« Bowing Meditation: A Short History and Explanation | Main | Quick Morning Workout »
Yeon Dahn Explained: Melting Your Stress
By Michela | January 11, 2010
The other article I wrote for both www.dahnyoga.com and dahnyogavoice.com is about postures that are held for varying lengths of time.
One of the many exercises found in a Dahn Yoga class is Yeon-Dahn. “Yeon” refers to strengthening a sword’s steel blade by hammering it; “Dahn” means vital energy. Accordingly, like other Dahn Yoga techniques, these simple postures cause life energy to accumulate and circulate more freely in the body. Unlike dynamic exercises such as Brain Wave Vibration, however, Yeon-Dahn postures are meant to be held for extended periods of time.
By holding these postures, practitioners not only increase their physical stamina and core strength, but also enhance their mental focus.
When practicing Yeon-Dahn, it’s best to progress from the easiest to the more challenging postures. It also helps to play pleasant music, and to concentrate on the lower abdomen, where the energy center known as the lower dahn-jon (dan tian/dan tien in Chinese) exists.
Your level of concentration and physical fitness determines which posture and holding period is most appropriate and beneficial. You can hold a posture from one minute to one hour or more. The more you practice Yeon-Dahn, the more your stamina will increase, and the longer you can hold a particular posture. Or you can move on to holding more difficult postures.
The most common beginner’s posture that’s performed in a regular Dahn Yoga class is known as Sleeping Tiger. Sleeping Tiger is a lying posture done on your back with your arms straight up into the air, elbows bent slightly and wrists bent at right angles so that the palms face the ceiling. The legs are also raised with the hip, knee, and ankle joints at 90-degree angles. This posture is one of the most effective for building energy in the lower abdomen, the body’s power center, without requiring as much physical strength as other postures. It is good for fatigue from poor nutritional habits, sleeping problems, or chronic illness. It has the added benefit of providing an internal buffer against stress, and fostering a positive outlook on life.
Yeon-Dahn can improve your physical, emotional, and mental condition relatively quickly. It is a form of meditation that can teach practitioners a lot about themselves, and can foster a sense of accomplishment that empowes them to take on other challenges in their lives. This exercise is an important part of the Dahn Yoga healing toolkit.
Topics: Body, Energy, Dahn Yoga, Exercise |
January 12th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
OMG! How many methods are they to improve your digestion or improve your kidney function?
Give me a break!!
I am tired of everyone having a “the solution” for a problem that has existed for millenea or since beginnings of time!
If this One Fad doesnt work the next one will. hiddie ho!
Whatever happened to Grandma’s home remedies? I. Lee’s Dahn is a spinoff of the Church of Scientology. WAKE UP PEOPLE.. WTF?
January 12th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Hi Rak,
There are tons of methods to improve your health, and Dahn Yoga is one of the many holistic ones. I think everyone needs to find the ones that are best for them. On this blog I am presenting one system as an option.
Dahn Yoga has nothing to do with the Church of Scientology, and is certainly not a religion. People of many religions engage in the practice and receive its benefits.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Look, melting of stress and reduced the complexity of stress both are same and it can be reduced by doing some yoga in regular order.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Great Article, but yeah what about Grandmas home remedies.
Here’s some more yoga articles you might like.
Understanding Yoga
http:///www.understandingyoga.info
February 16th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Thank you for the link to your Understanding Yoga blog. It looks like a great yoga resource!
February 25th, 2010 at 1:50 am
Okay, I am agree with your saying because I m suffering with this problems since last 2 years but can’t control it, But hops it will be beneficial for me.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Yes, I hope it helps you Astin. It’s not easy and it’s not a quick fix. But to me it’s worth it. Let us know if it works out for you.
Thank you.
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:51 am
I have practiced Hatha Yoga til now. Never tried Dahn yoga. Will it pose a problem or rather how difficult is Dahn Yoga?