Mothering: Three Generations of Women Share Yoga and Much More
Grandmother, Daughter and Granddaughter strengthen their relationships while practicing yoga.
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) May 11, 2006
In Seattle, Washington, Joy Atwood, Teresa Luttrell and Lizzie Luttrell are sharing a path that is deepening their relationships while improving their health and wellbeing. Grandmother Joy, 68, has joined her daughter, Teresa, 46, and 16 year old granddaughter Lizzie in a journey called Dahn Yoga (www. dahnyoga. com).
Dahn Yoga (sometimes referred to as Dahn Hak or Dahnhak) began as an ancient Korean training program to educate the population on how to develop both the mind and the body. “Dahn” means energy, vitality, and origin of life, and "Hak" means study, philosophy, and theory. Dahn Yoga practitioners learn how to listen to their bodies, rest their minds, and become more reflective and calm.
Teresa was the first to discover the practice and four years later she is an advanced healer and teacher.
“I was ‘divinely guided’ to Dahn and wandered into a Dahn Center without knowing what it was all about,” Teresa said. Coincidentally, that very same week Teresa had also begun a separate quest to become a Religious Science minister and is currently working on a masters degree in consciousness studies. “My ministerial call is to be a healer of divisions caused by religion and to bridge the Western philosophies largely embraced in the United States and the Eastern teachings of the Asian countries. My religious training addresses world religions, quantum physics, philosophy, mind-body medicine and psychology—primarily but not exclusively the Western traditions--while my Dahn training is rooted in Eastern cultures,” she noted.
Her enthusiasm for not only the yoga program but other Dahn teachings inspired her mom to get involved who had suffered pain from fibromyalgia, a common condition of widespread muscular pain and fatigue. “Dahn changed my life. I could hardly get out of bed, get in or out of the car because of my fibromyalgia. I figured I’d done it all - I’d been married raised kids, I was through. I had no vision and I’d shut down all the energy in my body,” said Joy.
She then discovered Dahn Yoga which opened the energy channels in her body and reduced the pain and discomfort from her illness. She also began teaching the related Brain Respiration program to children, giving her a renewed vision and purpose. Brain Respiration is a special way of breathing which makes the brain active by means of “Ki” – Korean expression for Bio-energy or power of life. Through Brain Respiration the blood and energy circulation is activated, bringing more oxygen to the brain. The program is used widely with children to help them improve their learning comprehension. Studies show kids also increase concentration, confidence and the ability to handle stress, leading to a positive outlook on life.
Not to be left out, high school sophomore Lizzie has also embraced the teachings of Dahn Yoga after seeing how much happier her mother and grandmother became after starting the yoga program. “I figured, ‘hey why not’, even if it doesn’t work for me, at least I’ll get more flexible,” recalls Lizzie. As it turns out, it did work for her and she loves it. In addition to the yoga classes, she has taken some tai chi classes and has gone to something called the Healer School in mystical Sedona, Arizona during which she learned to overcome her fears and become a stronger, more confident person. Lizzie is now a full-time International Baccalaureate student, an intensive global academic program offered at her high school. Her mom credits Lizzie's Dahn experience for the marked reduction in her stress levels that have been evident this year, as well as her daughter's desire to go to an IB school abroad next year—which is not something that the pre-Dahn Lizzie would likely have chosen because of lack of confidence. "She recognizes her tendency for shyness but now chooses to do what's needed to strengthen those areas within her," said her mom.
The Dahn experience has also deepened her relationship with her mother. “My mom and I have always been close, but I think that sharing our love of Dahnhak has brought us closer, and that’s something I’m always thankful for,” she said.
“The women in our family have always had a strong connection, but the experiences we’ve shared through our Dahn training have made us happier and stronger,” said Teresa. Mothers Day is Sunday, May 14 and these three generations of dynamic women plan to spend the day together; not the typical brunch but likely something spontaneous and meaningful to them.
For more information on Dahn Yoga, a holistic training program that empowers individuals to find tools that they can use to manage their own well-being, and its related programs, visit the website at www. dahnyoga. com.
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