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.

Yoga Nidra FAQ by Julie Lusk as PDF

What Is Yoga Nidra? Yoga Nidra means “yogic sleep.”  It powerfully combines ancient yoga with contemporary science. It starts with a systematic process for shedding physical, mental, and emotional stress. Energy and alertness increase and unconditional peacefulness and quiet is uncovered. No yoga experience is needed. It is typically done lying down. It feels great!

What are the benefits of Yoga Nidra?  With regular practice, your health will improve.  Scientific studies have shown that real relaxation and yoga nidra helps with a variety of physical and mental problems.  It can boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, and decrease pain.  Though it’s not a substitute for sleeping, one hour of yoga nidra equals about 4 hours of typical sleep because the brain wave state we’re in is extremely restful and relaxing.  You’ll enjoy living with a clear head.  Eventually, mood swings and emotional upsets won’t bother you.  Your creativity and intuition will flourish in a positive and productive way.   Plus, your energy increases.   See more documented benefits of yoga nidra here.

Is Yoga Nidra different from hypnosis?   Yes.  In hypnosis, we’re in a brain wave state that is not as deep as in yoga nidra.  With hypnosis, someone else makes suggestions to us in this altered state.  In Yoga Nidra, positive suggestions originate and come from within ourselves for lasting and constructive change.  This is called setting a resolve, or sankalpa.

How is Yoga Nidra Done?  The purpose of yoga nidra is to completely relax physically, energetically, mentally, and emotionally.  Doing so is deeply soothing and it naturally awakens innate wisdom and intuition.  During the yoga nidra process, you’ll be invited to get comfortable lying down in the relaxation pose (savasana)  This is done on a yoga mat or something similar.  Specialized relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, and guided imagery are utilized for becoming extremely relaxed and to replenish energy. Yoga nidra effectively handles everyday tension and is capable of healing deep-seated stress. It is much more than a quick fix.

How does Yoga Nidra help me make positive changes?  What is a resolve, also called a sankalpa? The brain wave state we’re in during Yoga Nidra is fertile ground.  We’re both very relaxed and very receptive.  Setting a resolve during this time makes it completely possible to clear out useless habits and bring about positive and permanent changes in your personality and life.  So, choose something worthwhile that has meaning and significance for you as your resolve. Some examples are kindness, courage, and love or something to give meaning to your life purpose.  The sankalpa (resolve) is stated briefly, sincerely, and in the present tense at the beginning and end of yoga nidra.  Use the same one until it becomes a living reality.  Get more help on sankalpas here.

How often should I do Yoga Nidra?   Regular practice (daily to several times a week) is strongly recommended, especially if you want to reap the benefits.

Note:  Refer to Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief by Julie Lusk (NHP 2015) for a clear and complete information on yoga nidra.  It’s available at the WholesomeResources.com store and other online outlets.

The Map of Consciousness used during Yoga Nidra

One technique that is used to achieve the state of conscious awareness known as yoga nidra, is to mentally scan the body using a specific order and duration based on the sensory-motor cortex, also called the homunculus.  It is recommended to follow the same sequence to help bring about the movement of prana (life force) and create a healthy flow of energy.

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.  This is why more time is intentionally spent scanning the areas of the body with more of the brain dedicated to it during the practice.

Sensory-motor cortex © as shown in Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief by Julie Lusk. Click image to enlarge.

The diagram below shows the subtle energy centers, called chakras, that are also mentally scanned.  Chakras are associated with physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual health, and more.

Crown Chakra – Wisdom. Spirituality – Purple
Third Eye – Intuition.  Insight – Indigo Blue
Throat – Self expression. Communication – Blue
Heart –  Compassion.  Love. Kindness – Green
Solar Plexus – Self esteem. Confidence – Yellow
Sacral – Sensuality, intimacy, creativity – Orange 
Root –  Safety. To have.  To be – Red

Yoga_nidra_FAQ_by Julie Lusk as PDF

Resources: Books, Recordings & More

Get Audio Downloads here

NEW! Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation

Experience peace and deeply restorative rest that heals your body, mind & spirit. Features 24 Yoga Nidra scripts written by author Julie Lusk and 12 of the world's master teachers. Enjoy 6 levels of relaxation for a joyful meditative experience. Learn to use yogic sleep to revitalize your inner reservoir of intuitive understanding and unconditional joy. Audiobook available. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...

Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief - Print Book & Audio download

Yoga Nidra can stop tension in its tracks with a wonderfully, powerful & unique state of deep relaxation, mental clarity & insightful awareness. These practical, empowering relaxation exercises, meditations that soothe and visualizations that renew are based on classic yoga and backed by modern science. They’ll help you unwind, replenish, and feel refreshed with durable peace and unconditional joy. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...

Yoga Nidra Essentials CD

Find your calm spot. Brighten your energy. Enjoy a more meaningful life. Experience 6 levels of relaxation. Reclaim optimal health for your body, mind & heart. Laura says "My focused mind easily. I was 100% worry-free. It's wonderful." By Julie Lusk, 6-time author. Digital downloads available.

Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CD (Shop @ Amazon / iTunes = We are sold out temporarily)

This takes you into a deeply relaxing and powerful state of being fully aware while being in the state of deep sleep.

Its many benefits include:

• Listening for 1 hour equals 4 hours sleep
• Improves immunity
• Increases heart health
• Relieves stress
• Brings inner peace and balance

Digital downloads are available.

CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...

Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditations for Relaxation & Renewal Download

Get clear guidance to experience 6 levels of relaxation done lying down. This meditation replenishes energy. It delivers mental clarity as restless thoughts and emotional upsets fade away. Specialized breathing, guided imagery & mindful awareness are used. An inner reservoir of heartfelt peace, intuitive understanding & unconditional joy is revealed. One hour of practice equates to 4 hours of sleep.

Chakra Energy Flow Meditation ©

By Julie Lusk

Time: 12-15 minutes

Summary: Energy flows like a river in this guided imagery exercise. Sitting in a meditation posture is more effective than lying down for working with the chakras because the physical alignment encourages and amplifies the flow of energy.

Chakra Energy Flow © 2005 is for personal use only and not for duplication or recording.  Reprinted with permission from Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening by Julie Lusk.

Guided Imagery Meditation

Each of us has internal currents of energy within that flow like rivers. This energy is what gives us life and activates us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It influences everything from the concrete to the abstract. For instance, our flesh and bones are activated into life by this energy source. It gives us inspiration to accomplish our meaningful ambitions. Primarily, these rivers of energy span from the base of the spine up through the top of the head and move up and down, in and out, as well as forward and back. Furthermore, there are many other tributaries that extend throughout the rest of our being.

When this energy is open, flowing and balanced, we’re able to express our full potential and interact with the outside world. It enables us to easily receive information, love, and resources from outside of us. We’re also able to manifest our dreams and life purpose, liberate our awareness and actions, and free up energy to take action. It’s important for this energy to flow in a balanced, continuous way. Too often however, areas of energy become overly stimulated and excessive, or it bogs down to a trickle. It can get blocked, leaky, or hyperactive.

The purpose of this guided imagery is to balance these rivers and currents of energy in a wholesome way.  So, in your own manner, set an intention to balance and align your energy flow so it serves the greater good for yourself…others…and in the world.

So, in your own way, become aware of a constant source of energy and power that is plentiful…and it’s readily available to you as well as to all others… There are many ways of experiencing the energy as it flow and you can use your senses to experience it…perhaps you can see it, feel it, or hear it… it may have a color, a shape or a sound … It may possibly sparkle…it may glow… How does the presence of energy occur to you?

Imagine tapping into this energy supply right now. Feel it moving and flowing now.

Let’s refine and focus on this energy more attentively by experiencing it as a fountain that flows from below your feet… and into your legs… and into the base of the spine… and it moves upward to the top of the head and beyond…a constant fountain of energy that flows, and moves and is alive…actively flowing through the core of your body from the base to the top…imagine this energy lighting up your awareness…increasing your freedom…and liberating you.

And now, imagine this energy as it showers down like a waterfall. It originates above you and pours down through the crown of the head, down throughout the core of the body, and back to the earth…Experiencing streams of energy running downward through you as it boosts and enlivens your thoughts, dreams, and aspirations into reality…and clearly imagine your dreams taking shape in the world.

So now, this energy flows evenly and fluidly…gracefully moving up and down…up and down the central core that spans from the top of the head to the base of the spine and back to the crown of the head…It can even extend from the earth, through you, and into the sky and back down again.

Imagine and allow this energy to continually flow…automatically…fluidly…and elegantly… whether or not you are paying direct attention to it.

Now it’s time to experience this flow of energy in a new way… This river of energy influences your incoming and outgoing interactions …so hold your attention on the whole length of your spine, from its base to the top. …Allow a wellspring of energy to radiate constantly through the length of your spine, …and feel it start to move in and out…forward and back… and sideways…. … Imagine a constant, abundant supply of energy radiating out from your core…Energy shining out through the front…out the back…to the sides…and all around…making it possible for you to express your self in your life… including your work …touching your relationships…and the world you live in …as this energy moves along the length of your spine, radiating outward in all directions.

And now, this energy returns to you, moving from the outside to the inside…replenishing your energy…receiving it in its many forms…in the form of information…thoughts…and love…being returned to you…naturally flowing into you until it begins flowing in and out like a dance…evenly…smoothly…and effortlessly…continuing to flow, whether or not you are paying attention to it.

And somehow, energy currents are flowing in all directions…up and down…in and out…in unison, balancing and blending and harmonizing…cooling and calming down where the energy is excessive and too strong…and activating and energizing where the energy is too weak or blocked.

And part of you steps out of the way so this can happen naturally…and this part of you notices how all this happens.

This energy source is inside you and all around you… It is constant and supportive…and it guides you…balances you…and makes you feel whole and complete.

It’s time to reawaken to your surroundings…Listen to the sounds (name some as they occur)… become aware of your breath…feel the air on your skin… feel your body, your physical presence…and when ready, stretch and open your eyes.

Author’s Note: Anodea Judith inspired this guided visualization. May her energy be abundant and a blessing to her and to all others.

Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices - Book & CD set

Awaken joy, peace and inspiration with this yoga meditations book. Yoga Meditations contains a wide variety of mind-body practices, such as: * Guided relaxation exercises * Breathing practices * Yoga Nidra * Meditations and guided imagery * Affirmations * Yoga postures and meditations for each chakra * Yoga wisdom for contemplation Get a FREE Wholesome Energizers CD in every book! CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...

Chakra Chart

Finally! A complete Chakra Chart with all the chakra names, locations, colors, sounds, yoga postures, breathing techniques, psychological & energetic influences and more. There's handy tips for using the chart on the reverse side. It's 8 1/2 by 14" and laminated. CLICK on the blue title link above to find out more...

Guided Meditation for the Chakras

Real Relaxation Yoga Nidra takes you into a deeply relaxing and powerful restful state of being fully aware while being in the state of deep yogic sleep.  It helps with balancing chakra energy, and can improve immunity, heart health, relieve stress and give you inner peace and balance.

Get it from Amazon, iTunes, Spotify & other online stores.

Handy Links

• Learn about chakras and their influences | Get your Complete Chakra Chart
• Chakra Balancing with Sound Healing. Use the Elemental Chakra Tone Chart to balance your chakra energy by either increasing or decreasing their energy with sound, color, and special mantras. The Vedic (Yoga) and Tibetan notes and tones are given. It’s fun.
• How to balance chakra energy with toning and hand & finger movements called mudras.
• Get info related to chakra elements, directions, sounds, senses, and other attributes 
• Chakra Energy Flow Meditation
• Understanding OM | AUM
• Book a Musical Sound Bath session
  

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My Favorite Links & Resources

• Yoga Links
• Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation
• Guided Imagery
• Meditation
• Holistic Health
• Wellness Resources

Yoga Links

The Yoga Alliance is an organization that registers yoga teachers.  Registration can take place on at the 200 and 500 hour levels.  Finding a teacher who is registered assures you that they have studied everything  from philosophy, anatomy and physiology, asanas, teaching methodology, ethics, and techniques.  Julie Lusk has obtained registration at the highest level possible.  Julie is qualified to offer CEU’s from Yoga Alliance as a YACEP,

The Yoga Journal online is brimming with a wide range of yoga information.

Integral Yoga whose founder is Swami Satchidananda.

Himalayan Institute and the home of Yoga International Magazine

Iyengar Yoga A classic and always inspirational.

The International Association of Yoga Therapists has a wonderful collection of information.

Visit an excellent yoga pose (asana) library at beYogi

Yoga Nidra

Learn more about the history of yoga nidra here.

Yoga Nidra Network offers tons of resources on yoga nidra including free audios in multiple languages, a listing of yoga nidra teachers worldwide, info on trainings, and much more.

Research on yoga nidra, under the direction of Kamakhya Kumar, PhD 

Jennifer Reis’s yoga nidra CDs, Mp3’s, trainings and workshops

The Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI), under the direction of Richard Miller, PhD, provides materials, programs and teacher trainings based on yoga nidra.  See current, upcoming and planned IRest yoga nidra research

Guided Imagery

Health Journeys, by Belleruth Naparstek is the very best place to go for information and products, especially for medically-related guided imagery.  Click here for a collection of research on guided imagery and similar mind-body techniques.

CardPlusCD produces Julie Lusk’s guided imagery CDs.  Relaxation music by Tom Laskey is also offered.

Meditation

Loose Leaf Hollow is a wonderful retreat center in Bardstown, KY under the capable leadership of Joe Zarantonello.   Joe is an exceptional teacher, poet and the creator of the Integral Journal.  Check it out – it is truly a ‘space for grace’.

The Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford is in the greater Cincinnati area.  It provides programs, facilities and an environment which helps people find God in all things and live a life of compassionate service.  Julie Lusk teaches classes and offers retreats there and is on their Board of Trustees.

Click here for Meditations to listen to on-line from Thich Nhat Hanh, Sharon Salsburg and others.

Holistic Health

SelfHelpMagazine is a wonderful resource.  Please check it out.

The Continuum Center for Health and Healing is located at Beth Israel in NY.  Their site has a great resource library on complementary therapies as well as on health conditions.

Wellness Resources

Whole Person Associates  makes available the finest books, materials, audio and video tapes on stress management and wellness.  They publish and sell Julie Lusk’s Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices, 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Volumes One and Two and Wholesome Relaxation CD, Wholesome Energizers CD, and Refreshing Journeys audio tape and CD.

New Harbinger Publications is publishing my next new book, Yoga Nidra for Stress Relief.  They offer self-help resources  that are concise, practical, and factual.  Topics include anxiety, depression, anger, relationships, and health and feature the newest research available.

7 Arts Studio is the brainchild of Noreen Wessling.  She will inspire you to drum, draw, dream and let your spirit soar.  Mostly, you will have fun discovering hidden talents you never knew you had.  Cincinnati based.

Jakk’s Magic Beans Workshop:  Julie Keefe (a/k/a Jakk) offers Reiki and Feng Shui services, as well as one-of-a-kind creations to encourage, support and enhance your connection to well-being.  Visit her website to learn more and to feast your eyes on her wire-wrapped pendants!  Cincinnati based.

Mandala Monday is a new feature being offered by Julie Keefe (more about her above).  A mandala is a symbolic circle for healing.  It feels peaceful to look at and helps you focus too. Even better, she posts a new mandala each Monday  for you to color and submit for prizes.