I’ve been practicing with Body and Brain for a few years now, and honestly, it’s been such a mixed bag that I felt compelled to share.
The physical practices themselves (the tapping, stretching, and energy work) genuinely transformed my chronic back pain and helped me through a really dark period of anxiety. But there’s this underlying pressure in the community that makes me… uncomfortable, like you’re constantly being evaluated on your dedication to the organization rather than your personal growth. There are some definite cult vibes.
I saw some members become so absorbed that they’ve distanced themselves from friends and family who question the methods or fees, which raises red flags for me. While I still attend classes because the exercises work for my body, I’ve learned to maintain strong boundaries and take what serves me while leaving the rest behind.
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The exact same poses can feel completely different depending on who’s leading them. The Body and Brain experience you’re describing makes total sense because these practices (whether it’s yoga, tai chi, or qigong) are SO dependent on the specific teacher and their lineage that you’re basically getting a completely different medicine each time.
I’ve practiced the same breathing technique with three different instructors and gotten anxiety relief, energized focus, and sleepy relaxation. The same technique, totally different results based on their approach. Your strategy of taking what works and leaving the cult-y bits behind is exactly right because ultimately, you’re the only one who knows what YOUR body needs from the practice.
Body & Brain really knows how to market that ‘find your inner self’ angle to overwhelmed professionals who’ll pay a premium for someone to help them breathe and reconnect! The ka-ching of those session fees aside, I can see why burnt-out corporate types gravitate toward the promise of clarity and realignment when work-life balance feels more like work-life splat.
The qi/energy work component sets Body & Brain apart from traditional hatha practices. I’ve noticed my ability to sense and direct energy flow improved dramatically after just six months (though honestly, explaining this to my partner without sounding completely woo-woo has been… challenging). Their focus on the lower dahn-jon as an energy center rather than just core strength creates a whole different awareness that stays with you between classes.
Isn’t it interesting how, when we’re at our most vulnerable searching for spiritual answers, these centers somehow always have a package that costs exactly what we happen to have saved up?
If you can develop that observer mindset during the meditation portions of class, you’ll become less reactive to the organizational drama and pressure.
When I started treating my thoughts and emotions as things to watch rather than things that define me, the whole “dedication evaluation” thing lost its power over me. The key is using their own techniques to maintain your boundaries. If the meditation helps you observe your limitations objectively, it also helps you see when the community dynamics are uncomfortable.
Been there! The Korean dahn jon breathing saved my sleep issues but yeah, dodge those $3k ‘master healing’ packages
I tried them briefly but had some concerns after attending one of their workshops. I looked into their background and founder, I discovered some troubling information that didn’t align with the yoga values I was seeking.
I decided to continue my yoga practice elsewhere with more traditional studios that focus on the pure practice. Always trust your instincts when choosing your yoga community!
Actually, I’d push back on maintaining those boundaries so rigidly.
Sometimes the discomfort we feel in spiritual communities is our ego resisting genuine connection what if those ‘cult vibes’ are just people being vulnerable together in ways our isolated society finds threatening? Not saying ignore red flags, but I’ve seen students miss profound breakthroughs because they kept one foot out the door. The most transformative yoga happens when we surrender control, even if that means looking a bit weird to our old friends who don’t get why we’re chanting in Korean.
I’ve spent long enough living in Korea to spot their cults when I see them. No thank you.
