Endorsements

The Dahn Yoga Center in Wyckoff, NJ, opened my eyes to a whole new dimension in the quest for health, happiness and wellness. As a pediatrician practicing western medicine, I am impressed with the benefits of the mind - body connection to healthfulness. The practice is simple and easy to learn and the results go beyond what I would have expected through traditional pills and/or physical therapy.

Because of my personal experience and my observations of the experiences of others in this practice, I would not hesitate to recommend Dahn Yoga to anyone interested in an integrated approach to optimal health that goes beyond what traditional medicine has to offer.

I wanted to introduce others to the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of Dahn practice, so I broached the subject with my supervisor, the vice president of academic affairs at Santa Monica College (SMC). I have now taught Beginning Yoga based on Dahn Yoga principles for three semesters and I'm scheduled to teach Intermediate Yoga in Spring 2006. The yoga class has a maximum capacity of 40 students. Each semester over 40 students have enrolled in my class. > more

My Experience Teaching Dahn Yoga in College By Dr. John Gonzalez I wanted to introduce others to the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of Dahn practice, so I broached the subject with my supervisor, the vice president of academic affairs at Santa Monica College (SMC). I have now taught Beginning Yoga based on Dahn Yoga principles for three semesters and I'm scheduled to teach Intermediate Yoga in Spring 2006. The yoga class has a maximum capacity of 40 students. Each semester over 40 students have enrolled in my class. In order to determine students' progress, I decided to administer an assessment three times during the semester: once at the beginning, at the midterm and at the final. The first assessment provides a base for assessing the students' progress and it gives me a very good idea of the students' physical condition at the beginning of the semester. It also enables me to suggest certain home exercises geared to address the students' physical challenges. The assessment consists of exercises that helped determine the students' flexibility in the upper and lower body, balance, as well as strength (push-ups and sit-ups). For the final exam, in addition to the assessment described above, the students perform Dahn Gong accumulation in groups of 4 or 5 and 20-25 minutes of Yon Dahn—usually the sleeping tiger position. In the push-up and sit-up category, it is not usual to see the students' progress quite dramatically. The table below shows sit-ups and push-ups scores of seven of my students enrolled in my Fall 2005 class. These student scores are typical of the scores from each of the three semesters that I have taught the class. The students are given one minute to do the sit-ups and push-ups. Sit-ups   Pre-Test Mid-Term Final Student A 22 35 50 Student B 11 16 24 Student C 31 33 48 Student D 34 39 50 Student E 32 40 46 Student F 29 39 49 Student G 33 38 45 Push-ups   Pre-Test Mid-Term Final Student A 24 47 66 Student B 18 27 31 Student C 45 85 100 Student D 30 36 56 Student E 36 55 84 Student F 21 36 46 Student G 43 45 57 When students see their progress in such a graphic manner, they realize how much the practice has helped them. One of my senior citizen students commented after the final examination, “I didn’t know I could do that many push-ups!” Students have also noticed an improvement in their flexibility and balance. In Fall 2005, I added two requirements to the class: 1) a reflective journal and 2) a one-page statement of goal or vision. It is through these exercises that students are able to maintain healthy minds and bodies. Teaching a yoga class based on Dahn Yoga principles has been a dream come true for me. I am fulfilling my vision to share what I learned in Dahn Yoga with others so they too can experience physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Dahn yoga is a mind-body training method that I recommend to anyone who wishes to take greater control of their health and well-being.
The exercises are quite easy to learn yet can be as challenging as necessary depending on one's condition.

There are many different schools that teach physical exercise, meditation, or tools for emotional awareness and regulation. All of these approaches can be beneficial, but each has its own limitations.
I know of no other practice that so effectively integrates the many dimensions of self health-care into a single training program.

I was introduced to Dahnhak^® by accident. As a psychiatrist, I quickly recognized that this was not just an exercise program. It is a process that benefits your entire being.

Through the Dahnhak^® practice, you can discover a state of harmony with others in an environment that supports acceptance, tolerance and patience. You will uncover your strengths as well as your weakness in your personal search for the truth. You will begin to take responsibility for your actions with a willingness and desire to change habits that are not useful.

This form of exercise is gradual and gentle. Everyone in the program moves along with his/her pace and level of comfort. Among the practitioners, there is no competition or rivalry; just a sense of unity and heartfelt responses.

This is an enriching experience, irrespective of age, physical ability or meditation experience. The results of this practice are a sense of peace and harmony. As you proceed through the exercises, the limits of your abilities will be expanded beyond your present imagination.

The practitioners turn to healthier and more positive ways to interact with their family, friends and business associates. They find that their relationships become more stable and mature. As they begin to feel the Ki-energy flow in their bodies, they learn how to respect their own bodies. As their feeling of separateness begin to dissipate within the Dahnhak exercise group, they discover that the energies in the practice hall become one, filling the room with happiness, joy and peace. Their fears and apprehensions disappear in an atmosphere of love and acceptance.

At this point, the practitioners understand what it is like to have a desire to achieve in their lives and their relationships. Their lives begin to change. They take on a holistic approach to life, with a sense of well-being, happiness, joy and harmony.

As a physician, I have read about the benefits of yoga, but to truly understand its full benefits, one must really experience it for themselves. I have been a member of the Dahn Yoga center for almost one year and have reaped great rewards both mentally and physically.
I believe whether you are already leading a healthy lifestyle or have experienced multiple obstacles due to chronic medical conditions, depression, or other life factors, you can benefit from the teachings and classes of your Dahn Yoga center.

I have been looking for a method to improve people’s health that reaches beyond the physical. There is a direct connection between the body and mind that has been overlooked for so long. People often come in and expect me to treat their physical condition and it is obvious that if they don’t change their lifestyle or habits, that the treatment will be temporary.
When I was introduced to Dahn training, I found the missing peace for healing and introducing the mind-body connection to my patients. In fact, the exercise itself is a complete program to achieve health and well-being. It is something that anyone can use.

I have wanted to incorporate this kind of system into my practice, and now I am able to do it at the BR Clinic in Sedona.