Dahn Yoga, now known as Body & Brain, is a mind-body training system founded in 1985 by Ilchi Lee, born Seung Heun Lee. The system teaches what it calls “Brain Education,” a proprietary exercise program that combines elements of yoga, tai chi, and martial arts with traditional Korean healing philosophies. The term “Dahn” refers to primal or vital energy, comparable to concepts such as qi or prana, while “hak” denotes the study of a specific philosophy.
The core practices of the system emphasize “Meridian Stretching,” intended to stimulate energy flow, followed by physical postures and meditation. One of its most recognizable techniques is “Brain Wave Vibration,” a moving meditation involving rhythmic head movement and body vibration. The organization states that the practice helps reduce stress and balance mental states.
The movement began in 1985 with the opening of the first Dahn Yoga center in downtown Seoul. By 1990, the organization had expanded to 50 centers nationwide. In 1991, Lee introduced the practice to the United States, opening a center in Philadelphia. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the organization experienced rapid international growth. In 2001, it hosted the New Millennium World Peace Humanity Conference, which featured prominent speakers, including former Vice President Al Gore.
In 2006, the Dahn Yoga Foundation was established to provide discounted classes in senior centers, schools, and hospitals. As the organization continued to grow, it also began to face increased public scrutiny. Former participants allege that they were encouraged to take out high-interest loans or accumulate credit card debt to pay for advanced seminars and instructor training programs, which some claimed could total as much as $100,000.
Legal disputes emerged alongside these criticisms. In 2002, a former employee filed a civil lawsuit in California alleging unfair business practices and undue influence; the case was settled out of court. In 2003, 41-year-old Julia Siverls died during a training hike. A wrongful death lawsuit alleged that Siverls died from heatstroke and dehydration while carrying a backpack weighted with rocks. The case proceeded through the courts and was settled in 2008.
The organization has also faced criticism over its marketing practices, particularly toward elderly consumers. Reports have cited advertisements from “Brain Training Centers” that promised to reverse aging. Investigations in South Korea later found that some high-priced products promoted by the group were produced in residential or warehouse facilities, prompting further attention to royalty payments received by Lee and companies controlled by his family for disciple-developed products.
In late 2015, the organization rebranded as Body & Brain. Under the new name, the organization continues to operate for-profit studios, community centers. Body & Brain is not accredited by the Yoga Alliance, a widely recognized industry credentialing body, but it maintains an international presence. Ilchi Lee remains active as an author, having published 36 books. He continues to oversee a network of affiliated institutions, including the International Brain Education Association and the University of Brain Education.
Key Sources:
Bishop, B. (2015, June 2). When feeling good goes bad: Inside Dahn Yoga. Flying High Solo.
CultNews. (2003, July 24). Has a new “messiah” come to the United States from South Korea?
Erdely, S. R. (2018, June 25). The Yoga Cult. Rolling Stone.
Falkenberg, K. (2012, July 16). Dahn Yoga: body, brain and wallet. Forbes.
Kim, J. (2024, May 2). Dahn World denies connections to BTS, HYBE and being a cult. Korean JoongAng Daily.
Zekman, P. (2009, June 17). Lawsuit Claims Dahn Yoga Is A Cult And A Con. CBS News.
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