Dahn Yoga Exercises

Dahn Yoga, or "Dahnhak," is a Korean blend of stretching, meditation and breathing exercises. Its primary purpose is to increase energy, according to the Dahn Center Association. It also strives to educate practitioners about energy, energy flow and how to use it to increase personal potential. It was recreated for modern times by Ilchi Lee from mind and body training which originated in ancient Korea.

  1. The Basics

    • The first set of exercises encouraged in Dahn Yoga are simple movements meant to help the body. "Shaking" is quickly moving a hand, foot, leg or entire body forward and back to increase blood flow. "Patting" is repeatedly gently touching or rapidly touching parts of the body such as the arm or chest. "Twisting" involves placing both arms out at 90-degree angles and simply twisting the body to flow with the energy and breathing. "Stretching" is basic movement that warms up the muscles, like raising your hands together with feet together, breathing deeply. While exhaling, bend the body with arms still outstretched, and attempt to touch your feet.

    Energizing Breath Work

    • Energizing breath work is a form of meditation. By breathing at different paces and with different parts of the body, you can increase energy and oxygen flow within the body. In deep breathing, fill your lungs with oxygen; in shallow breathing, mimic panting to raise the heart rate and increase blood flow.

    Ki Energy Sensitivity Training

    • Ji Gam, an exercise to help the practitioner become more aware of energy flow, is performed after the basic exercises to make sure the body is loose and there are no blockages of energy. Sit in prayer position with the hands separated by two inches. Focusing and concentrating on the hands, attempt to surround the hands with a bright light. You may feel warmth, a tingling sensation or a magnetic attraction between the hands. The hands should remain apart. From this, attempt to concentrate on bringing the hands closer together and farther apart without consciously moving the hands.