Use your breath to direct your mind

 During a class at a Dahn Yoga center, you probably often hear the phrase “Focus on your dahnjon” from your instructor (or even a playful classmate). But if you’re not quite feeling that fire blazing inside your lower belly, keeping your mind there might seem easier said than done. At times like that, try focusing on your breathing.

Your breath is the one involuntary activity of your body that you can control directly with your consciousness, and it is also the most immediately essential aspect of life.

At times when you feel scatter-brained, or even when you find yourself struggling to get over negative emotions, a simple way to overcome it is to practice breathing consciously. Instead of letting your brain go in circles trying to stop being upset, you may find it more helpful to clear your mind and get some perspective first, simply by focusing on your breathing.

Feel the sensation of your breath coming into your body, expanding your lungs and your ribcage, moving your diaphragm, and gently swelling your belly. Then feel what parts of your body relax as old air and stagnant energy leave when you exhale. Try not to miss any subtle sensations. All of this helps to bring your mind back to your body so that you can stay clear, focused, and relaxed, which is the original point of focusing on your dahnjon.

It’s a simple truth that can be hard to remember when you need it most, but the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with anger or sadness or you’re having trouble focusing your mind, try to feel your breathing for a while. You might be surprised by how good it feels.

The classes offered at Dahn Yoga centers are specially designed to help you experience deep, comfortable breathing. Click here to find the nearest center at www.dahnyoga.com.

Have you been enjoying our quick exercise clips, 2 Minute Tips? In this recent video, Lynden Healernim from Colorado shows you a great, easy exercise for your upper body joints, especially your wrists, that you can practice anywhere. Learn it right now by clicking the image below to watch.

2 Minute Tips - Relieving Upper Body Tension (wrists)

Bowing: A Moving Meditation

"Bowing is the most beautiful of human activities. [It is] ... a practice that will impart to you the humility, discipline, and acceptance needed to really see the beauty of this life you lead, and ... it will give you the faith and hope you need to keep going forward."

       ~ Dahn Yoga founder Ilchi Lee

Bowing exists in most cultures in one form or another. Most often, it is a beautiful act that communicates respect, especially toward your own higher self.

Although it is not a part of the regular Dahn Yoga classes, bowing is performed by Dahn Yoga practitioners all over the world as mind-body training and as a dynamic meditation. It is a practice that promotes mindfulness and offers profound physical, mental and emotional effects: strengthening the body, clearing the mind, releasing pent-up emotions, and brightening your inner light.

(Click to read more about Bowing Meditation on the Dahn Yoga website.)

Learn more about bowing in this beautifully illustrated book, offered by Dahn Yoga and published by BEST Life Media. It explains how to do the bowing meditation and gives a modern take on this ancient practice, placing it in a larger, global context.

BEST Life Media is currently offering 20% off the retail price when you order before August 9, 2010. Use coupon code dy0710 when you check out at www.bestlifemedia.com.