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Insomnia? Welcome to the 4 am Club

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How often do you wake up in the midst of the night?  Doesn’t Jackie Sabath capture its essence in her poem, the 4 am Club?

Get some ideas for sleeping more soundly below.

Welcome to the 4 am club. It’s well attended.
People come and go freely. There are no membership fees.
Some people bring their physical pain: headaches, backaches, restless legs.
Some bring their soul pain. The language of tears is spoken.
Emotions circulate around the room: fear, sadness, shame –
– all the ones that crawl under the bed when daylight comes.

Often prayers are whispered. Blessings are blown across the miles to loved ones.
Healing incantations are said for those who suffer.
Peace is yearned for.
Thanksgivings echo through the night.
In the generosity of darkness and silence, dreams are remembered –
– nighttime dreams, childhood dreams, daydreams awaken forgotten pathways.

From time to time, joy pops in for a visit. So do the cats.
Lured by magic, they find their way to a warm lap and doze off.
Visions of beauty show up and creative weavers wander around, aimlessly.
Sometimes a mysterious focus grabs hold.
Then, a light appears in the darkness, revealing unfathomable love,
That holds everything together.

~~ Jackie Sabath

Resource Links

See a short video on how yoga nidra helped her insomnia.

Sleep Well | Yoga Nidra CD
Sleep Well | Yoga Nidra CD
Use deep relaxation, soothing flute music & ocean waves to go to sleep. "I slept like a log." Downloads available. By Julie Lusk, Yoga Nidra Meditations author.
Quantity:  
Price: $9.99Price: $16.99 

Get-a-Dose of MindBody Bliss

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What’s your morning routine most days?  This is your choice to make. It really will influence the rest of your day.

It’s said a bird doesn’t fly from its morning branch till it sings a song.

Do you drag out of bed, rush through cleaning up, gulp gobs of caffeine, get your kids and pets up, and grab your device to catch up on news, emails & your feeds?

Do you get up, eat something to fortify yourself for the day and spend time looking at something uplifting, pray, meditate, do yoga nidra, sing/chant, or stretch with yoga or tai chi?

Keep in mind that starting your day rushing and stressing will kick in stress hormones (cortisol, etc.) and beta brain waves. Anxiety and fear are sure to follow if high beta brain waves are activated.

Get-a-Dose of MindBody Bliss.  Here’s how ..

If you jumpstart your day meditating, your baseline will be a happy dose of mindbody bliss, emotional ease, and mental clarity. Alpha and maybe even theta and delta brain waves will be your foundation. This helps you generate a recipe of positive and helpful neurochemicals/ neurotransmitters and hormones to see you through the day.

Here’s what can happen. Use the acronym – Get-a-Dose – for mindbody bliss. Research suggests the ones listed are only some of what happens. There’s more! Learn more about brain waves and meditation here.

Benefits of Meditation 

Hormones Neurochemicals & Neurotransmitters  Purpose Brain Waves Purpose
GABA Anti-anxiety Gamma Insight, integration, high level learning, whole brain integration
Endorphins Pain killers, happiness Alpha Calm relaxation, intuitive awareness, integrates brain. Stops fear and anger.
Telemerase
(enzyme)		 Protects telomeres, genetic data Delta Meditation preserves and increases telemere length (chromosome end). May slow aging.
Anandamide Bliss, happiness. Gamma Insight, integration, high level learning & memory
Dopamine Pleasure, motivation, reward Theta Flow, imagery, intuition
Oxytocin Bonding, the ‘hug drug’ Delta Clears brain toxins, helps memory, learning
Serotonin Happiness, emotional balance, Alpha Calm relaxation, intuitive awareness, integrates brain. Stops fear and anger.
Endocannabinoid
Naturally made
inside your body		 Happiness, anti-inflammation. Improves mood & concentration Delta Clears brain toxins, helps memory, learning

Goose getting blissed throughout the day with mindfulness breaks, especially when you get knocked off your game when weird or upsetting stuff happens. Breathing intentionally can regulate your heartrate, nervous system and up your awareness quotient. Here’s some ideas.

Get Yoga Nidra Meditations by Julie Lusk & Bliss Brain by Dawson Church to learn more!

Author: Julie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, has over 35 years of expertise in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training, guided imagery and meditation Julie Luskas an international author, recording artist and workshop leader. Julie is the author of Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation, Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, Yoga Meditations, two volumes of 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, and Desktop Yoga®. Her audio downloads and CDs include Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Yoga Nidra Essentials, Blue Moon Rising, and many others. Learn more at JulieLusk.com

 

Handling Distractions

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The Distraction Disadvantage

Excerpt from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief. Julie Lusk. NHP 2015.

Most of us are out of practice when it comes to staying focused and are easily distracted. We try to do too much in too short of time by racing through the ‘to do’ list. Our thoughts, actions, and feelings jump around as quickly as the images and sounds flashing before us while watching a slew of action scenes on television. It becomes hard to stay focused with so much competing for our attention, causing us to be increasingly more scattered. Attention span and memory are prone to shrink to almost nothing.  Being mentally distracted is stressful.

It seems impossible to get blocks of time to do any thinking or get anything done anymore because of multitasking and all the disruptions that come from the continual connectivity at work, home, and in the car. While writing this article, the phone rang, our new puppy needed to go out, and I got up to get a drink. – all in the span of minutes.

Have you ever looked back on your day and asked, “I was busy running around all day, but what did I get done?”

Learning to handle distractions is important. 

  1. Do your best to prevent distractions. When you notice being distracted, quickly congratulate yourself for noticing.  Say something to yourself like, “Good catch.”  There is no need to beat yourself up or get analytical.
  2. Find something neutral that you feel comfortable silently saying to yourself to disengage yourself from distractions and bring your attention back to the present.  Here are some examples:
    • Say something like “Oh, never-mind,” then gently bring your awareness back to the present.
    • A passive “Oh well,” is recommended by Dr. Benson and William Proctor in their Relaxation Revolution book (page 10).
    • “Not now, maybe later,” is another good choice.
    • Name the distraction and let it go. Examples include, “Noise,” or “Cold,” or “Thought,” or “Planning,” or whatever it happens to be.
    • Rather than thinking “I’m feeling bored and impatient,” realize, “Here’s boredom and impatience.” Or, “Isn’t this interesting.” Remind yourself, “I am not my thoughts.”
    • Use mental imagery such as thinking of thoughts as weeds to be plucked and discarded, or as clouds floating by, or imagine tossing them into a river to be carried away.
    • Welcome the distraction with a “Hello restless mind,” or “Hello soreness” and explore the present moment experience. Chances are excellent that paying attention to it will lead to its disappearance.  Find out for yourself.
    • Play with distractions or have a conversation with them such as, “Hi, it’s you again. How about going on vacation for a while,” or “Bye, bye, off you go.”

Enjoy this 3 minute video. It shows what happens when a Samurai Warrior takes a sword to a pesky fly.  This lesson on handling distractions is priceless.

Julie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, has more than 35 years of expertise in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training, guided imagery, and meditation Julie Luskas an international author, recording artist, and workshop leader. Julie is the author of Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, Yoga Meditations, two volumes of 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, and Desktop Yoga®. Her audio downloads and CDs include Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Yoga Nidra Essentials, Blue Moon Rising, and many others. Learn more at JulieLusk.com

 

Brain Yoga

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To Improve Your Memory, Concentration & More

Julie Lusk, M.Ed., E-RYT-500

A sharp mind and a good memory are important qualities that all of us need and want. Concentration is valuable at home, work, and while pursuing sporting, artistic and other activities.  Many of us get concerned when forgetfulness happens to us or to those close to us.  This is particularly troublesome as we age and especially if we have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Try Brain Yoga!

It’s never to soon to start taking better care of your brain.  The brain, after all, is the most important and complex organ of the body.  It controls everything that goes on, physically, mentally, emotionally.

Brain Facts:  According to Piedmont Healthcare, the average adult human brain weighs three pounds.  It has a texture like firm jelly and is made up of 75 percent water. The average person has 70,000 thoughts every day.  Each time your heart beats, your arteries carry 20 to 25 percent of your blood to the brain. The harder you think, the more oxygen and fuel your brain uses from your blood – up to 50 percent. Every time you recall a memory or have a new thought, you create a connection in the brain. There are 100 billion neurons (nerve cells) in the brain, but they make up only 10 percent of the brain. These neurons branch out to 100 trillion-plus trigger points, forming what experts call a “neuron forest.”  There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain. The distance around the world at the equator is 24,900 miles.

Lifestyle factors such as good nutrition, sleep quality, stress levels, smoking habits, alcohol and drug use, and exercise can either help or hinder brain functioning.  It’s smart to wear a helmet to protect your head and brain.  Good friendships and learning new things can have a positive effect.  Yoga has much to offer.  Its benefits extend well beyond gains in flexibility, strength, coordination, and increasing physical, mental and spiritual wellness.  Yoga improves brain health.

Brain Yoga to the Rescue
Here are my suggestions for effectively improving your brain power – yoga style.

♥ Mudras / Meditation / Yoga Nidra ♥

  • Mudras are yoga positions, gestures, and seals for your hands and fingers that facilitate health, healing, psychological balance and spiritual growth. They are effective, easy to learn, practical and powerful.  Anyone can do them. Learn more about mudras here.
    • Hakini Mudra is one of my favorite hand mudras. It’s good for the brain because both hemispheres of the brain are integrated and invigorated. Using this mudra throughout the day can help clear your mind. It boosts memory, concentration, and assists problem solving. Complete and full breathing is facilitated effortlessly, giving the brain the oxygen-rich blood it needs to perform optimally.  It has a positive effect on the entire body by stimulating and harmonizing the first six energy centers (chakras).  Learn how easy the Hakini Mudra is to do here. It takes no time at all.
  • Meditation improves mental functioning. According to a study conducted at the University of Kentucky, subjects who took a late-afternoon test after meditating for 40 minutes had significantly better scores than those who fell asleep for the same period. Another study at Massachusetts General Hospital showed a beneficial thickening in the cerebral cortex that has responsibility for decision making, increased attention and improved memory. Increased activation in the left part of the frontal region was also demonstrated. This activity is associated with lower anxiety and a more positive emotional state.  Learn more here.Here are a few meditation techniques to get you started.
    • Mindfulness is the moment to moment awareness of inner and outer experience in the present time with a non-judgmental and non-evaluative stance. Research shows that a mindfulness practice helps develop all 9 functions of the Pre-Frontal Cortex.
    • Kirtan Kriya Meditation – Sa Ta Na Ma: A research study by Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD shows Kirtan Kriya increased brain development for memory, concentration and focus using a simple 12-minute meditation and yoga mudras. The Sa Ta Na Ma meditation technique can stop the mental chatter, bringing about a clear mind. It’s calming too.
  • Yoga Nidra is another highly effective method for brain-body integration. It improves memory and learning by producing specialized brain waves for maximum receptivity, increasing the ability to absorb, process and recall information.

The rotation of consciousness technique found on Yoga Nidra Essentials is especially effective. It’s simply done by mentally scanning the body using a specific order and duration based on the sensory-motor cortex, also called the homunculus.  This creates a healthy synchronization of energy throughout the brain and body.

If you look closely at the diagram of the brain’s sensory-motor cortex below, you will notice that more area is devoted to certain places than to others.  For instance, compare the relatively large amount of area dedicated to the hands and fingers with the small amount dedicated to the hips. Therefore, more time is intentionally spent scanning specific areas of the body than others during yoga nidra.

Sensory-motor cortex illustration used by permission from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief by Julie Lusk, New Harbinger Publications

♥ Breathing / Pranayama ♥

Your brain needs blood and oxygen to think. Twenty to 25 percent of your blood is delivered to the brain with each heartbeat. Your brain needs up to 50 percent more oxygen the harder you think.  It makes sense to oxygenate your blood supply and to use your full lung capacity by breathing deeply rather than shallowly.  Follow these instructions to improve your breathing right now.  Abdominal breathing produces increases in the “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin as shown on EEGs.  Alpha, theta, and delta brain waves also increase.

♥ Postures / Sequences ♥

A well-rounded hatha yoga practice is ideal, especially done mindfully. Concentrate on postures that reduce physical tension to lower cortisol levels and improve circulation. Doing so helps clear the mind and calm the emotions.  Postures that strengthen legs and improve balance are highly recommended. Scientists studied leg strength and cognitive skills in twins in a 2016 study published in Gerontology. The twin with stronger legs to start demonstrated better cognitive functioning by 18% 10 years later, “even when controlling for factors including fatty diets, high blood pressure, and shaky blood-sugar control.”

  • Sequences such as the Sun Salute and Moon Salute
  • Standing postures
  • Crossovers
  • Gentle spinal twists
  • Inversions
  • Shavasana
  • Superbrain Yoga ® (with video) is a simple 3-minute technique to energize and recharge the brain. It can integrate and balance both brain hemispheres. In one study, an electroencephalograph (EEG) showed increased amplitude in the parieto-occipital region of the brain following the Superbrain Yoga. This indicates increased brain electrical activity following the exercise.  It’s great for adults and children.

♥ Mental / Emotional Strategies ♥

Guided imagery is intentional and useful daydreaming that is multi-sensory (sights, sounds, smells, etc.) and practiced while in a relaxed state.  It is used for relaxation, healing, increasing insight and intuition, making personal changes and for self-understanding.  It primarily uses the mindbody connection.  Start here.

♥ More ♥

  • Eye Exercises can benefit vision and the brain
  • Sleep Solutions – Yoga Style to combat the negative impact of insomnia and sleep deprivation
  • Multitasking is hazardous to one’s memory. Find out why and get solutions here
  • Enjoy more brain power by having more creativity and beauty in your life
  • Use the Best Yoga Mantras & Chants  for clearing useless mental chatter, lifting energy, and serving as a shield against mental and emotional disturbances

♥ Books, Audios, Workshops, Training ♥

Sources

  • Steves, C. J., Mehta, M. M., Jackson, S. H., & Spector, T. D. (n.d.). Kicking Back Cognitive Ageing: Leg Power Predicts Cognitive Ageing after Ten Years in Older Female Twins. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26551663

Julie LuskJulie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, has more than 35 years of expertise in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training, guided imagery, and meditation as an international author, recording artist, and workshop leader. Julie is the author of Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, Yoga Meditations, two volumes of 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, and Desktop Yoga®. Her audio downloads and CDs include Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Yoga Nidra Essentials, Blue Moon Rising, and many others. Learn more at WholesomeResources.com

 

Alternate Nostril Breathing: Nadi Shodhana

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Alternate nostril breathing, also called Nadi Shodhana or Nadi Suddhi, creates a sense of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is done by alternating nostrils while breathing. Doing so balances right and left-brain integration, promotes mental clarity, and whole brain functioning. It can relieve headaches and sinus problems. It calms emotions and fosters feelings of deep inner contentment and balance. Due to its soothing effect, it is ideal preparation for deep relaxation or meditation.

Time: 2 minutes of daily practice. Increase gradually to 10 minutes or longer

The nadis (pronounced NAH-deez) are the non-physical nerve channels within the body.  The nadis deliver prana, the life force, throughout the body.  While there are thought to be over 72,000 nadis that travel throughout the body, there are three primary ones that run along the spine.  Alternate nostril breathing balances these nadis.

  • The ida (pronounced EE-dah) is energetically to the left of the spine and is activated by the exhalation. It is associated with the receptiveness, intuition, and passivity.
  • The pingala (pronounced pin-GAH-lah) is activated by the inhalation and is energetically on the right. It is associated with activity, logic, and objectiveness.
  • The sushumna (pronounced sue-SHOOM-nah) is the central channel. It is activated by the gap between breaths. It is linked with wisdom and the balancing of our active and receptive nature.

The first step to the practice is to learn the proper hand position to aid in the alternation of the breath. Two hand positions (mudras) are offered.  Both are effective. Try them both to find out which feels easier for you. Take a few minutes to get used to switching between nostrils with the hand positions before adding the breathing patterns.

Vishnu Mudra

The first way, named Vishnu Mudra, is to take your right hand and bend your index and middle fingers toward the palm. Your thumb, ring, and pinky fingers are upright. Next, get used to gently closing your right nostril first with your thumb, and then release the thumb and close your left nostril with the ring finger of your right hand. Switch back and forth until it feels smooth.

 

Nasagra Mudra

Nasagra Mudra is another hand position that can be used. Begin by making the peace sign with your right hand. Next, bring your pointer and middle fingers together and then release your thumb. Place the pads of your index and middle fingers in the center of your forehead or between your eyebrows and then use your thumb and the knuckle of your ring finger to alternately close and release your nostrils.

 

The rhythm of the inhalation to the exhalation is usually uneven at first.  With practice, it will smooth out so they become equal in length. When this is easy for you, begin slowing the exhalation down so that it becomes longer than the inhalation until eventually the exhalation is about twice as long as your inhalation.   More breathing ratios are below.  Maintain alertness of your breath instead of breathing mechanically.

Process

While either hand position can be used, the Vishnu Mudra is used to describe the pattern for the sake of clarity. The pattern alternates nostrils after each inhalation like this:  Exhale – inhale / change nostril / exhale – inhale / change nostril, etc.

Here’s how to practice one round of alternate nostril breathing:

  • Come into a comfortable seated position with your spine erect.
  • Form your fingers of your right hand into Vishnu Mudra by curling your index and middle fingers into your palm, straighten the ring and little fingers, and place your thumb against your right nostril.
    1.  Gently exhale and then inhale through your left nostril.
    2. Close the left nostril with the ring finger.
    3. Release the thumb. Gently exhale and then inhale through the right nostril.
    4. Close that nostril with the thumb and continue with step 1.
  • In other words, repetition is done by alternating nostrils after each inhalation.
  • Begin practicing for two minutes and gradually, very gradually, increase to ten minutes.  Avoid strain or force.

Breathing Ratio Variations for alternate nostril breathing:  Take your time with these ratios.  Never rush.  Do not force or strain.  Do not use breath retention if you have hypertension or other cardiac conditions.

The examples given are to the count of 4. This can be adjusted to 3, 4, 5 or 6 depending upon your comfort level. Count by silently saying Om 1, Om 2, Om 3, Om 4, etc.

  • Ratio of 1:1 – Develop breath control so that the inhalation and the exhalation are exactly the same length of time. Inhale for the count of 4. Exhale for 4. . Do not proceed until perfected.
  • Ratio of 1:2 – Double the length of the exhalation. Inhale for the count of 4. Exhale for 8. Do not proceed until perfected.
  • Ratio of 1:2:2 – Addition of breath retention. Inhale to the count of 4. Hold the breath for 8. Exhale for 8. Do not proceed until perfected.
  • Ratio of 1:4:2 – Inhale to the count of 4. Hold 16. Exhale 8. Do not proceed until perfected.
  • Ratio of 1:4:2:3 – Inhale 4. Hold 16. Exhale 8. Hold the exhalation 12. Do not proceed until perfected.

Note:  Alternate Nostril Breathing was adapted and reprinted with permission from Julie Lusk’s books

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