Click here for my latest book & free audio download of the 3 main yoga nidra exercises! It’s as relaxing as it is informative and energizing.
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
Click here for my latest book & free audio download of the 3 main yoga nidra exercises! It’s as relaxing as it is informative and energizing.
by Julie Lusk
Many thanks to Dan Leven for sharing this Loving Kindness Facelift. He was inspired by Sharon Salzberg’s book, Real Love.
As he puts it, “It begins with “may my face be happy, may my face be peaceful.” And then you continue moving through each body part wishing them well in this way… “may my neck be happy, may my neck be peaceful … may my shoulders be happy, may my shoulders be peaceful,” and so on. You open your heart’s kindness to your whole body (including your own heart).”
It’s a great way to start and end the day. I love it. I really go to town with spreading happiness and peace throughout my entire body. I enjoy coming up with new places to shower with loving kindness with each practice such as for my brain, blood, eyes and ears – even my hair. Before long, it’s going out to family, friends, pets, strangers and to all kinds of situations. This meditation is especially handy when my attention is restless since it lets me jump all around. It can be any length too – long or short. It sure feels uplifting.
Dan goes on to explain the science underpinning it. He says, “the vagus nerve is a core part of our parasympathetic nervous system that has two branches. One branch is associated with surviving in a perceived life or death situation where our whole body slows down, feigning death (a primitive survival mechanism). The other branch is about helping us relax and soften into the loving support of others and is associated with the release of oxytocin (the cuddle or bonding molecule). Both branches are about our relationship to “others, “that being dangerous “others” or safe and loving “others.”
Here’s the kicker he reports, “the vagus nerve has many fibers that connect to our facial muscles where we reveal our emotions through a plenitude of expressions. Scientists have logged 21 different emotional expressions that register within the face and there are 8 universal emotional facial expressions that you don’t need a translator to interpret. So our face can register the vagal response from shock and terror, like a deer in the headlights of a moving car (survival vagus nerve), to happiness and peace, like a contented Buddha face (loving vagus nerve)! However, we can also create the response as we bring happiness and peace to our faces!”
So the KEY point, according to Dan, “is that as you invite or train your facial muscles to discover happiness and peace you are strengthening the relaxation response that’s linked to feeling supportive or loving connection with others -to feeling safe in the world.”
Come on – Give it a shot!
by Julie Lusk
This is a free guided imagery script of an imaginary walk in the woods that will renew your energy and vitality. It is published in Julie’s Yoga Meditations book and is on the CD included with the book. See below.
Time: 15 minutes
Begin by treating yourself to an enjoyable and satisfying stretch. Go ahead, it’s time to loosen up and stretch so you can reclaim your energy. That’s right. Stretch all over.
And now, please allow your entire body to settle and relax comfortably . . . if your legs or arms are crossed, please uncross them and settle yourself into whatever you are sitting or lying on.
Take in a nice big breath …fill your lungs full…and breathe out to let go from deep inside… And now, simply follow your breath in…and out…allowing each breath to refresh you on many levels.
With your eyes closed or barely open, begin to shift your attention away from the world around you to your inner world of sensations and into your imagination. It will do you good.
Take a big breath in . . . And sigh it all the way out.
Let your imagination take you
by Julie Lusk
Here’s where you’ll find plenty of resources to unify and balance your mind, body and spirit connection with yoga, meditation, guided imagery and real relaxation. Uplifting quotes too!
You’ll benefit from my 30+ years experience and get excerpts from my books and CD’s. I’m the author of Yoga Meditations, 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing (2 volumes), Desktop Yoga (R), and Mind-Body Mastery. My CD’s include Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra, Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Wholesome Energizers & more. Remember to consult your health care provider since this info is not intended to replace medical care. Full disclaimer.
Kick your shoes off and make yourself at home!
by Julie Lusk
Here’s how it all happened ~~ thanks to my lucky stars!
Last February, while I was teaching at Sivananda/Bahamas, I had my Vedic astrology chart read by Krishna Das. This was a fi
rst for me.
After describing me better than my own Mother could, he went on to say that the stars and planets and moon were lining up in May exactly as it was when I was born as well as at the age of 30. He said it was going to be a very productive time for me and would bring with it writing, teaching, learning, traveling and such.
I questioned him about the areas that I might concentrate on and gave him a list of things I’m interested in.
Right away, he said that yoga nidra would fit in perfectly with my chart. Next, I asked if I should pursue opportunities and he replied that would not be needed since opportunities would find me.
Can you only imagine the look on my face when I got an email “out of the blue” in May from New Harbinger Publications asking me if I would like to write a book for them on … Yoga Nidra for Stress Relief! Yoga Nidra is the totally relaxing and deeply healing aspect of yoga.
After checking them out and doing some discernment and soul-searching, I agreed. Next, they wanted a book summary, outline, authors bio, and a couple sample chapters. That took me a few months. The contract has now been finalized!
Could you please help me? Something that will really help the book come alive are stories. Would you be willing to share what Yoga Nidra feels like for you? Do you have a Yoga Nidra story about how it has helped you in some way? If so, please send them to me.
Why wait until the book and the new audios are released (it takes a long time). To celebrate, my Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CD is on sale for $5 off. This special offer is valid during December 2013.
Here is a (pdf) FAQ sheet on Yoga Nidra on
1) What is Yoga Nidra?
2) Is it different than meditation and hypnosis?
3) How it is done. How often.
4) Benefits
5) Resources.
ENJOY!