Yoga Nidra

Raymond graduated as a Yoga Teacher in 2012 at the Yoga Vidya Gurukul ashram in Nasik, India. In the meantime he has studied Yoga Philosophy and Psychology and has recently finished a study for Yoga Therapist apart from his self practice as Yoga practitioner. Currently he studies Advanced Pranayama at his ashram in India.

The style of his teachings is Classical Indian Yoga. This style embraces elements of Hatha, Jnana, Bhakti, Kundalini (not to be confused with modern kundalini), Raja, classical Ashtanga and Mantra Yoga.

Where does Classical Indian Yoga differ from Modern Yoga? Modern Yoga is predominantly focussed on asanas, whereas Classical Indian Yoga has a holistic approach. The focus lies on: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. So with a balanced inclusion of Meditation, Pranayama (breathing practices), Mantra (chanting), Asana (physical practices). Teachings deeply rooted in the teachings of Patanjali, a sage from ancient India. Raymond teaches Asanas, but his main focus is on Pranayama. All other limbs of this classical Ashtanga (not to be confused with modern ashtanga vinyasa) are integrated in his lessons.

Besides Yoga, Raymond has a great love for Music, Art, Dreams and Self Exploration.

Yoga Nidra is a relatively new style of Yoga, but its roots lie in ancient times, approximately 1000 BC. It was in 1976 reintroduced by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. YN is a relaxation form in which a state of half sleep is induced through guided meditation. The teacher guides the practitioner through the 5 Koshas, or sheats. These are in following order the Annamaya Kosha (Physical Body), Pranamaya Kosha (Energy Body), Manomaya Kosha (Mind Body), Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Body) and Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body). The recordings now kindly published by Mahé Yoga were recorded by Raymond in the early morning, during Brahmamuhurta, ‘the period of Brahma’.

This is an hour and a half before sunrise, a time in which the subconscious mind is active. “If you are sleeping then, you will most likely be dreaming” (Hatha Yoga Pradipika).