Dahn yoga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dahn yoga (also known as Dahn Hak or Dahnhak) is a Korean yoga system founded by Ilchi Lee. In Korean, dahn means "primal, vital energy," and hak means "study of a particular theory or philosophy."[1] Dahn teachings are said to place equal emphasis on physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.[2] News sources have described its exercises as "a blend of yoga, tai chi, and martial arts exercises."[2]
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[edit] Training Methods
Dahn Yoga's training methods are intended to improve the practitioner's health through development of the energy system and enhancement of the mind-body connection.[3] The practice draws upon traditional notions of ki, also knows as chi or qi.[4] A typical class begins with what is called "Meridian Stretching" exercise, which is believed to stimulate the energy in the body.[5] After these stretching exercises, practitioners normally follow a sequence of postures to accumulate and circulate energy in the body.[6] Classes often include elements of meditation, as well.[1]
An article by three physicians in the Journal of General Internal Medicine reports the conclusions made during a 3-month study of community-based mind-body training methods. The study measured the progress of 171 adults enrolled at various Dahn Yoga Centers in the New York City area. All of the participants had taken ten or fewer classes at the beginning of the survey-based study. They scored poorer in measures of health-related quality of life than the general U.S. population and were significantly sedentary at the start of the study. The article concludes that participants reported "moderate improvements after 3 months of practice" with "improvements in all [of the surveyed] domains of health-related quality of life, fewer depressive symptoms, less trait anxiety, and greater self-efficacy."[7]Practitioner reviews such as those written during a citywide vote for "Best Yoga Studio" in Boston assert the effectiveness of Dahn Yoga in healing common ailments such as back pain, shoulder/neck tension, sleeping problems, migraine headaches, or digestive disorders. [8][9]
[edit] History
In 1985 the first Dahn Yoga Center opened in downtown Seoul. In 1991 the first U.S. Dahn Yoga Center was opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1997 the Sedona Ilchi Meditation Center (SIMC) was established, hosting specialized programs open to Dahn yoga members for a fee. Over the next ten years Dahn yoga focused on expanding its operations globally. In 2006 Dahn yoga introduced two new training methods.[10] The first, DahnMuDo, also referred to as “The Art of Being Limitless,” is advertised as a non-combative martial art. The second, Jung Choong Breathing, is a form of internal alchemy using five simple postures focused on breathing and what is said to be proper positioning of the body. It is claimed to help release stagnant energy and accumulate fresh energy in the lower abdomen, also known in Korean as the Dan Jeon (energy center) or the 2nd Chakra in Sanskrit yoga terminology.
[edit] Controversy
In recent years there has been significant criticism of Dahn yoga and its teachings, with some accusing its associated organizations of cult status.[11] [12] A Dahn Center spokesperson denies this accusation, saying that such critics have "probably mistaken leaders' and other participants' enthusiasm about the training program for something else."[11] A 2006 news report says that the organization is involved in at least two lawsuits, one being a wrongful death suit involving the death of a practitioner during a training event.[13] According to the lawsuit, Julia Siverls, 41, died from heat stroke and dehydration during a master training hike at the Ilchi Meditation Center in Sedona, circa 2003.[11][2] One former member says that the organization was characterized by "conformity, suppression of individuality and rote learning,"[14] and criticizes the cost of "high-level courses," citing several programs costing thousands of dollars.[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Dahn Yoga Education. (2006) Dahn Yoga Basics. Sedona: Healing Society. ISBN 978-1-932843-17-0
- ^ a b c The Village Voice July 11th, 2006
- ^ Dahn Yoga Education. (2006) Dahn Yoga Basics. Sedona: Healing Society. p.15 ISBN 978-1-932843-17-0
- ^ Dahn Yoga Education. (2006) Dahn Yoga Basics. Sedona: Healing Society. p 21-29. ISBN 978-1-932843-17-0
- ^ Dahn Yoga Education. (2006) Dahn Yoga Basics. Sedona: Healing Society. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-932843-17-0
- ^ Body & Brain Magazine article on Jung Choong Breathing, Summer 2006 issue
- ^ Journal of Internal Medicine, v.19(7), July 2004
- ^ 2007 A-List: Reviews by Boston practitioners
- ^ 2006 WAVE Magazine Reader's Choice
- ^ What is Dahn Yoga?
- ^ a b c The Albuquerque Tribune Tuesday, March 14, 2006
- ^ CBS TV Feb 7, 2006
- ^ CBS2 Chicago
- ^ a b Now Toronto article by former Dahn student
