He cites one study in which kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were found to focus better on tasks when in natural settings instead of urban surroundings.

If you find yourself unable to concentrate, perhaps you will agree that not only children can fall victim to nature-deficit disorder. I would contend that part of the reason adults are increasingly stricken with anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychological distress is because they are simply not grounded.

I mean grounded here in the most literal sense: people are disconnected from the very Earth that sustains their lives. It is evident in the ways we produce our food, choose to work, and interact with one another. As we disconnect from nature, we also seem to disconnect from each other; our relationships sour and our mental health is compromised. And, as we continue to ignore the important role of the Earth in our lives, we allow the planet to slip ever closer to environmental ruin, and we unintentionally invite the physical illnesses that accompany this cancer, respiratory disorders, endocrine disruption, and so forth.

Posted: September 22nd, 2009 under Dahn Yoga Dallas, Ilchi Lee, Ilchi Lee Brain Education, Ilchi Lee Earth Citizen, Ilchi lee brain art festival, Ilchi lee educator.
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Humanity, as they see it, is just a microcosm of the Earth. We have been given the gift of musical, verbal, and artistic expression not for our own glory but as a means of giving expression to the Earth and all creation (Kalweit).

I would like to propose that direct, positive experience of and interaction with nature is essential to your health. Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, humankind has become increasingly disconnected from the Earth that sustains us, and the effect has been regrettable. In the most obvious ways, human health is currently threatened by environmental problems, such as pollution and ozone depletion. But I would also like to suggest that the effects of this go deeper, that disconnection from nature is essentially a spiritual problem that subsequently leads to problems of the body and mind as well.

Author Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, suggests that many of the mental and emotional problems that have become increasingly prevalent in children are linked to their decreasing amount of direct contact with nature.

Posted: September 18th, 2009 under Dahn Yoga Dallas, Ilchi Lee, Ilchi Lee Brain Education, Ilchi Lee Day, Ilchi Lee Earth Citizen, Ilchi lee brain art festival, Ilchi lee educator.
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The Hopi, the native people who inhabit land near my home in Sedona, Arizona, apply a system of energetic physiology to the Earth that closely parallels the physiology of the human being. According to their tradition, the Earth turns on an axis, which functions like the human backbone. Along this backbone can be found a series of energy centers, analogous to the chakras in the human body, which resonate a primal musical tone in harmony with all creation. Humanity, as they see it, is just a microcosm of the Earth. We have been given the gift of musical, verbal, and artistic expression not for our own glory but as a means of giving expression to the Earth and all creation (Kalweit).

I would like to propose that direct, positive experience of and interaction with nature is essential to your health. Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, humankind has become increasingly disconnected from the Earth that sustains us, and the effect has been regrettable. In the most obvious ways, human health is currently threatened by environmental problems, such as pollution and ozone depletion. But I would also like to suggest that the effects of this go deeper, that disconnection from nature is essentially a spiritual problem that subsequently leads to problems of the body and mind as well.

Posted: August 5th, 2009 under Dahn Yoga Books, Dahn Yoga Wiki, Ilchi Lee, Ilchi Lee Brain Education, Ilchi Lee Day, Ilchi lee educator.
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To determine your information nutrition level, ask yourself three basic questions:

Is the information I am receiving empowering to me?

No piece of information is worth having if it weakens you or detracts from your ability to realize your full potential. Throughout their lives, many people receive discmpowcring information, messages that tell them “You arc not good enough,” “You are not pretty enough,” “You are not smart enough,” and so forth. You must learn to view these beliefs as tragic pieces of misinformation that have given rise to disastrous results in the world. You must be willing to reject this kind of information, because if you believe any of it, even a smidgen of it, you have unconsciously allowed a destructive virus into your brain.

The worst is when you give yourself this information. Your brain will take you very seriously if you tell yourself that you are not good enough or that you are lacking in any way. It will live up to what you tell it you can do, so always give it clear and positive information about yourself. You can acknowledge that you have shortcomings to work on, but you should not think that your faults are a permanent part of who you are. When doing Brain Wave Vibration, imagine that you are shaking all of this kind of limiting information out of your brain.

Posted: August 1st, 2009 under Brain Education, Dahn Yoga Books, Dahn Yoga Wiki, Ilchi Lee, Ilchi Lee Day, Ilchi Lee Earth Citizen, Ilchi Lee Sedona, Ilchi lee brain art festival.
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Benefits: This is a very effective method by Ilchi Lee to reduce tension and release energy from your whole body. By patting, cells are strengthened as they are stimulated and energy points are opened.

Note: Pat the body gently and comfortably to achieve the desired results. You can concentrate better if you allow your eyes to follow your movements.

1.    Curl your fingers and lightly tap all over your head and face with your fingertips.

2.    Stretch out your left arm with your palm facing up. Take your right hand and, starting at the left shoulder, pat rhythmically downward all the way to the left hand.

3.      Then turn your left hand over and, with your right hand, pat your way back up to the left shoulder again.

4.      Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 with the left hand and right arm.

5.      Pat your chest with both hands several times, breathing deeply and exhaling completely.

6.    Starting from your chest, pat your ribs, abdomen, and sides.

7.    With both hands, pat the area just below the right rib cage where your liver is located and concentrate on radiating positive, clear energy to the liver.

8.    With both hands, pat the area just below the left rib cage where your stomach is located and concentrate on bringing healing energy to your stomach.

9.    Bend over slightly from the waist and pat the area on your lower back (on both sides) where your kidneys are located and move up, patting as far as your hands can reach. Then pat your way down to your buttocks.

10.    Starting from your buttocks, pat your way down the back of your legs to your ankles.

11.    From the ankles, start patting your way up the front of your legs until you reach your thighs.

12.    From your upper thighs, pat your way down the outsides of your legs to your ankles.

13.    From the ankles, pat your way up the insides of your legs to your upper thighs. Finish by striking your lower abdomen about 20 times. This exercise is most effective when done with the legs shoulder-width apart with the knees slightly bent.

Posted: February 14th, 2009 under Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee.
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Benefits: According to Ilchi Lee instructions this exercise will help circulation, open blockages, and release stagnant energy from your whole body. It enhances blood and Ki circulation and relaxes the abdominal area.

Note: If you feel discomfort in any area of the body you are tapping, do so more lightly. This is particularly important if you experience stomach distress. Also, do not press into that area. Instead, gently rub hands together and lightly massage that area.

1. Relax the upper body, bend your knees slightly,and balance your weight evenly on both feet.

2. Make a light fist and gently tap the chest, the stomach, ribs, and whole abdomen area while exhaling with a “Aaah-” sound.

3. Continue this motion for five minutes.

4. Focus your consciousness on the areas where you feel achy and stiff, then breathe out with the feeling of letting out the impure energy accumulated in those areas. Close your eyes and focus on the vibration of the tapping as it penetrates deep inside the boay.

Posted: February 11th, 2009 under Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee.
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Benefits: Ilchi Lee writes in his book that this exercise opens the energy channels on the back side of the body and stretches the whole body from the heels to the top of the spine.

Note: Don’t try to bring your head to your knees as this will curve your spine. Instead, aim to bring the torso as far forward as possible, while keeping the knees and spine straight.

1.    Sit with your legs together, stretching them straight out in front of you.

2.    Place your hands on your knees. Bring your arms in a circular motion toward the back of your hips, circling them up overhead.

3.    Inhale and bend your torso so that your hands can touch your toes. Concentrate on keeping your legs straight. Bend at the elbow, bringing your chest and head toward your knees. Exhale and return to the original posture.

4.    Repeat this several times.

Posted: February 5th, 2009 under Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee.
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Benefits: This exercise lengthens and strengthens the muscles of the spine. It enhances the nervous system and promotes optimal functioning of the vital organs in the body.

Note: Let your neck rhythmically follow the motion without pushing with your head. This is best performed on a lightly cushioned surface.

1.    Sit with your knees bent and clasp your arms around your knees. Round your spine to form a C shape. Slightly lower your head. Relax your neck and your shoulders.
2.    Gently roll back with your back softly touching the floor in order to stimulate your spine. Slowly and gently return to Step 1.
3.    Repeat 10 times.

ABDOMINAL CLAPPING

Benefits: Abdominal Clapping is a simple but effective method for strengthening the lower abdomen, especially the Dahn-jon. By rhythmically patting the lower abdomen with the palms of both hands, blood and energy is distributed throughout the entire body. Abdominal exercises will assist in the prompt removal of excess gases and waste from the body, and you will feel increased warmth in the Dahn-jon, as well. Mote: Begin with 100 strikes. You may increase the number and force of the strikes with more practice.

1.    Spread your feet shoulder-width apart and end your knees slightly.
2.    Lengthen and relax your spine. Relax your shoulders, neck, and arms.
3.   Point your toes slightly inward and feel a slight tightening of the lower abdomen.
4.   Rhythmically strike the lower abdomen area with both palms.

Yoga exercises guidelines by Ilchi Lee

Posted: February 2nd, 2009 under Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee.
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Hap-kok (Union Valley, LLj.): At the end of the crease that forms between your thumb and the index fingers when you put them together. Having someone else press down on these points on both hands simultaneously is most effective. It might be a little painful, but try to bear it. Press down for a slow count of five and release for a count of five as well. Prof Ilchi Lee advise that repeat several times. [Fig.6]

Tae-chung (Great Surge, LV3): Between the big toe and the second toe, one-half inch in from where they form a web.

Press down on the points on both feet at the same time. This is good for easing stomachaches caused by indigestion. Rub the stomach and the back: Lie down and have someone rub your stomach or back with a comforting circular motion. Make sure you keep both areas covered and unexposed to cold air. This helps food settle into your stomach and eases digestion. [Fig.15]

Poong-ji (Wind Pool, GB 20): Two inches out from the middle of your neck, underneath the base of the skull. Use the thumbs of both hands to press these points. Sit on a chair and bend over, with your elbows propped on a table or desk, to make the sustained pressure on these points most comfortable. [Fig.16]

Posted: January 31st, 2009 under Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee.
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COMMON COLD OR FLU
Poong-mun (Wind Gate, BLiz): Two finger widths on either side of the second thoracic vertebrae. This is the most vulnerable point where cold and damp energy may initially enter the body. [Fig.13]

Dae-chu (Great Hammer, GVi4): Right below the 7th cervical vertebrae. You can locate this point by bending your head forward and finding the biggest bone where the neck and the shoulders meet. Place your finger right below this bone. Now return your head to an upright position as Ilchi Lee instructed. Make sure you find the point after the head has returned; when the head returns to an upright position, the location moves up slightly. [Fig. 13]

Joong-bu (Central Treasury, LUi): Place your middle fingers in the hollow areas directly below the protrusions of the collarbone just outside your upper breastbone. Press this point with your thumb or make a fist with your right hand with your thumb folded in and gently tap this point on the left side. Do this for one to three minutes and then switch sides. If this is too painful or if blockages still remain, rub the pressure points with the pads of your fingers. [Rg.i4] Oon-mun (Cloud Gate, LUz): Just below the collarbone on either side of your shoulders. Press this point with your thumb or make a fist with your right hand with your thumb folded in and gently tap this point on the left side. Do this for one to three minutes and then switch sides. If this is too painful or if blockages still remain, rub the pressure points with the pads of your fingers. [Fig.i4

Posted: January 28th, 2009 under Dahn Yoga, Ilchi Lee.
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