To Improve Your Memory, Concentration & More
Julie Lusk, M.Ed., E-RYT-500
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
by Julie Lusk
Yoga nidra’s benefits are remarkable. Yoga nidra means “yogic sleep.” It’s a comprehensive meditative practice for going far beyond deep relaxation to a place of natural peace and quiet that is tremendously healing for the body, mind, and spirit. Unique skills are developed for handling stress and tension in the short term and for the long run. Yoga nidra feels extremely peaceful and is very refreshing. It’s based on classical yoga and backed by contemporary science.
Here are some of yoga nidra’s benefits from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief by Julie Lusk, pgs. 42-43, NHP 2015):
Experience yoga nidra’s benefits for yourself. Like most worthwhile things, regular practice yields the best results. This book and audio set is everything you need to get started and will support your practice for years to come.
References:
Amita, S. et al. 2009. Effect of Yoga Nidra on Blood glucose Level in Diabetic Patients. Indian Journal of Physiological and Pharmacol, Vol. 53 (1): 97-101.
Kumar, Kamakhya. 2013. A Handbook of Yoga Nidra. New Delhi, India: D.K. Printworld
_____ 2007. The Healing Sleep; Yoga Magazine (Body Mind Spirit); Published from York Street, London; Issue 50
Lusk. 2015. Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief. Oakland: New Harbinger
Panda, Nursingh Charan. 2003. Yoga-Nidra: Yogic Trance Theory, Practice and Applications. New Delhi, India: D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd.
Useful Links:
~~May we be protected together.
May we be nourished together.
May we create strength among one another.
May our study be filled with brilliance and light.
May there be no hostility between us.
Om peace, peace, peace.
OM ~~King and Queen of all mantras ~
OM/AUM is the sound of infinity and immortality. Contains supreme wisdom. Go here to delve into the interesting meaning of its visual image and significance of its sound vibration.
Gayatri Mantra
Om bhur bhuvah svaha
Tat savitur varenyam
Bargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yona prachodayat
~~I reflect on the unity of Divine Spirit, which pervades everything in the earth, the atmosphere and heavens.
May this Supreme Consciousness protect me and illuminate my intellect that I may realize my inherent oneness with That.
I meditate on the great luminous light that enlightens all three worlds.
May it enlighten all.

Namaste’
~~ I honor the light in you and in all – used as a greeting and goodbye
Lokah samasta sukhino bhavantu
~~ May the entire universe be filled with peace and joy, love and light.
~~ May all beings everywhere be happy and free. In some way, may I contribute to that happiness and freedom for all.
Jai Sri Sadguru Maharaj Ki. Jai!
~~ May the light of truth overcome all darkness! Victory to that Light!
Asatoma Sad Gamaya ~ Tama Soma Jyotir Gamaya ~ Mritorma Amritam Gamaya
~~ Lead us from the unreal to the real. Lead us from darkness to light. Lead us from death to immortality.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra ~ Om Triambakam Mantra
Om Triambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
~~ We worship You, All-seeing one. Fragrant, You nourish bounteously. From fear of death may You cut us free, to realize immortality.
Niralambaya Upanishad (Anusara Chant)
Om Namah Shivaya Gurave
Satchidananda Murtaye
Nishpranchaya Shantaye
Niralambaya Tejase
~~ My heart opens to the power and source of grace that takes form as truth, knowledge, bliss. Always present, boundless peace. Shining source, limitless and free.
Om Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Santir Bhavatu
Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu
Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu
Sarve Bhavatu Sukhinaha
Sarve Santu Niramayah
Sarve Bhandrani Pasyantu
Ma Kaschid Duhkha Bhag Bhaver
~~ Auspiciousness be unto all.
Perfect peace be unto all.
Fullness be unto all.
Prosperity be unto all.
Happiness be unto all.
Perfect health be unto all.
May all see good in everyone.
May all be free from suffering.
Serve, Love, Give by Master Sivananda
Serve. Love. Give. Purify. Meditate. Realize. (x2)
Be good. Do good. Be kind. Be compassionate. (x2)
Adapt. Adjust. Accommodate. (x2)
Inquire who am I. Know thyself and be free. (x2)
Om Tat Sat, Om Tat Sat, Om Tat Sat, Om
Om Shanti. Om Peace. Om Shalom Om. (x2)
Om
(symbol)
~~King and Queen of all mantras ~ sound of infinity and immortality. Contains supreme wisdom.
Om Namo/Namah/Namaha ~Shri
~~ Used to invoke, appreciate and honor a deity Swaha – giving of self, let go
Om Shanti Om Shanti Om or Shanti, Shanti, Shanti, Om
~~ for peace
Shanti
~~ Peace
So Hum
~~ I am that. Universal mantra sound of the breath ~ so is inhalation, hum is exhalation.
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
~~ to the divine in-dweller in all. Oneness
~~ Om and salutations to the divine One who dwells in all
Hari Om
~~ Purifies and removes obstacles. Opens the heart. Awakens prana (natural energy) in the body.
Sita Ram ~ opens the heart and celebrates love
Om Shri Saraswati-ya Namaha ~ for help & inspiration in art, music, literature
Om Shri Kali Durga-ya Namaha ~ dispels negativity, provided protection
Om Shri Rama Namaha ~ Ram is a name for God. It engenders God consciousness, truth, blessings
Om Namah Shivaya ~ honors the divine within oneself & others – destroys negativity & replaces with positive
Om Gum Ganipati-ya Namaha ~ to remove obstacles and bring success
Om Shrim Lakshmi-ya Namaha ~ for noble abundance, prosperity, beauty, grace
Om Tara Tu Tara Tu Ray Swaha ~ for rescue & benevolent help – for compassion
strength & healing
Gate Gate Para Gate Para Sum Gate Bodhi Swaha ~~ Gone beyond the beyond to enlightenment (Buddhist)
Om Mani Padme Hum ~ the Jewel of the lotus of the heart (Buddhist)
Chakra Bija Sounds for Activation1 Lam
2 Vam
3 Ram
4 Yam
5 Hum
6 Om
7 Silence or Ommmmmm
1 O as in toe
2 U as in two
3 Ah as in awe
4 A as in play
5 E as in speak
6 M as in mmmmmmm
7 Silence or Ommmmmm or NG as in wing

Aim
Saraswati,
Art, Music, Literature, Wisdom
Hrim
Parvati
Purification,Transformation
Klim/Krim
Kali
Fiercely conquers obstacles, energizes
Dum
Durga
Warrior of Protection
Shrim
Lakshmi
Abudance, Beauty, Grace
Tam
Tara
Mercy, Compassion, Removes fear. Protects.
by Julie Lusk
I just love synchronicity, don’t you? Right when I was looking for Sa Ta Na Ma meditation research – Kirtan Kriya – Amy Weintraub sent me a copy of her newsletter, LifeForce Yoga. My eyes popped out of my head with delight because she had compiled an excellent review of the literature on this meditation technique that improves memory. She generously said that I could share what’s below with you. I highly recommend Amy Weintraub’s website at LifeForce Yoga: Manage Your Mood. You will also benefit from and enjoy registering for her newsletter and going to her workshops.
Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation Research: Kirtan Kriya Effects Cognitive Function, Memory and Stress
In three separate studies published this year and in one that is on-going, Kirtan Kriya, as taught by the Kundalini master Yogi Bhajan, was shown to increase short term memory, cognitive function and to reduce stress. In separate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and one continuing at the University of California (UCLA), researchers measured cerebral blood flow in the brain (rCBF) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to determine which areas are more active and which are less during the practice. One study compared long-term meditators to non-meditators. Another study compared those practicing the meditation with those who listened to a Mozart violin concerto. A third study compared the more active meditation to a relaxation exercise.
Kirtan Kriya is a 12-minute active meditation that include mudra (hand gesture), mantra (out loud, whispered and repeated silently), and visual imagery,
In the on-going study at UCLA, those practicing 12-minutes of Kirtan Kriya meditation are being compared with those using a 25-minute relaxation tape. Preliminary results from the 39 caregivers who have already completed the study (23 practiced Kirtan Kriya, 16 listened to a relaxation audio tape) indicate:
Why struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep at night when you can sleep well with yoga nidra? Sleep is vital to our health and sleep experts tell
us we need an average of eight hours at a shot. Even if there’s time for sleep, many of us have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, interfering with good health and causing frustration.
Listen to this specialized yoga nidra practice especially made for going to sleep (CD or digital download). It’s from Julie’s new book, Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation
Clear the deck for a good nights sleep by releasing physical, mental and emotional tension. You’ll love waking up in the morning feeling refreshed.
Enjoy using relaxation skills, specialized breathing techniques, mindfulness, and more. You’ll enjoy the soothing Native American style flute music followed by the calming sound of ocean waves, Mother Nature’s delightful lullaby.

Get copies of Sleep Well ~ Yoga Nidra for yourself and your friends and family here.
Sweet dreams!
Julie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, has over 35 years of expertise in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training,
guided imagery, and meditation as an international author, recording artist, and workshop leader.
Julie is the author of