To date there are very few resources available on these arts, the Bando camp tends to keep things relatively private with regards to their publications.
Currently I know of a small, paperback book on Dhanda Yoga and a DVD slideshow on the same topic, with some extra shots of a Letha Yoga Session and some solo exercises found in Dhanda Yoga. These are currently only offered at Dr. Gyi's seminars, and rarely at that - limited run, private publications. These were put together by students of his from Atlanta and the University of Ohio where he taught.
Dhanda Yoga and Letha Yoga are two of several systems in the Burmese Healing Arts, which are part of the Bando Monk training.
Letha Yoga - Solo and Partner-based exercises, stretches and manipulations designed to maintain and improve the flexibility and functionality of the 9 major joints and the alignment of the body.
Dhanda Yoga - A solo system of Yoga that involves the use of a staff (typically from 4-6 ft in length) to assist with postures and stretches that are otherwise difficult to duplicate. This system is perhaps the closest to what is commonly thought of when we envision Yoga. There are also partner-based stretches that involve the staff as well.
Longi Yoga - Another solo form of Yoga that involves the use of a belt or rope that is between 9 and 14 ft. in length. The rope is coiled about the hands and used in different ways to support the stretch, some of these postures are very complex, but very unique in their effect.
Dhot Ta - A system of massage that makes use of a short, thin bamboo rod (more likely one of your Kali sticks) to work through the muscles of the body, improving functionality, circulation and speeding recovery time (especially after footwork sessions). There are solo and partner-based sequences for this method.
Nate Ta - This is a catch all term for the massage elements in the Letha Yoga system. In addition to the natural tools of the body, this system makes occassional use of River Stones (mexican pebbles, typically), smooth palm-sized stones in what has been referred to as
Healing Stone MassageMin Zin - This is the internal aspect of these traditions, and it is used in each. This includes the psychology and concepts involved, but more pragmatically, the
Pranayama methods for controlling one's breath and directing one's intentions. In Burmese,
Min Zin translates to
Disciplined Breath. In effect, this is similar to most Pranayama and Chi Gung.
Personally, I think the major contribution that Dr. Gyi has made to the Arts is an emphasis on perspective in one's training, that we should avoid the "Overuse, Abuse and Misuse" of our bodies and respect our health. This is an underlying concept in each of these traditions.
As far as learning resources, I can offer a few things, and encourage everyone who is able, to spend time with Dr. Gyi learning the healing arts.
Some articles that I've written on the subject:
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/student_section/articles/HEAL/MinZin_Salutation.htmlhttp://www.sageartsstudio.com/student_section/articles/STAFF/MYM_Letha_Oct2004.htmlA few pictures illustrating a basic lower body routine in Letha Yoga:
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/student_section/uwm/index.htmlOne of my staff members performing a Longi Yoga posture:
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/about/imgs/Regi_Longi.jpgI also have some related articles and resources that can be found here:
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/student_section/articles/HEAL/index.htmlWe recently held a small workshop on Thai Massage, which is similar in origin and in practice, to Letha Yoga. I have a brief slideshow of one of the shorter forms in Thai Massage available here:
http://www.sageartsstudio.com/student_section/Thai_Massage.htmlIn general, Thai Massage can offer greater insight into this type of practice, as there are many more books and videos published on the topic, and they are technically very similar.
If you have questions, let me know, I would be happy to answer what I can.
- Moebius
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