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Monday, August 15, 2011

Taking Responsibility for your Dahn cult experience

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!

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.