Pages

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Part 2: Practical Advice to a Concerned Blog Reader: "I am in a quandary"

A couple days ago, one of my blog readers commented that they didn't know what to do about their personal Dahn Yoga pickle. While they seemed pleased by the introductory healing session and class, they expressed concern about what to do next, ie, now that they know a little more about the sinister, cult-like history and current events of the practice. You can read their full comment at the bottom of this blog post.

Dear Anonymous Commenter, if you've returned to my blog to read part 2 of my dedicated post for you, I'm providing some practical advice for your consideration. I will be as  pragmatic and as legalistic as possible, but I will write with some "heart" because this is a subject that is near and dear to me.

1. You have membership cancellation rights.
Provided that you have not exceeded your trial period, you have every right to cancel your membership with a full refund as per your state's laws. For example, I live in the State of California, and we can cancel membership transactions within 10 business days. A quick Google search led me to CA's Consumer Affairs site outlining cancellation rights. 

2. It's only 3 months
You said that you "agreed to purchase a three month membership and additional healing sessions." If you've passed the grace period for cancellation, just remind yourself that you are committed for "only 3 months" and decide whether you will:

A. Chalk it up as a loss and opt out (no refund, nada).
B. Suck it up and go, even though you end up balancing the constant moral dilemma with the "Wow! This makes me feel terrific!" guilt.

****BUT****

Should you decide to continue participation, because hey - you did pay for it and you worked damned hard for your money.

1. Attend with PURPOSE
A. Write out your personal objectives for taking the class (and healing sessions) and ensure they are fulfilled. Don't add anything else beyond that. Going to class to increase flexibility? Do it. Want to focus on the exercises for your burning shoulder pain? Do it. Don't want to get sucked into the rhetoric and bullying sales tactics? Leave class IMMEDIATELY, do not stay another minute once the session is complete and don't look back...until the next class, that is.

B. Make a schedule of when you will go and stick with it.
Keep your "ritual" regimented so that you'll lessen any vulnerability you may have from taking additional and unplanned class/healing session impact.

2. Don't make friends there. 
I know. This sounds like such a jerk thing to say, but really. This is to protect your spirit.

A. Instructors: First of all, the Dahn Yoga administrators are your instructors. Don't ever let them indoctrinate you into thinking they are the "masters" that they call themselves. They are trained to be the master manipulators and they are obligated to meet sales quotas. For goodness' sakes, don't reveal anything about yourself to them. They can and will escalate a simple "I felt a little lonely today" into a full strike negative assessment of your nonexistent neurosis, social anxiety disorder, and their favorite, "BLOCKAGES!"

B. Classmates: Most of the time, your fellow classmates have no idea what is going on behind the scenes of Ilchi Lee's cult. They're harmless. BUT, the more they buy into the rhetoric, the more they become like one of Lee's sheep. Best to remain cordial and diplomatic, but don't get too friendly or share ANYTHING personal that leaves you (or your loved ones) in a vulnerable position.

3. Don't be social
This is related to point 2, but because of the community/classroom nature of Dahn, you should be especially vigilant. As lovely and as tempting the post-exercise tea sessions are, it might be best to avoid them. This is a prime opportunity for the instructors to collect stories from your classmates and exploit them down the line. "Oh, your knee feels better today? Well, if you learn the secrets of complete healing from our $800 XYZ class, you can remove blockages and achieve complete healing!"

4. Don't buy anything else!
I don't know how many healing sessions you bought, but please keep your money in your pocket. Do not spend another cent on Ilchi Lee's cause. A dollar in their register is a dollar in a greedy cult leader's pockets.  So please, don't buy any books, clothes, and definitely not any of those damned training sessions and weekend getaways!!!

5. Talk to your friends and family
You're feeling better and you're feeling a renewed spring in your step! You can't believe how good Dahn Yoga makes you feel! You want to shout it from the rooftops! Well, don't. At least, not to the wrong audience. We are designed to want to share good news with others, so go ahead. Share with your non-judgmental friends, family, or someone you can trust who is NOT affiliated with Dahn Yoga.

6. PRAY for protection
This is the biggest one for me. I have made it clear throughout my blog that I am a Christian, and I believe in the power of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord my Healer.

Before I go up against anything that brings me anxiety (interviews, meetings with difficult people, dangerous neighborhoods, a long drive, etc.) I pray to God for His hand of protection over me, and I thank Him that He is already doing a work in me and sending His army of angels over me.

Now, if you are not a Christian, I strongly encourage you to pray in your own special way and/or meditate and bring in mental and emotional clarity BEFORE going into each session. In fact, I would also pray AFTER for good measure so that you don't attract negative cult spirits on you. Do whatever you need to do that helps encourage, uplift, and heal your spirit.

I would love to hear what you decide to do and keep us informed of your progress. Please be sure to read through my blog as I've peppered tons of other practical advice that I've personally used as well as tips and tools from my own anti-Dahn friends and family.

Thank you again for reading my blog and I will look forward to your comments.


5 comments:

  1. Hi again. I did indeed read your responses and truly appreciate your taking the time to address my concerns. I have discussed this with friends and family and decided to attend the group classes but I have cancelled the healing sessions. Going forward, I will heed much of the advice you have offered above. So please know that you are doing a very good thing by sharing your experience, lessons learned and advice. I truly am very grateful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous,

      My pleasure. It sounds like you did the right thing by chatting with your trusted friends and family about your decision. For what it's worth, I would have also done the same thing. I'm glad you were able to cancel the healing sessions. If you've read my other posts, this is where they really have time to glean your personal facts and expose/use your vulnerabilities against you. I hope the classes help alleviate or even heal whatever you're going through. Always remember to protect your heart and mind from their manipulation and you'll be great! Best of luck :-)

      - Author

      Delete
  2. I found a Dahn Yoga DVD while looking for yoga on Amazon. I bought it because it looked interesting. Two days after it's arrival, a friend and I went to a "Mind, Body, Spirit Expo" which I thought was about holistic healing... but turned out to be more of a psychic fair. I saw the Dahn Yoga people and stopped by their booth. Got a free "aura reading" (for fun) and signed up for a $20 introduction class. We just went this last weekend! It was ok, but my gut said not to take any additional classes. I have a feeling they will follow up (thank goodness I didn't give them any information other than my cell number because I don't want them calling me at work!). When I told the instructor that I had found their booth only a few days after receiving the DVD, she said that it was meant to be. Well, I just found your blog a few days after taking the initial class - so I guess this was also meant to be! Lol! Thank you for the information!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Cheryl,

      LOL, that was hilarious and thank you so much for sharing! You're right (and I guess they're right) that it was meant to be that you stumbled across my blog. I think it's reinforcing when your gut feeling can be backed up by information (my/other personal experiences, articles from "official" publications on the web, etc.).

      Please let me know if there's anything you haven't found in this blog that you would like to see. I hope you find some other recreational classes or a method of healing that doesn't involve weird, high pressure sales (e.g., cult) tactics.

      Thank you again for commenting!
      - Author

      Delete
  3. Oh my goodness. I'm a 67 year old, retired senior citizen. I went in for an aura reading and left paying $20 for a one on one session. The session was good and spiritual but I felt a pull at my wallet to sign up for 3 months. I agreed and paid it in full. Silly me. I needed my heart chakras unblocked. There is a tad of truth in their analysis..but there is complete truth in my Christian belief in Jesus Christ.My faith is in God the father,the son and the Holy Spirit. Losing the money hurt my retired budget but I gained more than I lost. Reading this blog confirmed that I was headed down a path that feels kin to the occult. And I know better. I am also aware of Matthew 7:15...Beware of false prophets...my sessions don't end until August. The instructor is insistent that I attend a 9 hour seminar. I'm not going. I will take your advise and enjoy the exercises and run for the door as soon as class is over. I feel a slight joy in knowing that this time the hunter will be captured by the game.😁

    ReplyDelete

Please share your comments.