Dahn Yoga in California

Brain Respiration does not demand expert anatomical or physiological knowledge of the human brain. Rather, Brain Respiration focuses on in the experiential approach for the mastership over one’s brain. However, since Brain Respiration is a scientific method based on various anatomical and biological aspects of the brain, it is helpful to have a passing knowledge of the human brain. To maximize the benefits of Brain Respiration, it is essential to become friends with your own brain. This is easier when you know what your friend looks like.

Of all the animals on Earth, the human being has the highest ratio of weight of the brain to total body weight. Although the average human brain (l,350g) weighs less than that of a whale (8,000g) or an elephant (5,000g), it is 1/40 of our total body YS”eight. The brain of a whale or elephant is only 1/1200 of its total body weight. The brain of an average primate is only 1/100 ot its total body weight. Although the entire brain has the same consistency of a totu-like substance, it consists of three lavers

Which reflect different evolutionary phases from reptile to primate and, thereby, have relatively differentiated functions respectively? The brain is protected from shock by a skull and also by being suspended in a liquid environment.

Its all about Dahn Yoga.

From Ilchi Lee’s New book:

There are three types of Ki energy in the human body. Won-Ki is the energy that you have inherited, or were born with .Jnitg-Ki is the energy that you obtain by eating and breathing. And Jin-Ki is the energy generated through deep, concentrated breathing. Won-Ki and Jung-Ki energy are generated without conscious participation, while Jin-Ki requires concentration. The energy that is utilized in Brain Respiration is this Jin-Ki.

Since Jin-Ki is generated by the mind (concentration), its state (quality) varies according to the state of the mind at a given time. A positive frame of mind and emotional state produces a positive flow of energy. This will, in turn, have a calming effect on the brain, lowering the brain waves. A negative state of mind and emotions will have the opposite effect. When the flow of Jin-Ki is blocked or impeded, the brain becomes tense, resulting in anx­iety.

Dahn Yoga

Directly translated, Dahn-jon means “Field of Energy.” This refers to a place in the body where energy is gathered and stored. With enough energy sensitivity training, you can tangibly teal the gathering of energy in the Dahn-jon.

We have three internal Dahn-jons and four external Dahn-jons for a total of seven. Dahn-jon has basically the same meaning as the word Charka, a Sanskrit term. The internal Dahn-jons are located in the lower abdomen about two inches from your navel (lower Dahn-jon), in the middle of your chest (middle Dahn-jon), and at the In-dang point (upper Dahn-jon). The four exter­nal Dahn-jon s are located, one on each palm and on the bottom of each foot.

If even one Dahn-jon is blocked and the energy flow is impeded, it will manifest as a physical disease or ailment. Through breath work, it is possible to facilitate the flow of energy through the Dahn-jon system, resulting in overall balance and health. (Excepts from Ilchi Lee’s book)

Now we will introduce you to the acupuncture points that are most important in Brain Respiration training. It will be helpful for you to become familiar with these points.

Baek-hwe: Located on the crown of your head. It is at the inter­section of an imaginary line that connects the ears and a line that connects spine and nose. Baek-Hwe literally means, “Intersecting point of one hundred meridians.” This is the point where cosmic energy flows in.

Jun-jung: Located about four to five centimeters in front of the Baek-Hwe. This is also a point where energy flows in. Baek-Hwe is sometimes called “Great Heaven’s Gate” while Jun lung is named “Small Heaven’s Gate.”

In-dang: Frequently called “the third eye” in the West, this point is located between your eyebrows. When this acupuncture point is activated, one might exhibit extra sensory perceptual powers.

Mi-gan: Located at the top of your nose, in the center of the val­ley of the blade of the nose.

In-joong: Located in the center of the valley between your nose and lips.

Tae-yang: Your temples.

Ah-rnun: Located between the first and second vertebrae. This is the place where the neck and head meet. It is said that a blockage at this point will lead to language disabilities. Ok-chim: Locate the slightly protruding point in the back of your head. Ok-chim consists of two separate points that are locat­ed one inch to either side of that protrusion. Thanks Dahn Yoga by Ilchi Lee.

Charlotte

When I meet friends I haven’t seen in the last few months, they comment on my weight loss and how well I look.  My Dahn Yoga practice is the reason for this positive change.  I was introduced to Dahn Yoga by a friend who knows about my decades long suffering from osteo arthritis.

I was diagnosed with arthritis in my 20’s Arthritis is present in my neck, back, wrists, hands and knees.  Over the counter pain medications have been prescribed for me and I have experienced stomach ulcers as a side effect.  It has been necessary for me to take short term disability from my work at 3 different times in my careers, the last being in 2005.  Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and exercise have been most helpful.  Surgery has not been an option.

Exercise is a discipline that has been essential for me to remain mobile.  Belonging to gyms or doing other form of Yoga has been part of this discipline.  Sometimes I injured myself at these classes because a personalized approach was not provided.  I was unconvinced that yet another exercise program would help.

Fortunately for me my friend, whose chronic health issues have dramatically improved with Dahn Yoga practice , was persistent.  We went to a class together.  I was warmly welcomed, and a written medical history was taken along with questions regarding my personal health goals.  As a registered nurse I was impressed.  The instructor reviewed my medical history and discussed the exercises used in class.  These exercises are surprisingly simple yet comprehensive.  We talked about exercise modifications that would be helpful for me.  It was a great class.

My nursing education and experience have taught me a lot about the wonders of Western medicine.  It is only in the last couple of decades that Eastern Healing Traditions have become appreciated in the US.  According to Eastern traditions we have a physical body, an energy body and a spiritual body.  At Dahn Yoga, developed in Korea, we learn about our energy body, how to become aware of our energy, and direct our energy for healing.  Many times I asked questions about this process, the knowledge, concern and patience of the instructors is helpful and in depth.

I believe one of the limits of Western medicine is managing chronic pain.  The options are physical therapy, Occupational therapy, surgery or medication.  I can report that I am now pain free without taking over the counter pain medication, for the first time since my diagnosis of osteo arthritis.  Perhaps I need medication once a month, instead of 2-3 times per day.  Not only is there an amazing decrease in my arthritis pain, but also me abdominal pain.

My last physical was scheduled right after a Dahn Yoga class.  My blood pressure of 138/90 had been borderline for years, but at that appointment it read 117/80.  The nurse rechecked it on a different machine, yet it remained at 117/80.  We were both amazed at the dramatic change.  She asked me what was different?  I told her about Dahn Yoga.  She encouraged me to keep at it.

I also appreciate the recourses available to anyone wanting to learn more.  There are books, CD’s, workshops and individual appointments available to anyone who is interested.

I am grateful to the founder of Dahn yoga, Ilchi Lee and his instructors for their knowledge, concern, respect and dedication.  Dahn Yoga is a major part of my personal health improvement; it also provides a way to maintain it.

I initially joined Dahn Yoga for the physical benefits, hoping to improve my flexibilty and balance. I’ve found the practices to be very helpful and am definitely making the progress I was hoping for. I’m also pleasantly surprised that my energy levels have increased, as has my ability to concentrate and focus. Stress is down, positive outlook is way up” Thanks Ilchi Lee.

Joe

First of all, I accepted myself and a beautiful princess came out. I could listen to my heart. My beautiful heart. When we talked about Ilchi Lee healing society during one of the games it brought me so much happiness. To know that I have the potential to be a healer. After so much agony and pain, I can actually heal others truly. From my heart. So beautiful. As we went through the training my heart opened more and more. I will have freedom and also I really want to help others. It is truly my life mission to grow myself deeper so that I can be a light onto the world. Also, I realized I have to ask my emotions, conceptions, and thoughts to work for me. For my vision. My experiences, memories, knowledge, love, anger, avoidance. All of these can be used to grow and find myself, my true self. I felt that I don’t have to be afraid anymore.  I can trust myself. No matter what, what I felt tonight was so beautiful and so free and it came from inside of me. I am that beautiful. I can feel now how to live from my core, my true self. There; emotions, thoughts, mean people, helplessness. Those are like little dots on a computer screen because myself is at play and filled with infinite joy.

Dahn Yoga

Lisa

I first came to Melrose Dahn Yoga in February of 2007 after years of severe migraine headaches. I was depressed and almost hopeless after attempting just about every treatment known. I was skeptical, but there really were no other options left for me. So I decided to give it a try.

The healers taught me how to slow down and be more aware of the condition of my body.  I could then focus on what part of the body needed attention and give it that loving energy. The classes incorporate breathing exercises, gentle stretching and meditation that are really fun and not too difficult.

After a couple of months I discovered Dahn Yoga would give me a whole lot more than I ever bargained for!  I rarely get migraine headaches, my stress level has decreased and I have learned how to take better care of myself mentally, physically and spiritually.  But what was a truly amazing surprise for me was my cholesterol level.  I have worked out at a gym and eaten very healthy for over 20 years.  You could imagine my frustration when I could only reduce my genetically high cholesterol levels from 240 to 210.  After 4 months of yoga, I came down to 169!

Ilchi Lee recommend Dahn Yoga for anyone who wants to be in good health, more relaxed and happy.  Now who wouldn’t want that!

No more migraines
Cholesterol much better
Awareness of body condition
Stress reduction
Fun
Easy
Woman, man, young, old

Judith

I have been a Dahn member for 4 years. In that time I have done many programs including healer school and Myungsa training. I have enjoyed it all even breaking my foot during Myungsa training. I didn’t know I had broken it so?I still danced and hiked the rest of the time and got casted when I came back to Boston. When I started Dahn I was 3 years post cancer surgery and now it is 7. One of my providers recommended that I explore Dahn Yoga so that I could return to my body and live from there. An excellent prescription. In addition, I was recently informed by my primary care physician that the mitral valve prolapse that I had been diagnosed with 27 years ago and have been taking medication for was no longer visible on echocardiogram. I have been off the medication now for 10 months. When I asked my PCP how it could have disappeared she felt I must have been over diagnosed at the time. I have had 4 echocardiograms prior to the last 2?and none had shown an absence of the prolapse. I believe that I have healed my heart through this practice and a greater awareness of my body, Ilchi Lee with his best.

Maria

I joined Dahn Yoga in October of 2005, and two years later, I’m still loving my Dahn practice.  My reasons for joining varied, but the primary one was to reduce stress.  As a mother of two children with a full-time career in financial services, I had reached a point where I felt stretched in many different directions.  I lacked energy and was always anxious and had a lot of trouble sleeping.  Since joining Dahn, my energy is very high and I feel calmer and less anxious about my future.  I also sleep well and no longer wake up feeling exhausted. Ilchi Lee is a Brain Educator.

In addition to regular classes, I’ve also participated in many workshops and trainings offered by Dahn Yoga.  Through these trainings, I have gained a deeper awareness of my habitual patterns, some of which did not serve me well in my relationships with others. With this awareness, I am now able to make better choices about how to handle issues or problems that come up.

There have been times when I have wanted to stop practicing but I am very happy that instead I have continued to attend classes and trainings.  Dahn Yoga is more than a program to help you achieve physical health.  Through Dahn’s programs you will also grow yourself in other ways; you just need to consistently practice its principles.