Holistic Yoga to Balance Well-Being with Master Hong Kim

Good morning and welcome to Green Tea Conversations, the radio show that delves into the pages of Natural Awakenings magazine to bring you the local experts who share their progressive ideas in the latest information and insights needed so you can lead your best life. I'm your host Candi Broeffle, publisher of the Twin Cities edition of Natural Awakenings magazine, and I am honored to bring these experts to you. Today, we are welcoming back Master Hong Kim, the owner of Body and Brain Yoga in Minnetonka. Thank you for being with us again, Master Hong.

 

I'm happy to be here. Thank you for inviting me.

 

Yes. We're very happy to have you back. So, why don't you, first of all, start off by sharing with our listeners who may not remember the show that we did with you? It's been a while now. It's been almost a year and a half. So, body and brain yoga. Why don't you share with us what the philosophy is behind body and brain?

 

So Body and Brain Yoga's focus is from personal health to humanity's health. So, from personal enlightenment to humanity's enlightenment. Because I can become happy, I can make myself happy and healthy, but I will get influenced by the surroundings so for my only enlightenment is not enough so massive enlightenment is needed on Earth to save humanity and to save the Earth. It would start from me. And then I will share my health and my love to others. So, from personal health and happiness to humanity's health and happiness and peace, that is our purpose of sharing this Body and Brain yoga.

 

Very interesting. So, we always start with ourselves and we work on ourselves. And then through that process, we are able to influence the rest of humanity as well.

 

Right.

 

And so, you have a studio that's in Minnetonka. The last time you were with us, you were in Maple Grove and now you have a studio that's in Minnetonka. So, when students come to the studio, what do they expect to have happened? Like, what can we expect if I were to take a class with you?

 

So, for your health, what you need is you need to work on your physically, and energetically; and spiritually. So, in the class, you'll be able to work on your physical level and NSA level, and spiritual level. So, it's like if you lose your balance of three bodies, a physical body, (3:17) and the spiritual body, you cannot find your true health and happiness and peace. So, it will change  all levels.

 

All levels of wellness. And so, your classes focus on all of that, your spiritual, your physical, and your mental?

 

Yes. Start from the physical level and then NS level and then spiritual level.

 

Very good. So, tell us, what are some of the services or the classes that you offer at body and brain?

 

So, basically, we teach group classes. So, through group classes, you're going to work on mostly; like a basic thing to learn, basic techniques, how to take care of your physical body energy body, and spiritual body. And then, if you need a future more like a specific special needs, you can take like, private classes or private sessions and also there are workshops, the workshops are going to be guided to go deeper level.

 

So, a lot of people start off with your classes, start off with the group classes.

 

Yes, usually I start with the group classes. So, when their condition is really severe. When it's hard to take group classes, that will take private classes. Or there are different reasons to take private classes. One reason is like when their condition is really hard to take regular classes that they would take up private classes or private sessions when they need to jump to the next level. So, one on one session will be highly recommended for them.

 

And that's something that you recommend, that you're able to notice in the group classes that maybe somebody is is ready to take it to that next level and...

 

Usually when they come and I command them to take a little check-up session. So, I'm going to check their physical condition, energy condition, and their blockages, and things like that. So, then according to their condition, I recommend, start with a group class or sometimes group class plus private sessions and things like that.

 

Okay. I remember that you have an initial session that you do and that's where you do the assessment to find out where they're at physically, energetically and spiritually.

 

Right.

 

And then your workshops really help people to take it to the next level.

 

Yes. Usually, in a group class, it's hard (6:33) them, to people over. So, we need to gather people who actually want to grow. So, they will go to the workshops.

 

And your workshops are at different levels so, they can kind of start at the beginning workshop. But then you have different levels that they can work into for their spiritual, physical, and emotional growth.

 

Right. The first time, it's like a, it's called the initial awakening typically to learn about the principles and then to practice. Through the practice, you're going to experience how principles are working in our bodies. Just understanding your experience and then, you know, A moment, not just understanding through the experience. Then you can, you will see hope. You'll find hope. I can become healthier and happier.

 

And isn't that powerful, though, to be able to understand it, to learn the principles. But then when you experience the principles in practice, that's when you have those aha moments. And that's when you're really learning that particular principle or that particular group of principles.

 

Three things to become one - knowing, feeling, and doing. So, knowing, feeling and doing its role and its center (8:17). So, three should become one.

 

So, those three become one at the highest level.

 

Right.

 

So, you really, you have always offered your classes in the studio, and classes that you've done have been in the studio. The group classes that you've done is in the studio. But 2020 has really kind of given us a different perspective on how to do things in business. And the coronavirus pandemic really required you to do things differently. So, share with us how your health community is coming together now. What's different now?

 

That's, I'd say thanks to coronavirus, I removed my resistance inside and I thought about teaching online classes, I was hesitating, but coronavirus changed.

 

Helped to remove that barrier for you, did it?

 

Right. So, right now, I'm teaching online classes. Many members registered, exactly like me. So, when they took classes and they said, oh, wow, this works really well. But they are happy because they don't need to try to the center so they can practice at home. There are members want to come to the physical studio and then they want to, like an interaction.

 

Sure.

 

But it is happening because of our attachment habit.

 

Wanting to go there is kind of compelling them to continue to want to come to this center. But they're learning in the online environment. And I love that you said coronavirus, thanks to Coronavirus, you got your resistance to offering online classes. That's a very good perspective to have.

 

When we come back, we're going to move into a break here in just a moment. When we come back, we're going to talk about some things that maybe we can do to also help ourselves stay healthy as we're moving into another wave of the coronavirus pandemic. But for people who want to learn more about Master Hong and what he does and to register for classes, you can visit BodyandBrain.com\Minnetonka, or you can call 9525137285 again that number is 9525137285. To read the online version of Natural Awakenings magazine, visit NaturalTwinCities.com. You can find a podcast of this show on AM950Radio.com, on Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere you get your podcasts. You're listening to Green Tea Conversations on AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota, and we will be right back.

 

Welcome back to Green Tea Conversations, where we delve into the pages of Natural Awakenings magazine and talk to the professionals who share their expertise on natural health with you. I'm your host, Candi Broeffle. And today we're talking with Master Hong Kim, the owner of Body and Brain Yoga in Minnetonka. So, just before the break, you were starting to tell us that one of the changes that you went through in 2020 with your business was that you moved a lot of your classes from in-person to online.

 

So, 2020 really did give us some obstacles to overcome. And you, as a small business owner, really had been significantly impacted by this as well. So, tell us a bit about what that journey looked like in 2020. We started off and kind of heard a little bit about covid-19 and then pretty soon there was a shutdown. So, kind of give us an idea of what that looked like for the last. Oh, my goodness, nine months of your business.

 

Now this. Now, lots of changes that happened to, I think every one of us. And so, it happened to me, too, and that was the moment that I needed to make choices because, you know, because of coronavirus, many my store, my studio needed to be closed for almost like six months. So, then, I changed my mind to teach online classes, so I bought, you know the cameras and our equipment and I have to learn so many things. And so, it was challenging. So, through the challenges, I learned how to use a computer and how to use a camera and zoom and things like that. So, it was a really good experience for me. So, challenges bring us new opportunities and growth. So, it was really great. And so, now I'm trying to do more like online sessions. So, because we cannot meet people in person right now and also we don't know what will happen in the future. So, that's why, and as of now, I'm focusing on online classes and sessions. So, I saw when there was that there were complaints from members because they wanted to come. But then I started teaching and also classes and then there was another shutdown then I need to again closed the center. There were moments that were hectic, like for (15:27). And so, it was kind of hard for people to change the way they used to live. But if we don't change our thoughts resistance, we are going to suffer. So, in our program, the second step is brain flexibility. How quickly can I adapt myself to the changes happening? Basically, everything is changing every moment. So, when we try to stop the changes, that's why we're suffering. So, we need to adapt ourselves to the changes happening quickly.

 

I like that you're being really honest and really authentic with us in saying, you know, it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to do. Right? I had reasons to it. Coronavirus gave me the opportunity to break down my resistance to it. But you're also being very honest about it. It is a resistance for you as well. So, here you've got to again, we just get all these opportunities to continue to learn and continue to practice what it is that we teach or practice what it is that we want other people to be able to experience in life as well. And so, it's also interesting that your students also had a lot of resistance to it. So, you kind of got to go through that together. I mean, I'm sure it kind of gave you the opportunity to go. Now, I can remember what this is really like because it's been a long time since I've had to really put this into practice because you do it so much and so often. But now this big thing comes up and now you get to practice it again before you start teaching it back to your members.

 

Right. So, members are my (17:45).

 

Yes.

 

Because I have resistance so, I can understand their resistance. The thought was I know how hard it is for them (18:01) harm to me.

 

(18:04) look at your classes as being a time to, you know, they get to be with you, they get to learn, but they also get to be with each other. So, they have this connection to one another. They build friendships. And now you're telling us we have to do this by Zoom. You know this, I can't come in, I can't hug my friends. I can't find out how things are going. We're going to do this as a class!

 

Because it's also our habit. Because we think mostly we are a spiritual being. We say we are spiritual beings, but mostly we think I am physical, I need to touch. We are connected to the energy. So, simply when you see the lemon, the picture; lemon in the picture, when you see that, what happens? Saliva. This is not real, but our brain reacts.

 

Your brain starts to think about the lemon and it immediately starts thinking about the sourness of the lemon, which makes us salivate, even though we're not actually holding the lemon, we're just talking about holding.

 

So, when I think of you, when I focus on you, I can feel the energy. Not only me, everyone has the ability, but because then they haven't used. They haven't used it, that's why they don't; they think they don't feel. They need to always like a physical interaction.

 

So, we're going to get into this a bit more when we come back. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about what Master Hong does or to register for a session with him, you can visit BodyandBrain.com\Minnetonka, or you can call 952-513-7285 again the number is 952-513-7285. To read the online version of Natural Awakenings magazine, visit NaturalTwinCities.com. You can find a podcast of this show on AM950Radio.com, on Apple and Google Podcast, on Spotify, and anywhere you get your podcasts. You're listening to Green Tea Conversations on AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota, and we will be right back.

 

Welcome back to Green Tea Conversations where we meet the professionals straight from the pages of Natural Awakenings magazine who share their expertise on natural health with you. I'm your host, Candi Broeffle. And today we're talking with Master Hong Kim, the owner, and instructor at Body and Brain Yoga in Minnetonka. So, just before the break, we were starting to talk about had struggled a bit in trying to decide what to do differently in your business because of covid-19. And one of the things that we were talking about is your students wanting to still have that same connection, wanting to come together in the studio as they had done in the past. And so, you were sharing with us as spiritual and energetic beings. We are spiritual, energetic, and physical beings, but we tend to continue to go back to that physical part, needing to be together, touching, being able to be in close proximity to each other, when in reality that's not necessary.

 

Right.

 

And so, you were saying, you were giving us the example of the lemon and how we, even just the idea of a lemon can help, can make us start to salivate as we have a memory of that lemon. We have an experience with that lemon. So let's continue to have that conversation because there are a lot of people right now who are feeling like they've lost connection to others. They're feeling really lost in not being able to be with their friends, to be with their families. And so, what is maybe a lesson that we can take away from 2020 and Covid-19 in regards to this idea of being a physical, energetic, and spiritual being?

 

Yes, a lot of things have changed in 2020 and also lots of changes will happen in 2021. So, coronavirus changed the way of our living. So, we used to, we need to get used to this lifestyle. Expert says this kind of thing will happen in maybe two or three years; every two or three years. Who knows? But like I said, adaptability is really important.

 

So, I just have to interrupt you, one minute. So, are you saying that this could possibly happen again? That's what the experts are saying, aren't they?

 

Yes. In every two or three years or something like them, if it doesn't happen, it would be great. But if it happens we'll soon be able to learn something new. Every, from every event in our life, we're going to learn something new. If you resist, you're not going to learn anything. When you resist, you're going to keep suffering. So, acceptance must go on outside or inside is the first step for change, for your growth. So, right now, mostly we're doing online, right? We have a hard time to meet each other. So, when you close your eyes, think of someone, someone you love, we feel the love, right away. Your brain secrets hormone, a happy hormone. If you think or if you imagine something negative, your brain will release the stress hormone. It's not really happening, physically. But energetically and spiritually, it is happening, but your brain responds. React with your imagining. So, if you want to be happy, just close your eyes, think of what makes you happy most. If you need something, just close your eyes and focus on what you love most. You'll need ice cream. Something.

 

You don't ice cream, you just need to be able to think about how you feel when you're enjoying ice cream. I'm going to try this. But it really is true. I mean, I understand what you're saying. It's a beautiful concept. And I think it's something that we're missing that sometimes we're missing in this entire experience of covid-19 is the fact that we haven't lost anything really, right? We still I mean, hopefully, if we haven't lost people who we love to covid-19 and God forbid that happens. But, you know, even if we do, we still hold on to their memories, we still hold on to the love that we have for them, we don't have to have them physically with us. And it's the same as, you know, not being with our family for Christmas or not being with our family at Thanksgiving. But we still can have a wonderful Thanksgiving, we can still have a wonderful Christmas, it's our choice that we...

 

So, first for your happiness, the important thing is being here and now. How can you make it happen? Never mind the keeps going to the past and being. I used to live this way, so, I wonder or what the future or I would be lonely in Christmas, New Year's Day, no one is me. Because you are a test, your thoughts, you are suffering. But if you don't mind, if you are here and now, there's no worry and there is no regret. You can be happy here and now. How your body is here and now all the time. Your body doesn't go to the past and to the future. Your body is here and now. So, we need to focus on feelings in the body. But when you focus, you would feel uncomfortable first because most people suppress their emotions. They suppress their emotions, so they want to release let off. How? Going to the movie, going to the party, and sports games, that's how they express and release them. And now you need to do at home. I just said that's how you need to learn. How can I do this? For So, you need to learn how to make yourself happy and healthy, and peaceful, not dependent on the environment. Yes. So, through this, we are supposed to learn a lot from coronavirus. I'm learning a lot. Because I keep letting go of my resistance, I adapt myself to the here and now. If you resist, you're not going to learn anything to. It will keep happening, you're going to keep suffering until you accept. So, that's why we need to, a lot of people need to learn. How to accept, how to stay here and now. (29:33) with the physical body.

 

I want to just kind of come back to this. So, when we think about; and I hear so many people saying this now, right, when this is over and I'll be happy; if we can go back to the way things were I'd be happy. But surprisingly, most of us weren't particularly happy then either, right? Back then, we were thinking about what happened back another time in our lives. And then we were wishing for that other time in our lives or we were saying, when this happens, I'll be happy. And so, we are such creatures of habit that we've continued to do this even through now. Now we seem to think that this time it's different and it really isn't. If we're being honest with ourselves, it really isn't. In the past before coronavirus, we were thinking about things that happened in the past that we wish we had or we were thinking about things that we wish we had in the future where once I have it, I'll be happy in the future. So, this really is the time. And I love how you said that we've had all these distractions, things we can do, places we can go, people, we can meet up with, where coronavirus has made us say, I have to sit with this feeling of uncomfortableness. And I have to be okay with this. This is my turn to get to learn.

 

So, I talk to my members, stay in your discomfort, stay, stay, watch where it is, where is your discomfort coming from? For most people, when they feel discomfort, they react. I don't like this. So, they don't see where it is coming from. To see this, you need to stay in your discomfort. And ask a question, why do I feel this way, where is this coming from? Think and go deep and you can find. So most people are spending lots of time to find reasons why they're not happy. They don't focus on the reasons why they are happy. Always they try to find the reasons they are not happy. We have so many precious things. (32:05) No. We focus on something we don't have. So, time to see what I have. I have my family. I have my friends. I'm still thirsty and I have this and this, this. How happy am I? We focus on something. We could try to find reasons that I'm not happy.

 

And this really is that time for us to spend that time being present. Being uncomfortable, I always say it's time for me to be comfortable being uncomfortable and then to be able to appreciate what we truly have.

 

The discomfort in the body is coming from discomfort in your mind. So, comfortable in the body, eighty percent are coming from discomfort in your mind, but they don't see.

 

Well, Master Hong, thank you so much for being with us today. You have given us so much to think about and such good advice. For people who want to learn more about what Master Hong does and to register for classes, you can visit BodyandBrain.com\Minnetonka. Be sure to visit Body and Brain TV on YouTube and you can take some of their classes, learn about some of their exercises. Now, when we come back, we're going to be visiting with our friend Nea Clare, who is an activation coach and who's offering a new class starting on January 18th called the Twelve Sacred Gifts. To read the online version of Natural Awakenings magazine, visit NaturalTwinCities.com. You can find a podcast of this show on AM950Radio.com, on Apple and Google Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere you get your podcasts. You're listening to Green Tea Conversations on AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota, and we will be right back.