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.

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

Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CD

by Julie Lusk

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...

This CD takes you into a deeply relaxing and powerful state of being fully aware while being in the state of deep sleep.
It’s many benefits include:

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

Dr. Norm Shealy recommends this CD to anyone who has not conquered the art of relaxation.

“My friend Julie Lusk sent me a few months ago her CD on Yoga Nidra along with the book on Yoga Nidra.  Needless to say, the book just convinced me how important the CD is!  I have personally done a variety of yogic exercises for many years and one of my favorite books is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the foundation for Raja Yoga.

I have also done scores of relaxation exercises and my favorite for many years has been autogenic training, which is not only relaxing but self regulating.  I have hundreds of CD’s including guided imagery and a great deal of outstanding music.  Despite my experience, Julie’s Yoga Nidra provides the deepest relaxation I can imagine.  If you have not yet conquered the art of relaxation, I strongly recommend this CD ASAP!

C. Norman Shealy M.D. Ph.D. President, Holos Institutes of Health Professor Emeritus of Energy Medicine President Emeritus Holos University Graduate Seminary

FAQ Sheet on Nidra by Julie Lusk answers: 

1)What is Yoga Nidra?  2) Is it different than meditation and hypnosis?  3)  How it is done.  How often. 4) Benefits  5) Resources. (pdf)

Julie’s Relaxation, Guided Imagery and Meditation CD’s are being used by:

• American Cancer Society
• Wellness Community
• Virginia Tech
• Avon
• Good Samaritan Hospital
• St. Elizabeth Medical Center
• Lewis-Gale Medical Center
• Jamaican Cancer Society
• Cancer Family Care
• Ronald MacDonald House
• Mary Maguire Foundation
• More
  

Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra
CD Track Sequence

Listen to the Introduction to learn more!

1. Introduction (5:08 min) Find out what Yoga Nidra is and how to get the most out of it.  May skip after first play.
   
2. Settling into Shavasana (4:59)  Dissolve tension and experience feeling relaxed and calm.
3. Awakening Awareness (3:49)
4. Resolve (1:50)
5. Rotation of Consciousness (10:05)
6. Breathing Meditation (4:56)
7. Chakra Mantra Meditation (28:31)
8. Resolve and Closing (5:53)

Marianne Lang says:

“Yoga Nidra is Awesome”

Julie!  I have listened to Yoga Nidra twice this week and I looooooove it!

People need to get this CD.  There’s no time like now to make yourself feel better, right?

I’m recuperating from minor surgery – nothing serious at all – but it kept me housebound so I popped in Yoga Nidra and melted away into a wonderful place that I intend to revisit again and again.

Wow – what a stress buster and energizer.  People have got to do this – it’s an investment in your body, mind and soul.  I guess it’s close to an hour?  I don’t know – I just know it’s worth it.  We take time to do lots of other things in our lives that take an hour or longer so why not take the time to do something so very good for yourself.

Thank you so much for doing this CD.  You know I love all your CDs, but this one is definitely different.  Wow – I love it!

Just wanted you to know that you’ve got another winner in Yoga Nidra CD!

Luna Ray, Singer, Songwriter
“Today I did Yoga Nidra with Julie Lusk.  The whole thing is truly a beautiful, sweet and powerful creation of a CD.  I love the bija mantras!  What a gift to the world! Iwill use it, and share it as the callings comes.  THANK YOU!

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...