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Dahn Yoga Reviews — No Comments
9
Jul 10

Meridians, Acupuncture, Do-In stretching……..what does it all mean?

Do-in, the formal name for the stretching postures practice during a Dahn Yoga class, means, ‘pushing and pulling’ of the meridian channels’. So, what is a meridian channel, anyway? We asked a local expert, acupuncturist William Kellar, to shed a little light on the subject in this article.  He answered some of our questions below.

What is a Meridian Channel?

‘The human body has a lattice of meridians or energy channels that course through it. The meridians are responsible for moving the Qi (pronounced “chee” in Chinese) or Ki (pronounced ‘key’ in Korean) and balancing the Yin and Yang. Meridian theory assumes that disorder within a meridian causes disharmony and pain. For example, a disorder in the Stomach meridian may cause an upper toothache, because the stomach meridian passes through the upper gums.’

 With this question answered, another basic one asked to be addressed.  What is acupuncture? Why does it seem to help some people?   Again, William Kellar:

What is acupuncture?

 ‘Acupuncture is designed to unblock stagnant Qi in the meridian channels and restore the body’s natural balance. The role of the acupuncturist is to observe all signs and symptoms and to determine what acu-points would best resolve the presenting disharmony(s) when treated. One of the oldest forms of medicine, acupuncture was first practiced in China over 3000 years ago. In modern times, acupuncture has been in the news quite a bit lately. As one of the fastest growing forms of complementary or integrative medicine, more people are learning about and responding to this form of treatment.’

What will I feel during an acupuncture treatment?

 One commonly asked question I get is: ‘what do patients feel during an acupuncture treatment?’ Probably the biggest fear people have, getting stuck with a needle, is usually resolved upon the initial insertion. Because each needle is very fine, most people report feeling little or no discomfort. Many feel being in a state of deep relaxation during their session. Modern Western medicine can not explain precisely how acupuncture works. There are many theories, some supported by clinical research. But for over 3000 years, this medical protocol has helped people with a wide range of health conditions. In fact, the World Health Organization recognizes over 40 conditions for which acupuncture can be effective in treating.

Another question I commonly get asked is, what kind of conditions can be treated by acupuncture. The most common conditions I have seen and treated in my seven years a practice are: Stress and anxiety, neck and back pain, arthritis and joint pain, migraine and other headaches, infertility, facial pain and TMJ disorder, insomnia, allergies and sinus problems, and mood disorders.

Have you tried acupuncture or meridian stretching? Did it help you? Share your experience below.

~Dahnyogama.com editorial team

Thanks to William Kellar, M.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist, for contributing to this article.

Mr. Kellar’s acupuncture clinic is located at 42 Pleasant Street in Arlington Center.

To learn more about acupuncture or his clinic, please visit: http://www.HealingWithAcupuncture.com

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Dahn Yoga Reviews — No Comments
5
Jul 10

A Great Exercise for your Post-Holiday Weekend Body

Although enjoyable, sometimes a long summer weekend leaves the body feeling a little heavy from too much sun, resting, and drinking, or sore from intense physical activity.  This gentle but stimulating stretch for the liver is gentle but effective in opening and relaxing your body.

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28
Jun 10

Dahn Yoga: Two Minute Tips (Foot Massage for Rejuvenation of Body and Mind)

This Two Minute Tip is soooooo refreshing, especially after walking around the city on a hot summer day.  Try it today!

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Dahn Yoga Reviews — 1 Comment
24
Jun 10

Research Study Shows Practicing Brain Wave Vibration Has a Positive Effect on Regulating Stress

Brain Wave Vibration (BWV) is the signature moving meditation practiced at the Dahn Yoga Centers.  Most people learn it within their first few visits to a center. Developed by Ilchi Lee (founder of Dahn Yoga), BWV is an easy-to-learn and practical meditation technique to relax both mind and body through natural rhythmic movements.  BWV was recently the subject of a research study on the effects of mind-body training on stress and emotions.

The study was designed to assess the association between stress, positive and negative affect, and stress hormone levels in meditation and control groups. Overall the experiment found that people who engaged in a regular Brain Wave Vibration practice were less stressed and displayed more positive emotions. Stress factors such as depression, anger, and the manifestation of psychological symptoms in the body, were also significantly less in the meditation group than in the control group. These effects were similar to those found in experiments with other mind-body techniques.

It also found that there was more dopamine (DA) in the blood of people who engaged in Brain Wave Vibration than in healthy adults who did not. In subjects who had practiced Brain Wave Vibration for three years or more, blood dopamine levels were higher in those individuals with more positive emotional states.

Primary investigator Dr. Do-Hyung Kang from the Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Medical Center explained, “Now it is widely accepted that meditation has positive effects on regulating stress. This study supports similar results, but also gives us a clue that this can be by the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system [the system that generates the stress response], especially by elevation of DA level in this vibrative meditation group.”

This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of South Korea and carried out by scientists from major national research centers in South Korea, including several institutes at Seoul National University, as well as the Korea Institute of Brain Science. Sixty-seven people who regularly engaged in Brain Wave Vibration for an average of 43 months were gathered and compared to a group of 57 healthy adults. The results were published in the June 2010 issue of the international science journal, Neuroscience Letters.

Brain Wave Vibration as a mind-body training technique fit the aims of the study well. The researchers described the technique as being “designed to relax both mind and body through natural rhythmic movements. It is intended to be a simple meditation technique, a kind of moving meditation that can be used to manage stress and optimize brain health. This technique is designed to quiet the thinking mind and release emotions, particularly negative emotions, through physical movements and focus on body sensations.” To learn more about Brain Wave Vibration, you can visit www.brainwavevibration.com.

For more details about the study, visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20546836 for the abstract and links to the full article.

How can I do Brain Wave Vibration?  (see www.brainwavevibration.com for more information)

  1. Sit in a chair with your arms resting comfortably at your sides or in front of you on a desk. When sitting in a chair, do not lean your back against the chair, but keep your back straight.
  2. Close your eyes and breathe comfortably, relaxing your body completely.
  3. Begin gently shaking your head from side to side; take three seconds to shake your head from one side to the other.
  4. Follow a rhythm that feels natural for your body. The vibration becomes stronger and deeper. Your head may also go up and down or follow the shape of an infinity symbol as you go deeper into the motion.
  5. Focus on your brain stem, located at the point where your head pivots left and right. The vibration is spreading from your neck to your whole body through your spinal cord.
  6. Repeat this movement for five minutes. Slow down your movement and focus on your lower abdomen.
  7. Inhale and exhale fully three times.

[Reference] Brain Wave Vibration, Ilchi Lee, Best Life Media

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Dahn Yoga Reviews — No Comments
10
Jun 10

Two Minute Tips from Dahn Yoga~ For tired & heavy legs

Do your legs get tight and heavy sometimes after a long day of walking or standing up?  Try this exercise for quick relief!

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Dahn Yoga Reviews — No Comments
7
Jun 10

Long term outreach classes have brought great rewards

I have been a Dahn Yoga member for 4 years now and am involved in several classes that are being taught at no cost in the Greater Boston area. Some of these classes

have been running for 7-10 years.  When I realized that the average member at the center has no idea about these classes are happening, I decided to share about them. They have been such a special experience.  Here is a brief glimpse.

The longest on-going class (started in 2000 by Danielle Gaudette, Boston Regional Director of Dahn Yoga Centers) takes place at the Sunrise Assisted Living Center in Arlington. Once a week, we hold a class in the community room with 10-12 residents attending. Several BMC graduates alternate weeks of teaching, and the staff frequently attend if their work schedule permits. The activities director tells us how much the residence look forward to our visit, and the volunteer instructors share the same.

The class at the community health center in Dorchester has also been ongoing for many years (since 2003?). It is geared towards people suffering with diabetes. I have been responsible for it for the past 3 years. Many are Cape Verde natives who don’t speak much English, and overtime we have learned to communicate without words.
I have grown to love these wonderful souls. The experience is much than doing stretching exercise and relaxation. I believe we have built a small community of trust and oneness of spirit. I have seen remarkable changes in several of the patients. The class has become a real part of their lives. They care about each other and have started taking responsibility for their health. Their moods have lifted and we have started teaching each other our native language. To hear an 80 year old Cape Verde woman count to 10 one day in English gave me great joy.

One of the members has even taken Shim Sung, has started taking classes at a Dahn Center and assists with class at the community center. My goal is to see more patients

Outreach Shim Sung at the Red Cross

attend Shim Sung and even to see some of the staff take the workshop.

An similar project has be initiated at a community health center in Jamaica Plain. The participants of this class are spanish speaking women suffering from depression.

The American Red Cross Blood Services hosts another outreach program. Class is offered 3 different times per week. Staff members attend from various departments. Recently the class has been formatted to allow staff to attend either a half hour of stretching and breathing or to stay and participate in the second half of relaxation and energy accumulation so more can participate.

As a result of this outreach, the first workplace Shim Sung in New England was held at Red Cross last February, with 10 people attending. The Red Cross supported the staff by paying a portion of the workshop cost and attendees who were nurses received continuing ed credits.

All of these outreach projects have offered a great opportunity for growth and a way to share with the community. The joy and satisfaction experienced is immeasurable. Seeing the smiling faces, sincere appreciation, and the relaxed mental and physical state of the staff and patients is a great reward.

Barbara Maffeo is a BMC graduate and instructor of Dahn Yoga.  She is a nurse and works for the Red Cross.

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