The premise: Dahn Yoga is a cult and should be avoided.
The problem: Many people are ill-willed, misinformed, or outright ignorant and greedy opportunists who will exploit anything they can to earn a buck.
The solution: Do your homework. Don't be an idiot. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Be an adult and take responsibility for your actions. It's one thing to have the wool pulled over your eyes and be abused, but it's another to get involved in something you KNOW is wrong and then crying wolf at the end of the day.
Example: That woman from the '90s who sued millions (and won) from McDonald's after spilling coffee in her lap and burning herself. Hey lady, ever heard of a cup holder? Who the heck puts a cup of hot coffee between their legs as they drive???
How this all ties in with Dahn Yoga: I just watched this video about 2 former Dahn Yoga employees:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R_VCzbDItg
In it, the girls explain how they were duped out of thousands of dollars and were basically f^cked (literally and figuratively) during their Dahn days.
Now, I do agree that Dahn has cult-like qualities, but to these 2 women, I have to say:
SHAME ON YOU!
Although I, too, was dragged into potential Dahn oblivion in my weakest and most vulnerable state, I backed out and didn't put in another dime into their program. I CHOSE to leave their bullshit rhetoric and cult.
You don't see me bitching about how I lost my money to Dahn on CNN. Rather (LOL), I am sharing my story with you so that you don't get lost in the Dahn hoopla. These girls are trying to sue Dahn's founder, Ilchi Lee, for money. I'm sure their experiences were traumatic, but let's face it, they're just in the media for the money.
Even the African-American man featured in the video mourns the loss of his brother, who evidently died during a Dahn outing. If you knew the back story, you would know that the death was an accident and that the deceased's family accepted the tragedy as just that: an ACCIDENT.
BUT, once you throw the possibility of capitalizing on death (is nothing sacred anymore???), hell - why NOT go on national TV in your smartest suit and lament over your brother's death?
Strength in numbers, my friends. The man knows there is money for the taking in this open class action suit.
Staying clear of Dahn's cultish ways is one thing. Getting fucked by them and then trying to profit from it is another. Let's be responsible, people. Be accountable for your dumb ass decisions and move on!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tips to avoid the Dahn cult
As I said in my last post, Dahn Yoga does have many cult-like qualities. Unless you're a tough, narrow-minded pig, you will have difficulty not letting yourself get swayed or sucked into the cult hoopla.
The health benefits of Dahn are very good - I still miss that aspect of it. If you want to join, do so, but just be sure you stay the hell away from their shady ways.
Here's how to be safe and "cult-free" should you decide to join Dahn yoga:
1. DON'T tell the instructors/"masters" anything about your past/present tragedies.
- They feed on the weak and will prey on you; practically forcing or coercing you to buy extra treatment sessions, seminars, Dahn gear, and/or workshops.
- Sure, you may have experienced a lot of strife and trauma in your life and you're DYING to share, but DON'T. Really, you will be doing yourself a great favor. They can and WILL hold your pain (physical and emotional) against you.
- Let's say you were abused or molested as a child and you never had anyone to console you. Now is NOT the time to bring it up with your Dahn instructor or fellow students REGARDLESS of whether they seem nice or trusting. If you do share your sad story with the instructors, good luck - they will HOUND you to sign up for costly programs and products on the basis of your past. "You will never heal from the wounds of your abused childhood if you don't sign up for this $800 workshop."
2. DON'T hang out for the tea and chat session after the exercise lesson.
- This is a time for sharing and caring. Actually, I always looked forward to and loved these sessions. They seem innocuous, but again - it's a breeding ground for more cultish activities. The instructors will remember that time you shared about your chest pain being alleviated and they WILL bring it up when they try to sell you 2 of Ilchi Lee's latest books about Brain Wave Vibration. Trust me.
- Just do your exercises and LEAVE!
3. DON'T talk on the phone with them for too long.
- The folks at Dahn will call you under the guise of "caring" or wanting to be your friend or mentor. It's all fine and dandy in the beginning, but be wary of the type of information they illicit. I can't emphasize enough that they can and WILL use any and ALL your information (feelings, facts, etc.) against you.
The basic theme for protecting yourself from Dahn's bullshit is not to air your laundry - dirty or otherwise.
Again, I'm all for the exercises. Heck, I even read Ilchi Lee's "Human Technology" ever now and then as a refresher for the exercises. If Dahn wasn't such an evil cult, I would go back for the exercises. Until they clear up any hint of their cult status, I will be practicing Dahn on my own (books, blogs, Youtube videos).
Please send me your thoughts.
The health benefits of Dahn are very good - I still miss that aspect of it. If you want to join, do so, but just be sure you stay the hell away from their shady ways.
Here's how to be safe and "cult-free" should you decide to join Dahn yoga:
1. DON'T tell the instructors/"masters" anything about your past/present tragedies.
- They feed on the weak and will prey on you; practically forcing or coercing you to buy extra treatment sessions, seminars, Dahn gear, and/or workshops.
- Sure, you may have experienced a lot of strife and trauma in your life and you're DYING to share, but DON'T. Really, you will be doing yourself a great favor. They can and WILL hold your pain (physical and emotional) against you.
- Let's say you were abused or molested as a child and you never had anyone to console you. Now is NOT the time to bring it up with your Dahn instructor or fellow students REGARDLESS of whether they seem nice or trusting. If you do share your sad story with the instructors, good luck - they will HOUND you to sign up for costly programs and products on the basis of your past. "You will never heal from the wounds of your abused childhood if you don't sign up for this $800 workshop."
2. DON'T hang out for the tea and chat session after the exercise lesson.
- This is a time for sharing and caring. Actually, I always looked forward to and loved these sessions. They seem innocuous, but again - it's a breeding ground for more cultish activities. The instructors will remember that time you shared about your chest pain being alleviated and they WILL bring it up when they try to sell you 2 of Ilchi Lee's latest books about Brain Wave Vibration. Trust me.
- Just do your exercises and LEAVE!
3. DON'T talk on the phone with them for too long.
- The folks at Dahn will call you under the guise of "caring" or wanting to be your friend or mentor. It's all fine and dandy in the beginning, but be wary of the type of information they illicit. I can't emphasize enough that they can and WILL use any and ALL your information (feelings, facts, etc.) against you.
The basic theme for protecting yourself from Dahn's bullshit is not to air your laundry - dirty or otherwise.
Again, I'm all for the exercises. Heck, I even read Ilchi Lee's "Human Technology" ever now and then as a refresher for the exercises. If Dahn wasn't such an evil cult, I would go back for the exercises. Until they clear up any hint of their cult status, I will be practicing Dahn on my own (books, blogs, Youtube videos).
Please send me your thoughts.
Friday, July 8, 2011
F*CK Dahn Yoga: it IS a CULT
So here's the deal and let me explain why I've had a 180 change of heart about Dahn Yoga.
First, I still believe in the health benefits of the exercises. They're great - not only do they make physiological differences and promote a greater sense of well being, but they really stimulate the endorphins which make you feel good during and post-work out.
The biggest issue I have with Dahn Yoga is its cult-status. It's all true folks. All the bad press you've heard in the news (particularly this huge piece on CNN) is true.
HOWEVER, this is NOT to say I agree or disagree with the alleged rape story.
I will report from my own personal experiences that Dahn Yoga instructors use cult-like tactics to draw in people. They try to expose your weaknesses then capitalize on them for their personal gain and profit.
I have MANY personal examples, but the ones that stand out the most were during "healing sessions", where they apply acupressure on painful pressure points to promote healing. Yes, these therapies helped, but what happened during the sessions were another story.
Basically, my instructor would ask me really personal questions about my family, relationships, my opinions of other people in the classes (what the hell, right?), and to share about traumatic childhood memories. Well, what would you do if you've had lifelong debilitating illnesses, you're half-naked, and the instructor is working on your body in a small room?
I shared with her some personal and hurtful stories and shed lots of tears. It was only a matter of time after the session (maybe 2-3 days) where after the classes, she would pull me aside to a private corner and tell me how f*cked up I am and how I will never improve my physical condition unless I:
1. Signed up for a host of EXPENSIVE workshop classes
2. Renewed my Dahn Yoga membership for lengthier terms
Mostly, it was the workshop classes she was so crazed/adamant about. I'm sure the instructors received commissions and store incentives any time anyone from their respective centers enrolled.
These workshop classes (which I NEVER attended) cost anywhere from $300-$1000+. There were multiple themes, dates, and locations, so of course it would be hard for anyone to refuse or excuse their way out of such events.
Even though I would remind the instructor that I was out of work, was potentially moving out of the country, that the philosophies were against my Christian beliefs, she would keep pushing and pushing.
It was really sick. You have these instructors/healers who seem genuinely interested in helping you recover from your pain and illnesses, only to find out that they use your weaknesses for their own financial gain.
First, I still believe in the health benefits of the exercises. They're great - not only do they make physiological differences and promote a greater sense of well being, but they really stimulate the endorphins which make you feel good during and post-work out.
The biggest issue I have with Dahn Yoga is its cult-status. It's all true folks. All the bad press you've heard in the news (particularly this huge piece on CNN) is true.
HOWEVER, this is NOT to say I agree or disagree with the alleged rape story.
I will report from my own personal experiences that Dahn Yoga instructors use cult-like tactics to draw in people. They try to expose your weaknesses then capitalize on them for their personal gain and profit.
I have MANY personal examples, but the ones that stand out the most were during "healing sessions", where they apply acupressure on painful pressure points to promote healing. Yes, these therapies helped, but what happened during the sessions were another story.
Basically, my instructor would ask me really personal questions about my family, relationships, my opinions of other people in the classes (what the hell, right?), and to share about traumatic childhood memories. Well, what would you do if you've had lifelong debilitating illnesses, you're half-naked, and the instructor is working on your body in a small room?
I shared with her some personal and hurtful stories and shed lots of tears. It was only a matter of time after the session (maybe 2-3 days) where after the classes, she would pull me aside to a private corner and tell me how f*cked up I am and how I will never improve my physical condition unless I:
1. Signed up for a host of EXPENSIVE workshop classes
2. Renewed my Dahn Yoga membership for lengthier terms
Mostly, it was the workshop classes she was so crazed/adamant about. I'm sure the instructors received commissions and store incentives any time anyone from their respective centers enrolled.
These workshop classes (which I NEVER attended) cost anywhere from $300-$1000+. There were multiple themes, dates, and locations, so of course it would be hard for anyone to refuse or excuse their way out of such events.
Even though I would remind the instructor that I was out of work, was potentially moving out of the country, that the philosophies were against my Christian beliefs, she would keep pushing and pushing.
It was really sick. You have these instructors/healers who seem genuinely interested in helping you recover from your pain and illnesses, only to find out that they use your weaknesses for their own financial gain.
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