mango (peeled and julienned)
1/2 cucumber (julienned)
2 carrot (peeled )
Fresh herbs: lettuce, basil, cilantro, mint (optional)
1 avocado (sliced thinly)
Stir-fry vegetables (see below)

Stir-Fried Vegetables:
100g mushrooms (e.g., oyster, shiitake, or any variety you prefer)
1 onion (sliced thinly)
1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 green bell pepper (julienned)
1/2 eggplant (sliced thinly)
1/2 cabbage (shredded)
1 carrot
2-3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tbsp sesame oil (or any vegetable oil)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vinegar (optional, for a tangy flavor)

1. Prepare the ingredients:
Wash and dry the fresh herbs and lettuce.
Peel and julienne the mango, carrot, cucumber.
Cook the rice noodles or vermicelli and set them aside to cool.
Fry the tofu (if using) or cut fresh tofu into small cubes.
Slice the avocado thinly.
Clean the mushrooms and other vegetables (bell peppers, eggplant, carrot ,cabbage), and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Mince the garlic.

2. Stir-fry the vegetables:
Heat the sesame oil in a large pan or wok.
Add the minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the onion and cook until soft.
Add the red and green bell peppers, eggplant, carrot, mushrooms, and cabbage to the pan. Stir-fry until the vegetables are tender yet still slightly crisp.
Season with soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar (optional). Stir well for another 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
Allow the stir-fried vegetables to cool down a little before assembling the spring rolls.

3. Assemble the spring rolls:
Dip each rice paper sheet in warm water for a few seconds to soften, then lay it flat on a clean surface.
Place a layer of lettuce on the rice paper.
Add a small handful of rice noodles, followed by the mango, cucumber, carrot, tofu, and avocado slices.
Add a portion of the stir-fried vegetables to the center of the filling.
Roll the rice paper tightly, folding in the sides as you go to seal the ingredients inside.

4. Prepare the dipping sauce:
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, minced garlic, and chili (optional).
If you’d like a thicker sauce, you can mix in some peanut butter or make a thicker consistency with sesame paste.
Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is well-combined.

How to serve:
Serve the spring rolls with the dipping sauce on the side for dipping.

If you are in Cologne, go practice at Jivamukti Yoga Cologne:

Address:
Christophstraße 42
50670 Köln

Studio Website:
https://jivamuktiyoga-cologne.com/

Social Links:
https://www.facebook.com/JivamuktiYoga/
https://www.instagram.com/jivamuktiyoga.cologne/