Dahn Yoga and O2 Yoga

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

I tried going back through the posts but couldn't see if Dahn Yoga was brought up before. I currently go to 02 Yoga and I was wondering if people have also tried the Dahn Yoga studio and what they thought of it. It's more expensive but they advertised having also having t'ai chi classes, and would be less expensive belonging to both a t'ai chi studio AND O2 at the same time.

Thanks!

Edit: wow, I had no idea Dahn Yoga wasn't just an innocent yoga studio...they're wicked creepy, definitely will avoid them. Thanks for the info!

Comments

[chumbolly.livejournal.com]

I don't have any personal experience, but you should google Dahn Yoga.

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

I did, and I went to their website. I was looking for more personal experience, which I was unable to determine via a Google search.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Sorry, aren't they a cult?

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't know. If I knew I wouldn't be asking, now would I?

[nomirena.livejournal.com]

You should look on Yelp for what people have to say about it. I've heard only bad things.

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

What's Yelp?

[scottxwl.livejournal.com]

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Dahn+Yoga&find_loc=somerville%2C+MA&x=0&y=0

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

I had heard years ago that one of the yoga studios in Davis Sq. was a cult, or cultish, whatever that means.

I don't want to mention any names because I consider it just hearsay, but I would be very careful.

There has to be a way to check a place out for their business practices, cultism online...

[themotionsick.livejournal.com]

I think they sell a cool magical golden dragon knick-knack for $5000 that cures you of any ailments.

a site to check out

[m-b-w.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything about them, but you may want to check out this page from Steve Hassan, a local cult expert:

http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/d/dahn-hak/

Re: a site to check out

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I thought they were just a regular yoga studio like O2. I had never even heard of them before.

Definitely one to avoid.

Re: a site to check out

[nomirena.livejournal.com]

Try om city yoga, if you're looking for an alternative to o2.
http://www.cambridgeyoga.net/

Re: a site to check out

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

They seem to be a bit pricer--no unlimited plans, just pay for a certain amount of classes. For $95 per month (monthly autobill) I can attend as many classes as I want over at O2.

They've been investigated

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

I-Team investigates group some call a cult (http://cbs4boston.com/seenon/local_story_034114405.html).

Sounds creepy to me.

Re: They've been investigated

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

Very. Thanks!

[tisana.livejournal.com]

They are kinda cultish.
I mean, super friendly and sincere...but creepy all the same. I went in with a gift certificate for a month, and only managed to go twice before getting a bit twitchy. What's cultish is the hard sell technique of encouraging you to get more involved by going to these expensive workshops they have...and getting your friends involved...

They are good with energy work, I'll give them that. But it wasn't really like yoga, and it wasn't really like martial arts, and it had little of either's benefits. I did feel good after each class, but it was soon countered by pressure to come back (even if it was so nice and sincere...eek).

I'd say...worth going to check out and get your own feel for the place, but be on guard that they may try to sell you more than you went in for.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

I went to Dahn Yoga out in Arlington, once, when they had an Open House weekend. I had also heard that they were "creepy" and "cult-ish" before I went, but I wanted to check it out myself. I found that they sincerely believe and enjoy what they do, which was good to see. I did feel a little pressure to participate/pay for more classes, but I politely declined and they did not push. Also - I felt great after the class, and continue to use some of the techniques shown to me on a weekly basis. Bottom line: I think they do good work and are honest, but they definitely keep in mind that they're running a business, and are constantly pushing their products. Don't know if I would consider that 'cult-ish,' but I've only gone once (and not to the Davis Square location) so my opinon isn't based on repeat visits.
Good luck!

[ellf.livejournal.com]

They aren't the only local "martial arts" group suggested to have cult-like behavior in the Square, either. The so-called traditional oom yung doe school has had a few write-ups online, and their founder has spent time in prison for tax evasion.

When looking for a martial study, it's worth being careful. Go to a few classes. Watch the students. Listen to the teacher. Beware of ANYTHING that makes you feel pressured, or any place that requires more than a one-month membership to begin training.

There are some excellent schools of various styles in the area, but some questionable and questioned ones, as well. Good luck, and listen to your gut. :)

martial arts

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

you don't happen to know the rep of the Davis Square Martial Arts place? (the one that's actually called that, not the Ooo Moo Doe.)

Re: martial arts

[dylanesque29.livejournal.com]

Davis Square Martial Arts is a former Chung Moo Doe school, aka the original Omm Yung Doe. Unfortunately, there are no good martial arts schools in Davis since Xiang Hua closed last year.

Re: martial arts

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Davis Square Martial Arts is a former Chung Moo Doe school, aka the original Omm Yung Doe

Are you sure about that? The guy who owns and runs it seems to be a completely sane, level-headed, above the boards guy. He was an Adjunct Prof. at Tufts in Mech. E. (I think that was his subject) for a couple years while he was starting up DSMA and then was eventually able to go to full-time Marshal Arts as he slowly built his school. I don't *think* he had any big ol' culty backing or anything.

I took Kick-Boxing there for about a year. It was great. I never once felt anything strange or off-key about it. Are you absolutely positive you're thinking of the same place? Is it possible that, for instance, Mark rented the space that was formerly occupied by the Chung Moo Doe school, instead of it being the same school? I would be quite surprised if there was a connection, and I would HIGHLY recommend the Davis Square Martial Arts!

Re: martial arts

[dylanesque29.livejournal.com]

It's possible. I'm speaking on hearsay, not what I observed, but I do find the fact that they "teach" both Kung Fu and Karate odd, to say the least. It's not hard for somebody to fake styles to the layperson if they have X amount of experience in something. My old sifu showed me ads in trade magazines that said things like: "TaeKwonDo teachers! Want to increase your income with Kung Fu classes? Send away for a course now!"

Re: martial arts

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

but I do find the fact that they "teach" both Kung Fu and Karate odd

Hmmm, that's funny. To me that seems perfectly normal. I took Ukelele lessons from someone who teaches Ukelele, Guitar, Bass, and other stringed instruments. I teach Drawing, and Architectural Drafting. I know a dance teacher who teaches Ballet and Jazz dance. It seems to me a common pattern in the arts, musical, visual, dance, and martial arts, to study with one school for a long time, then broaden one's horizons and learn from another tradition, then be able to teach either. I took Spanish from a woman who taught Spanish and French, and I know another woman who teaches Thai and Mandarin, so it's not just arts, either.

I think I would be *more* suspicious of a school that only address their was "one true" way to practice Martial Arts, just like I would be of a Visual Arts school that only addressed one style or technique of painting.

I'm with you that th ads you saw in trade mags forlearning Kung Fu were crappy stupid scams, but those exist in every field. I've had people try to sell me "easy classroom guides" to "teaching" art. Just because there are people out there advertising scam-courses doesn't make all teachers suspected crooks.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm concerned, Dahn is a cult. A friend of mine joined, then quit his job and moved in with a bunch of Dahnaks and works for the group now.

Also there are reports that people have died of dehydration and exhaustion on their meditation retreats after being sent into the desert with insufficient water.

[jhanastarblade.livejournal.com]

Well, at least they didn't approach you in a dark prison cell and ask you to pick a blue flower and bring it to the top of a mountain before making you sniff hallicinogenic fear toxins and trying to get you to kill some poor schlub...

because then you'd be Batman.

[lightcastle.livejournal.com]

They so totally tried that with me!!

But I don't look good in a cape, so I declined.

[adaptively.livejournal.com]

I would so join a cult if it meant I could be Batman.

Just sayin'.

[wickedlittleme.livejournal.com]

they're not a cult, jesus please-us
do y'all believe everything you read on the internet?
As far as I'm concerned, the David Sq. dahn studio is one of the best in the area. The instructors are wonderful and you get a great experience.

Just because some people fall for the message hands-down, doesn't mean everyone does. I go to the Arlington center and I'm healthier now than I've ever been. I'm not moving out into the desert to start living in some commune, I just go to classes and enjoy myself.