Book a Professional Speaker for your Employee Training, Conference, Workshop, and Lunch and Learn sessions. Contact Julie Lusk by email or call 513-248-9642

DARE to Relax © Workshop

Transform daily stress into the energy needed to enjoy life.  DARE’s self-care principles include Diet; Attitude and Awareness; Rest, Relaxation, and Relationships; and Exercise. 

Learning to cope with the stressors of daily living is crucial to health, happiness and well-being.  It is estimated that 60 to 90 percent of medical conditions are stress-induced or worsened by stress.  This is costly in terms of medical bills, absenteeism, and loss of productivity.  An obvious remedy is to learn self-care techniques that both reduce stress and help one cope with the effects of stress.

DARE to Relax ä is a wellness-based relaxation training and stress management program that is practical and well rounded.  The format includes a balance of factual information and experiential activities.  Participants will:

1. Understand the dynamics of stress and it’s causes
2. Understand the positive and negative effects of stress
3. Learn how to reduce stress using the self-care principles of DARE to Relax ä

Diet: Nutritional considerations are discussed.  For example, stress depletes Vitamins A, B, C, and calcium.  Dietary recommendations are given to maintain proper nutrition.

Attitude and Awareness: The stress response is activated by the way a person perceives an event.  Becoming aware of stressors can help a person modify their thoughts and behavior so their reactions are healthier.  The mind/body connection is addressed and mind/body interventions are demonstrated and practiced to reduce stress.

Rest, Relaxation and Relationships: Discovering the difference of active and passive relaxation is taught.  A relaxation exercise is done so participants can learn experientially.  Information is covered on the recent research on relationships that shows the negative effects of loneliness on health.

Exercise: The benefits of exercise are well known.  In particular, physical activity helps burns off the bio-chemical effects of stress.  Participants are encouraged to maintain a practical exercise routine.

DARE to Relax Testimonials

Ethicon Edno-Surgery, Inc.

100% rated the content as excellent or above average

100% rated the speaker as excellent or above average

100% rated the program as excellent or above average

• Everything was interesting.  I liked the relaxation exercises.
• I learned relaxation tips to gain more energy.
• I learned how to relax in short periods of time.  I liked the 2-minute nap.
• I learned techniques to help relax and reduce stress.  I hope some of these techniques will help reduce my stress at work.
• The program reiterated things I know, but was good to have confirmed.  I liked the stretches.
• I learned to release stress with little time and quickly.  How food plays a part in stress and illness.  The instructor had excellent content.  Very beneficial.
• It’s important to take time to relax and reduce stress.
• I appreciated the ideas that were relevant to my situation.
• Thank you

Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems

100% rated the content as excellent or above average

100% rated the speaker as excellent or above average

100% rated the program as excellent or above average.

• The stress fighting techniques allow me to be more focused and therefore a better team player
• How to relax at work when things get you down.  Reinforced healthy eating and its benefits
• Things I can do to minimize the effects of stress on my life
• The info and exercises motivated me to start exercising again and to start yoga
• To try and think more positive thoughts
• I’d like more information on journaling
• The info on the mind/body connection was excellent
• Stop being a perfectionist – I am one and it is stressful
• You have reinforced the idea that I can do anything I put my mind to!!

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. Mike

Rebecca Laney
Director, Center for Yoga and Health

Julie is a petite powerhouse!

SPICES for Life is featured in

Stress Solutions Now - Instant PDF Download!

Improve your mind, body, and spirit with this amazing manual. This instant download gives you stress relieving solutions that work every time. First, you get quick, easy ways to identify sources and symptoms of stress. Next, you'll learn simple techniques for getting genuine stress relief. Finally, you'll benefit from 6 wellness strategies for living a worthwhile life, 8 practical solutions to handle stress with ease, and find out how to make remarkable improvements at work and home.

Book Julie Now

Julie travels from Cincinnati, Ohio

Julie T. Lusk, M.Ed.
Wholesome Resources
Milford, OH   45150

Greater Cincinnati Area

513-248-9642

email

Hi

I never thought I’d ever be a writer, national speaker or recording artist.  In fact, I had good reasons for those beliefs, but that’s a different story.  But here I am, living proof that if you allow the flow of life, intuition, grace, good relationships, synchronicity, inspiration and action to be your guide and foundation, surprising things happen.  Somehow, your own true purpose and path will find you and support your efforts (yes, it also takes honing your skills and hard work too).

These days, I’m fortunate to regularly offer weekly yoga classes in-person and virtually. National and international  workshops on yoga, meditation, guided imagery and deep relaxation are given.  This combo gives me a nice balance of having the joy and comfort of cultivating ongoing relationships and watching people grow in body, mind and spirit, with the stimulation and challenge of designing original workshops and retreats, meeting new people and traveling to interesting places.

Businesses, schools and various organizations often invite me in to offer training in Desktop Yoga (R), stress management, and wellness strategies.  It’s so rewarding to watch people begin feeling energized and empowered on the spot!

I love learning.  I earned a graduate degree from VA Tech in counseling and have received training in numerous types of yoga ranging from extremely relaxing to quite vigorous. This centered me on the middle path.  There have been plenty of courses and retreats in yoga nidra, meditation, guided imagery, deep relaxation, energy work, and music.  Of course, living life, and my family and friends, have taught me the most.  See more about my education, training, and publications here.

Wholesome Resources is the interesting business I developed over 20 years ago.  We believe that stress relief, wellness strategies, and mind-body techniques are essential ingredients for personal and professional happiness.  We offer training and workshops for large and small groups at both worksites and retreat centers.  Individual mentoring too.

In the past, my work has included being regional director of six hospital-based holistic health and wellness centers (2 yrs), director of a health management center at a large medical clinic (10 yrs), assistant dean of students at a liberal arts college (7 yrs), director of a community college special services program (4 years), volunteer director of the Alive & Well Coalition (5 yrs), an awareness counselor in WV (2 yrs) … and other duties as assigned.

My home, with my husband and dogs, is in the greater Cincinnati area.  For fun, I enjoy making friends, hiking, playing music (flute, drums, harmonium, didgeridoo), making art messes, and reading all sorts of stuff.  I look forward to meeting you!

Julie Lusk, M.Ed., NCC, RYT-E500

Wholesome Resources ~~  Founder & Chieftess

Wholesome Resources and Services Provided

Julie is available as a business and conference speaker and consultant to groups and individuals.  Her books, recordings and other materials are plentiful.

Presenter and Professional Speaker (partial list)

• Businesses: Procter & Gamble, Fidelity Investments, General Electric, City of Staunton, Ethicon/J&J, Xpedx, Convergys, Cincinnati Bell, Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Allstate Insurance and more
• Yoga and Meditation Centers:  Kripalu (19 years), Jesuit Spiritual Center (9 years), Discovery Yoga (4 years), Sivananda / Bahamas, Satchidananda (10 years)– Satchidananda Ashram/Yogaville (7 years) and more
• Colleges and Universities:  University of Cincinnati, Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, University of Western Australia, Hollins College, and more.
• National Conventions:  National Wellness Conference (16 years), NICABM ( 10 years), Speaking of Women’s Health  (4 years), National Flute Convention (2 years), International Symposium on Community Health (Washington, Hong Kong, Japan) and more.
• Non-Profit Groups:  American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Jamaican Cancer Society, Council of Community Services, American Red Cross and more.

Published Books 

• Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation, Llewellyn, Woodbury, MN. 2021
• Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief, New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA. 2015
• Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening, Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN. 2005
• Desktop Yoga, Penguin Group / Perigee Books, New York, NY.  1998.  Translated into Spanish, Dutch and German
• 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Vol. 2, Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN.  1993
• 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Vol. 1, Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN.  1992. Translated into Spanish and Italian

Audio Recordings

• Refreshing Journeys and many others (Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN)
• Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Guided Mindfulness Meditations (Health Journeys)
• Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditations for Relaxation & Renewal (Health Journeys)
• Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Power of Presence CD (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Wholesome Relaxation CD (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Wholesome Energizers CD (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Blue Moon Rising CD (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Many other

E-Books 

• Mind Body Mastery:  Guided Imagery, Meditation, Real Relaxation
• Stress Solutions Now
• Power Napper – Guided Relaxation
• 108 Easy Energy Answers
• Yoga on the Go (coming soon)
  
• The Original Desktop Yoga (coming soon)
• Desktop Yoga Strategies to Calm Down, Get Energized, Spark Creativity & Reduce Frustration (coming soon)

Clients

Her clients have included Procter & Gamble, Fidelity Investments, University of Cincinnati, General Electric, City of Staunton, Ethicon/J&J, Xpedx, Convergys, Cincinnati Bell, Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Allstate Insurance and more.

Julie has developed stress management materials and wellness programs for such organizations as the City of Staunton, Roanoke College, Medco Health and many others.

Her relaxation, imagery and affirmation CD’s are being used on an ongoing basis at Good Samaritan Hospital, American Heart Association, Hospice of Cincinnati, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, American and Jamaican Cancer Societies, VA Tech and other organizations nationwide.

Media

She has appeared as a guest on numerous radio and television shows for CBS, ABC, FOX, ESPN and NBC affiliates, as well as South China Morning Post and Hong Kong Metro News Radio.

Yoga Journal, New Woman Magazine, Cincinnati Enquirer, Business Courier, Vegetarian Times, Body& Soul Journal for Holistic Living, Cincinnati Woman, IDEA Today, Roanoker, Wellness Management, among other publications, have featured Julie’s work in articles.

Julie’s Professional Awards and Commendations include 

• National Certified Counselor since 1985.  Julie was a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia for 20 years
• Registered E-500 Yoga Teacher via the Yoga Alliance since 2001
• YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider) since 2015
• Award for Excellence in Health Promotion – Wellness Councils of America
• Outstanding Community Service Award – Council of Community Services, Roanoke, Virginia
• Business Associate of the Year- American Business Women’s Association    

Please contact Julie Lusk now.

513-248-9642 (yoga)

Click here to email.

Julie Lusk

What a pleasure to specialize in balancing and strengthening the body-mind-spirit connection through yoga, meditation, positive relaxation, and guided imagery.  I feel so fortunate to have discovered yoga and meditation as a young woman in the 1970’s and to continue to study and practice till now. What a joy it has been to teach all these years and to be the author of the many books and recordings listed below on yoga nidra, meditation, guided imagery and similar practices.

My professional counseling training, certification, and work has been invaluable, providing me with an enriching perspective on mind-body interventions.  Professionally, I have been a regional director for a large hospital-based holistic health and wellness program, director of health management and wellness at a well-known medical clinic, an assistant dean of students for career planning and placement at a college, director of special services at a community college, and an educational awareness counselor.  Thousands have been touched through my volunteer work.

Most of all, I love sharing all this with others.  This has given me a practical sensibility of what works and what doesn’t as well as all the benefits that happen.  It’s a real joy for me to teach others as a teacher and trainer.

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

PUBLISHED BOOKS

• Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation, Llewellyn, Woodbury, MN. 2021
• Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief, New Harbinger, Oakland, CA, 2015
• Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening, Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN. 2005
• Desktop Yoga, Penguin Group/Perigee Books, New York, NY.  1998.  Translated into Spanish, Dutch and German
• 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Vol. 2, Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN—First edition 1993, second edition 2015
• 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Vol. 1, Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN—First edition 1992, second edition 2015. Translated into Spanish and Italian

AUDIO RECORDINGS

• Guided Mindfulness Meditations: Practicing Presence & Finding Peace (Health Journeys, Cleveland, OH)
• Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditations for Relaxation & Renewal  (Health Journeys, Cleveland, OH)
• Yoga Nidra:  Inner Strength and Balance (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Yoga Nidra: Unshakeable Peace and Joy (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Yoga Nidra:  High-Level Living (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Refreshing Journeys (Whole Person Associates, Duluth, MN)
• Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Power of Presence  (Kunaki Publishers / WR) Wholesome Relaxation  (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Wholesome Energizers  (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• Blue Moon Rising (Kunaki Publishers / WR)
• And many other

EDUCATION

• Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
  • Master of Arts in Education – Counseling and Family Development
• Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia
  • Bachelor of Arts in Education. Cum Laude. Course work in rehabilitation counseling and education

YOGA ALLIANCE

• Registered Yoga Teacher E-500 since 2001
• Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider or YACEP

YOGA CERTIFICATIONS

• White Lotus Foundation – Certified Yoga Teacher, 1994
• White Lotus Foundation – Advanced Teacher Training, 1996
• Yoga of the Heart Certification – Nischala Devi at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, VA 1998
• Atma Yoga – Certified Yoga Teacher & Yoga Teacher Trainer, 2001
• iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher Training with Richard Miller, Level 1, 2011
• Master classes with Lilias Folan, Christopher Baxter, Nischala Joy Devi, Sarah Powers, Michael Reed-Gach, Sam Dworkis, Richard Miller, Donna Farhi, Sally Kempton, Belleruth Naparstek, Joe Panoor and many others

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

• Intensive Training Institute:  Alternative Approaches to Mind/Body Medicine with Christine Page, MD, and C. Normal Shealy, PhD, NICABM.  1996
• Institute Certificate:  Clinical Training Hypnosis Course with Helen Erickson, RN, PhD, and Sandra Sylvester, PhD, NICABM.  1995; Bill O’Hanlon,
• Reiki II Therapist. 1998, 2001, 2005.
• Healing Touch I:  2000
• SoulCollage ® Facilitator: 2015

COUNSELING CREDENTIALS & CERTIFICATIONS

• National Board for Certified Counselors – National Certified Counselor, 1985 – present 
• Commonwealth of Virginia – Licensed Professional Counselor, 1981 – 2001

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
     Yoga ~ Meditation ~ Guided Imagery ~ Yoga Nidra

• National and International
  • Satchidananda Ashram / Integral Yoga / Yogaville, VA (7 years)
  • Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association Conference (5 years)
  • Kripalu Center Program (14 years);
  • Sivanada Yoga Ashram in the Bahamas (10 years)
  • Discovery Yoga (4 years)
  • Yoga Educator at the National Wellness Conference for 15 years
  • Yoga Educator at the Health Immunity & Disease NICABM Conference (7 years)
• Regional Yoga Educator (teaching classes consecutively since 1977)    
  • Yoga Slumber Party & Women’s Retreat, Milford, OH: 2001 – present
  • Honey Sweetie Acres Goat Yoga, Goshen, OH: 2017 – present
  • Jesuit Spiritual Center, Milford, OH:  2004 – present
  • Anderson Senior Center & Heritage Church, OH: 2005 to present
  • Miami Township OH; 2000 – present
  • Cincinnati Yoga School, HealthPlex at Anderson, Fairfield: 2000-2005
  • YMCA, Salem, VA:  1996 – 1999
  • Lewis-Gale Medical Foundation, Salem, VA: 1989 – 1996
  • Roanoke College, Salem, VA: 1982 – 1989
  • Roanoke Memorial Hospital; 1983 – 1984
  • Roanoke Athletic Club: 1980 – 1982
  • Virginia Western Community College: 1978 – 1980
  • YWCA: 1977 – 1978

PROGRAM DEVELOPER

• Desktop Yoga ®.  Modified over 100 yoga postures and created sequences to be practiced by “office workers, internet addicts, and stressed out students.”  Author of Desktop Yoga (Penguin/Putnam Group). Blessed with numerous media, medical and work-site demonstrations as well as publications and interviews.
• DARE to Relax.  Developed a stress management-training program that has been used in business, collegiate, medical and community settings.  DARE stands for Diet; Attitude and Awareness; Rest and Relaxation; and Exercise.
• SPICES for Life   Initiated, developed, promoted and implemented wellness programs for collegiate, corporate and community groups.  SPICES stands for Social, Physical, Intellectual, Career, Emotional and Spiritual wellness.  Programs included health fairs, wellness assessments and various activities.
• Wellaware    Designed, implemented, promoted and evaluated employee wellness program for Lewis-Gale Clinic.  Components included ongoing incentive program to encourage and reinforce wellness behaviors.  On-going events were planned and implemented.
• Alive and Well Coalition   Chaired the 1000 member volunteer coalition which developed, promoted and implemented the country’s first community based wellness week (1986).  Quit and Win, a community-based smoking cessation contest (38% quit rate); Project Lean, a community-wide project to promote good nutrition and exercise.  Certificates of Recognition from the Governor of Virginia, the US Secretary of Health, the Virginia Commissioner of Health, the Mayor of Roanoke, and Wellness Councils of America.