Today we’d like to introduce you to Nilajah Johnson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey began 24 years ago, though it still feels like yesterday. At the time, I was working as a Makeup Artist at a pamper party when two women walked in talking about an event where they had experienced something that I had never heard of before: yoga. The moment I heard that word, my entire being froze and rose to attention. I knew it was something I was meant to seek.
Later that same day, the host of the party invited me to her home and said, “Spirit told me to share this with you.” She pulled out a VCR tape, and on the screen was a man practicing yoga. Time seemed to stand still. When the tape ended, I asked, “Who is he? What is he doing?” She told me his name was Master Kwesi and assured me that I would meet him one day.
Until then, I began practicing at his studio on 8 Mile Rd near the Lodge Freeway, under teachers who introduced me to the Kemetic Sun Salutation. I dove in as if I had been practicing all along – the practice came so easily to me. About eight months later, I walked into class and, unexpectedly, there he was. When our eyes met, he smiled and said, “She has arrived.”
The training that followed was intense, rigorous, and transformative. That very night, I dreamed of myself on a billboard advertising yoga. Weeks later, when I asked about becoming a teacher, Master Kwesi told me Spirit had instructed him to train me personally. For seven years, I studied under him three times a week.
At the end of that period, he looked me in the eye and asked, “Are you qualified to teach?” Though nervous, I swallowed my fear and answered, “Yes, I am qualified.” He then handed me my certification as a Kemetic Tantra Yoga Instructor.
That was the beginning of my path – one that I now understand was never just about yoga postures, but about destiny, healing, and carrying forward an ancient lineage of wisdom.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Friend, my journey has not been smooth – and that is the point. There are no smooth roads in life, especially not in Detroit. Our streets are rough, and my moccasins are worn from walking them. Yoga walked into my life not to give me ease, but to reveal what needed healing and elevation within me.
I’ve faced struggles that could each be their own book. One of the hardest lessons was realizing what it meant when they say, “A prophet is not honored in their own hometown.” I was deeply attached to my students – I saw them as my own children because I had once been in their shoes. I wanted to shield and protect them. But when I opened the Institute, many had scattered, and it broke my heart. That season taught me Aparigraha – non-attachment. To love without clinging, to give without expectation, to let go and trust the process.
You don’t choose yoga; yoga chooses you. The path is not all bliss, love, and light – it is rigorous, raw, and refining. Every rough road has prepared me to stand in my power and purpose today as the Vajra: resilient, rooted, and indestructible.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Detroit Yoga Institute, we believe, as Nathamuni, a 9th-century yogi and scholar, taught, that “Yoga must evolve with the times.” DYI was created as a response to the growing need for wellness that is accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant.
We specialize in designing programs that serve high-stress environments – corporate offices, schools, and healthcare institutions – where clarity, resilience, and balance are critical.
What sets DYI apart is our ability to bridge timeless yogic wisdom with modern application, offering leaders and teams practical tools for energy, focus, and recovery.
I’m most proud that in just a short time, DYI has grown from a local initiative into a trusted partner for executives, educators, and healthcare leaders, while staying rooted in authenticity and purpose.
For readers, know this: DYI is not just a yoga studio. It is a corporate wellness institute dedicated to designing solutions that elevate people and organizations alike.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness is an inside job.
My greatest joy comes from helping others reach their spiritual goals – guiding them to find their voice and seeing peace return to their spirit.
I also find happiness in my family: the pride I feel in my daughter and the strength and warmth of my husband’s loving arms.
Pricing:
- Corporate Wellness Workshops: $950-$2,500 per session (depending on scope and group size)
- Executive Energy Coaching (1:1): $1,111 per session
- Yoga Classes/Trainings: $197 per month memberships
- Custom Proposals for Schools & Community Organizations: Starting at $2,500 flat fee
- Certification and Advanced Track $1,000+ (teacher training, lineage-based certification, trauma informed specialization, and mentorship)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.detroityogainstitute.com
