Dahn Yoga: Path to Enlightenment or Religious Cult?

Dahn Yoga, a non-accredited school, was founded by Ilchi Lee, a Korean who claims to have extraordinary powers. The Dahn Yoga website claims that the system has its roots in Korean history dating back 5,000 years. Many people feel that they've benefited from the system, which incorporates martial arts and meditation. However, others feel that they've been scammed, and that Dahn Yoga shows signs of being a dangerous cult.

Lee makes many unproven claims in his tapes and books, including how Dahn Yoga can channel energy, bringing healing and enlightenment.

Enlightenment clearly didn't come soon enough for Julia Siverls. In 2003, Siverls died while on a Dahn master training hike. A group of trainees had gone up a hill in the heat of Sedona, Arizona with rocks in their backpacks and only a scant few bottles of water and pieces of fruit to share between them. Although Siverls collapsed for the last time around 10 am, the group didn't call 911 until 4:30 pm. Siverls' family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ilchi Lee.

Former members of Dahn Yoga tell tales of intense coercion and pressure to pay huge fees for classes, lifetime memberships, and teacher training. One former member reported being harassed by telephone and email to come back to Dahn Yoga after pulling away from the system.

When a new member goes in for an initial consultation, a Dahn master taps on his body and makes pronouncements about energy blockages. Even a former instructor of Dahn Yoga has admitted that this is sales hype. The point is to lure people in to paying enormous fees of around $8,000 for instruction.

Steve Hassan, a mind control expert, that Dahn Yoga centers are there as a lure. Hassan has had an opportunity to directly study current members, and counsel former members. He confirms that the system is a totalitarian cult which attempts to make its members "stop thinking and become a clone."

This is supported by former members who state that they were discouraged from criticizing Dahn Yoga or its masters. Canadian former Dahn Yoga member Colin McGregor reports that he was repeatedly told to be quiet when when asking questions about the reasons for establishing Dahn Yoga's Tao Fellowship.

Many people feel that they've been helped by Dahn Yoga. Most likely can be attributed to yoga itself. It almost doesn't matter which branch of yoga one practices; the practice alone will probably have benefits. Even if there are pros to practicing Dahn Yoga, the cons appear to outweigh them in the extreme.

The fact is that there are many other schools of yoga to choose from. There is no reason to visit a non-accredited school with such a dirty record. Whether you choose Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Kundalini Yoga or any other respected form of yoga, you will undoubtedly experience benefits. Furthermore, your experience will not be hindered by brain-washing, extreme pressure to pay outrageous fees, and outright fraud.

Maggie Shepard, "Dahn Yoga Stretches into Controversy." The Albuquerque Tribune. URL: (http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_local/article/0%2C2564%2CALBQ_19858_4543303%2C00.html)
Colin McGregor, "Stepping into the Dahn." Now Toronto. URL: (http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-03-31/news_story.php)
Pam Zekman, "Dahn Hak: Yoga Program Or Dangerous Con?" CBS 2 Chicago. URL: (http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_142212009.html)
Joe Bergantino, "Dahn Hak: Rewarding Yoga Or A Korean Cult?" WCBSTV.com. URL: (http://wcbstv.com/local/Dahn.Hak.Yoga.2.233202.html)
Kathryn Belgiorno, "Fatal Trek." The Village Voice. URL: (http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0628,belgiorno,73801,2.html)