Personal Development

Personal Development — No Comments
13
Feb 12

Personal development videos make life changes as easy as 1, 2, 3!

You've started developing a personal development plan? Congratulations! When it comes to making a big shift in the way you go about your day-to-day existence, simply making the decision to change your life is half the battle.

So now that you've begun revolutionizing yourself, it may help to plot out how you'll go about doing it. Here are some basic steps that we recommend to our practitioners at Dahn Yoga:

1. Make a list of goals. Sometimes simply seeing the things that you want to accomplish laid out in order can help you determine how you'll go about chasing your dreams. Try making a large "draft" list first, including everything that you can think of. Then cross off minor or infeasible items, leaving only the essentials.

2. Learn to meditate. Being able to relax, reflect and explore your own inner self can be quite helpful, especially when you're trying to pin down who you really are, deep down.

3. Watch personal development videos. DVDs and web clips that focus on this topic can give you pointers you might otherwise miss.

4. Do yoga. It never hurts to attend to your mental and physical health at the same time.

5. Join a holistic health community in your area. You'll love the support and encouragement you receive!

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Personal Development — No Comments
3
Feb 12

New history volume of yoga comes up short – readers may want to stick with Dahn Yoga’s personal development books

There are plenty of personal development books out there, and more are being published every day. So how is a yoga enthusiast supposed to choose one that's particularly good? Well, they could always read the New York Times book reviews, but these aren't always foolproof.

For instance, the newspaper recently reviewed William Broad's new book, The Science of Yoga, which looks at the regimen's clinical uses as well as its long and storied history.

Ultimately, the reviewer said that the book is a good exploration of the mind-body system, even if it "lacks the clarity of a book that sets out to define and defend a preconceived position."

However, one of the problems with the book itself is that it explores a range of serious but extremely rare yoga-related injuries, mostly those that beginners would incur if they took the regimen way, way too far.

So if you are thinking of taking Chicago yoga classes, but you want to know more first, try reading Dahn Yoga's personal development books instead!

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Personal Development — No Comments
10
Jan 12

With yoga, physical and personal development goals are within reach

Yoga is good for the body and the soul, and it's hard to argue otherwise. Some of the nation's leading health organizations say that the holistic healing regimen is good for reaching physical and personal development goals – a sentiment that most yoga experts agree with.

Recently, Lee Renfroe, an assistant professor in health promotion at the University of North Alabama, told the Alabama Times-Daily that doing yoga is something that more healthcare professionals are recommending, especially since the mind-body routine has been found to supplement wellness in so many ways.

"Yoga and meditation and those types of things are evolving," he told the news source. "Part of it has to do with healthcare costs and healthcare issues, and the fact that more people are going to be looking for more ways to impact their health outside of seeing a doctor."

The beauty of yoga is that it is an effective, all-natural way to soothe the body while restoring equilibrium to the mind. No wonder the Mayo Clinic says that yoga is an effective method for reducing stress and anxiety.

By joining the Dahn Yoga community, you're putting your personal wellness first!

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Personal Development — No Comments
18
Nov 11

Yoga shapes some inmates’ personal development goals

It can be hard enough to develop a yoga-based personal development plan when your day-to-day life is crowded with work assignments, traffic jams, screaming kids and dirty dishes. But what if you were even more stuck? What if you were serving a sentence in prison?

Evidently, yoga and meditation are quite effective at calming down inmate populations and facilitating the creation of their personal development goals. According to Reuters, a nonprofit group in Mexico City is leading juvenile offenders in yoga classes a few days each week.

This population of teens, which by its very nature can be quite explosive, has lately been calmer, quieter and more optimistic, sources told the news organization. Reuters noted that the program reaches six detention centers in the city.

This is not the first time a yoga program has made headlines for reaching out to troubled youth. In April, the news source described the positive results of a yoga regimen being carried out among female prisoners in Pakistan.

Studies in journals like the Contemporary Justice Review and the Californian Journal of Health Promotion have indicated that yoga can help even problem inmates become more compassionate, self-aware and hopeful.

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Personal Development — No Comments
4
Oct 11

Yoga bellwethers bequeath personal development books to the U.S.

How did yoga come to the U.S.? It's hard to say for certain when the first enthusiast sat down and practiced the earliest holistic poses on American soil, but a string of personal development books published throughout the 20th century indicates the milestones of U.S. yoga history.

One of the earliest mentions of yoga in print in the New World came in a letter written to a friend by Henry David Thoreau in 1849. The Transcendentalist speaks well of the discipline, as quoted in the Yoga Journal:

"Rude and careless as I am, I would fain practice the yoga faithfully," Thoreau enthused, in text later included in a volume of his letter. "To some extent, and at rare intervals, even I am a yogi."

However, it was not until 1893 that a yoga instructor named Vivekananda traveled to Chicago and began spreading the regimen's popularity. That is the conclusion of a recent opinion piece in the New York Times, which noted that the man's books ultimately reached the likes of composer Igor Stravinsky, actor Lawrence Olivier and writers Aldous Huxley and J.D. Salinger.

Talk about beginner's Chicago yoga! In 1893, Vivekananda was leading some of the first yoga classes ever held in the Windy City – or anywhere else in the U.S. for that matter. Today, millions of Americans hold yoga dear.

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Personal Development — No Comments
1
Aug 11

In yoga, uniforms improve personal development plan

Practicing yoga can be a vigorous experience or a profoundly peaceful one, depending on the regimen's style. Either way, having the right clothing is important since, even in yoga, wearing a uniform or standardized garb can improve your personal development plan.

One of the most important considerations when choosing a yoga outfit is its fit. Is it tight or restrictive? Does the fabric incorporate a stretchy, spandex-like material? Are either the top or bottom what one might describe as "athletic wear"? If so, consider ditching it in favor of something more breathable.

In yoga, many practitioners are encouraged to wear a relaxed, freeing set of clothes. One common uniform consists of a loose white shirt or jacket-like wrap, typically one with long sleeves. This is combined with long, billowy white pants. The entire ensemble should be knitted from natural fibers.

Such an outfit should be neither synthetic nor tight on the body. The health and conditioning website FitSugar states that, contrary to the common image of a tiny, revealing yoga outfit, the best uniforms provide coverage.

"You'd think sporting less clothes, like spandex shorts and a sports bra, would be the perfect outfit for a sweaty practice, but you actually want material to cover your body," the source added. It explained that longer yoga clothes draws sweat away from the body, cooling it.

However, uniforms can do more than simply keep you comfortable. Having a good, appropriate yoga outfit can keep you in the moment when you are meditating, stretching or practicing tai chi, thereby bringing your personal development goals within easy reach.

Imagine trying to relax, unwind and free your mind in a tight, itchy outfit. Do you think you could empty your head in such circumstances? It is unlikely.

Furthermore, practicing a holistic mind-body regimen in a public class, among others wearing a common uniform, can foster a sense of community and oneness.

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Dahn Yoga Basics / Personal Development — No Comments
23
May 11

The Benefits of Self-Compassion

In an article on msnbc.com, Robin Nixon reviews new scientific evidence indicating a link between what is being called ‘self-compassion’ and success.

While high self-esteem is often mentioned as a factor in success, research shows that self-compassion is more closely linked with success than is self esteem. In fact, an overemphasis on self- esteem is sometimes linked with negative traits like narcissism, anxiety and depression.

What is it about self-compassion, rather than self-esteem, that makes us more sucessful? In the article mentioned above Nixon writes, “Self-compassion, as defined by Neff in the academic literature, has three aspects: mindfulness, common humanity and kindness.” It is these aspects, rather than having high self esteem, that seem to make us more likely to succeed.

In reading this I was immediately reminded of a Dahn Yoga workshop known as “Shim Sung.” Fundamentally, Shim Sung develops self compassion by strengthening the conviction that inside each of us there exists a “true self.” The true self is the essential part of the mind unaffected by prejudices and preconceptions, wherein we find a fundamental love and compassion that transcends the boundaries of myself and others. It is this part of the mind that can allow for a greater sense of self-compassion, and ultimately, outward compassion as well.

Compassion cannot be the result of philosophy alone. True compassion comes from recognizing ourselves as fundamentally positive and interconnected beings and as such, allowing ourselves the flexibility to change without losing a basic sense of purpose and passion.

In the end, self esteem can be a fragile power, built upon judgments or wishes that often come into conflict with our real, unpredictable experience of daily life. Self compassion, however, is a more robust system of watching oneself, learning from results, and trying to do better, all with acceptance and love. When we truly see that we are not our thoughts, emotions, and preconceptions, we naturally become more compassionate to ourselves, knowing that at the core we are perfect and beautiful, and that everything else is simply a work in progress.

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Personal Development — No Comments
20
May 11

Dentists looking for personal growth in the industry have the chance with new online course

Although some individuals may have their career already planned, continuing one's education is an important aspect of personal growth. However, because professionals typically do not have a moment to attend a full-time program, many companies are beginning to offer online courses that will fit the needs of a busy schedule.

Warschaw Learning Institute, which provides online training for dental professionals, announced the launch of a new dental insurance course that will be available to dentists, dental managers and those who are brand new to the industry.

The course will teach students about the different kinds of insurance policies, estimating total cost, treatment planning, financial policies and how to communicate all of this with the patient.

As insurance coverage is a major part of the dentistry sector, it is important that professionals understand how to handle it.

"Our goal is to be there for you not only during your learning experience but afterwards," said Cathy Warschaw, director of the Warschaw Learning Institute. "Because your success is our success!"

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Personal Development — No Comments
18
May 11

WGU sees increased interest in personal growth

Many people believe that enrolling in higher education is a way toward personal growth, as it can stretch their knowledge further and help them pick up on things that they may not have realized before. Because of the desire to boost one's learning potential, many schools have seen an increase in enrollment by prospective students.

Western Governors University (WGU), an online institution, reports that it received a national enrollment of more than 25,000 students and graduated more than 10,000, both of which were milestones for the university. The school predominantly caters to nontraditional students who are looking to further their education in order to make it in today's economy.

School officials were impressed by the high enrollment, noting that since its inception in 1999, the institution has come a long way in attracting people.

"This astonishing growth, from our first student in 1999 to more than 25,000 today, demonstrates that WGU is meeting a critical need in higher education," said Robert W. Mendenhall, president of the school. "There are a number of online universities offering college opportunities to working adults, but WGU is different."

Still, online learning takes a lot of self discipline, which is why it may be a good idea for individuals to practice self control before enrolling, as a way to stay on top of their studies.

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Dahn Yoga Basics / Pain Management / Personal Development — No Comments
10
May 11

Healing the healer

Are you a caretaker? Are you at least partially responsible for someone else’s health, happiness, and peace on a daily basis? Chances are the answer is yes.

Mike Maple/The Commercial Appeal

Being a caretaker can be part of your career—as a nurse, teacher, or social worker to name just a few—or part of your lifestyle—as a spouse, parent, and increasingly as a son or daughter—or even be a part of your personality.

While being a caretaker is wonderful, all too often the last thing that gets accounted for is the condition of the caretaker him or herself.

Many of the individuals who find their way to Dahn Yoga Centers are caretakers. Oftentimes they have come with the realization that after years of trying to help their families, friends, coworkers or clients, they themselves are somehow lacking in health, happiness or peace.

Often these individuals have noticed mental and emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression, or they have been diagnosed with what are still mysterious conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, or they simply have the sense that, despite their sincere efforts to love and care for those around them, something is missing.

When you start taking class at Dahn Yoga one of the first things you will notice is the emphasis to ‘focus on yourself.’

Focussing on yourself is an essential part of Brain Education—the process of awakening greater mastery of the brain and all its functions, including those for self-healing. At first it may seem unnatural or even ‘selfish’ to focus on yourself, but soon you will appreciate the class as a time to reflect on, relax and rejuvenate your mind and body.

Have you noticed the instructions on an airplane, “In the event of an emergency please secure your own oxygen mask before attempting to help those around you who may need assistance,”?

Or have you ever heard the saying “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll be able to eat for a lifetime,”?

Or how about Mohandas Ghandi’s famous quote, “Be the change that you want to see in the world,”?

These three different pieces of wisdom relate to the truth that it is through ourselves that we help others. First we need to make sure our own health and happiness is sustainable. Beyond that, we need to help others become self-sustaining rather than dependent on our help. Finally, in order to honestly communicate what it is that we truly want, we need to become the very change that we want to share.

This ‘win-win’ principle becomes fundamental to sustaining (or surviving!) the energetic responsibilities of taking care of others. Some people say all healing is self-healing. So if you find yourself feeling burnt-out or your condition compromised please take a deeper look at what you need in order to be happy, healthy, and peaceful. Because healing, like life, is a marathon rather than a sprint!

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