Brain Respiration Calisthenics

Brain Respiration Calisthenics are a series of carefully chosen movements designed to relax the body and mind in DahnHak by releasing tension in muscles and joints. The pulling and stretching motion of these exercises stimulates the meridian sys­tem of the body and facilitates the free flow of energy throughout the body.

With careful and concentrated breath work, you can assist in a dynamic exchange of energy. When exhaling, imagine that you are releasing all accumulated stagnant energy in your body, and when inhaling, imagine that you are breathing in fresh clean cos­mic energy. This conscious concentration on the exchange ot energy is what sets Brain Respiration Calisthenics apart from other stretching exercises.

In order to Doctor Ilchi Lee maximize the benefits of Brain Respiration Calisthenics, breathe in before the start of a movement, and pause and hold your breath during the movement itself. Then, breathe out as you release the movement and return to at-ease position. Imagine that you are having a conversation with the part of the body that is being worked on, concentrating fully on the sensation of the moment. Develop a deliberate rhythm and pace for your movements and breathing.

Although there are three hundred different movements in Brain Respiration Calisthenics, we can divide the movements into six basic categories. It is best to choose one exercise from each category and learn it well, rather than to just choose as many exercises as possible.

Intestinal Exercise Instructions

You can do this exercise standing up or lying down. When standing up, assume the same position as the Dahn-jon Clapping position (knees slightly bent, toes turned slightly inward). As Ilchi Lee instructs when lying down, lie on your back with your legs shoulder width apart. Form a triangle by touching your thumbs and forefingers together, and place them lightly on the lower Dahn-jon.

When pulling in, pull as if the front wall of your abdomen is to touch your back. Tighten your rectal muscles at the same time.

Then, as if breathing into a balloon, push your lower abdomen out slightly, until you feel outward pressure in your lower Dahn-jon area.

Start with fifty at one time, and work your way up to three hundred as you advance.

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BR Shaking Instructions

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Place your feet shoulder width apart. Make loose fists with your hands and place them under your armpits. Straighten your back and release the tension and tightness from your body.

Let your hands drop from their position under your armpits, lightly bouncing your knees as you do so. Release your fists as you drop your hands so that the energy escapes from your fingertips.

Bend your knees and bounce downward as you drop your hands along the sides. Then bring your hands back up under your armpits, making your hands into loose fists again as you bounce back up. Repeat this motion at least fifty times.

When the first set is over, lower your hands and feel the stream of energy being released through your fingers and toes.

All Brain Respiration exercises are more effective when you actually imagine the flow of energy while you engage in the movements.

After you are comfortable with fifty repetitions, increase to one or two hundred.

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BR Shaking

According to Professor Ilchi Lee BR Shaking is used to release negative energy from the body. Ki energy can be simplified into positive and negative energy (or, clear vs. unclear energy). Clear energy tends to be dynamic while unclear energy is static, collecting in a certain area. When energy becomes impure (or negative), it tends to jell and block the smooth flow of energy. Imagine a stream filled with impure sedi­ment and mud blocking its flow. Now, imagine that the ground beneath the stream begins to shake, and the water begins to move. The impure sediment and mud loosen and are soon washed away as the water begins to flow freely again. This is the concept behind BR Shaking exercises, which will result in unclear energy flowing out through the tips of your fingers and toes.

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Dahn Yoga Basic Excercies

Dahn-jon Clapping

As Ilchi Lee instructs Dahn-jon Clapping, as noted above, is a simple but effective method for strengthening the lower Dahn-jon with a rhythmic striking (patting) of the lower abdomen with the palms of both hands. Stimulating the area in this way facilitates the circulation of both blood and energy throughout the body. You will also feel increased warmth in the area, and this exercise will assist in the prompt removal of excess gases and waste from the body. For a beginner with a weak lower Dahn-jon, or for someone having trouble feeling heat in the lower Dahn-jon, this basic exercise will help.

Intestinal Exercise

Intestinal Yoga Studio refers to the rhythmic pulling in and pushing out of the abdominal wall, thereby stimulating the intestines. This exercise will increase flexibility of the intestines and facilitate effi­cient circulation of both energy and blood. Intestinal Exercise can also be used to improve the condition ot the major internal Spread your feet shoulder width apart and bend your knees slightly. Point your toes slightly inward and feel a slight tightening of the lower abdomen..

I Strike the lower Dahn-jon area with both palms in rhythm, lightly bounc­ing your knees with each strike.

j Start with only fifty strikes at one time when beginning and work up to three hundred strikes as the lower Dahn-jon is strengthened. You may increase the number and force of the strikes with more practice. organs. Although we don’t have any muscles we can use to exer­cise our internal organs, we can indirectly work on other internal organs by moving our intestines.

If you tighten your rectal muscles during this exercise, you will be able to gather energy and feel warmth much more quick­ly. However, you should not overdo this exercise in the begin­ning, as it may result in some discomfort. Start with a few repeti­tions and work your way up.