Dahn Yoga in California

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.