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For a true meditation - Yoga :Hongik yoga, Experience story

Introduction

Title For a true meditation
Writer Yonggi Lee Date 2000-03-03 Count 2512

I was introduced to the Hong-ik yoga center by my Korean teacher Chae Ji-Hyon. I am a potter from America and came to Korea to study Onggi folk pottery. From the first time I came to Korea and saw the Buddhist monks living in the monasteries. I have been interested in meditation. Somehow I came across yoga. I think it was because it is a way to become healthy and meditate at the same time. Also doing yoga is very simple all you need is your body and your mind. So I purchased a couple of books on yoga and did it on my own for about 1 year, though not steadily. At first it seemed so logical, but I definitely regret not finding a teacher. Then the summer before I came to Korea in 1999, I met two yoga teachers in the small town I was living in We met once a week and practised some meditation and a few asanas. it was great for the first time in my life I really felt in touch with my body.

When I came to korea I was worried that I would not find a place to practice yoga. I am really glad that I was able to find Hong-ik yoga center. The asana system is well-rounded, classes on yoga philosophy are offered and there is a very neat diet program. I have been studying for about 4 months at Hong-ik yoga center and have seen and felt significant changes in the way I approach yoga. I have been eating natural saeng shik for a while now and think it is good for your health and provides all the nutrients one needs. At first it was a little strange and I did not understand the classification system, but the more I eat the better it tastes and the more I study the more I understand. I also have started a course on awakening that is offered at Hong-ik yoga center by master Lee. It would be very difficult if I did not speak Korean, but luckily I can get by if it is not too difficult. Yin-Yang yoga is a very different concept than most yoga systems. Through studying Yin-Yang Yoga I have learned a lot about balance. A balanced life, world, diet, and practice. The Yin-Yang symbol goes back in oriental history a very long time, and can be seen in many places around the world. Also through studying at Hong-ik yoga center I have started chanting with mantras. I was never quite to sore what a mantra was and why one was supposed to repeat it. I have started chanting the om mantra and can now feel the power it has and now I understand that one can use a mantra to focus and bring peace to his mind. I think for someone interested in meditation, chanting, peace, health, a new outlook on life, and love yoga is the best method.
I look forward to studying at Hong-ik Yoga center and presently have came down to bong-gol nature school to practice and learn more about the O-haeng philosophy.

*Yonggi Lee : Above essays both in Korean and English are written by himself. Originally he majored in ceramic art but after all he fell in love with the simplicity and plainness of Korean Traditional Onggi.