Dahn Yoga Washington member’s blog

April 9, 2008

Before I started Dahn, several life events combined to create depression and a number of physical challenges.  I retired from a 45-year working career, my sister had a major mental break, and my aged mother passed away.  Arthritis, a couple of degenerated discs in my back, and soft tissue damage from a car wreck 40 years prior made getting out of bed in the morning very painful.  I’d walk bent over from the waist for a few minutes before standing up strait.  The Chiropractor and I had standing appointments 10 days apart.  Activity always attracted me, but with pain and without a routine to follow inactivity took over, and I lost interest in life.  Even thought I didn’t do much, I was tired all the time.  The local senior center offered free access to physical fitness machines, but somehow I couldn’t get up and out the door by 10:30 a.m. to drive (not walk) 2 miles and take advantage of those machines.

It’s interesting how my membership came about.  Since the story is long, I’ll just say that on 3 different occasions the subject of Dahn Yoga came up.  The final was at a Body, Mind, Spirit expo where my girl friend and I signed up for an Energy checkup.  Interestingly, we both bought memberships and she went to just 1 class.  I am happily still with Dahn 3-1/2 years later.  The drive to the Kirkland Center is often an hour each way, but I’m able to get up and be there at least 3 times a week.

Within 2 weeks of beginning Dahn I noticed an amazing increase in my energy level.  I painted walls 13’ high from a ladder.  I felt alive again.  My many women friends asked “What are you doing, Leanne?  You’re glowing!”  I’d say “It’s Yoga”. There is no Dahn Yoga center near us, but now 5 of those friends are taking some form of yoga because they’ve seen how much Dahn did for me. 

On the physical level, I noticed an immediate improvement in my back.  I could get out of bed!  (I’ve been to see the chiropractor only 5 times in the past 3-1/2 years!)  Something, else, my eyesight improved.  I went from a 2.50 magnification to a 1.25 magnification.  I gained back 1-inch in height I’d lost.  Energy filled me up.  My body changed.  Weighing the same as I had 6 years before, I lost 19-1/2 inches in my arms, thighs, waist and bust.  I am wearing clothes I wore 20 lbs. less than I am now.

On an emotional, level traffic has always been a challenge for me.  I’d be angry or anxious, frustrated and impatient.  I mentioned a 1-hour drive.  Well, that drive is only 20 miles, so you can imagine how congested it is.  Before, I’d be mad and/or angry.  Thanks to Dahn something switched.  Now, it just doesn’t bother me.  I still move in and out and do my best to find the lane that’s moving, only it isn’t a contest or a personal insult any more.  I’m relaxed.  It’s just traffic.  It hasn’t changed, but I have.  A number of personal issues from long ago have resolved themselves, come full circle.  Thanks to the various programs Ilchi Lee created at Dahn, I don’t feel guilt or shame for not succeeding in some life choices a long time ago.  I carried those failures for years, and now I’m free. That freedom improved my self esteem to the place where I felt good enough to start internet dating.  I’m now in a serious relationship with a gentle, kind, thoughtful, funny gentleman.

Meditation calms and centers me.  I value the serenity.  Dahn practice teaches me that there are many ways to meditate, and the exercises we do in class take me right into a meditative state.  It seems that when I start my day with meditation, everything goes better.  Little things don’t bother me, and I handle big stuff better.  I was a typical Type ‘A’ personality, and now am a Type ‘B’.   

Leanne Garn

Dahn Foundation is hosting a HSP Outreach Instructor’s Training for Dahn members who want to reach out to the community. Anyone who is interested in volunteering in any forms is welcome. It will be at Harbor Steps center, 9am to 6pm. Some members are already reaching out by teaching a class to seniors, juniors, and kids, just the way Ilchi Lee started teaching Dahn Yoga at a small community park more than 20 years ago. The fee is $30, coming with t-shirts and a handbook and the money is a donation to Dahn Foundation, a non-profit organization supported by Dahn Yoga. If you are interested in, let your center instructors know~

I visited Dahn Foundation website today ( http://www.dahnfoundation.org/index.html ). It’s beaufiful and I am very excited to see the activities by Dahn Foundation acorss the nation. The members actions will deliver many benefits to others who are less fortunate to experience all the benefits of regular Dahn Yoga members! Already many healers and members are teaching outside to seniors, youths, and childrens in Seattle-Tacoma area. I hope more people can share this healing society movement.

The Vortex Training we had last Friday, Feb 8 and again during the Tao Healer’s Training last Sunday, Feb 10 were a lot of fun and very healing! Master Kim was an inspirational, funny, knowledgeable and amazing trainer and healer! We witnessed and experienced the power of okum and other healing tools. I bought 2 more okum powercards in addition to my collections and finally bought dokaibe that I’ve always wanted to have. The powercards were very timely for me to use for the goal I had set for my 21day Miracle training (meditation part) and dokaibe so beneficial for activating meridian points and sooo very relaxing. It always make me wonder how to use further all these healing tools available at the center, now I have a much more expanded knowledge which I will be able to share in healing others.

Thank you Master Kim for visiting Seattle once again. We look forward to your next training. We enjoyed your trainings very much!

DeliaMSN

This is Dahn Mu of Kirkland members inspired by 21-day miracle training. Kirkland center 21M group name is ‘Everything is Possible.’ Dahn Mu means Energy Dance. When your body moves with the natural flow of energy, it can create unlimited beautiful movements and that’s Dahn Mu. Please enjoy. Kirkland 21M members currently meat at 8 am on Saturdays.

We had a blast to start the year off this month at Harbor Steps. Yesterday (January 27th). Healers, pre-healers, pre-sabumnims and myungsanims came for the Tao Fellowship Training led by Master Han. As you know his trainings have always been a very awakening experience! Then we had the YEHA/Phoenix Project training following and DahnMuDo practice afterward with Master Oh.

We also started the YEHA/Phoenix Project Silent Auction. Check out some very interesting, unique items on display at our Harbor Steps center donated by some of the Masters, Myungsas and Healers.

Have a beautiful day with our Winter Wonderland!

Love,
Delia

Hi My HS beautiful fellows,

I hope all of you are doing well with your training. I had some major myunghyun as part of the growth process and forgive me for not having posted a while. I have completed my 2nd 21day fulfilling the same goal from the first (although, I registered only last week online and so it is my 6th day online). If you have your gift certificates, please register by typing in your code to fully utilize the information online. There’s just so many valuable information that will help us with our goals and in overcoming our habits.

I will continue to fulfill my 1st goal (spiritual-connecting with my True/HigherSelf), will keep trying with my 2nd goal(physical-to be hydrated) and will start a 3rd one (be more organized, so I can be more of service).

I trust you are all doing well with yours and have been benefitting and having fun at the same time in fulfilling your goals.

For those who would like to join us and experience becoming more aware of yourself on a deeper level and is getting ready for exciting changes in your lives, please ask any of the staff at Harbor Steps and we will be so happy to help you get started with your adventure. Please visit ilchi.com online and you will see us there (Harbor Steps Group) with all the other Groups from Dahncenters statewide and we hope to see you, too.

The Lunar Chinese New Year of the Rat is upcoming and is another chance to start the New Year to create new goals and New Year’s resolutions.

See you again, next time. Let’s keep going and developing and creating our beautiful Selves.

Have a Wonderful Year!

Love yah…

Delia
Harbor Steps
21day Miracle Coordinator

It is that time of the year again when we are into making New Year’s resolutions especially for a healthier, happier, renewed sense of well-being. Most of you have heard of the 21 day Miracle training that is going on at our Dahn centers and hundreds have already participated statewide. This training has been beneficial in letting go of unhealthy habits that no longer fit and replacing it with a healthier one. So many supportive ways that we can be of assistance in helping you accomplish your goals from loosing weight to having more energy in your life. Below is also a class that hope to be of support to you with your 2008 resolutions…

This Winter I will be offering a class through the UW Women’s Center to assist you with your goals for your physical health and to gain some valuable tools in how to release stagnant, old energy; accumulate fresh energy; and circulate that in your body which would aid you in managing your health and life in the year 2008! No experience necessary. Men, Women, Seniors, Young Adults, Teens … All it takes is your willingness, the determination to improve your ourlook in life and to have fun. Let us assist you in creating a new habit with your Self and your health at the same time having fun with the training and exercises!

It will be 8 sessions- Saturdays at 1pm-2pm
Jan 12 - Mar 1, 2008 (wear loose, comfortable clothing)

Please refer to the UW Women’s Center Winter 2008 Catalog for details and on how to register.
Women’s Center 206-685-1090
depts.washington.edu/womenctr

SPECIAL NEEDS: To request disability accommodations, contact the Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance of the class at 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-543-6452 (TTY), 206-685-7264 (FAX), dso@u.washington.edu

For questions, you may email me (Delia) at: yogamudo@aol.com

Best of health and blessings to you all in the New Year 2008!!!