Recently I celebrated my 59th birthday. A year ago, after numerous doctors’ visits, an MRI, and multiple neurological tests, I was diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease (vertigo like symptoms). I am a preschool teacher of children with special needs. Teaching requires me to be on my feet and move around alot. The vertigo episodes happened sporadically and often lasted 2-4 hours sometimes with vomiting as well. My work habits include a bit of “perfectionism–self talk– and perseverance to get the job done well. I enjoy trying new teaching methods.

After 10 sessions of balance therapy, the therapist suggested that I try yoga for meditation, calming affect, and agility (strength and balance). I found Dahn Yoga online and took a risk to try it out at the Mill Creek Center. Purposely I chose a center near my school so I could dash out at the last minute and get to the center just before class starts. Also I did not want to take yoga in my neighborhood community and exercise with people I know.

The master was very patient with me, reminding me to follow my body’s condition, take my time and focus on my dahn jon. This was all new to me: brain wave vibration, warm-ups, intestinal exercises, chun ji kun, energy ball and so on. After two weeks I found myself looking at the clock as soon as my students were on the bus, and planning out what needed to be done before leaving on time for yoga. It stopped occurring to me to need to work. After a month, it stopped occurring to me to finish everything so I could rush out the door. My mind started shifting and telling me “it is okay to leave, work will be here in the morning.” I started to realize that I was “hooked” and enjoyed the pleasures that Dahn Yoga brings to my well being as a person and commune to others.

Several of the positions are very challenging for me but that doesn’t keep me from trying and having fun getting to stretch my physical limits beyond work, D-Y is relaxing for me and a healthy experience for my whole body. My attitude toward living in the present is becoming more positive and appreciatiave of all the abundance given to me by my maker—whoever s/he is. Waiting in line either in the car, store, or restaurant does not bother me because I have the power to choose to accept things as they are. I can do intestinal excersises, practice breathing, and use other D-Y methods of avoiding stress. Occasionally the vertigo symptoms surface and I have to deal with them. The yoga motivates me to become more centered and focus on my whole well being now, not worry about what happens next.

In June, I took out a Gold membership. In August I took a risk and flew to the Mago Retreat Center for more training. Ah!!!! What an experience to meet Ilchi Lee himself and other inspiring trainers. A place that I will return to in the future for sure.

Thanks Dahn Yoga for helping me process change well.

Honey Niemann