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Korean, Indian, aerial, acro — and even goat yoga.
You’re interested in becoming a yogi, but some options out there seem a little over the top.
Is there a simple form of yoga that can increase your flexibility and bring you peace of mind?
Korean yoga may be just the alternative you’re looking for.
Here, we explain the practice of Korean yoga, including Korean yoga techniques and potential benefits, as well as how it differs from other forms of yoga.
• What Is Korean Yoga? • What Makes Korean Yoga Different From Other Types of Yoga Practices? • How Is Korean Yoga Practiced at Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi? • 4 Benefits of Korean Yoga • Explore Korean Yoga at Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi
Founded in 1980 by Ilchi Lee, Korean yoga is an energy-based, dynamic mind-body yoga that combines:
• Stretching • Flowing movements • Deep breathing; and • Meditation
Merging the ancient wisdom of qi energy training with modern techniques, Korean yoga seeks to maximize the body’s energy.
Korean yoga’s simple format is focused on the development of the body’s core strength as the basis of …
• Mental • Physical; and • Spiritual … health.
Korean yoga is often described as a blend of:
• Yoga • Tai Chi: and • Martial arts
It operates on the idea that …
• Physical health • Emotional well-being; and • Spiritual satisfaction
… are all integrated. The practice gives students practical techniques to teach them how to care for all three aspects of their lives — so they can begin to practice a “yoga lifestyle.”
Korean yoga views the brain as the primary determiner of well-being and health.
Classes may include special exercises designed to sharpen and challenge the brain, while helping students to develop a greater sensitivity and awareness to the overall well-being of their bodies.
Would you like to find out more about the practice of Korean yoga?
At Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi, we have classes that not only train your body, but also can help center awareness inside yourself.
Our signature breathing postures are designed to help you strengthen your core and accumulate energy. And many leave class feeling recharged, refreshed, and relaxed.
Click the link below to find a Body & Brain studio near you.
Yoga is yoga, right?
Not at all. For example, let’s take a look at a few of the differences in Korean yoga vs. Indian yoga.
Meridian exercises are warm-up stretches that are specially designed to loosen your upper body and hips to improve or support your …
• Circulation • Gut health • Immune function • Strength; and • Flexibility
… while relaxing your mind. This helps prepare your body for energy accumulation.
Korean yoga meridian stretching techniques involve:
• Deep stretching • Core breathing • Relaxation; and • Meditation
Some meridian stretches within Korean yoga include ...
• Relaxing the upper body • Whole-body tapping and patting • Body bouncing • Abdominal clapping • Intestine exercise • Sitting side stretch • Sitting forward bend • Joint stretches and rotations • Standing side stretch • Forward bend • Rolling back • Supine twist • Plow pose; and • Cobra pose
… just to name a few that you might see during a Korean yoga session.
Breathwork is an essential element of Korean yoga.
It is believed to affect every aspect of our being and is considered to be a foundational step in the direction of true progress in the mind-body practice.
Korean yoga is built around the philosophy that the life force is the connection between mind and body. To control the mind and body, we must first master the flow of the life force.
By learning to manage your breath, you can learn to:
• Accumulate energy • Increase your powers of concentration and awareness; and • Stimulate your body's natural ability to recharge and restore
Breathwork can enhance your mind-body practice by:
• Helping to bring balance to your thoughts and emotions • Improving your digestion • Increasing your strength, flexibility, and endurance • Enabling you to feel more comfortable and relaxed; and • Developing your core energy
And the benefits of breathwork in Korean yoga can not only help improve how you go about your day — they may also improve how well you sleep at night.
While Indian yoga teaches about the seven chakras, Korean yoga teaches that there are three main energy centers within your body called dahn jons.
These main energy centers are located in your:
• Lower abdomen ○ Powers the energy of your physical body • Chest ○ Powers the energy of your emotional body; and • Head ○ Powers the energy of your spiritual body
Korean yoga seeks to recover a sense of balance between the three dahn jons by bringing the energy down to the lower dahn jon.
At Body and Brain yoga classes, you will learn a series of simple grounding exercises that are designed to stimulate your whole body — from the top of your head — to the tips of your fingers — to the tips of your toes.
These practices can help bring our focus and energy down to your core, allowing you to recharge your dahn jons and feel an improved physical condition.
When you leave a Korean yoga class, you may notice you are feeling …
• More centered • Relaxed • Lighter • More flexible; and • Stronger
… and that you have a greater feeling of confidence and conviction.
Korean yoga focuses on awareness of qi energy.
Qi refers to vital energy or life force, and it flows through everything in the world, including your physical body and emotions.
Similar to “prana” in Indian yoga, qi energy can be thought of as a bridge between your “form,” which is made up of your ...
• Body • Thoughts; and • Emotions
... and the “formless,” which consists of your ...
• Essence • Consciousness; and • Awareness
Focusing on qi may bring you increased feelings of awareness and peacefulness.
When you enter a Korean yoga class at a Body & Brain Center or online, you will immediately notice the welcoming atmosphere.
Many of our Korean yoga teachers are from Korea and love to share their experiences and culture with their students.
Your Korean yoga teacher may bow and say ban-gap-sum-nida 반갑습니다 — which means “nice to see you.” You may wish to bow and return the greeting.
And when the class has ended, you will receive a sincere kam-sa-ham-nida 감사합니다 to send you on your way.
Are you wondering what to expect at your first Korean yoga class?
Here is the general flow of a Korean yoga class at Brain & Body Yoga Tai Chi:
1. A short set of warm-up exercises 2. Meridian stretching, which is designed to relax your mind and improve your … • Circulation • Strength; and • Flexibility 3. Core strengthening and breathing postures that help to accumulate energy 4. Guided energy meditation, known as jigam, to quiet your mind; and 5. Cooldown exercises
After class, you are always welcome to enjoy tea and a time of sharing with your classmates and instructor.
The goal of Korean yoga is to develop:
• Strength • Flexibility • Breathing; and • Energy
At Brain & Body Yoga Tai Chi, our yoga classes offer a wide variety of poses and exercises that have been specially designed to provide you with an atmosphere that promotes healing and self-care.
Each class not only trains your body, but also helps to center your inner awareness.
And our signature breathing postures will help you strengthen your core and accumulate energy, so you leave class feeling:
• Recharged • Relaxed; and • Refreshed
You don’t have to already be in tip-top shape to get into Korean yoga. It’s great for beginners and is an ideal yoga type for seniors. But don’t worry — you’ll still get loads of benefits even if you’re a more advanced yogi.
Korean yoga has a loyal following of older adults who may sometimes have limited mobility.
Instead of trying to hit difficult Indian yoga poses, our senior Korean yoga students tell us they enjoy:
• The more gentle approach of Korean yoga • Improved flexibility • The focus on breathing and breathwork; and • The increased level of energy they feel that connects their mind and body as one
Korean yoga is beneficial for a wide variety of fitness levels and ages.
• Since Korean yoga is … • Highly adaptable • Uncomplicated; and • Not strenuous
... everyone in the class can participate by doing the same set of exercises — but simply doing them on their level, with more or less intensity.
While Korean yoga has a holistic focus, it does provide an excellent physical workout.
A few of the physical benefits of Korean yoga include improved:
• Strength • Balance • Flexibility; and
… the ability to support deep breathing.
Korean yoga gives you the tools for self-improvement and may help people dealing with:
• Back pain • Arthritis symptoms • Inflammation; and • Cardiovascular healthm
Korean yoga is holistic, going beyond just a physical workout while impacting your:
• Emotions • Intellect: and • Consciousness
As a student of Korean yoga, you may notice the following emotional and spiritual benefits:
• Increased ability to self-regulate your emotions • Improved motor skills and cognition • Relief from stress and anxiousness • Enhanced feelings of positivity • Improved rest and sleep • Sharpening of your mind, with a heightened level of concentration and focus • Energized mind • Clarity of thought and perception • Increased awareness of reality and truth • Increased clarity to your sense of life purpose • Liberation from materialistic and emotional attachments; and • Inner peace
Are you ready to experience a Korean yoga class for yourself?
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi offers a 50-minute private introductory session to all new students.
One of our trained Korean yoga teachers will meet with you to evaluate your current Qi energy condition and give you 1-on-1 guidance on how you can best utilize our programs.
You’ll end your session with a complete plan of how to achieve your goals by implementing Body & Brain practices.
Get in touch with Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi today!