The Distraction Disadvantage
Excerpt from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief. Julie Lusk. NHP 2015.
Brain Yoga
Alternate Nostril Breathing: Nadi Shodhana
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.
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 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
- Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening, published by Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN
- Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief, published by New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA
What is Golden Repair Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi
What is Golden Repair Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi 
These Japanese Words mean Golden Repair
Kintsugi (金継ぎ) or Kintsukuroi (金繕い)
“Kin” is translated as Golden
“tsugi” means Repair
Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi prizes imperfection. It is the art of restoring broken pottery with gold so the fractures are literally 
illuminated, capturing a kind of physical expression of its spirit.
“As a philosophy, kintsukuroi, celebrates imperfections as an integral part of the story, not something to be disguised. The true life of an object (or a person) begins the moment it breaks and reveals.that it is vulnerable,” says Georgia Pelligrini.
This technique suggests many things. Maybe we should think twice before throwing away broken objects. Perhaps, we should try to repair things rather than assume it is no longer useful. It may sometimes become a more valuable object.
This is the essence of resilience. Each of us can look for a way to cope with traumatic events in a positive way, learn from negative 
experiences to take the best from them and convince ourselves that every experience makes each person unique and even more precious.
Pictured are a few golden repairs that I have done. Doing kintsugi gave me welcome relief when a few things that held sentimental value to me were better than before.
Inspired by Georgia Pelligrini, Steffano Carnazzi, Leggi L’Articolo, and Beth Owens
Here’s a little more background on Kintsugi with
instructions on how to make your own ceramic golden repairs 
Many thanks to Imaginative Crafts, Do-It-Yourself Projects and Video Tutorials by Robert Mahar, robert-mahar.com
Materials:
Broken pottery
Clear two-part epoxy
Mica Powder
Directions:
1. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, dispense a small amount of the clear two-part epoxy into a disposable tray.
2. Scoop a small amount of the mica powder onto the epoxy and stir thoroughly to combine.
3. Using a toothpick or sandwich pick, generously spread the epoxy along one edge of the broken pottery seam.
4. Align the two pieces of pottery and press together. Hold in place until the epoxy sets. Allow epoxy to fully cure before using.
Sleep Solutions – Yoga Style
How’s Your Sleep?
Are you getting enough sleep? Are you tired of being tired? Could you be suffering from sleep deprivation? Well, you’re not alone. Most of us don’t get enough sleep. I don’t know about you, but it’s just irresistible to stay up late, even when I must get up early the next day.
Our busy lives make it so tempting to skimp on sleep. Lots of us have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Have you ever felt half-awake and half-asleep all night, here’s an explanation of why that happens with suggestions to help.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 7 hours of sleep in every 24 hours for adults. It’s nine to 12 hours for children 6 to 12 years old and teens need eight to 10 hours daily on a regular basis. Establishing good sleep hygiene habits are important to getting a full night’s sleep.
Benefits of Sleep
Getting enough sleep helps normalize mood, improves concentration, memory consolidation, and helps pain management. It improves performance and lowers the risk of having an accident. Sleep is good for your skin and your sex drive. It lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, resulting in better appetite control and weight loss. Getting enough sleep helps regulate glucose levels, supports heart-health and contributes to a healthy immunity. Recent NIH research reveals that sleep is needed to remove the daily buildup of waste and neurotoxins from the brain. Researchers are very interested in this since these neurotoxins are elevated in Alzheimer’s patients. It is thought that the glymphatic system rinses and flushes these neurotoxic molecules from the brain nightly during deep sleep. This clearing process seems to be more effective when sleeping on one’s side, according to a study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Here’s more information on side-sleeping.
Sleep Solutions – Yoga Style
The art and science of yoga has plenty to offer including postures, breathing techniques, meditation practices, and lifestyle recommendations for sleep improvement. To further ease one’s mind, yoga’s wisdom teachings are helpful for gaining a healthy perspective on everything from handling life’s ups and downs to living with more meaning and purpose. Furthermore, it addresses age-old questions like “Who am I?” and “What is my true nature?”
Students often say that they get their best sleep on the nights they attend yoga class. Having a regular personal home practice is ideal. Here are some of the many ways that yoga supports healthy sleep.
- Yoga Postures: A vigorous practice is fine early in the day. However, start winding down the evening with a practice that focuses on slow, mindful movements. Focus your attention on postures that reduce physical tension. Doing so has the added benefit of calming the mind and emotions. Good ones to try include the child pose, gentle spinal twists, legs up the wall, and shavasana. Restorative yoga works wonders as well.
- Yoga Breathing: The Triangle Breath is a favorite for balancing oneself and is described in my book, Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief (NHP, pg. 175). It is effective for increasing your energy when feeling tired, calming your nerves when feeling anxious, and promotes sound sleep. There are three parts to triangle breathing. The important thing is for the exhalation, inhalation, and the retention to be equal in duration. Therefore, adjust the rate of counting to four more quickly or more slowly depending on your lung capacity and comfort. Breathe through your nose; only use your mouth for breathing to the extent necessary.
Part 1 – Breathe out through your nose to the count of four.
Part 2 – Breathe in through your nose to the count of four.
Part 3 – Hold your breath to the count of four.
Repeat the whole process for a few minutes or until the desired effect happens.
- Yoga Nidra: Yoga nidra means “yogic sleep” and has many documented benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. It happens when your bodymind is in deep sleep but with one big difference – you remain consciously aware. How? A series of techniques are used systematically to relax physically, energetically, mentally, and emotionally. Yoga nidra awakens intuition, unconditional joy, and a timeless, spacious sense of being. Get more on the stages of yoga nidra and how to practice it here.
Yoga nidra can also be used as a natural sleep aid at bedtime. It eliminates layer after layer of tension and stress, allowing you to drift comfortably off to sleep and stay asleep. It’s like drinking a cup of comfort. More on this here.
Watch this short video on how yoga nidra helped her insomnia.
One hour of yoga nidra practice approximates four hours of sleep. This is due to the series of brain wave states experienced during yoga nidra (Saraswati 1998, Kumar 2008). Therefore, yoga nidra can help address sleep deprivation and renew your energy. The conscious experience of deep sleep is what makes it so restorative and unique. Due to the fertile brainwave states experienced, it’s also entirely possible to make positive behavior and personality changes. See the yoga nidra FAQ on setting intentions and sankalpas here. Remember, yoga nidra is not intended to be a substitute for sleep.
How to Experience Yoga Nidra:
Like all worthwhile things, regular practice yields the best results. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
- Listen to Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation | Audible – iTunes – Amazon
- Read about it and get free audio downloads in Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief (New Harbinger, 2015).
- Experience yoga nidra on video/audio.
- Attend a virtual yoga nidra class held weekly on Zoom.
- Take a yoga nidra teacher training course and earn a certificate.
- Get yoga nidra downloads here.
- Get a book or audio below.
Sweet Dreams!
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.
Julie 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 downoads and CDs include Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Blue Moon Rising, and many others. Learn more at WholesomeResources.com
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