In uptown Sedona sits a charming little gem of a business called Sedona Story. Step inside and you’ll discover a small retail shop inspired by the messages Ilchi Lee has received from his experiences in Sedona and shares in his work. Here you can purchase gemstone jewelry, including the rare aquamarine, metaphysical books, and CDs and choose from several upstairs clinic services to nourish your physical body, your energy body, and your spiritual body. Enjoy this interview with spiritual healer/director, Banya Lim L. Ac, as she shares her own call of Sedona story.
LT: Please tell our readers about the connection between Dahn Yoga founder, Ilchi Lee and your work at Sedona Story.
BL: The store itself is very much inspired by Ilchi Lee and Ilchi Lee’s story in Sedona. He has received many messages since he moved here, and a lot of things that he has created in his work were very much based on, basically, the messages he has received. And this is something that we want to convey to other people.
LT: How do you share those teachings and experiences with visitors to Sedona?
BL: People come here for many different reasons: just to relax, for spiritual quest, to heal. Main purpose here is to help them connect to something deep within so they can discover their own soul journey.
There’s a unique energy here in Sedona, and we are trying to help people to experience that from many different aspects: By taking them out into nature, to energy places in Sedona; through guiding them to open their energy channels, especially through trainings; and sometimes by delivering messages through readings and healings.
LT: Please tell us more about yourself as a healer.
BL: I am a multi-generation acupuncturist; I came from family who practiced acupuncture, mainly from my Mother’s side of the family. I never met my Great Grandfather, and only I met my Grandmother briefly, so most of my learnings were handed down to me through my Mother. I was an apprentice to my Mom since I was seven years old.
Actually, she wasn’t an acupuncturist, she was a teacher in high school and word got out [about her healing work] and people began looking for her and inviting her. People would come from all the places and wait for her in the room, living room and outside of the house. And I was assisting her when she would do the healings.
First time I did acupuncture was when I was seven: Once when I was helping my mother, one of the old ladies waiting said, “I know you do acupuncture. Why don’t you do acupuncture, because I cannot wait for her.” So I explained I wasn’t licensed, ‘I’m only seven years old,’ but that was the first time I did acupuncture. And people kept asking about that, but finally, the police came and said we weren’t supposed to be doing that!
That’s how it started. Most of the importance of and philosophy of and mindset of how to do acupuncture and how to be a healer, a lot I learned from my mother. For me, she is one of the most compassionate people I know. Oftentimes I think, “It’s not the technique, or skills, it’s your heart and the compassion.” That’s what she had and that’s what I always wanted to learn.
LT: And the journey that brought you to Sedona?
BL: I was born in South Korea, and I grew up in New York. I had my practice in New York for 11 years before I moved out here. I’m also a fourth degree black belt in a martial art, Tae Kwon Do. So I had a martial arts school and an acupuncture clinic in New York City.
But I felt, although this is ancient practice in arts, some essence was missing. There is an energetic and spiritual aspect of things that I had been looking for in the martial arts that I practice and the acupuncture that I was practicing. And I really wanted to infuse that into the work that I did.
I was looking for it, and I found it in Dahn Hak practice. I have to say that I learned pretty much everything about energy, what I was looking for—the energy and the spiritual aspect of this old tradition and art—through Dahn Hak.
LT: For those who aren’t familiar with the term “Dahn Hak,” this is the practice now commonly referred to as Dahn Yoga.
BL: I started with the BR Clinic, and I’ve practicing in Sedona for 11 years. Sedona Story has been open for 8 years. So I was running BR Clinic and Sedona Story, but now I am mainly in Sedona Story. It is a two-story building; downstairs a store, upstairs a healing center.
If you visit our website, www.sedonastory.com, you will see menus for the services that we have here. Many of the main ones are done by me: Spiritual Acupuncture, you actually are getting acupuncture, but rather than taking just the physical aspect, we are going to the root of the issue. We are made up of three bodies; physical body, energy body, and spiritual body. By working through spiritual body, we can heal the energy and the physical aspects of the person. Spiritual body consists of information, so we are working on information of the person.
Energy Healing is basically LifeParticle energy healing, and this is a “hands-on” healing, while Spiritual Readings are an intuitive reading.
LT: How has being in Sedona changed you and your practice?
BL: Once I was in a movie that premiered in the Sedona Film Festival, a documentary of a collection of healers. When they came and interviewed me, they asked me questions that I felt were very important questions that I should ask myself. One of the questions was why I do the things that I do and how I have grown from it. I wanted to be sure and wanted to have a measurement of how I grow: how I grew from yesterday to today, how I’d see it. Instead of answering, I asked them to interview me again the next day instead, because I really wanted to think about it and meditate on it.
So what came up was very, very simple: it was love. I want to use that as my measurement, and I kind of check myself from now to yesterday, the year before, five years ago, ten years ago. And I have to say I definitely grew and I definitely love more now than before. And through love, true healings happen. I have to say going to Sedona taught me that.
Coming back to what I usually say, about people coming to Sedona and just looking at the beautiful scenery, it is kind of a shame. People sometimes just tour and sight-see and then leave without realizing that there’s a lot more here for their soul. That if they can be open to the possibilities, and open to listen, open to receiving, they can receive more than just a view of the beautiful scenery.
LT: Banya, are there any final thoughts you would like to share with our readers?
BL: Everything kind of fell into place, and I was working a lot after 9-11. I was living in New York City. I also lost many friends in the tower. I just want people to stop hurting themselves and hurting each other. One of the things I realized is unless we change our consciousness—all of our consciousness, this hurting and destruction cannot stop. I want to keep growing and expanding my consciousness and, at the same time, do everything I can to assist others to come out of their pain and expand their consciousness so they can heal themselves and so they can heal others.
LT: Thank you, Banya!
Dear Reader,
Do you have a special story of what brought you to Sedona? We’d love to hear from you! Please comment below, and don’t forget to share this with your friends.
By Lynn A. Trombetta
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Sedona Story and even meeting with Ms. Banya Lim in 2011 and that experience is one I’ll never forget. The facility is like a doctor’s office for the soul. Unlike your traditional doctor’s office, it has a warm feeling that wraps around you the moment you step foot in the door. You can go there for physical, emotional and spiritual recovery. I received a really enlightening Spiritual Reading from Ms. Lim. I hope many people will find this place…they will love this place.
Thank you Banya for your beautiful sharing. It was really healing just for me to read it 🙂
I have visited Sedona many times through Dahn Yoga Practice and the Mago Retreat Center. In that way I was guided to connect not only with the physical beauty of Sedona but with its true power to heal us on all levels, physical, energetic and spiritual. I urge everyone to come to Sedona and awaken to the beauty within.
I love store Sedona story in uptown Sedona.
There is so spiritual place.
Thank you!
This is an inspiring story that really touch my heart. Thank you so much for sharing
Sedona Story is such a beautiful store, they have all sorts of beautiful, dainty crystals and the staff are ever so helpful and knowledgeable. Bany Lim is the most down to earth individual you’d want to meet. She extremely knowledgeable in what she does. Thank you Banya!
You rock Banya! She is the best acupuncturist! I’ve been to about five others and none of them have the caring and the take the time to make you feel comfortable like she does. I hope anyone interested in trying acupuncture will give her a try if you are in the area, or if she’s visiting you – worth it!
Thank you. This article make me to willing to go Sedona, again. I have been looking forward to get there, when I get chance. This is useful and beneficial for health and awakening of life.
I visited Sedona and Mago Retreat center 2 month ago
I got the great experience
Thank you for sharing
Thank you.I love sedona. sedona energy is great and make me feel food.I hope many people go to sedona and recevie that energy.thx.
Thank you Banya for your beautiful sharing.
I didn’t know that. But When I am reading about your sharing, I can feel your very strong healing nature.
I really want to visit Sedona Story One day.
and I will. Thank you.
I’ve met Banya in Sedona at her store, and she is truly an amazing healer. Actually, I am proud to say that I met her mom in Sedona Mago Retreat several years ago too! I remember that experience because it was the first time I got to see up close about another natural healing technique called Moxibustion, and it was then that I learned how to do it from her mom! Since that time, I picked up the book, Human Technology by Ilchi Lee which explains about it, and also the DVD called Moxibustion for Common Symptoms, which coincidentally is lead by Banya Lim! Through the Dahn Yoga natural healing methods and classes I’ve come to learn so much about the healing powers of my own body, that I really understood how to help other people heal and change in the same ways. That’s how I began to change my lfe for the better and became a Dahn Yoga instructor! That’s one of my Sedona stories. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story Banya. I had no idea that you knew people in the twin towers. Your choice to help people to raise their consciousness and heal is inspiring. Looking forward to seeing the new Sedona Story.
Thank you Banya for your beautiful sharing. I love Sedona. Whenever I visit sedona, I feel that I return home of my soul.
It is beautiful place. Also, next time when I go to Sedona, I am looking forward to visit Sedona Story.
Thank you for sharing Banya your beautiful story.
I visited sedona story a few times I always love energy here.
I can feel the loving energy from Sedona. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your sharing. It was really healing for me.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your story Banya. I agree that love is something that is strongly felt in the healing power of Sedona. It is beautiful and very peaceful. I’ve visited Sedona many times and it is a place that has a very welcoming spirit.
I got my past reading with Banya. After the reading I was able to see lot of my issues clear, which lead me to resolving them.
What a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing about 9-11 and your family. I will look up Sedona Story the next time I am in Sedona.
Thank you for your beautiful sharing. What a beautiful !
This is an amazing place to experience and learn about the healing energy of Sedona and Dahn Yoga! Anything you get there is sure to bring joy and healing to your friends and family.
Thank you for this article. I am so lucky to have met Banya personally. She is an amazing person helping so many. Sedona is a wonderful place to heal.
Thank you so much for your sharing.
This sounds like the perfect place to visit in Sedona. I will put it top on my list because I want to experience more of what Sedona has to offer than just the beautiful scenery. I want to listen to my soul’s voice and deeply experience the love that this store has to offer. Thank you!
Thank you. Just reading this article made me feel happier and more peaceful. I have had the pleasure of meeting Banya Lim. She has even helped me when I was sick and injured while on a trip to Sedona. What she says about healing being more than just a skill and technique is true with her. Heart compassionate heart is the most powerful aspect of her work.
I also love coming to Sedona and reconnecting with the energy there. I have received many answers to questions while in Sedona. I always visit Sedona Story and look forward to meeting with Banya nim. Thank you for your insight and passion for humanity.
This is amazing story of growth and soul connection. I came to Sedona and Mago Garden for first time 4 years ago. I couldn’t explain why but the longing feeling was getting stronger. When I arrived I was overwhelmed ,I realized how much I was holding in. As I relaxed with energy and beauty of Sedona I slowly melted and let go . I cried a lot, released a lot of stored emotions and at this point knew the spirit and energy healing has begun. My soul started smiling and joy came back. Since then I came back to Sedona many times. The Mother love that is emanating everywhere gave me a sense of home. I go back to Sedona to recharge. Thank you
Thank you for this inspiring interview. Sedona Story is a treasure, the energy there is so powerful, and the artwork touches my heart every time I visit.
Sedona is one of the most beautiful and magical places in the world. I feel so open and at love with life when I am there! Sedona Story is an incredible healing center in the heart of Sedona where you can buy crystals and gems of all types to open and heal your energy, as well as get an intuitive spiritual reading from one of the most powerful spiritual healers in the world, Banya Lim. If you travel there DEFINITELY stop by the store!
Banya thank you for your beautiful sharing. It’s always a true joy to interact with you (even through this internet configuration). Each sharing makes the experience you bring bigger, fuller, richer and deeper. Sedona Story is truly a special place and so lucky both that you are there and also for all that it’s experience opens in it’s many visitors.
I appreciate the open sharing from Banya. It is beautiful story and I can imagine her at 7 years old and already having the mind to help people. I can feel the “searching” as I find myself doing in life’s journey. I visited Sedona Story several times and plan to visit each time I am in Sedona. Thank you!
Amazing. I can feel sedona energy just by reading this. Thank you
Thank you for this beautiful sharing. I will be sure to check out Sedona Story. It sounds like a beautiful place with a beautiful cause.
thank you for sharing. this makes me desire to visit sedona.
Wow, I’m really inspired by Banya’s sharing, I hope to one day become a healer as well. I felt very similar in my quest to find internal balance and now that I’m learning more about energy I feel like harmony is finally starting to come together.I cant wait to visit Sedona Story!!
Thank you for the inspiring story. I’ve met Banya and she is a down to earth, amazing healer. I hope to visit there someday soon.
Thank you Banya for your sharing and story!
I have been deeply moved and inspired by Ilchi Lee’s messages. Please take the time to visit this healing sanctuary in Sedona.
It was a lovely story, Banya. Your story has lots of love and compassion! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Thank you 🙂 i will visit if i go to Sedona!
This is wonderful Banya. It’s nice to hear about your family background and how all of these things are related. I feel the same way about the twin towers and the world. I have felt that way since I was a small child, and have the same hopes and dreams for a better place. I am so happy to have found Dahn Yoga, it has changed my whole life. Whenever I come to Sedona I stop in to the shops you have run and love them so much. I hope this energy spreads out to the world. Thank you for all that you do!!!
This is truly a beautiful story. Sedona is one of my favorite destinations when I am on vacation. Whenever I get to Sedona and see Bell Rock, I feel very refreshed there. It is a resting place for me.
Thank you Banya. Your story’s really encouraged my life to be a true healer in my life.
I love Sedona and get some renewed energy every time I go there. However this interview makes a surprising insight about love and Sedona!
I love to go Sedona Story at uptown Sedona, also preasure to meet JaWol (Spiritual healer there). If anyone who want to change, transformation, I recommend to go Sedona Story.
I have had the great experience of receiving healing from Banya Lim, I find her healing ability is exceptional. A visit to Sedona Story and greater Sedona is truly a time I use to rejuvenate my spirit. Thank you Banya.
Thank you Banya for the story. We need many true healers like her. I hope everyone who is going to go to Sedona visit Sedona story to get great guide for your wonderful journey.
Impressive story ! I love to visit Sedona someday and make my own Sedona story.
Thank you sharing for beautiful Sedona story. I was heal read this article.
Thank you Banya. I realize that I could be healed by you because of your love and compassion along with extraordinary acupunture skill. And I truly agree that Sedona has more than the beautiful scenery for our soul.
Thank you very much for sharing your story. This whole story is touching my heart.
Banya is a great and compassionate healer, I loved hearing the stories of how you grew up and your vision for your practice in Sedona. Thank you for sharing.
I have been to Sedona Story several times. Yes, what a charming and peaceful place. I did not know the deeper story of Banya’s experience. Thank you for sharing that here.
Fate led me to Banya. There I was, having a normal day, when I starting feeling sick to my stomach. I found a place to sit down and It got worse. I started feeling serious pain in my abdomen. I really didn’t know what was happening and all I could think of was the increasing pain. And then Banya was there, like a heavenly gift. She brought me to a quiet place where I could lay down, she laid her fingertips on my wrist and soon told me I was passing a kidney stone. She put in her needles here and there. and within about 15 or 20 minutes I was completely pain free! It was like some kind of miracle, but it is a true story! That was many years ago, since then, when I go to Sedona, I always make a little extra time to visit Banya for another treatment. It is SO worth it.
Thank you for sharing your story Banya.
I have been to Sedona and Mago Garden several times.
It is such a great spiritual place to go.
I look forward to visiting Sedona Story the next time I,m there.
Please stop by Sedona Story and see Banya. Through her and also through all the precious reading material and enchanting crystals, you might awaken to the fact that indeed you are in the middle of your own Sedona Story!
This is a really great interview, I enjoyed hearing about Banya’s background and the journey that brought her to where she is now. I look forward to someday visiting Sedona Story.
In Sedona, everything has stories. Red rocks, juniper trees, deep blue sky and blazing sunset. More important thing is that all of these help people find their stories within themselves, the untold, secret, most cherished stories of greatness. I believe BL is one of those people who, after finding such a story, are now living it.
Love your sharing Master Steve!
Sedona Story is one of my favorite stops in Sedona. Spiritual healing with her guided me to awaken myself to live an authentic life filled with love for myself. So glad to see this interview! Thank you for publishing it.
The energy of Sedona brings me closer to my soul. It has taught me that loving oneself is embracing every part of you – especially the parts that may not be so favorable. It has been tough but seeing the the truth is much more fulfilling than living blindly in the dark.
I appreciate this article because it has reminded me of that lesson.
Thank you BL … I’ve heard legendary stories about you .. I will visit you next time I’m in Sedona 🙂
This sedona story is my favorite store. I know her and i did healing. So great experience.
Thank you for sharing your story, Banya. Expanding love is a true growth for us as healers. I can feel your beautiful soul.
In 2002 I choose that I would go abroad in 3 years.
My spiritual teacher, Ilchi Lee, guided and introduced me to Sedona
so I could come. Now Sedona is my one of the favorite place in the world.
Whenever i visit here, it gives so much energy and inspirational messages.