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Inspirational Stories

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22
Jun 11

For Whom the Bell Tolls speaks of bravery in war

Dahn Yoga participants looking for stories of personal development will likely find the character of Robert Jordan to be thought-provoking and inspirational. Robert Jordan is the main character in Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, set in the Spanish Civil war. For Whom the Bell Tolls features other memorable characters such as Pablo, Maria and Pilar.

Jordan is a demolition expert in charge of bombing bridges in Spain. He is actually an American school teacher who has taken his political views to heart and decided to act on them by helping the Spanish Republicans, also known as the Loyalists. However, as Jordan meets other characters throughout the novel, including the beautiful Spanish girl named Maria and the strong-willed Pilar, a leader in the guerrilla band that Jordan joins.

In the end, Jordan finds himself a changed man. He is less loyal to his political convictions as he sees flaws in the Republican cause. Even if the love story between Jordan and Maria does not have a happy ending, For Whom the Bell Tolls is inspirational in its depiction of personal progress.

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13
May 11

Morning Glory – a young woman’s professional road to personal growth

Many people who are interested in dahn yoga are also inspired by stories of personal development and personal growth.

Most people are probably not aware that Harrison Ford starred in a romantic comedy with feminist tints called Morning Glory. What's more – the former Indiana Jones portrayer was paired up with the star of The Notebook, Rachel McAdams.

In Morning Glory, directed by Roger Michell and produced by J.J. Abrams, a young woman whose life passion is to be the executive producer of the Today Show must overcome career challenges, personal life mishaps as well as tough relations with co-workers and bosses in order to prove to everyone – including herself – that following one's dream is not a folly.

McAdams plays Becky Fuller, who begins the film being laid-off in the most unexpected way. She finds herself at a new station working with co-anchors Colleen Peck – played by Diane Keaton – and Mike Pomery – portrayed by Ford. Peck and Pomery have very little desire to work together but it is this unlikely dynamic that could prove to save a show with decreasing ratings.

Becky falls in love with handsome Adam, also a producer at the news station. However, she must balance life, love and work as the personal and professional challenges mount. In the end, Becky is rewarded by her efforts with an interview at the Today Show. It is up to her to choose her next step and think about how she has changed and developed personally through the course of the film.

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12
May 11

The Social Network has a lot to say about stress

Dahn yoga focuses on many facets of life, including personal development and stress management.

One of the most fast-paced and stressful movies in 2010 was The Social Network, based on the real life facts of the founding of Facebook.

Even though the writers and directors likely took liberties in their depiction of true events, the movie centers around one of the most profitable start-ups in recent history. It is not surprising that the movie has central themes related to people in high-stress jobs who are simultaneously seeking personal development.

In the film, the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg. Zuckerberg is shown as a nerdy kid who starts a website out of his Harvard dormitory. He soon finds himself on the brink of a potentially life-changing career move.

As the story is at times disheartening – in terms of the relationships seared in the process of Facebook's founding – some of the lessons about personal development and stress management may well come from contextual information outside of the film itself. It is widely reported that Zuckerberg, in real life, owns a puppy with his long-time girlfriend. Zuckerberg's story is one of determination and single-minded focus in the pursuit of a global dream. It is also – in real life – a story that at least includes a fuzzy white dog as part of his stress management.

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15
Apr 11

Breast cancer survivor takes on triathlons

Dahn yoga aims to provide followers with a means of self exploration and self development. At the same time, yoga has been known to increase positive mood in cancer survivors. Karen Newman, a 50-year-old triathlon winner, was recently featured in the Daily New Canaan.

Newman was chosen to compete on Team USA for the World Triathlon Championships. What is even more amazing is that Newman is a breast cancer survivor whose doctors told her she had no chance at the triathlons.

"Cancer entered our family, and we've turned it into love. I get to go and speak to cancer patients. I'm able to do things I've never been able to do. Your greatest challenges are your greatest lessons. I am truly blessed," Newman told the news source.

Breast cancer affects one out of every eight women in the U.S. each year. Some like Newman have embraced their survival and taken on new opportunities and activities. Recent research has shown that maintaining a healthy active lifestyle may be one of the key preventative measures against developing breast cancer. All women over the age of 40 are recommended by the American Cancer Society to receive annual mammograms.
 

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14
Apr 11

Woman overcomes dyslexia and deafness to write book

Dahn yoga can be a means of overcoming a painful experience and seeking personal healing as well as growth. Vee Extance is one person who embodies this notion.

Extance is 38-years-old and planning to write a book about her childhood. What makes is unique is that she was born deaf and is dyslexic as well, according to the Doncaster Free Press.

Extance says that the impetus for her memoir-writing came from her participation in a community learning employment champion (CLEC) project.
“I thought of myself as a victim and I felt useless. When I heard about the CLEC project, it really struck a chord with me. Helping people get their lives back on track by getting them into work and training was a positive thing to do,” Extance told the news source.

Extance, a mother of two teenage boys, says that she never expected to be a source of inspiration for others. However, she received numerous positive feedback comments from other students and lecturers at the CLEC and thus felt confident enough to write her own book.

“Simply by helping and inspiring others we can all achieve what may seem like the impossible,” says Extance. “I’m proof of that.”

The CLEC program in Doncaster offers people a way to participate in their community, support one another and develop confidence as well as new skills, according to their website.

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30
Mar 11

New study looks at inspiration and behavior

Dahn yoga promotes self healing as well as personal development. One way to develop one’s life is to engage in more social and moral activities, for the good of others.

A recent study from the University of British Columbia by a professor of organizational behavior, Karl Aquino, looked at people’s responses to stories of inspiration, according to the Vancouver Sun.

In particular, the researchers compared experiences where subjects were shown inspirational acts of kindness versus inspirational scenery. For example, one story involved the parents of murdered students who not only forgave but gave financial help to the murderer’s widow. Another story involved an “awe-inspiring sunset,” according to the news source.

The researchers measured the effect of the two types of stories by having participants divide $10 between themselves and someone else.

Those in the first group, who were presented with the story about the selfless parents, gave away more money to others than those in the control group, who viewed only the sunset.

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