About Mark:
Mark Stephens is the author of six widely acclaimed books on yoga and has been training teachers and leading programs internationally for many years. He has influenced countless practitioners and teachers worldwide for over three decades.
With an eclectic background spanning Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, Vinyasa Flow, Tantra, and Yoga Therapy, Mark offers a holistic, inclusive, and individualized approach to yoga. His passion for teaching is matched by his dedication to his own practice, making his guidance both deeply informed and personally transformative.
We are so happy to have him back in town. If you have the possibility to join and meet him in person, you will not regret this experience!
Learn more about Mark at markstephensyoga.com
Mark Stephens x The Roof
History, Science, Philosophy, and Practice
An immersive exploration of breathing through the lenses of yoga, contemplative traditions, modern science and lived practice.
Through lectures, discussions, movement practices, pranayama sessions, and meditation, participants will develop a deeper understanding of both the mechanics and mysteries of breathing while cultivating practical skills that can enrich personal practice and teaching.
Suitable for dedicated practitioners, yoga teachers, therapists, and anyone interested in the transformative potential of breath. Earn a 30-Hour Teaching Pranayama CEU Certificate.
The Schedule
The Roof @theyogaloftcologe Girlitzweg 30, Tor 5 in 50829 Köln/Vogelsang
Day 1: Wednesday 7th Oct.
DAY 1 The Breath as Foundation
9:00–10:30
Opening Practice: Arriving in the Breath
- Welcome and orientation
- Gentle movement
- Breath awareness
- Establishing intention
10:45–12:15
Lecture: Why Breath Matters
- Breath as bridge between body and mind
- Breath in contemplative traditions
- Breath and self-regulation
- Overview of the immersion
12:15–2:00
Lunch Break
2:00–3:45
Workshop: The Physiology of Breathing
- Respiratory anatomy
- The diaphragm
- Oxygen and carbon dioxide
- Common breathing myths
4:00–5:30
Practice: Foundations of Pranayama
- Posture
- Attention
- Relaxation
- Establishing practice
7:00–8:00 (Optional)
Evening Meditation: Simply Breathing
Day 2: Thursday 8th Oct.
DAY 2: Breath Across History
9:00–10:30
Morning Practice: Moving with the Breath
10:45–12:15
Lecture: Three Thousand Years of Breath
- Vedas
- Upanishads
- Buddhism
- Classical Yoga
- Haṭha Yoga
- Tantra
- Modern yoga
12:15–2:00
Lunch Break
2:00–3:45
Workshop: Prāṇa Through the Ages
- Multiple meanings of prāṇa
- Cosmology
- Vitality
- Experience
- Metaphor
4:00–5:30
Practice: Classical Pranayama Techniques
7:00–8:00 (Optional)
Discussion Circle: Questions from History
Day 3: Friday 9th Oct.
DAY 3: Breath and Mind
9:00–10:30
Morning Practice: Breath, Attention, and Presence
10:45–12:15
Lecture: Breathing and the Nervous System
- Autonomic regulation
- Stress and recovery
- Attention and emotion
- Contemporary research
12:15–2:00
Lunch Break
2:00–3:45
Workshop: The Power of Slow Breathing
- Research findings
- Self-regulation
- Resilience
- Mental clarity
4:00–5:30
Practice: Pranayama for Meditation
7:00–8:00 (Optional)
Meditation: Breath and Stillness
Day 4: Saturday 10th Oct.
DAY 4: Breath and Consciousness
9:00–10:30
Morning Practice: Subtle Dimensions of Practice
10:45–12:15
Lecture: Breath, Mind, and Consciousness
- Awareness
- Embodiment
- States and traits
- Contemplative perspectives
12:15–2:00
Lunch Break
2:00–3:45
Workshop: The Subtle Body and the Breath
- Nāḍīs
- Cakras
- Vāyus
- Kuṇḍalinī
- Contemporary interpretations
4:00–5:30
Practice: Kumbhaka: The Art of Pause
7:00–8:15 (Optional)
Dialogue: Breath, Belief, and Evidence
Day 5: Sunday 11th Oct.
DAY 5: Living and Teaching the Breath
9:00–10:30
Integrated Practice: The Breath as Lifelong Practice
10:45–12:15
Lecture: Pranayama in Contemporary Life
- Long-term development
- Home practice
- Obstacles and opportunities
- Integration
12:15–1:15
Lunch
1:15–2:30
Concurrent Sessions
Teachers Track
Designing a Personal Breath Practice & Teaching Pranayama Safely and Effectively
2:45–4:00
Closing Session
- Integration
- Questions and discussion
- Reflections
- Closing practice
Pricing
Discount (D):
membership @TYC, Teacher Traininee @TYC participating in 2026 or 2027 & staff member, teacher @TYC
FULL DAY TICKET:
Wednesday 7th Oct. : 102,00€
Thursday 8th Oct. : 102,00€
Friday 9th Oct. : 102,00€
Saturday 10th Oct. : 102,00€
Sunday 11th Oct. : 87,00€
ALL IN Package:
Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th: 500,00€
Regular (R):
for non Yogaloft Members, Team
FULL DAY TICKET:
Wednesday 7th Oct. : 120,00€
Thursday 8th Oct. : 120,00€
Friday 9th Oct. : 120,00€
Saturday 10th Oct. : 120,00€
Sunday 11th Oct. : 102,00€
ALL IN Package:
Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th: 585,00€
___________________________________
Bookings are made exclusively via
The Yogaloft Cologne App
or tap the link below to reach the
Bsports webshop
and select from the available options.
By booking your spot, you automatically confirm that you have read and agreed to our cancellation policy.
(Any questions? barfuss@theyogaloft.de )
Cancellation policy
1.Workshops, Trainings, and Special Events
- Registration takes place via the booking platform Bsports. A spot is only considered firmly reserved once payment has been received.
- For multi-day events such as the Mark Stephens week the following cancellation policy applies:
Cancellation is possible up to 6 weeks before the start of the event. In this case, a processing fee of €100 will be charged.
From 3 weeks prior to the start of the event, cancellations are no longer possible, regardless of the reason (e.g. illness or personal circumstances).
However, the participant may, after consultation, nominate a replacement person to take their place. We strongly recommend taking out seminar or travel cancellation insurance.
- The Yogaloft Cologne GmbH reserves the right to make minor adjustments to schedules and content for organizational reasons. The overall quality of the event remains unaffected.
- Should an event need to be cancelled by the studio (e.g. due to illness of the teacher or insufficient participant numbers), either a replacement date will be offered or the full participation fee will be refunded. Further claims – in particular for reimbursement of travel or accommodation costs – are excluded.
- For events with a fixed date (e.g. workshops, training modules), there is no statutory right of withdrawal in accordance with § 312g (2) No. 9 BGB, as these are leisure events scheduled for a specific date.
1.1Workshops, Trainings, and Special Events
(Masterclass, Workshop)
- Registration takes place via the booking platform Bsports. A spot is only considered firmly reserved once payment has been received.
- For the events such as the Mark Stephens Masterclass(es) & Workshop(s) the following cancellation policy applies:
Cancellations can be made up to 7 days before the start of a masterclass or workshop. After this period, cancellations are no longer possible and no refunds will be issued.
However, the participant may, after consultation, nominate a replacement person to take their place. We strongly recommend taking out seminar or travel cancellation insurance.
- The Yogaloft Cologne GmbH reserves the right to make minor adjustments to schedules and content for organizational reasons. The overall quality of the event remains unaffected.
- Should an event need to be cancelled by the studio (e.g. due to illness of the teacher or insufficient participant numbers), either a replacement date will be offered or the full participation fee will be refunded. Further claims – in particular for reimbursement of travel or accommodation costs – are excluded.
- For events with a fixed date (e.g. workshops, training modules), there is no statutory right of withdrawal in accordance with § 312g (2) No. 9 BGB, as these are leisure events scheduled for a specific date.