Mindfulness Meditation Warnings & Alerts
Julie Lusk, M.Ed., NBCC, E-RYT-500
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
I have selected these yoga sayings, quotes and poems since they express the heart, mind and soul of yoga and meditation. You can enjoy more wonderful yoga quotes posted on my blog as well as add your favorites and make comments.
You’re invited to check out my Yoga Meditations book. A whole chapter reflects the wisdom of yoga, yoga blessings and answers the age-old questions from the yogic point of view: “Who am I,” What is my true nature,” What is my purpose,” How to handle suffering,” and more. Yoga Meditations also has over 60 meditations, relaxation and guided imagery exercises.
Helpful Links
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Dedication of Merit
May the merit of our practice encourage all beings to unveil the hidden brilliance.
Yoga’s wisdom on one’s true nature ~ Yoga Meditations ~ Julie Lusk
The 4 Keys to Happiness
The mind becomes peaceful and free when the qualities of the heart are cultivated. These qualities are:
Friendship toward the joyful,
Compassion toward the suffering,
Happiness toward the pure, and
Undisturbed toward the impure.
More about these 4 keys to happiness from Sri Swami Satchidananda here.
Living Buddha
Again and again ~ Return like mountain ~ Release like ocean ~ Relax like sky ~ And rest ~ Rest in the heart of pure awareness.
Meditation and yoga is Inner-Resting. ~ Julie Lusk
Make Haste Slowly ~ Indian road sign for “curves ahead.” ~ Yoga slogan
We will start off slowly ~ and then taper off. ~ Integral Yoga slogan
Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life. ~ BKS Iyengar ~ See more quotes from Mr. Iyengar here.
The easy path is hard enough. ~ Integral Yoga slogan
Hard times require furious dancing. ~ alice walker
How to Make a Yogatini ~ Julie Lusk (link)
Advice from a Tree ~~ anon
go out on a limb
remember your roots
drink plenty of water
be content with your natural beauty
enjoy the view
And I’d like to add…
bask in the sun
don’t mind the clouds
provide shelter for birds, squirrels, and other creatures
go with the winds that are blowing through your life
climb a tree once in a while
Chakra Garden of Jewels ~ Julie Lusk with Kabir’s inspiration and ‘A Place to Sit’
Don’t go outside your house to search for jewels.
Don’t even bother with that excursion, my friend.
There are jewels inside yourself.
Precious, profound and ready to be discovered.
These jewels are just like flowers.
Some are taking root. They are in the process of being fertilized and getting ready to sprout.
Others are growing and budding , preparing to flower.
There are also beautiful blooms inside, brimming with fragrance and lively vitality.
Others are in stages of decline, getting ready to retreat, recycle themselves,
and naturally cycle back to the beginning.
Like a bouquet of flowers, there are jewels within you.
There is a sparkling ruby red jewel and it’s so stabilizing and protective.
There is an orange carnelian jewel too. It lights up your senses, creativity and ability to feel.
There is a beautiful amber jewel, radiating confidence, inner strength and courage.
There is an emerald jewel too. The glowing emerald green jewel is loving, forgiving and kind.
There is a bright sapphire blue jewel shining with truth and sparks your creativity.
There is an amethyst glowing inside that awakens your intuition and shows you the big picture.
There is a crystal clear diamond, shining with spirit, connecting the Holy Ones with you.
Don’t go outside your house to search for jewels.
Don’t bother with that excursion, my friend.
There are jewels inside yourself,
waiting to be discovered, polished and ready to beam beautifully.
Helpful Links
What is Yoga? ~ Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Alistair Shearer
Yoga is a way to restore our lost wholeness, our integrity as complete human beings, by unifying the personality around a center that is silent, unbounded, spacious, and joyful.
The techniques of yoga are methods of purifying the nervous system so that it can reflect a greater degree of consciousness and our lives can become an increasingly positive force in the world.
If these techniques are correctly practiced, the whole nervous system is revitalized – the body enjoys better health and more energy, the rested mind is freed from the burden of past experience, and perception is restored to its primal freshness. Thought and activity become coherent and integrated, life becomes richer and more fulfilling.
Yoga is not a religion. Its techniques, however, will gradually lead you to the direct experience of those truths on which religion rests. Yoga is a catalyst that allows us to grow in whichever direction is natural and life supporting.
Quotes from BKS Iyengar with more here
“Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”
“Spirituality is not some external goal that one must seek, but a part of the divine core of each of us, which we must reveal.”
In Light of Merton ~ Joe Z.
At the very center of our being is a great spaciousness that is untouched by sin and illusion.
A point of pure truth which is inaccessible to the fantasies of our mind or the brutalities of our will.
It’s like a pure diamond – blazing with the invisible light of heaven. It’s in everybody.
And if we could only see it and integrate it – we would radiate a peace that would make all the darkness and all the cruelty vanish forever.
Meta Meditation – Loving-kindness ~ Buddha
May I be well
May I be happy and content
May I be free from danger and suffering
May I be filled with loving-kindness
May you be well
May you be happy and content
May you be free from danger and suffering
May you be filled with loving-kindness
May all beings be well
May all beings be happy and content
May all beings be free from danger and suffering
May all beings be filled with loving-kindness
Gentle me, Holy One, into an unclenched moment, a deep breath, a letting go of heavy experiences, of shriveling anxieties,
of dead uncertainties. That softened by the silence, surrounded by the light, and open to the mystery, I may be found by
wholeness, upheld by the unfathomable, entranced by the simple, and filled with the joy that is You. ~ Ted Loder
Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, Grow. ~ The Talmud
Be alert for any sign of beauty or grace.
Offer up every joy.
Be awake at all moments to the news that is always arriving out of the silence
~ Sogyal Rimpoche
Today like any other day, we wake up empty and frightened.
Don’t open the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down the dulcimer.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
– Rumi
Just give me this: A rinsing out, a cleansing free of all my smaller strivings so I can be the class act God intended. True to my
purpose, all my energy aligned behind my deepest intention. And just this: A quieting down, a clearing away of internal ruckus, so I
can hear the huge stillness in my heart and feel how I pulse with all creation, part and parcel of Your great singing ocean. And this
too: A willingness to notice and forgive the myriad times I fall short, forgetting who I really am, what I really belong to. So I can start
over, fresh and clean like sweet sheets billowing in the summer sun, my heart pierced with gratitude. ~ Belleruth Naparstek
Being on the Yoga Path ~ Yoga Meditations ~ Julie Lusk
There was a saint who asked a snake not to bite but to love everyone.
The snake agreed. But then many people threw things at the snake.
The saint found the snake all battered.
“I didn’t say not to hiss,” said the saint.
Link to a comprehensive collection of Mantras and Chants
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain, or help one
fainting robin unto his nest again I shall not live in vain.
~ Emily Dickinson
I love to watch how birds
Soar on the wind.
There appears to be such
Little effort, yet such joy.
I want to become like a bird
and let my spirit soar
On the winds that are blowing
Through my life.
I will not be crushed against the rocks!
I will sense the rhythm,
The flow, and react accordingly.
I will trust my inner guide.
~ J. Garrett Garrison & S. Sheperd
I pray to the birds.
I pray to the birds because I believe they will carry the
messages of my heart upward.
I pray to them because I believe in their existence,
the way their songs begin and end each day
– the invocations and benedictions of earth.
I pray to the birds because
they remind me of what I love
rather than what I fear.
And at the end of my prayers,
they teach me how to listen.
~ Terry Tempest Williams
Just for Now, without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness. Just for now, lay down the weight you so patiently bear upon your
shoulders. Feel the earth receive you, and the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider as your awareness reaches up to meet
it. Just for now, allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience. Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth. Just for now,
be boundless, free, with awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet. Drink in the possibility of being who and what you really
are – so fully alive that the world looks different, newly born and vibrant, just for now. ~ Danna Faulds
Let yourself fall. Let yourself fall. Too much holding yourself up holds things up. Let yourself fall into the arms of the One who sometimes pulls the rug out from under you just so that you may know the sweetness of being caught.
May my feet rest firmly on the ground. 
May my head touch the sky.
May I see clearly
May I have the capacity to listen
May I be free to touch
May my words be true
May my heart and mind be open
May my hands be empty to fill the need
May my arms be open to others
May my gifts be revealed to me so I may return that which has been given completing the great circle.
– Terma
Loka samasta sukino bhavantu
May the entire universe be filled with peace and joy; love and light.
12 Symptoms of Inner Peace
~ Saskia Davis
1. An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
4. A loss of interest in judging other people.
5. A loss of interest in judging self.
6. A loss of interest in conflict.
7. A loss of the ability to worry.
8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
10. Frequent bouts of smiling.
11. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
12. An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and in the yoga place, ~~ adapted by Julie Lusk
not a muscle was moving, it was filled with grace.
The mats were lined up, on the floor with care,
in hopes that sweet relaxation would soon be there.
The students relaxed, all snug on their mats,
while life hurried on outside, like scaredy cats.
Dedicated bodies began moving, this way and that.
“Now Tadasana! Now, Chandrasana! Virabhdrasana! and Bridge!
On, Cobra! On, Bow! On Locust and Fish!
To the top of your head! And the bottom of your heart!
Now breathe away! Breathe away! Breathe away all!”
When up in my brain there arose such a clatter… see more!
Yoga & Mindfulness classes, retreats & workshops with Julie Lusk provide the perfect way to get exercise, gain
flexibility, add strength, and relieve stress. Focus is on opening, balancing and strengthening the body/mind/spirit connection through yoga and meditation. Mindful stretching, focused breathing and yoga nidra (guided relaxation) are combined to create a relaxed, secure atmosphere that is contemplative, challenging and fun. Alignment is emphasized to feel steady, supple and strong.

Yoga Nidra Relaxation is a soothing meditation done lying down. It relieves stress, increases heart health and immunity, and offers inner peace and balance. One hour of practice equals 4 hours of sleep. Julie is the author of both Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief and Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for Total Relaxation, and numerous relaxing and refreshing CDs.
SoulCollage ® is a refreshing way to spark your creativity, playfulness and spirited self by making small collages using an engaging process. No artistic abilities needed.
Julie Lusk, M.Ed., CYT, E-RYT-500, has over 40 years experience. She is certified to teach a variety of styles ranging from gentle to vigorous yoga. Julie is the author of six books and numerous recordings on guided visualization and yoga. See more qualifications here.


| ♥ Online Yoga Nidra Relaxation |
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| ♥ Yoga Nidra Teacher Training/Certification | General Info & Schedule Level 1 & Level 2 |
In-Person & Zoom |
| ♥ Women’s Yoga Slumber Party & Retreat | TBA | In-Person |
2026 Yoga Classes at Miami Township Civic Center 2026
** Miami Township Civic Center, Milford, OH
601 Meijer Drive – Milford, OH 45150
(513) 248-3727
** Register on the MTCC website or call (513) 248-3727
** Inclement weather policy and announcements. Schedule is subject to change.
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Mudras are yoga positions for your hands and fingers that facilitate health, healing, psychological balance and spiritual transformation. They are effective and easy to learn, practical and powerful and anyone can do them. You will learn how to apply these simple exercises to boost your energy, prevent illness and support healing.
→ Coming Soon! Please check back.

Learn everything you need to start a meditation practice.
We’ll cover techniques, benefits and more.
→ Coming soon. Please check back!


Enjoy 3 videos of Goat Yoga with Julie Lusk now!
Welcome to MusicSmith Flutes
Native American Style Flutes | Music | Fun
from Dave & Julie Lusk
| We have Native American style flutes! We are here for you with info on buying, playing, and caring for these special wood flutes. | ![]() |
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Enjoy relaxing sound bath music. Flutes, harps, chimes, harmonium, singing bowls and drums are played to soothe and refresh you. Concerts are in-person and on Zoom. Recordings too! |
Native American Style Flutes by Dave Lusk (bio below)
Refreshing Musical Sound Bath Tune-ups by Julie Lusk (bio below)
David Lusk Bio

David Lusk is a master flute maker who specialized in making customized, handmade gold and silver symphonic flutes and head joints. He serviced woodwinds and manufactured parts for new and antique flutes for over 40 years. He began designing and building handmade flutes and head joints during the early 80’s after apprenticing with the Landell Flute Company in Vermont. He is retired from servicing classical flutes, piccolos, and clarinets.
Currently, Dave is happily hand-crafting Native American style flutes from wood. Doing so unites his love of flute-building and woodworking with his love of music, knowledge of acoustics, and the intricacies of instrument design. He enjoys adding unique artwork to each flute he designs and makes.
Dave lives in the Cincinnati area. His customers live throughout the world.
Julie Lusk Bio
Julie started playing concert flute when the Lusks owned a music store. She delights in playing Native flutes for her yoga and meditation students and is happy to show others how to play.
Julie is Certified by the Academy of Sound Healing in the Foundations of Integral Sound Healing for Multi Instruments and completed their Integral Sound Healing with Tuning Forks 30-hour course. More about Julie’s musical sound baths, lessons, and concerts.
Handy Links
By appointment only ♥ Not a retail store.
Michael Arloski, Ph.D.,
Corporate Trainer, Professional Coach, Bellevue, Colorado
”In the professions of health care, wellness, training and public speaking we are all looking for an individual who combines professional qualities with personal characteristics in a genuine way. Julie Lusk is such a person and professional. Her message is received by others with openness because her very being fosters trust, love and respect. In creating a team of presenters for an impactful training for professionals, Julie Lusk would be one of my top five choices in the nation.”
Marianella Machado
College professor and composer
Julie, I would like you to know that your books, CD’s and handy-tips-to-use from the Wholesome Resources Newsletter have been extremely helpful to me. Since I have no time to attend yoga sessions at the yoga schools in Kentucky, your books, Desktop Yoga and Yoga Meditations have been my only way to practice yoga. I enjoy doing your yoga exercises because you present and explain them in a very clear and easy way to follow.
Your CD’s have also been very helpful to me. For example, Power of Presence CD has been a great way to control my physical stress as well as to enhance my meditation techniques.
Moreover, all of your handy-tips to use from the Wholesome Resources Newsletter are helping me to maintain an organized plan for improving my physical and mental health, because they make me focus my attention on what I need to do to feel better. I am looking forward to your new Mind-Body Wellness eBookCollection.
I am extremely grateful to you for your wisdom, knowledge, and kindness. You certainly are a very gifted spiritual person. May God continue blessing you with many more gifts.
Christopher Baxter, Architect, Yoga Trainer, Wellness Educator
Founding director, AtmaYoga Educational Services and Whole Human Wellness
If you, like so many of us, are faced with enormous challenges at this time, the necessity of a self-care approach to wellness is obvious. Your time invested in reading, reflecting on, and practicing the practical methods Julie provides will bring enormous relief, inspiration and renewed strength to your entire life and all those who are in your life.
As a yoga teacher and wellness educator for over 30 years, I can say with confidence that the up-to-date information and practices Julie has presented presented in her Mind-Body Wellness Collection are of the highest caliber. As a highly qualified expert in wellness, she has assembled a terrific collection and created a brilliant synthesis of their complimentary aspects. Any one of them, taken alone, will bring lasting benefits. Having them arranged in such a well organized system synergistically increases their transformational impact.
This is a powerful body of work.
→ Mike Sterling, Director of Human Resources
The Art Institute of Ohio writes:
Dear Julie: Thanks for sharing the DARE to Relax session with our staff. I have received several positive comments about it, especially the “2- Hour Nap in 10-minutes” segment.
Our staff received several valuable tips on reducing stress and the consequences of stress at work and in our personal lives. It was definitely time well spent.
→ Marianne Lang
Julie’s classes are a combination of challenge, relaxation and physical fine-tuning that are dramatically changing my life for the better.
→ Debbie Jackson
Julie’s yoga classes inspire the child within and brings to the mat asanas (postures) that touch the heart, joy that lifts the spirit and mindfulness to center the self promoting a smile to begin each new day.

“Yoga Meditations offers a wonderful and generous assortment of simple but powerful, eminently practical practices to guide and empower its readers, from beginner to sophisticate.”
→ Belleruth Naparstek Creator -Health Journeys guided imagery
Variety is the spice of life….and meditation, October 19, Milwaukee, WI
Yoga Meditations by Julie Lusk is a gem of a book – chock full of inspirational meditations for beginners as well as more seasoned practitioners. The variety here is nice – everything from breathing meditations to chakra meditations. You don’t have to be a yoga student to utilize these as they are appropriate for anyone. As a yoga instructor, this book helps to bring more diversity to the meditations at the end of our classes. My students have been really enjoying them.
This book comes with a CD, which features some of the meditations in the book. It is a nice bonus.
Wonderful resource!, June 5, 2008
| By | Kathy Bingham (Los Angeles, California) – |
Yoga Meditations is a wonderful book! I teach yoga and stress management at the college level and I use this book in both classes multiple times during the semester. The author Julie Lusk takes concepts that we as teachers study for years to understand (like the subtle anatomy or differing forms of meditation) and she explains them in a clear, concise and logical manner without oversimplifying them, but making the ideas accessible to teachers and students alike. She has invited other respected experts in mind-body techniques to contribute to the many guided exercises offered and the book also serves as a great resource guide.

I’d give Desktop Yoga 6+ stars if I could!, October 23
|
Desktop Yoga is a God-send,
This is a wonderful resource that helps me get through every day at work. My headaches and neck aches are better since I started using the yoga stretches and breathing techniques. It has taught me how to powernap for relief from feeling exhausted, and has given me lots of tips on how to cope with change, handle stress, and enjoy life more. A lot of helpful information is packed into the useful book. Thank you very much.
Volume 1


Finally! A comprehensive Imagery guide!, April 6
I use this book all the time., December 27
This is one of my favorite books because it is such a helpful resource to help me relax and benefit from guided visualization in incredible and powerful ways. Not only that, I use it all the time with my stress management, yoga and meditation clients. This book doesn’t get old.
Hurrah for Volume Two of 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery
December 27, 2001
I am extremely pleased with this book and am now the proud owner of both volumes of this book. It is one of those books that I use all the time, which says a lot. It helps me personally and is a terrific resource when I teach stress management sessions.