SPECIAL PRICE AVAILABLE
Meet The Teachers
BURKHARD
.jpg)
INSPIRATION
“Philosophy means Love of Wisdom.
I am captivated by the great wisdom traditions – especially the Yogic philosophies of India. It is my passion to share the practical relevance of these ancient ideas in modern life. My aspiration is the integration of science & spirituality, and a unified understanding of Eastern & Western philosophies.
EDUCATION
I graduated with a Master’s degree in Psychology from the Free University of Berlin, where I studied Education & Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory. In parallel to my academic interests, I began in 2001 to explore the practical side of spirituality by traveling to the roots of Yoga in India.
Since 2007 I am living year-round in Asia, where I dedicated more than 5000 hours to the study of yogic practices:
The journey began with a truly thorough exploration of classical Hatha & Kundalini Yoga. My mindful meditation practice started in the Buddhist Vipassana style, practicing under Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo in Northern Thailand.
With my meditation teachers Sahajananda & Mooji, I discovered the Oneness teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Hareesh Christopher Wallis allowed me to deepen my understanding of non-dual Kashmiri Shaivism.
And Mark Whitwell showed me how to unify these profound wisdom traditions in a simple breath-based asana practice, following the authentic lineage of Krishnamacharya.
Over the years, I joined more than two dozen 10-day silent meditation retreats, concluded a 49-day solitary meditation retreat in the jungle of Thailand, and immersed my Self in various darkroom Kayakalpa retreats.”
CERTIFICATION
Burkhard is a Yoga Alliance certified and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the highest level (IYF & E-RYT-500). In addition to thousands of hours of retreats & workshops, he completed a 500-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, a 500-Hour Hridaya Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training, a 100-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training, and a 200-Hour Heart of Yoga Teacher Training.
Since 2008, Burkhard has been sharing his vast experience in a variety of contexts, including Yoga Teacher Trainings, meditation retreats, workshops & life-coaching sessions. He has been teaching in various locations across Asia, Europe & America. Together with his dear friend Kirsten, he founded in 2011 the Akasha Yoga Academy.
TESTIMONIALS
“The depth of his practice is brilliant. He really holds the space well, and opens from the heart consistently.”
– Zoran from Canada
“Burkhard is extremely intelligent, kind, giving. Sometimes firm, but always spot on in his comments and psychological understanding of a person.”
– Anastasia from Germany
“I loved the passion & generosity of Burkhard. He shares his deep knowledge on many topics with unconditional love.”
– Rafaella from Italy
KIRSTEN
.jpg)
INSPIRATION
“In my experience, breath-based movement is an effective & joyful way to re-center and to touch base with the Heart of the moment. Practicing Hatha Yoga and sharing the practice are both essential parts of my everyday life. In the vast field of Yoga, my interest & passion belong to classical breath-based, slow flow Hatha Yoga, and long held deep Yin Yoga poses.
EDUCATION
I love when movement practices lead into silent contemplation and stillness. This is the way I practice, and this is what I teach. I started my own yoga journey during university times as I studied architecture & art history. Yoga first caught my attention in the form of Sivananda Yoga, which I came across on a trip through South India in my early twenties. My introduction to Yoga included a classical static style of Hatha Yoga asana integrated into a holistic way of living, including breathing practices, diet, cleansing routines, mantra chanting, etc. My interest in Yoga & meditation, and the call to dedicate more of my energy & time to Self discovery, led me to journey through India & South East Asia for more than a decade. And that adventure continues even today!
In 2007, Yoga moved from being a cherished side aspect of my life, to being its center. Since then, many years have been dedicated to classical Hatha & Yin Yoga practice & studies, to meditation, contemplation & retreats, and to investigation into the Essence of Life.
My Hatha Yoga & meditation practice is inspired by Sahajananda & by Mark Whitwell, and I am most deeply moved by the pointing of Mooji, that profoundly pulls the Yoga teachings off the mat into a moment by moment inquiry.”
CERTIFICATION
Kirsten teaches classical Hatha Yoga asana & pranayama, Yin Yoga & meditation. She is certified by the Yoga Alliance as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the highest level (E-RYT-500).
Since 2008, she has been presenting drop-in asana classes, workshops & meditation retreats, as well as a variety of 200-Hour & 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings. On her way, she supported her teachers to setup & run Yoga centers in Mexico & Thailand, before she co-founded the Akasha Yoga Academy with her dear friend Burkhard in 2011.
TESTIMONIALS
“Kirsten is very much to the point, captivating, precise & enthusiastic.”
– Nadine from Germany
“Kirsten comes directly from the heart, which is soothing, patient & understanding.”
– Zoran from Cananda
“Kirsten is super clear & precise. She has a beautiful presence. She is motherly, but not patronizing, kind & compassionate.”
– Anastasia from Germany
DEVDAS
.jpg)
INSPIRATION
“By Grace, I discovered Hatha Yoga when I was just 16 years old, and it was love at first sight. By the time I was 18, I had discovered meditation & pranayama, and the love was growing deeper & more profound. Later, I moved to India, and spent twelve years of my life teaching meditation, kirtan & pranayama in the sacred land which gave birth to Yoga. For this privilege, there are no words that can describe my gratitude.
On my way, I have been deeply blessed by many powerful teachers, probably the most profound connections have been with Swami Jnanananda and Sri Mooji. Yoga has given me more than I could have ever imagined. It is my great joy and honor to share all that has been given and learned in my lifelong love affair with the art and science of Yoga.”
CERTIFICATION
Devdas is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), who is trained to teach meditation, pranayama & Hatha Yoga. Before joining the Akasha Yoga Academy team, he taught Yoga for twelve years in several major cities of India. He helped set up & run several Yoga & meditation centers, and has been sharing the joy of selfless service Seva & Kirtan chanting all around the globe… in America, Italy, Portugal, India, Bali, Thailand, Mexico, and beyond!
TESTIMONIALS
“The way Devdas holds space and lectures is amazing. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from him.”
– Rebecca from the US
“Devdas reminded me to be kind to myself. It was such a beautiful experience just to be in his company.”
– Camille from the UK
MARC
Born in England but raised in New Mexico, Marc was first introduced to yoga as a young football/soccer player. He found that the stretches complemented his game and kept injury at bay. After beginning a sports therapy career he saw how this ancient yogic technology could help his clients get to the root of their physical and mental ailments.
Marc recognized that the science of Yoga offered a direct means of liberating the mind, strengthening the body, and reminding us of our true nature: connection with ourselves, others, and this ever-giving and abundant planet. Yoga is literally a Revolution.
Over the last 5 years, Marc has been teaching on the global stage, from dynamic classes in London’s top studios to soul-quenching workshops and retreats across Europe to the picturesque bamboo shalas of Bali—the place he now calls home.
Marc’s classes seamlessly blend artful body geometry with crystalline mental awareness and emotional intelligence. His passion and curiosity for exploring human potential bring an unending freshness and vibrancy to each class.
© Akasha Yoga Academy 2011-2021
Here our fair Privacy Policy & Terms of Service
Br. Kumbuh, Jl. Cempaka, Mas
Ubud, Gianyar, 80571, Bali, Indonesia