26
September
2008
I have played golf for more than 30 years. I love it because it is a beautiful chance to connect mind and body through focused attention to a single goal: getting the ball in the hole. For me, playing golf is very much a metaphor for the process of life itself.
Recently, I gained some insight through the process of improving my game. For years I had been struggling to hit longer drives. The lengths of the shots were not so bad, about 230 yards on average, but I knew this was far short of the 300 or more yards that professionals hit. I kept wondering, “How do they do that? Why can’t I do that?” I played for so many years without hitting that mark that it started to seem impossible.
Then someone suggested a slight change in my swing. They suggested that I position my hips so that the weight of the hips would go into the swing, rather than relying on mere arm strength. I tried this, and I could feel the energy of my entire body transferring into the ball. Suddenly, the length of my drive jumped to 310 yards.
If you set a vision for your life, you are bound to come up against situations that seem impossible to overcome. Like me and my drive length, it may seem like you experience the same thing over and over again without making any headway. The key is to look very carefully at the habits you have and ask if they are really channeling energy in the right direction. In the case of my golf swing, only a very tiny adjustment made a huge difference, and the same might be true for your life. Previously I had mistakenly thought that I needed to hit the ball harder for it to go farther. Likewise, success in life does not always mean using more strength. Even very slight shifts in habit and attention can make all the difference.
Posted: Brain Education, Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee
19
September
2008
The great news is that you have infinite power to change and refine your brain. A few decades back, cientists thought that people could have very little influence over their brains. It was assumed that by the time people reached adulthood their brain connections were permanently and indelibly in place. In childhood, one might be able to exert some influence over the development of the brain, but for the most part these things were genetically determined. It was thought that the old adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was literally true.
More recently, scientists have discovered that the opposite is true. There is a quality to the brain called neuroplasticity that allows you, right up to the end of your life, to restructure and adapt your brain according to your needs. You can learn new things and adapt to new environments, even in extreme old age.
You may protest that the “old dog” does seem a little resistant to “new tricks.” Common experience would suggestthat young children learn and adapt more quickly than adults, especially older adults.
This is, in fact, often the case, but I would suggest that it is partly a matter of choice, rather than a predetermined trait of the brain. There may indeed be some biological barriers to overcome as we get older. The brain’s connections do become denser and slower as we fill the brain with the experiences
and knowledge of a lifetime. However, most people lose a great deal of their neuroplasticity simply because they choose not to use it. For that reason, I encourage you to use and challenge your brain as much as possible. You will find that, in the end, developing your brain is the same as leading a vital, fulfilling lifestyle.
From the Book ” Brain management” by ilchi lee
Posted: BE for Kids, Brain Education, Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee
17
September
2008
SEDONA, Ariz., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The summer of 2008 has proven to be one of the most stressful times in recent American history, with seven stressors leading national headlines:
-- Gas Prices at all time highs
-- From $25/barrel in 2003 to $134/barrel for August 2008
-- Housing Market & Foreclosure Rates
-- 1 out of every 501 households
-- Unemployment Rates
-- National Average 5.50%
-- Economic Recession & Inflation
-- June 2008 Inflation Rate: 5.02%
-- International Conflicts
-- Iraq, Afghanistan & Africa
-- Obama vs. McCain: Election 08 atypically polarizing
-- Baby Boomer Health, Aging Concerns & Social Security
The health concerns posed by the rise in stressors in America translate to numerous physical and psychological health concerns. And with over 67 million Americans qualifying as obese, and an additional 75 million as overweight, solutions to reduce stress and improve health that are attainable regardless of health or fitness level are in dire need.
Researchers from Weill Medical College of Cornell University have reviewed a lesser-known form of exercise originating in South Korea, Dahn Yoga, and the quality of life improvements associated with this energy-based form of yoga, unlike traditional Indian yogas.
The results of the study, as published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that after three months of Dahn Yoga classes, participants in a cohort study reported fewer depressive symptoms, less anxiety, and greater self-efficacy than they reported prior to taking the classes, and scored an increase of 15.5 points on a mental health exam. Complete details published in “Prospective study of new participants in a community-based mind-body training program.”
“Mainstream forms of exercise have clearly proven health benefits, yet as Americans continue to suffer from stress-associated health challenges, more than ever we need ways to better manage integrated physical and mental well-being,” said Dr. Sung Lee, M.D., formerly of the Weill Medical College of Cornell, and currently Secretary of the International Brain Education Association. “I was much impressed by the depth and range of quality of life improvements among persons practicing Dahn Yoga, and believe this method has significant benefits for both individuals and organizations.”
For more information, visit: http://www.DahnYoga.com or http://www.Ilchi.com. Complete source data, photos and b-roll available.
Contact:
Lee Ann Fleming
VolumePR for Dahn Yoga
leeann@volumepr.com
+1-720-529-4850
SOURCE Dahn Yoga
Posted: Brain Education, Dahn Yoga
10
July
2008
Dahn Yoga’s Meridian exercises combine proper breathing with various stretching movements. When breath is combined with body movement, metabolism can be influenced more effectively. In order to optimize the effects of meridian exercise, movement, breathing, and awareness must be harmonized. Start the movements while inhaling. Hold your breath for a moment while holding the posture and then exhale slowly while returning to the beginning position. The body should be centered at the lower Dahn-jon, or energy focus in the lower abdomen, and your consciousness should be attuned to the areas being stretched during the movements. When exhaling, imagine that the impure, stagnating energy in the body is leaving. Imagine you are having a conversation with the body and focus on the changes or sensations occurring in it.
Dahn Yoga’s meridian exercises by Ilchi Lee
Posted: Brain Education
