Yoga in the treetops

Slowing down in Bad Langensalza’s gardens and Hainich National Park

In Bad Langensalza, time-honored houses and lush gardens are just a stone's throw away across the historic city wall. Two of these precious oases of peace are the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. Just as close is one of Germany's last primeval forests - the UNESCO World Heritage Hainich National Park. Kundalini yoga and gong meditation on the treetop path offer a special connection with nature.

The Japanese garden in Bad Langensalza is laid out according to a traditional garden design. In the “Garden of Happiness”, harmonies play a major role, flowing from the “source of life” to the “maturity and diversity of life”. You will be guided systematically along the paths of the Far Eastern garden and experience authentic ceremonies.

A few kilometres away from Bad Langensalza is a national park that is allowed to grow wild and free. In any season, you can use all your senses to discover a wide variety of flora and fauna amongst the silver-trunked European beeches in Hainich National Park.

What connects these two different natural environments? Peace and slowing down. Whether it is in the carefully designed garden or the primeval forest. Activities such as forest bathing, yoga or mediation will bring you to a state of deep relaxation.

Kundalini yoga and gong meditation on the treetop path

In Hainich National Park, a walk high up along the treetop path touches your senses and your soul. The branches all around move gently, making you feel as if you are floating. In Kundalini yoga with yoga teacher and sound therapy practitioner Christiane Schweizer-Luchtenberg, these movements are picked up and merge into mindful yoga poses. Amid singing birds, lush green leaves and a cool breeze, you are filled with a deep attachment to nature.

One special feature of Kundalini yoga is gong meditation. The treetops create a special sound space. A gong sounds and its vibrations are sent back by the trees like a powerful wave of energy, accompanied by the power of nature. A rustling fills the air, becomes tangible on your skin and creates a deep sense of relaxation throughout your body. In the process of letting go, you can give yourself over to the forest and enjoy the moment.

Tip from Manuela Döbel: The Böhmenteich pond is a gem just outside the town

From Bad Langensalza's Friederiken Therme, it is a wonderful walk to another natural gem: the long branches of the weeping willows sway gently in the wind, ducks and swans do their rounds. Manuela Döbel enjoys the Böhmenteich as a peaceful place to relax, which she also likes to visit with her health sports club.

Must-see: Bad Langensalza's gardens

Bad Langensalza has been named the most blooming town in Europe and lives up to this title with its delightful gardens. As well as the japanese garden, the rose garden is particularly impressive. With more than 10,000 roses of 450 different varieties, this floral paradise reminds visitors of Bad Langensalza’s long history of breeding roses, which is closely connected to the well-known rose-breeder Anni Berger. In this experience garden, you are invited to consciously appreciate the scent of the roses and to touch the delicate plants.

Cultural tip: “Unter dem Pflaster” (Under the Pavement)

The town and cellar tour in Bad Langensalza will take you up to 1,000 years into the past. The spa gardens, which connect the rose garden and the Japanese garden, provide an unobstructed view of the town wall with its towers and the Wailing Gate. Bad Langensalza’s medieval atmosphere is ever-present in the town centre. Wooden gates, pretty half-timbered houses and the church in the market square built from Langensalza travertine will transport you to a bygone time. And finally a curved staircase will lead you under the uneven cobblestone pavement. There is an impressive atmosphere in the cellars, which could probably tell a few stories …

Bad weather tip: Pharmacy Museum with wild herb courses

“Haus Rosenthal” is just as steeped in history. Between creaking floorboards and low ceilings, it houses the lovingly furnished Thuringian Pharmacy Museum. In a rustic atmosphere, you can dive into the world of “pill makers” and “preparers of poisons”. And even in bad weather, a herb course at the Pharmacy Museum is guaranteed to put you in a good mood. In the courses led by Christine Rauch, chopping boards and knives are not just exhibits. With a lot of humour and charm, Christine will lead you into the herb garden to make wild drinks, snacks or traditional ferments from spring and summer herbs. Pick them yourself, smell them, taste them, cut them, … this delicious and sociable herb lesson will stay in your memory for a long time.

Culinary tip: favorite cafés and a great feast

If you are looking for other special places to eat, we recommend two cafés in the town centre! In the “Schwesterherz” café, you can enjoy home-made cakes, a delicious breakfast and the slow pace of existence in a cosy atmosphere. “Klein und Mein” values regional and seasonal ingredients and delights its patrons with delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes. And the restaurant “Zur Schlemmerei” is the place to go for an evening meal in an atmospheric ambience and to bring an unforgettable day in Bad Langensalza to a close.