The Yoga Society

The Yoga Society was founded in 1971 by Nina Johnson under the direction of H.H. Sri Swami Rama to teach the traditional techniques of Hatha Yoga and meditation (Raja Yoga) as taught by the Masters of the Himalayas. Since its founding, the teachers of the Yoga Society have instructed thousands of students in the Milwaukee area. The first classes were held in a small room in a church across from UWM, and over the next 15 years, the group rented space at various sites on Milwaukee’s east side.

In 1986 Swami Rama encouraged Nina and the Society’s membership to find a permanent home for the Yoga society. They eventually purchased a small building in St. Francis on the city’s south side. Around this time the Yoga Society formally became a branch of the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy. Founded by Swami Rama, the Institute is headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and Rishikesh, U.P., India.

In the fall of 1998 the Center officially became The Himalayan Yoga Meditation Society of Wisconsin, Inc. Affectionately called by its original name, The Yoga Society, it has made the east side of Milwaukee its home once again.

The Yoga Society offers a wide variety of classes throughout the year: meditation, Hatha Yoga, eastern philosophy, holistic health, nutrition and stress control. The Society also offers courses in many related areas and sponsors lectures and workshops by visiting yogis and scholars.

Upon completion of the meditation class a student may choose to receive a mantra. A mantra is a word / sound or phrase used as the object of meditation. The mantra initiation is given through Nina Johnson on behalf o her guru, Sri Swami Rama, according to his instructions to her when he asked her to begin giving mantras in 1974.

All are welcome to the Yoga Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to teaching meditation, hatha yoga, and holistic living.

Nina Johnson, the Director of the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Society of Wisconsin, Inc. (The Yoga Society), is a dedicated student of yoga and meditation and has been teaching classes in Milwaukee for over 30 years. With the blessings of her guru H.H. Sri Swami Rama, and with her own natural compassion, determination and a practical, down-to-earth style, Nina has trained and initiated thousands of students in the practice of Hatha Yoga and meditation.

Nina began studying yoga in 1965 at the downtown YWCA. When her teacher retired, Nina was chosen as her successor. In the spring of 1971 she met Swami Rama during one of his first visits to the United States. The Swami had come to Milwaukee to lecture on mantra and meditation. She requested an audience with him and was deeply moved. Nina was initiated by Swami Rama on July 22, 1971, and during this meeting, he asked her to open a center for him in Milwaukee. In 1974 Swami Rama instructed Nina to begin giving mantras on his behalf.

The Yoga Society has offered classes in the Milwaukee area since 1971. This work continued as a result of the dedication and determination of Nina Johnson and a small group of students. Nina is available for classes and private meditation counseling for students in Swami Rama’s tradition.