How Body Brain Yoga helped me regain control of my life!

Hello, my name is Katie and I am a chronic achiever. Balancing my 50 hour HR coordinating work week, family, friends, and health often leaves a 24 hour day feeling awfully short. I would guess you know the feeling.

There have been so many times I have been frantically working to finish a high priority project and the phone rings. Yet another person is adding their need to my list, and of course, it has to be done today. I can feel my face getting hot, my shoulders climbing up the sides of my head, and all I can think is “Why do I have to do all this??!!!” and “How can they be asking me to do this, doesn’t this person know how  busy I am!!!???” This was my daily life; I was 29, chronically stressed, and headed for a breakdown by 40.

The effects of my chronic stress included: insomnia, poor relationships, memory loss, weight gain, chronic fatigue, back pain, headaches, heart disease, and early mortality! The following 2 links have some EXCELLENT medical information on what stress can do to your body. Really though… you need to see this!

•  http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/stress-management/physical-effects-of-stress.htm
•  http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/stress.html#how

 After learning this information I knew something had to change. Luckily, 9 months ago I was introduced to Body Brain Yoga & Tai Chi, also called Dahn Yoga. Thanks to the holistic mind, body, and spirit approach after the first month I felt lighter, more capable and lively – WOW what a welcome change! Soon after I joined the Oregon DahnMuDo (DMD) School to practice a Korean form of Tai Chi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gHUqCOwlNY. The white belt level helps students to focus on choice. I could choose to get flustered and quit when my hands moved the opposite direction of the way I wanted them too or I could choose to exhale, realize that I am not the only person struggling, and continue practicing. The choices were pretty basic at first, they were just about Tai Chi. It didn’t stay that way for long, as I soon realized that the lessons I was learning in DMD were permeating my daily life.

I always have a choice. Yes, the bills need to be paid, and yes, I have to workout or I will gain weight but, when I do these things I am making a conscious decision. There are consequences to every action or inaction; I choose which outcome is most palatable. I don’t have to feel stressed when the phone rings, when I drop the Christmas turkey on the floor, or when I skip a workout: because I am in control. When I choose to exhale, realize that I am not the only human who is struggling, and continue to practice getting better an amazing thing happens: I feel that I am not a victim of my life. I feel that I am the master of my life!

Yes, I still have bad moments and stressful days but my stress does not affect every aspect of my life. One way I have been working through these tough spots is to eliminate the phrasing “I have to” or “I need to” from my vocabulary. By saying these words I am telling myself there is no choice- I am giving away my power. Instead I now say “I am choosing to”. It is amazing the difference this small change in vernacular has made in my stress level. I challenge you to try it for a week and see how you feel.

 Now, that being said, I am choosing to turn off the computer so I can go work off those Christmas cookie calories =+)

Light and Love,

Katie

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• American Stress Levels Reaching an All-Time High

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

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