Background

Nicolai has been teaching Sanskrit, chanting, yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and other related topics since 1994. He has a knack for synthesizing and organizing complex topics into simple and understandable presentations. His education combines informal, traditional study with the academic rigor of university classes. Nicolai studied extensively with Vyaas Houston (American Sanskrit Institute), Vasant Lad (Ayurvedic Institute), David Frawley (American Institute of Vedic Studies) and Sonia Nelson (Vedic Chant Center). He holds an M.A. in Eastern Philosophy, an M.S. in Nutrition, and is eRYT500 certified. His ongoing studies continue to broaden his repertoire and inform all future classes.

Nicolai has authored several Sanskrit book/audio learning tools including 108 Sanskrit Flash Cards, The Language of Yoga (Sounds True 2005), The Language of Ayurveda, and The Path of the Yoga Sutras (Sounds True 2011). His “magnum opus” was published by Sounds True in 2010 as The Yoga Sutras: An Essential Guide to the Heart of Yoga Philosophy, a book/audio/cards kit, that went out of print in 2019. The audio portion is now available as a separate product, and the book also, now titled The Yoga Sutras Desk Reference.