Dahn Yoga Atlanta Member's blog

Center Yourself

augustrush — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:30:22 +0000

Several studies have shown that very specific, concrete things happen in the brain when you meditate. During meditation brain waves resemble those seen when someone is asleep and dreaming. But, unlike when you are asleep, you are fully conscious when you meditate. You could look at meditation as a kind of waking sleep, a time when you have consciously and purposely allowed your brain to rest and relax deeply.
Meditation could be described as happiness training.
Dr. Richard Davidson of the University of Wisconsin theorizes that meditation increases activity in the left prefrontal cortex, which is associated with feelings of contentment and joy. The more you practice meditation, the more your brain will gain the habit of using these regions of the brain. Also, scientists
have noted that meditation calms activity in the amygdala, which is responsible for fear and stress responses.
Research confirms that meditation has surprisingly profound effects on the structure and function of the brain. In one study of Buddhist monks, who usually meditate for many hours a day, the cortical regions of the monks’ brains were found to be much thicker than average, suggesting a much greater capacity for deep concentration. Furthermore, the monks showed greater activity in the areas of the brain associated
with happiness, something we all want for our lives.

“Brain Management” by Ilchi Lee

The Gift of a Child’s Brain

augustrush — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:36:09 +0000

If you know my work at all, you know I have great passion for the potential of the human brain. I have great belief in the ultimate goodness that is inherent in every person’s brain, but there is no greater gift on the planet, in my view, than the brain of a child.

It is cliché to say, “Our children are our future,” but it really is true and an important thing to consider. In particular, our children’s brains will determine the fate of humanity and the planet. A child’s brain is like a work of art in progress, and every experience that a child has affects the final result. This is why we must think very carefully about how we educate our children’s brains, not only through our traditional educational systems, but through all the information we impart to them through cultural and parental example.

In many ways, our current educational system does not do justice to our children’s brains. The traditional foundations of education are the “three R’s: reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.” All of these follow the left-brain dominance that our society seems to reward. I believe that the brain hides many other creative and intuitive gifts that will become increasingly important in the modern world.

This past week, the Fourth Annual Brain HSP Olympiad was held in the United Nations building in New York City. The Olympiad exists as a true celebration of the vast abilities of the human brain. Here, children and adults can show talents that are rarely appreciated in typical academic competitions.

For me, the event brings great hope with it. The United Nations represents humanity’s enduring desire to come to come together in peaceful unity, so it is very meaningful to me to see it held there. So far, our highly developed analytical minds have done little to ensure a peaceful world. But as I watch these children, I have no reason to despair whatsoever, and many reasons to hope.

8 Weeks to A Younger You: A Guide for Improving Your Mind and Body

augustrush — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:29:49 +0000

In their book, In Full Bloom: A Brain Education Guide for Successful Aging, Ilchi Lee and Dr. Jessie Jones write: “The truth about the aging brain is simple but extraordinary: you can have a fit brain at age 60, 70, 80 and beyond. It’s simply a matter of choice.”

This guide, “Eight weeks to a younger you,” has been developed to help you with these small choices—to give you the foundation from which you can build a healthier mind and body.

The guide is based upon Ilchi Lee’s Brain Education System Training (BEST), a five-step mind-body training program that helps unlock the brain’s true potential, and it will take you through the five levels of BEST:

1. Brain sensitizing
2. Brain versatilizing
3. Brain refreshing
4. Brain integrating
5. Brain mastering

As you work your way through this program, you will begin to notice changes to your mind and body. You will begin to discover your Ki, your life energy, and gain a greater connection with yourself. At the conclusion of this program, you will have established a pattern of healthy mind-body exercise that can benefit you everyday of your life.

The only catch is this: it is your choice…rather your series of choices, and it is up to you to make the right ones.

You can do it!

Ilchi lee: A definition of success

augustrush — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:46:59 +0000

What kind of success do I want? Sometimes we think like this. ‘In order to succeed, I have to compete or I have to endure a certain painful period. That is a time I feel unhappy or unhealthy because I cannot play, I cannot take enough exercises or I cannot do whatever I want for fun….’ But is that true? It could be for some successful people. But you can guess the answer. There are many people really enjoying their successful life while they are doing what they want within health and happiness. Because the true success is something we can enjoy together and the happiness becomes bigger and bigger the more we share with people.

While I’m writing this, I feel I need practice too. Because sometimes I try to do something just to look better to others. That’s why I’m doing a practice like ‘Brain Wave Vibration’ to make my goal bigger not just for me but all of us. We can recieve a great energy from the universe when we keep such a concept of success for all.

I remember one dialogue from the movie, ‘Spiderman’. In the movie, the uncle says to Spiderman, “A great power comes from a great responsibility”. Ilchi lee often says, there are not that big difference in people’s ability but just some difference in their belief and confidence. Let’s recover a true confidence within cosmic energy~

from the http://ilchileebest.com

BOOKS

augustrush — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:42:19 +0000

Dahn Yoga For MS (DVD)
Inspired by Cathy Downie
Instructed by Dawn Quaresima

Reduce muscle pain, spasticity, and fatigue while boosting your energy, managing stress, and more! Gain strength and curb the symptoms of MS with Dahn Yoga for MS, an instructional DVD that focuses on achieving balance, clarity, and energy through breathing, meditation, stretching, and acupressure stimulation. The DVD also includes firsthand testimonials from MS patients who use Dahn Yoga. Purchase it now.

Growth and completion

Phil — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:24:02 +0000

Many people say they want to grow . When I first heard a grown-up said she wanted to grow, I felt a bit weird. "Does she want to grow more at her 50s? What does she mean by growing ? Getting even taller?" Later I read a Ilchi Lee’s book at my Dahn Yoga Center and I found out what she meant by it. I also found out that there were many people who want to grow. I also want to grow now, since I know what growth means for my life.

Ilchi Lee gives a message Toward Completion . I am very inspired by a word he used. It is "completion." I am very inspired by the fact that there is a state of completion in life. And in the path of completion, we should not hope pain disappear. We shall ride on the pain. Life is in itself suffering. All human beings are to die someday. If we think about death all the time, life will be very depressing and fearful. Let’s not hide from fear but ride on the fear.

Dahn Yoga: Mental benefits

Phil — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:29:14 +0000

Mental Benefits:

The body becomes very relaxed, thus calming the mind.
Deep breathing stimulates circulation of oxygen to the brain. The head feels clear and the memory becomes sharp.
Stress management ability is increased, as well as the ability to control emotions and thoughts. Positive attitude and joy toward life become intensified and more consistent.
When this exercise is performed with sincerity, the practitioner can appreciate the workings of the mind/body/spirit synchronicity.
Harmonizing of movement, breathing, and awareness is the hallmark of meridian exercise, optimizing concentration with an accompanying sense of mastery over the body. This facilitates and maximizes the self-healing process.

Atlanta’s Polina Sabumnim is spreading peace around the world

burnedbright — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:16:47 +0000

Here is an article about the Young Earth Human Ambassadors for Peace group which is traveling in Korea right now. Atlanta’s own Master Polina is among the group of eight. Read below to see what she’s up to…

Young Ambassadors Bring Peace Around the World

A group of eight Americans in their twenties are currently on a six-month tour around South Korea and Japan as part of a demonstration team called the Young Earth Human Ambassadors for Peace (YEHAP). Already into their second month, they arrived in Korea on March 4, 2008.

The team’s purpose is a cross-cultural exchange between the United States and Korea. It is a way for these young individuals to share their passion for world peace and self-development through Ilchi Lee’s teachings and training methods.

During the tour they are giving performances in the traditional ki-gong form ChunBuShingGong and the Phoenix Dance (the official dance of the Phoenix Project). At each performance they share their experiences, especially of Brain Wave Vibration training, and their message of peace. Some of these performances are part of Ilchi Lee’s Brain Wave Vibration lecture tour. Others are given at universities, Dahn Yoga centers, Body & Brain Clubs, government offices, and in front of media professionals.

As part of their adventures they have visited special locations in South Korea including its first national treasure, a historic gate that burned down recently, and Sungsanilchooleumb (Sunshine) Mountain on Jeju Island. Fun excursions are also part of their experience, like riding motor scooters around the coastline of U-Do island, as well as seeing the sights and singing karaoke in Seoul.

In addition to performing and lecturing, the team has engaged in civil services such as helping to clean an oil spill on a beach in Taean. Their home base is the Kookakwon, or School for Traditional Korean Study. From the staff at Kookakwon, and wherever they go on their tour, they learn about Korean history and culture, as well as Dahn history and culture. They even visited a Dahn Yoga center on Jeju Island that first opened twenty-three years ago.

Some of the challenges they face are daunting, such as performing in front of thousands of people and striving to inspire their hearts. Some of them are more mundane, like trying exotic foods such as raw squid and puffer fish, or sleeping on mats on the floor in the Kookakwon—although they sleep in beds in hotels when they travel, at the Kookakwon everyone follows this traditional Asian custom.

Throughout their experience they have received training and personal care. Beginning with pre-training in the United States at the Sedona Mago Retreat Center from February 26, 2008 to March 3, 2008, the YEHAP members have practiced their performances, working and living together as a team, deepening themselves inside and out, giving lectures and speaking in front of an audience. They are always developing their body, mind, and spirit, and learning to speak and act from their heart. They train daily in Dahn Yoga and DahnMuDo.

To help them endure their rigorous daily schedule, they receive special healing experiences, including a visit to a Korean spa, and doing an intestinal cleanse. For everyday aches and pains, when they need to they can visit a Dahn Master who is an acupuncturist.

You can see photos of Aaron, Polina, Brandon, Ana, Danielle, Afrika, Ashley, and Alex’s adventures on their blog http://yehap.blogspot.com and read their personal perspectives through their individual blogs (linked from the main blog). The attitude they demonstrate on their blogs reflect the message they are working to deliver—that of hope, an open mind, personal growth, gratitude for all of life’s experiences, and peace inside and out.

Directions to Healing Chakra

burnedbright — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:46:51 +0000

Those of you attending the Healing Chakra workshop this weekend can find the directions here…

Directions to Doubletree Hotel

Map to Doubletree Hotel

February Shimsung - Amazing!!!

burnedbright — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:09:58 +0000

On Sunday Feb. 24, members and masters from across Atlanta gathered for what would be another amazing ShimSung. Here’s a photo of a very bright Diane dwnm from the Roswell center with her jiwonjanim, Master Kim and Margaret hearler nim who was a volunteer for the workshop. Congratulations Diane dwnm!!!