The latest news regarding Dahn Yoga and it’s cult accusations is disturbing to me as I do not desire to see a shadow cast upon the Yoga community here in Northern VA, or anywhere else for that matter.
Teaching and practicing Yoga in such a diverse area as Northern Virginia offers many forms and varieties of Yoga styles such as Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and others. Yoga is a mind-body, physical, as well as spiritual practice focusing on breath control (Pranayama) while holding or flowing through poses (asanas).
Speaking to people in this area – drawing from the Springfield, Fairfax, Burke, Chantilly, Centreville, Herndon, Reston, Manassas areas here in Virginia – I am pleased to know how many people are familiar with Yoga. Some new comers do express concern as to the religious affiliation of the internal arts. My response is to inform that while the internal arts such as Yoga, Chi Kung (Chi Gong, Qigong), and Tai Chi (Taiji) can be a spiritual practice, it is not religion based, nor is it a cult.
As an instructor, we put in many hours and invest considerable time and money in training for ourselves and yes, we do deserve to command a reasonable investment for the classes we offer, but gathering extreme amounts of money and taking advantage of students and creating “followers of your cause” is not Yoga.
To give readers an idea of what to expect to pay for internal arts classes (Yoga, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Meditation, etc) in the Northern VA area, I have noticed group classes being offered anywhere from $8 to $18 per one-hour class per person on average. This depends sometimes on the experience of the instructor, the location, what the instructor has to pay for space use, if you register for an multi-week session or drop in, and various other things. Some instructors also teach by donation and personal one-on-one instruction is, of course, a higher fee. Workshops and special training is often higher as well.
My advice…Find an instructor that you like, a location and time that is convenient, balance that with the investment you are able to make to take the classes and a style that suits you – different people are drawn to different styles and forms – and stick with the practice – for you, your health, your well-being and your spirit, not to support a group.
3 Comments
So well said, Kris. I can’t agree more.
Without a doubt Yoga isnt the issue here. Yoga is done by millions worldwide. The issue is around cult behavior and that can occur in any group
Articles like yours and are needed more than ever right now. I work here in Sedona where the controversy has now centered and many of us here know all about the phony promises, and pressure selling of memberships that Dahn has foisted on well meaning people. Dahn Hak is NOT yoga but sadly now when people come here they see Yoga in the news as Dahn Yoga and shy away.
This is totally wrong and unfair to the many legitimate Yoga practitioners here. Dahn, and Tao, and Mago have usurped the good name of Yoga solely to dupe the public into thinking what Ilchi Lee’s organization offers is Yoga and to sell other courses at sky-high prices.
The Dahn organization took aspects of Yoga, LGAT, meditation – you name it – whatever sounded “new age”, then added pyramid sales techniques to create a financial empire. Fortunately they are now being exposed for what they are.
In my opinion the worldwide Yoga community must fight to defend what yoga really is, in the onslaught of such organizations who “bait and switch”.
Rolling Stone magazine exposed Ilchi Lee’s organization for what it is – that’s a start, but more needs to be done. Do you know that locally, at the Dahn center, the “Dahn masters” ( and I use the term lightly ) teach that yoga came from Korea and not India? Oh there’s lot’s worse that will eventually be made public.
In the mean time, sadly, the reputations of good people who teach and practice yoga, both here in Sedona and elsewhere, have been tarnished.
Thought you might like to know.