Dahn Yoga in California

We’ve just finished our second monthly member education class with good results. Members understand why Dahn Yoga is more than yoga; the principles behind the training, the importance of regular practice, and they don’t feel “pushed” when we recommend further workshops.

I realized that this education empowers the members to participate in their own growth!

~ Moraga Center

 Carol, Kevin, Maryanne, Gail, Anna healernim

Congratulations on your great Journey…

By Maureen O’Brien (Mountain View Dahn Center)

I found the Initial Awakening workshop and the four Reinforcement sessions very helpful.The day-long format allowed us to go deeper into the practice than any series of hour-long classes could. The workshop opened with the usual round of Dahn Jon tapping.

The participants introduced themselves and explained why they were interested in Dahn practice.

The reasons ranged from ill health to peace of mind.

The introductions created a tangible atmosphere of safety and unity in the room.

I found myself less self conscious in exercising with a group of near-strangers after we had all confessed to the flaws we would like to correct.

The workshop leaders reviewed some of the basic principles behind Dahn Hak, focusing primarily on the principle of Su-Sueng-Hwa-Gang or Water Up, Fire Down.

I’d heard it before, but this time we were led through a series of exercises that allowed us to actually EXPERIENCE it. This was important for me.

I am frequently “in my head” and am subject to regular bouts of anxiety. The sustained exercise allowed me to move from my ever-vigilant head into my body.

I experienced a calm, less fearful mind and a stronger more vital body.

I actually EXPERIENCED a discernible increase in vitality:

After setting up the conditions for the Water Up, Fire Down condition to take place we did some Hang Gong postures that in ordinary hectic-mind circumstances I would NOT have been able to sustain.

I was able to do them quite easily.

More importantly, the Reinforcement sessions allowed us to APPLY what we had learned at the workshop. We energized our bodies while quieting and focusing our minds.

Each session had us experience Water Up, Fire Down under different circumstances.

By the end of the fourth session I found that I could reach the more focused state of Water Up, Fire Down on my own!!

I would recommend the Reinforcement sessions to anyone who has taken the Initial Awakening workshop. I’ve seen some very good results and I can definitely see how changing my body is actually changing my mind.

I couldn’t truly see that benefits of Dahn Yoga until after I attended Initial Awakening. Because of this class, I gained a better understanding of the principles of Dahn and immediately saw the effects of what all of the exercises can do for the mind and body. Just from this class I felt more energized and my mind gained more clarity. IRENE Q.