Archive for May, 2008

Elizabeth

The reason that I joined Dahn Yoga in October of 2005 was clearly because I did not feel well.

My body ached and I wanted to lose weight.

My medical physical showed no problems. I asked my medical doctor, if she would recommend Dahn Yoga.
She said “yes”.  I signed up for 1 year.  (That would force me attend class.)

The 5 letter “S” (Stress) word would apply to my condition.
After only a few classes, I could see my tension lessening and my lack of flexibility improving.
After 3 weeks I signed up as a Gold member.
Why?  Because I felt much better, enjoyed the classes, can see that the masters are well trained, and I am more aware of who I am, what I need to do to feel well.

Over the past two years I have attended class regularly, gained flexibility, acquired knowledge about my body, mind, and soul.
I am a very different person. I continue to attend class, read the books, attend training sessions, work with the master at my center, and look forward to continued health, happiness, peacefulness within, a productive life.

On a deeper level….

Every worthwhile effort includes levels.  Playing basket ball in highschool, college, Olympics, professionally has distinct levels.
There is also choice.  Any sport enthusiast has the option to remain at the highschool level and genuinely enjoy the sport.
Dahn Yoga has levels, also. The new member can enjoy the exercise and friendship and remain at that level, forever.  There is choice. I generally choose to become more involved with any interest.  I purchased and read many books written by Dr. Ilchi Lee.  I understood the concepts and was amazed at what I learned.  Our life is a journey and we have choices daily, even moment by moment.  If you have a goal of a college education, there are specific steps to follow to reach that goal.  A parallel to that is, if you want a specific life style that includes peacefulness, happiness, knowing who you are and what you want in life, and much more, then there are specific paths that you can follow to achieve those goals.  On the other side, if you want unhappiness, strife, anger, sadness, etc. they can be achieved by following the path that leads to their door step, as well.  There is a balance scale: one side is positive and the other side is negative.  Where you add weights is where the balance tilts.  Dahn Yoga, if you choose to pay attention, balances physical health, mental strength, and spiritual guidance.  I have chosen to follow this path and have become healthier, stronger, appreciation who I am, and look forward to continued growth, Ilchi Lee.

What kind of improvement have you noticed (physical, emotional, spiritual)?

I have seen improvement in my general physical condition including lower blood pressure, improved balance, more flexible joints, improved bone density and weight loss.

What have you changed in your life?

I am stronger physically and emotionally and plan to do more volunteer work. Thanks to Ilchi Lee

What do you like about the Sedona center?

The masters are very dedicated and friendly.  The classes are fun and going to the morning class is the best way to set your mood for the day!

How long have you been practicing DAHN YOGA?

22 months

May we have your permission to use your testimonial and photo for promotion purposes?

yes

Are you willing to help distribute any kind of promotional materials for the center(i.e. bring pamphlet to others)?

yes

Yashmani

I’m going through some major myung hyun, sneezing, coughing, fever, soreness, etc., but I love it !!!!!! I’m still a little emotional especially as I reconnect with some of the members here. I feel like my heart is soooo open right now and that I am capable of opening it so much more. I don’t want to let it close up again and I think that by working towards my vision and using my power to choose and create I will be able to open my heart even wider that I could ever imagine. I miss you all so much and when I think about our time together it really touches my heart. I now there will be challenges for all of us, but I am certain that we will all be able to overcome them with the power that we have awakened in ourselves.

Ben:

Hello Phoenixi. How are you? I’m so exited about what I’m going to create in my regoin. The Phoenix project gave me a lot. I got what I wanted to get from the project. Now it’s the time to create in my region. The biggest awaken was Mu-Ah. No ego, No-self = Hap-Shim. When I’m Mu-ah, I can create anything. It’s limitless.

So, my visions are:

1. 10 Phoenixi from DC
2. $10,000.00 Fundrasing for supporting phoenixi
3. 10 YEHA to August Camp
4. Starting outreach
and for my self-trainings are:
30 min Jung chung. 200 push-ups (starting 100). HSP12 step by end of this year. Shim-Go(PDCA)
Phoenixi, please check with me, so I can be aware of my vision. I’ll check on you, too. Love you, all.

Leah:

Hi everyone, and fellow Phoenixi! This entry of mine is a little tardy, but it really gave me a chance to see how much i have changed being back in my own environment. On the last full day, after the 1000 bows my mind felt so calm and peaceful, so clear headed, i felt as if i was floating through the day, and the cosmic life force was flowing through me. It felt so good. everything I did had such an ease to it, life was working with me. This feeling was so incredible. (ILOVEYOU EVERYBODY!) I used to be so cluttered in my thoughts, so fragmented in my activities, so scattered in my creativity that nothing ever came of my ideas. I feel so different now. having this experience and “taste” of a different way of existing, i am driven and given new optimism in my life. I highly encourage anyone who is curious about the Phoenix Project, sign up . . . with out question. to all the upcoming Phoenixi, congratulations, good luck, I wish i could be there, can’t wait to hear all about it!!

Erika:

Myung Hyun hit with a vengeance the final day of the Phoenix Project, and I’m just now recovering. I don’t know how I can put the experience of the Phoenix Project into words. Through the training, I was able to see just how strong some of my habits are. There were times (particularly during Hong Bo training) that I surrendered to habit energy because it was much easier and more comfortable to do so. The whole Phoenix Project experience forced me to make some pretty tough realizations about myself. I know that in order to reach my full potential, I will have to believe in myself enough to let down the barriers and share my heart fully with the people around me. I think the most important lesson I learned through the Project is that in every experience, every interaction, every circumstance, we are presented with a choice. If we choose well, we can truly become the Master of our lives and create the future of our dreams. I am so grateful for this experience and for my fellow Phoenixi. I know I made friends for life, and together we can accomplish anything.

Ilchi Lee is founder of Dahn Yoga

My vision for the Colorado region is to :

1. connect with the core YEHA members through monthly social gatherings (movie nights, going out for some 3rd chakra blocker (aka ice cream), dancing, bowling, etc., etc.

2. start having more outdoor trainings; one example that’s in the works now is a camping trip somewhere in the mountains where we can do some hiking, rafting, DMD practice, and perhaps a starlight meditation

3. i’d like to organize a Phoenix Festival to raise money for the Phoenix Project, as well as for sending members to the upcoming YEHA camp in August; the Festival will have dancing and DMD demonstrations, a raffle or silent auction, and hopefully a benefit concert by a local band

Okay, I think I’ve written enough. Keep going, fellow (and future) Phoenixi! I love you all!!

Marielle:

My experience here these past 12 days has brought me many awakenings about my own power to accept and choose. I have realized the extreme importance of constantly going back to the basics: Dahn Jon, focus on yourself, accept, choose. For so long I have been resisting my Dahn Jon. But through doing so much work in the community I truly needed it to survive! The Phoenix Project put me in the position where I needed to constantly be training…not just in the training room but every second of the day.

I had a huge awakening during Hap Shim Training. I found that when working in groups I always focus on the group and lose focus on myself. During Hap Shim training it simply didn’t work unless I was focusing on myself. I was able to increase my focus knowing that it depended on the success of others. I finally let go of my ego and I could feel my heart opening to my group and our energy connecting in a deep way. The more I filled my heat with love the more Hap Shim I felt. This connection within the group is so beautiful and will last as we go to our own homes and continue to train separately but always together.

Now….Action!

Boston has some wonderful plans for the Phoenix Project/YEHA…

-Create a Phoenix Project Core Group of members who have taken part in PP this summer to continue intensive training and growth.

-Organize a Phoenix Festival This August in Boston to raise $20,000 for the Phoenix Project
-Send 15 YEHA members to the August YEHA camp in Sedona.

-Create Hap Shim with the Healers in Boston so that we can work together to create HSP in our city
To all of my fellow Phoenixi: LET’S FLY!

What kind of improvement have you noticed (physical, emotional, spiritual)?
I came to Dahn Yoga at a time when I was feeling “too young to feel so old.”  In a very short time I began feeling more flexible, physically stronger and yes, even younger.  In the 7 months of regular exercise, I have become more physically fit, emotionally happier and been spending more time visiting with my Soul and inner being.  The exercise which is offered here is different from what I have experienced before – it’s a synergistic blend of high energy movement, long stretches, strengthening poses and FUN!

What have you changed in your life?

I am more confident.
I’ve released old beliefs and behavior about myself and the world that were learned as a child but are no longer valid.
I am more loving and forgiving towards myself, my loved ones and people in general.
I have lost weight and inches.

What do you like about the Sedona Dahn Center?

All the instructors I have met are inspiring and teach with great respect for and honoring of each individual.  Everyone is supported in having their own experience, not comparing themselves with anyone else in the room.  They offer support for where I am and encouragement (and sometimes challenge) for where I want to go.  They are very sincere, loving and fun instructors always available for a hug or kind word.  No two classes are ever the same – they are always different and stimulating.  I feel much gratitude for the guidance I have received and the changes I’ve experienced in this short time.

How long have you been practicing DAHN YOGA by Ilchi Lee?

7 months

May we have your permission to use your testimonial and photo for promotional purposes?  YES

Are you willing to help distribute any kind of promotional materials for the center (i.e. bring pamphlets to others)? YES

Lucy

Ten years before I joined Dahn, I would feel sick with a headache for a couple of days whenever I do physical exercises. So by the time I found Dahn Yoga, I felt miserable physically and was very frustrated mentally, my body seemed to be falling apart, my stress level was extremely high and I have no energy at all.

I started out with a trial class at the Dahn center. During breathing relaxation, I felt as if I did not know how to breathe and I was almost gasping for air. The trainer helped to release the tension and calm me down, and for a brief moment I was actually meditating. I knew then, Dahn was the place for me

At the beginning I was reserved and a typical bystander. Slowly I got more involved and became a teaching assistant, my energy and outlook began to change. I began to feel peaceful and happy and very energetic. I was often asked to stretch to my limit and brought out talents that I never knew I had. I stopped my medication for allergy, a chronic struggle that had been with me for half of my life. I no longer need to use artificial tear drops for my dry eyes. All my physical ailments just miraculously disappeared. Friends and co-workers noticed that I was always smiling and looking younger all the time. After I introduced Dahn Yoga to them, they too changed. At work, we became a happy and supportive group with laughter and occasional parties. My whole family now goes to Dahn yoga, it took a long time to convince my husband, but now he goes there willingly without any coaching from me.

Through the many programs and workshops I attended, I grew stronger internally; though I still have ups and downs, I know that my inner core is full of love and joy. Whenever I have any struggles now, I would reach deep down into myself, and find the love and support from within to face and workout my problems. Through helping out at the center with teaching and helping members, I can feel my heart reaching out with love, hope and compassion.

I took the Brain Respiration training 2 years ago and volunteered with others to each BR to children at a school for one year and I can see how powerful this program is. I strongly believe that world peace lies with our children. If we raise their consciousness, world peace will come naturally and automatically.

Ilchi Lee

Recently I took the Dahn Healing Martial Art workshop which was an amazing training. After the training, tension was released from my muscles; I can actually feel the inside of my whole back. I never feel the body this way. It gives me a renewed sense of love and respect for myself: my body, my mind and spirit as a whole. There is this immense joy of being alive in every sense, life is just so beautiful.

I hope everyone can experience the peace and happiness that I have been enjoying at Dahn and the warmth and kindness of the Dahn masters for the past 7 years.

I was fortunate to do both the Initial Awakening and Shim training.before my training I was a person seeking guidance.  Actuality what I was seeking was my true self. In the Initial Awakening training I found physical and emotional strength.  I recognized that I was abounding myself, placing voids in my structural self, playing it safe avoiding the truth from with-in because I didn’t know who I was, what I wanted and what was my purpose.

In the Shim Sung Training, Dahn Yoga Training I learned to ask myself all the questions, I so longed for answerer’s and all along the answers were always in me.

I knew them I was just afraid I guess to be different; “funny thing is” the only one who knows me better is me, myself.   I guess the reason why I felt this void was because of the habits we are brought-up with the conditions in which we had to live and also the ignorance our parents and ancestors lived with all their lives, but in-fact It always had the answerer to what it was I was looking for and wanted to do,I just never asked) I felt once I knew the answerer many people would be hurt, I would have to separate myself from friends and loved ones.  I always said I never feared anything or anyone but God, but in-fact my ego had a hidden agenda I feared myself, afraid of my strengths, and abilities.

In all my training at Dahn Yoga of Ilchi Lee has been incredible, I feel stronger, healthier, happier, my body has made some enormous changes, I feel more flexible, I breath better, I wake up with no problems or brain fog, my whole day is filled with energy and my nights I sleep better than I ever did.

Sincerely,

Linda