SPICES for Life ©

A comprehensive approach to wellness and stress management that includes all the components needed for creating and maintaining professional and personal power.

Wellness goes far beyond the freedom from illness.  It emphasizes each individual’s uniqueness along with the importance of self-responsibility and a positive attitude for personal well being.

SPICES represents the six components of wellness:

They are Social, Physical, Intellectual, Career, Emotional and Spiritual health and well being.  Each dimension is equally important to living a well-rounded, successful life.  Paying equal attention to each aspect by developing and balancing them throughout life is important and results in wholesome living which is stimulating, productive and vital.

• A person who is Socially active and alive is one who is able to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with others.  He or she is comfortable being and working with people from different age groups, cultures and backgrounds. Socially aware people are attentive to issues affecting their community and work for the welfare of the community by volunteering, voting and being involved.
• The Physical dimension of wellness is much more than getting the right amount of exercise.  It also means eating balanced, nutritious meals; maintaining proper body weight in relation to the frame size and paying attention to safety (i.e. wearing seat belts, preventing fires; locking doors; and not drinking and driving.)  Physically well people don’t get sick very often and make lifestyle choices that help prevent future health problems. Choices and actions are taken to protect the earth’s environment by recycling, reusing, renewing and reducing the amount of resources used.
• Intellectually healthy people tend to engage in creative, stimulating mental activities.  They are active problem solvers and learn from mistakes.  They set short and long-term goals and take steps to achieve their goals.  Intellectually alert people are open to new ideas and change.  Also included is the interest in current events, arts and entertainment.  Curiosity, the interest in learning, and the development of new skills throughout life are also signs of intellectually well people.
• Career Development is another side of a well-rounded person.  Having a goal or direction in life is as important as taking the steps to achieve these goals. The satisfaction gained by one’s work, whether in school, on the job or at home, and the degree of enrichment that is felt are measures of career health. A positive attitude towards one’s work and maintaining balance is also important.
• Emotional well being is related to one’s awareness and acceptance of feelings and the ability to express feelings in a positive, productive manner.  Emotionally healthy people generally experience and appropriately express a wide range of emotions and feelings.  They also accept others’ expressions of feelings.  They feel positive about themselves and are enthusiastic about one’s life and self and are able to cope with stress.
• Spiritually well people are involved in the on-going development of a purpose and philosophy of life.  They are involved in the internal development of a personal set of values, beliefs and ethics and strive to live by them. They acknowledge and appreciate the depth and expanse of life.  Their spiritual nature supports and enhances their mental and emotional nature.

SPICES for Life ™ is working…

The Hurricane Katrina Resiliency Project is using SPICES for Life as a wellness and stress management tool for mental health professionals associated with recovery efforts.  Workshops are being held in New Orleans starting in the fall of 2007.  (Yes, recovery efforts are will underway).

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is using the SPICES concept and acronym in a comprehensive health and wellness resource guide for all incoming first-year medical students starting in the Fall of 2007.

Thomas M. Wolf wrote about SPICES for Life in his book: To your Health:  Achieving Well-Being during Medical School.

SPICES for Life Workshops provide an introduction to wellness and motivates people to make appropriate changes for improving health and well-being.

Additionally, SPICES for Life can also provide a structure for a well rounded employee wellness program.  Ideally, this format starts with an introductory session which trains participants on the concepts and advantages of professional and personal well being and motivates them to pursue lifestyle improvements.  Sessions on each wellness dimension follow to further understanding and prompt individual lifestyle changes that are positive in nature.  Each session will help participants:

1. Understand the dynamics and importance of overall wellness as well as for each dimension of well being
2. Provide a self assessment to measure personal well being
3. Motivate participants to identify and undertake lifestyle changes that meet their individual needs

→ Julie Lusk, M.Ed. is available to speak about SPICES for Life ® and a variety of wellness and mind/body topics at your special event.

Consider satisfying your dreams with personal lessons

Yoga – Meditation – Guided Imagery – Music – Sound Baths – Mentoring

♥ Personal Yoga Lessons

Individualize your yoga postures and breathing, yoga nidra, or meditation practice.  You can have private online lessons to work on areas of special interest for you and to fit your schedule.  It’s up to you.

Hatha yoga includes postures and breathing techniques to help improve your strength, balance, and coordination. We can focus on areas like bone and muscle strength, joint flexibility, and heart health.

Yoga Nidra is yogic sleep and can help tame your emotions, calm your mind, and help with physical concerns.  Clients often say they sleep better, their pain lessens, and inner peace is felt.

Lessons are given “live” on Zoom. You’ll get a downloadable video for keeps.  Click to make contact.

♥ Meditation and Guided Imagery

Meditation lessons can cover a wide range of topics for anyone who wants to get started or deepen their meditation practice. It’s helpful to develop a meditation method that suits your temperament, whether it’s mindfulness, walking meditation, mantra repetition, or another.

Guided Imagery, also called creative visualization, is intentional daydreaming that magnifies the positive aspects of the mind-body connection.  It can elicit therapeutic relaxation; awaken and activate the natural ability for self-healing to occur; help with changing behaviors and habits; and stimulate intuition and uncover your inner truth and life direction.  Everyone can do it.

Lessons are given “live” on Zoom. You’ll get a downloadable video for keeps.  Click to make contact.

♥  Music Lessons

Learn to play the Native American flute!  Lessons will get you off on a good note.  We will focus on whatever you like.  We can cover the basics, embellishments, and how to improvise or learn songs.  We will follow your interests from there by delving deeper into flute playing.

We can also get you started playing the Reverie harp, tuning forks, tongue drums, and singing bowls.

Music lessons are offered “live” on Zoom. You’ll get a downloadable video for keeps.  Click to make contact.

♥  Sound Bath Concerts

Do you yearn for the benefits of meditation but have trouble meditating? A sound bath may be perfect for you.  Carefully selected instruments and frequencies are selected to help harmonize your wellbeing.  It is delightfully relaxing and can tap into your natural healing abilities.

You’ll experience a play of enchanting sounds from flutes, Himalayan singing bowls, harp, chimes, bells, drums, voice, and harmonium.  During a sound bath you’ll experience a musical blend of harmonizing tones to tune you up. You’ll feel the pleasure of letting your heart sing & dance.

Sound baths are offered individually and for groups.  They take place in-person and on Zoom (with a downloadable video to have for keeps).  Click to make contact.

♥  Coaching / Mentoring

Everyone has something they hope to ‘do someday,’ but have a hard time taking the necessary steps. Coaching will help.

Most of us are stymied by stress and would love to learn effective methods to renew our energy. Coaching will help.

For most, it is hard to make time to develop a practical plan and to put it into action. Others can keep to their plan, but only for a while, and then they slip back into old habits. Having information and support from someone else often makes all the difference.

Coaching is perfect if you are ready to:

• Reduce stress by gaining mind/body mastery
• Replenish your energy
• Set and achieve your goals
• Turn stress into something positive
• Reach your full potential

Together we will design a customized plan for you that may include guidance in meditation, personalized guided imagery, visualization and relaxation, wellness strategies, and private and personal yoga lessons.

You will also benefit from Julie’s extensive base of experience in life planning, health promotion and making dreams come true.

Private lessons, email, Zoom, and phone consultations are all options. I will get in touch with you within 48-hours to set up an initial phone consultation at no cost or obligation. Click to make contact.