Special Events and Lectures
The Yoga Of Emotions: Refining Your Emotions As Sadhana
with Randall Krause
Sunday, February 12
10:00am-4:00pm with one hour break for lunch
$50 ($30 with student ID or for seniors)
One of the least known and understood aspects of yoga involves work with the emotions. Yet, to make true progress in yoga, this emotional work is essential. Otherwise the agitation of the emotions blocks the practitioner's ability to enter into the deeper realms of mind and being.
The seminar leader will tell stories from his own twenty-plus years experience with this work, and relate how his teacher guided him in it. Participants will have an opportunity to learn specific practices to begin their own emotional yoga. The workshop will include philosophy, movement, pratyahara, pranayama, relaxation, and meditation.
Emotional Yoga is a work of a lifetime, and this seminar in intended to start and strength the process.
Yoga Alliance TTP Category: Yoga Psychology
Randall has been an initiate of the Himalayan Yoga Meditation Tradition for 23 years, and has studied with Swami Veda Bharati and other teachers of the Tradition both in India and North America. He was certified as a HYT teacher in 2004, has been teaching since, and is a member of the Senior Faculty of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teacher Training Program. Randall is the founder and Director of Himalayan Yoga Meditation-- Los Angeles (Hym-la). In addition to teaching yoga, Randall is trained as a Certified Personal and Professional Coach, and mentors people to not only practice, but to live their yoga. Randall’s first career was as a lawyer. He practiced law in California as a Deputy Public Defender, and also in private practice and over time began helping people resolve their conflicts rather than fight them out. While he was practicing law, an overpowering interest grew within him to study human potential and the inner meditative sciences. He organized and led four successful retreats for lawyers on holistic perspectives on law, and taught relaxation and stress relief to legal associations around California. Eventually Randall left legal practice and obtained a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, with an emphasis in Holistic Health
Routine Care of the Sense Organs
with Susan Pack
Thursday, February 23
6:30-8:30pm
$25 ($20 with student ID or with pre-registration and payment)
If you suffer any dryness over the winter, then this class is especially for you. Oiling yourself is a great defense against winter dryness and will help build immunity. This class will teach you how to care for your eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin. Come and find out how simple it is to add these wellness practices into your daily routine.
Susan Pack is a Certified Ayurveda Practitioner (CAP) and a graduate of Kanyakumari. She is also an accomplished Ayurvedic cook and has written on Ayurvedic foods for yoga and other natural health publications. In addition to her CAP, Susan is a Reiki healer and has completed the Healing Touch Level One class.
Over the last ten years, Susan has combined her training skills and her knowledge of Ayurveda by giving cooking demonstrations as well as private cooking lessons. Educating people about the benefits of an Ayurvedic lifestyle fits quite naturally with Susan’s previous career as the staff trainer for Milwaukee Public Library.
Being in the Present
with Nina Johnson
Join Nina Johnson who will have recently returned from India. She currently lives in the Himalayan mountains deepening her meditation practice.
Sunday, February 26
1:00pm
Donations appreciated.
The Secret of Karma from the Bhagavad Gita
with Anil Saigal
Saturday, March 10
1:00-4:00pm
The Gita contains teachings that are considered to be the essence of the Vedas and the Upanishads. Come and learn about the profound philosophy, Karma and the major paths to enlightement taught in Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
Anil Saigal Teaches meditation, yoga philosophy and eastern scriptures. He started meditating in college, and later met Swami Rama of The Himalayas. He studied with, and was initiated by Swami Rama. He has been a guest speaker at local organizations and schools for teaching meditation and yoga philosophy. He also provides individual and family consultation sessions for personal development and meditation practice. Anil completed Swami Veda Bharati’s 600 Hr level TTP in 2005, and is a RYT500 Yoga Alliance registered teacher.
Steps to Prevent Injury in Practice
with Dale Buegel
Sunday, March 18
1:00-4:00pm
$45 individual or $60 per couple
Like any physical activity, yoga has some risk of injury. Many steps can be taken to minimize the risks to neck, hips, wrists, knees, shoulders, back, and strains and sprains in general. Come learn the principles of healthy yoga practice to minimize the risk of injury for both yourselves and your students. While the material presented will be applicable to all levels of yoga practice, please examine your own practice and teaching styles and bring your questions.
Dr. Buegel was a student of Swami Rama and has practiced and taught hatha yoga and meditation for 35 years in seminars and in his practice of complementary medicine and psychiatry. His expertise in the fine points of yoga techniques and in the use of simple, sequential steps for mastering advanced yoga practices have earned him the respect and appreciation of students in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Buegel is ERYT 500 certified with Yoga Alliance.
Christian Meditation
with John Barry Stutt
Sunday, March 25
1:00-3:00pm
$25 ($5 discount for pre-registration and payment; $15 students)
Our connection to meditation in the West exists for centuries. Yet we no little about it. Training in meditation is absent from Christian elementary, high school and college curriculums. The Christian mystics, St. Therese, St. Bernard and early saints are absent from the typical secular discussions.Yet the contemporary Centering Prayer movement stirs the hearts and minds of practicing Christians today. What happened in Mt. Athos, Greece? Where did the Mystics get their training? How do we get the training? What Christian mantras exist and what do we do with them?
Come & explore these and other interesting perspectives on the Christian world of meditation. John Barry Stutt was trained for 6 years in a Christian seminary, including meditation practice and currently teaches meditation in the Yoga Tradition.
Intro to Ayurveda
with Susan Pack
Session One: Tuesday, March 27
Session Two: Tuesday, April 3
Session Three: Tuesday, April 10
6:00-8:00pm
Session One: $30 ($15 with student ID). Session Two: $30 ($15 with student ID). Session Three: $35 ($25 with student ID). For individual classes, $5 discount for advanced registration and payment. Register in advance for all three sessions: $70.
Session One: Introduction to Ayurveda. Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, is one of the oldest and most comprehensive healing systems of natural healing. It originated in India over 5,000 years ago and is based on prevention and health maintenance. This workshop will enable you to begin your Ayurvedic journey so you can learn more about your own constitution through lecture and self-assessment. You will come away with handouts and a better understanding of the collected wisdom of the sages who began their tradition many centuries ago.
Session Two: Introduction to Ayurvedic Nutrition. Now that you know the basics of Ayurveda, do you wonder how to eat for optimal health? By attending the second part of the workshop series, you will learn the Ayurvedic perspective on digestion, seasonal foods, appropriate eating habits, food combining and much more. You will go home with handouts on the information covered in this interesting workshop.
Session Three: Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking. Join Susan to learn how to create Kitchari, the perfect Ayurvedic food. You will learn why this dish is so nutritious and easy to make. You will also learn how to make ghee and chutney.
Susan Pack is a Certified Ayurveda Practitioner (CAP) and a graduate of Kanyakumari. She is also an accomplished Ayurvedic cook and has written on Ayurvedic foods for yoga and other natural health publications. In addition to her CAP, Susan is a Reiki healer and has completed the Healing Touch Level One class.
Over the last ten years, Susan has combined her training skills and her knowledge of Ayurveda by giving cooking demonstrations as well as private cooking lessons. Educating people about the benefits of an Ayurvedic lifestyle fits quite naturally with Susan’s previous career as the staff trainer for Milwaukee Public Library.
Visiting Guest Lecturers
Jim Nelson and Michael Smith
Saturday, April 21
Save the date for an event with our special visiting guest lecturers from the Meditation Center in Minneapolis. Further details will be announced soon.
As a psychologist and counselor in the public schools, Jim Nelson has had years of experience helping people who struggle with negative emotions, family issues, and childhood problems. He has worked extensively with the meditational technique of Internal Dialogue to control distracting thoughts and has counseled many people at Silence Retreats.
Michael Smith, E-RYT 500, has been teaching yoga for over 36 years and is currently a curriculum coordinator for the International Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association. He has also been certified by the Himalayan Institute Teachers Association and the Behram Guard School of Yoga Meditation (an Iyengar-based Hatha Yoga School) . He was a public school teacher for 35 years and also a professor of Comparative Religion at North Hennepin Community College. He has edited and/or illustrated many books on yoga and has lectured widely on stress management (the topic of his Masters Thesis) and also on holistic health. Currently he is very interested in the cultivation of a yoga-based life style, incorporating the principles of Ayurveda.
Hatha Yoga
Gentle Yoga (also called Joints & Glands)
This course teaches a set of gentle but profound stretching, breathing and relaxation exercises. By increasing circulation, they restore a natural, flowing “body image” in the mind, and a harmonious feeling of energy can be re-established. It is recommended that new students practice these exercises for one month before beginning hatha postures. This is the ideal ongoing program for those with limited flexibility.
Hatha Yoga 1 (also called Introduction to Hatha Yoga)
This course offers basic instruction in the fundamental techniques of asanas (postures), breathing and systematic relaxation. The practice of Hatha Yoga will develop strength, flexibility, harmony of body and mind, and lead the practitioner toward a state of inner peace.
This course builds on the fundamental techniques of asanas (postures), breathing and systematic relaxation as taught in Hatha Yoga I. It will include advanced asanas according to the capacity of the individual student. It will also include more detailed information of how asanas effect the prana (energy) layer of the body. When practiced regularly, over time, all Hatha Yoga develops strength, flexibility, harmony of body and mind, and can lead the practitioner toward a state of inner peace.
Restorative yoga is a supported, conscious body/mind relaxation practice. When supported with props, the body relaxes and opens, releasing tension and stored toxins that can cause illness. Join Denise for this five week session and enjoy the benefits of restorative yoga.
Beginning Yoga (Gentle Yoga for those 45 and older)
Yoga to stretch, limber, and increase energy and flexibility from head to toe, specifically for those age 45 and older. This course will include sitting, standing and floor exercises, balance (postures), breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to relieve stress, reduce fatigue, and increase energy, tone and strengthen muscles to promote health and wellbeing.
Join instructor Frank Detloff to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. Learn yoga techniques that can be effective to improve sleep, increase concentration, promote relaxation, and increase energy. This class is specifically geared towards seniors. Enjoy the benefits of this gentle practice.
Combination - Meditation and Gentle Hatha Yoga
In this seven week, one and one-half hour Combination Class, one receives the full instruction taught in Meditation Level 1, Introduction to Meditation Course. Additionally, this class includes instruction of a few simple, basic, hatha postures and Joints and Glands exercises. At the end of this seven week course, students may receive mantra initiation.
Continuing Combined Hatha Yoga and Meditation
This course is for students who have had previous Meditation and beginning level/Gentle Hatha courses and want continued instruction to relax the body through simple Hatha Yoga stretches in order to sit comfortably for meditation.
Denise Cronk has been with Swami Rama's Tradition since 1986, and Initiiated by Nina Johnson in 1988. She has participated in the Teacher's Training Program since it began in Calgary, Alberta, in 1999. Denise taught Hatha and Meditation at Ohio Wesleyan University, and various hospitals in OH. Moving to Milwaukee in 2002, she began teaching at UWM, and St. Francis Hospital in addition to The Yoga Society.
Multi-level Hatha Yoga Drop-In
Beginners and experienced students alike will benefi t from this gentle, but comprehensive class of postures, breathing, and systemic relaxation.
Meditation
Introduction to Meditation/Learn to Meditate
This course will be an introduction to the theory and practice of meditation in the Raja yoga tradition.
The regular practice of meditation has been found to help reduce stress, improve sleep and to help students improve their performance in school.
The course will include instruction in proper breathing as a means of focusing and quieting the mind, and practices for deep relaxation which are used as preparations for practicing meditation. In addition students will learn how to sit quietly and quiet the mind with the help of a simple mantra.
Wesley began teaching yoga and meditation in 1972 at the request of his teacher Swami Rama. He is currently teaching meditation at UWM in the department of Health Science and will be co-teaching a relaxation and writing course for veterans (Eng. 218) beginning in January.
On the First Thursday of each month, as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Center is open for guided meditation, following the Himalayan Tradition. All are welcome.
In March, April, and May 2012, join us for special first Sunday meditation with Nina Johnson. Each meditation will be followed by informal discussion and time for questions.
This is a meditation practice for 12 consecutive hours, shared by individual participants who sign-up to sit for a designated timeslot. If each meditator sits for 1 hour, then 12 people are needed to fill the time 6am - 6pm. You may also sign-up for a ½ hr segment. Accordingly, more people will be needed to complete the practice. The first meditator arrives early enough for preparation to begin mediatation at 6am. Each consecutive meditator should arrive 5-10 minutes early to get seated and begin meditation. Please allow for a brief overlap between the new person coming in and the one who is about to leave.
One meditator, initiated in this tradition, must be doing the practice at all times; but any person is welcome to join to do their own personal meditation throughout the 12 hours. If you are an initiate in this Tradition, we hope you will use this opportunity to enhance your practice. Akhanda Japa is beneficial to each participant and to the Center as a whole. However, it is not done for any desired goal or outcome. This is a practice without desire. All the fruits of this Meditation are surrendered to the Divine.
Yoga Study Groups
We will read and discuss chapters from the book by Swami Rama titled Essence of Spiritual Life. This class will be led by a RN/yoga instructor, with a background in stress management and biofeedback training.
Light on Your Journey, Workshop and Discussion Sessions
Using the investigation of yoga philosophy, facilitator Jyoti Bratz welcomes participants to examine obstacles in practice and in the journey of life. We will discuss the relationships between truth and peace, the unreal verses the real and darkness verses light. Find peace to be a fundamental ongoing option. Participants may join at any time. Beginner participants $45 for 3 sessions. ($30 student discount or 6 month pass). Continuing participants: $5 each session (or 6 month pass).
The challenge of Arjuna, in these epic verses, is to get beyond his attachments so that he can fight the battle that Krishna encourages. This text helps us learn how to live in the world and make the right decisions in challenges. This study group will not be held at the Yoga Society. If interested, please contact the Yoga Society or Denise at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
General Information
Registration and Cancellation
All courses except Drop-In classes require registration prior to the start date. Please register in person, by phone, or by email, and provide payment before the class starts. Without a minimum number of registrants, a course will be cancelled. Anyone who has registered for a cancelled course will be notified, and their tuition refunded or credited. No refunds are given after the second week of a course.
Class Review & Private Classes
Students who wish to repeat a course are eligible for a 20% discount. Private classes may also be arranged. Tuition is $50 per hour.
Drop-In Class Cards
Drop-In class cards offer savings and convenience. Purchase a Drop-In class card redeemable for 10 classes at the discounted price of $95. Contact drop-in teacher for details.
Gift Certificates
Gift certificates make a thoughtful gift and may be used for classes or items in The Yoga Store. If purchasing by mail or email, please specify the name and address of the recipient, as well as the dollar amount of the gift certificate.
The Yoga Store
Feel free to browse among a comprehensive collection of books, tapes, CDs and videos on various aspects of yoga practice and philosophy. Our in-house bookstore also offers items to complement your practice including meditation cushions, yoga mats, mala (meditation) beads, shawls, incense, and homeopathic and ayurvedic healthcare products.
Inclement Weather
Any class may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Please call The Yoga Society for an up-to-date message on class cancellations.