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.

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.

Invite Julie Lusk to Teach

It’s easy to arrange for Julie to provide training in person or remotely (Zoom) for your

• Yoga studio

• Meditation center

• Special group

• Yoga Alliance Approved

“Your classes and workshops are always like a multivitamin for my soul!!!  Julie Keefe

Book Julie Lusk – Call 513-248-YOGA (9642) or click here to email

“Julie’s classes have helped me to manage stress in addition to opening a whole new world of inner peace and physical fitness that has become a part of my daily life.”  Marianne Lang

Topics Include

• • How to Lead Deep Relaxation, (Yoga Nidra), Guided Imagery and Yoga Meditation

    – Yoga Alliance Approved Teacher Training
    

    Deep relaxation (Shavasana and Yoga Nidra) and guided imagery are powerful techniques for stress management and personal development.  They are used in a wide variety of settings ranging from yoga and meditation sessions to mental health treatment.  You will:
    –  Expand your skills and build your repertoire of relaxation and imagery guided imagery and meditation techniques
    –  Learn how to create the right atmosphere, use your voice effectively, select the best music, and more
    –  Gain confidence in leading individuals and groups
    –  Find out how to avoid common pitfalls.
    –  Become capable of writing powerful scripts and

  • • Offered at Kripalu (4 years), Discovery Yoga in FL (4 years), Cincinnati Yoga Teachers Association, Atma Yoga Teacher Training (3 years) (back to topics)
      

• Mind-Body Mastery:
  Understand the Principles – Benefit from the Practices

  

  Explore the power of the mind-body connection and put it into action to immediately enhance health in body, mind and spirit. From relieving stress, improving your outlook, cultivating a kind and compassionate heart, to making friends with Spirit, the mind-body connection does it all – and more.

  • Find out what the mind-body connection is and why it is so vital
  • Understand and explore the best tools and techniques to use to harness the mind-body connection positively and productively
  • Find out the remarkable benefits from serious studies to amazing stories.  Put it to the test and see for yourself.
  • Apply the mind-body connection personally to
    • Augment healing – physically, mentally and emotionally
    • Release tension and get energized
    • Learn therapeutic relaxation techniques to conquer stress
    • Understand and use guided imagery correctly
    • Benefit from this workshop through information, experiential activities and lively discussions

    Leave feeling energized and with practical mind-body tools to take home.

    →  Offered at Sivananda / Bahamas, Burke Marketing, and others

    (back to topics)

  Book Julie Lusk – Call 513-248-YOGA or 513-248-9642 or click here to email

   

• Stress Relief through Real Relaxation, Guided Imagery and Meditation
  

  Maximize your energy and health by finally getting the practical formula you need for managing stress using guided relaxation, imagery, yoga meditation, and sensible lifestyle changes as your tools. This workshop reviews the dynamics of stress, provides experiences in a variety of proven, user-friendly relaxation methods including guided imagery, yoga nidra, and meditation. You will leave feeling relaxed and energized, with a plan in hand for transforming everyday anxiety into awakened living.  Thousands are already using Julie’s guided imagery and meditation exercises in hospitals nationwide for increasing health.

  Offered at Kripalu Yoga Center (4 years); Integral Yoga at Yogaville, VA, and others
  (back to topics)

• 

  Special Retreat for Women:

  M&M’s for the Body, Mind & Spirit

  There’s nothing like a gathering of women to renew yourself.  Together, we’ll find out about the feminine approach to the practice, playfulness and passion of yoga for and about women. It’s a heart-centered way of being  fluid, nurturing, expressive, emotional, cyclical and changeable.  Clarity, compassion, courage and kindness are cultivated.  We will weave this together into a comfy quilt of M&M’s for the mind, body and spirit.  The M’s include movement, music, meditation, mudras, mandalas, mantra, the magic of the mother spirit and more.  Did I mention the Moon Salute?  The ‘S’ in M&M’s will bring us together as a sanga, which means socializing with sages, for satsang (discussion) and the development of our own personal spiritual practice or sadhana.  We’ll enjoy a shakti celebration.  It’s divine! (back to topics)

Yoga Meditation

In this workshop, you will find the meditation method that’s best for you for naturally discovering your inner strength and source of joy and inspiration.  You’ll learn to calm your restless mind and benefit from the healing nature of meditation.  You’ll explore a variety of methods including mindfulness, japa (mantra repetition), walking meditation, and more.  We will also cover how to integrate a meditation practice into a busy lifestyle.  Julie is the author of Yoga Meditations:  Timeless Mind- Body Practices and numerous CD’s.
(back to topics)

Book Julie Lusk – Call 513-248-9642 or click here to email

• Goddess Yoga

  Embody the Goddess within and around you with yoga postures, breath, sound and more. Come learn posture sequences that honor and embody the feminine Devis of yoga. You’ll find out why and how this is being done. It’s fun, innovative, fluid, intuitive, nurturing, creative and powerful. We’ll also work with the chakras, mandalas, mudras and more. Women and men are always welcome.

  Offered at Kripalu Yoga Center, Sivananda Ashram – Bahamas, and Satchidananda -Yogaville, Jesuit Spiritual Center (back to topics)

• Salutation to the Moon: Chandra Namaskar
  

  Enjoy learning the Moon Salute, a wonderful and powerful yoga posture sequence. Information about the moon and its influences and how the moon’s energy figures into yoga philosophy and practice are shared. We will creatively delve into guided imagery, moonstones, special music and more. (back to topics)

• Journey Inward and Onward
  

  Self-awareness and uncovering your true self is at the very heart of yoga. Based upon yoga’s wisdom teachings this session will take you inward through pranayama (breathing), yoga nidra (deep relaxation) and meditation and onward through guided imagery and journaling to help you unlock the purpose of your life journey and support you with the insight, steadiness, and courage needed to live your life authentically at home, work and at play. (back to topics)

• Desktop Yoga ®
  

  Learn to do self-care yoga stretches and how to take a “2-hour nap in 2-minutes”. Everything is effective, portable and easy and designed to be done in a chair right at the office or workstation. Sequences are also taught to increase energy, improve creativity and to reduce frustration.  Julie is the author of Desktop Yoga ®. (back to topics)

   

  Book Julie Lusk – Call 513-248-9642 or click here to email

   

   

• More Topics
  

  I’ve done lots of retreats that utilize and combine various aspects of mandala, labyrinth, chakras, salutation to the moon, and the feminine. Each involves, yoga, meditation, a creative project, music, imagery, and more. I especially like designing programs around a theme and am always willing to consider suggestions. (back to topics)

Julie’s Qualifications:

• Of most importance, I’ve taught yoga since 1977 in a variety of settings with a wide range of students.
• Registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 500 E-RYT level with experience.
• Served on the faculty as the co-director for the Atma Yoga Teacher Training
• Taught at the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Conference or led a program every year since 2002.
• Earned yoga teacher certifications through
  • White Lotus Foundation – Certified Yoga Instructor and Advanced Instructor Certification
  • Atma Yoga
  • Nischala Joy Devi’s “Yoga of the Heart” certification
  • Additional master classes with Lilias Folan, Christopher Baxter, Sarah Powers, Michael Reed-Gach, Richard Miller, Sam Dworkis, Donna Farhi, Sally Kempton, Joe Panoor and many others
• Author of
  • Yoga Meditations:  Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening
  • Desktop Yoga (R)
  • 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing – Volumes 1 and 2
  • Mind Body Mastery
  • Complete Chakra Chart
  • Real Relaxation:  Yoga Nidra CD
  • Power of Presence CD
  • Wholesome Relaxation CD
  • Wholesome Energizers CD
  • Refreshing Journeys CD
  • and 6 more CD’s

“I liked the combination of lecture, experience and processing – good learning process. Julie is knowledgeable and walks the talk! I’ve had personal experiences with many techniques and have read some research. I never felt comfortable teaching or leading others. Now I do. ”
Yoga Teacher/ Marketing Consultant.  Warm Springs, VA

Book Julie Lusk – Call 513-248-9642 or click here to email

Julie Lusk
Wholesome Resources
Milford, OH   45150

Greater Cincinnati Area