Mindfulness Meditation Warnings & Alerts
Julie Lusk, M.Ed., NBCC, E-RYT-500
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
by Julie Lusk
Why are mantras done out loud, whispering and silently and how does it help? When a mantra is spoken out loud, it primarily benefits the physical body. When it’s whispered, it benefits our mental/emotional nature. Our spiritual nature benefits from silent repetition.
If you experience memories of the past or thoughts about the future coming up in your mind. Simply notice them and release them with the mantra. This helps cleanse the subconscious mind.
If emotions come up, you can also incorporate them in the chanting, i.e. if you feel frustration, then chant out the frustration. Whatever you experience is okay. Don’t try to avoid, resist or control your experiences. Just notice what is happening and go through it. This is all part of the process.

SA – touch the thumbs to the index finger


Na – touch the thumbs to the ring finger

Repeat the finger movements throughout the meditation.
Sa Ta Na Ma
Kirtan Kriya Meditation
Click HERE to buy this downloadable digital album
(MP3, AAC, M4A)
$7.99
Please share your comments and questions with us!
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.
by Julie Lusk

On the best night of yoga, my teacher gave to me …
12 Meditations
11 Warrior Poses
10 Oms A-Singing
9 Yogis Sleeping
8 Pigeons Posing
7 Chakras Spinning
6 Standing Stretches
5 Namastes
4 Breaths of Joy
3 Sun Salutes
2 Downward Dogs … and
Balance in a tree pose!
PS. Here’s my rendition of Twas the Night Before Christmas Yoga Poem
Image sources for The 12 Nights of Yoga were compiled by and used with permission from B.L. Barnes : https://tinyurl.com/4hvb9twt, https://tinyurl.com/34vnfcu8, and https://tinyurl.com/5n7fd6xd
by Julie Lusk
Hatha yoga is a mind/body exercise which dates back thousands of years to India. The word yoga means
“union” or “joining”. Although there are several branches of yoga (Raja, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and others) Hatha yoga refers to achieving the union of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves through the practice of physical postures and special breathing techniques. For those interested, yoga can go beyond the physical exercises to incorporate dietary recommendations, meditation, service to others, philosophy, and moral and ethical guidelines for living. Yoga is neither a sport nor religion.
Hatha yoga is noncompetitive and emphasizes show, purposeful movements practiced mindfully and in combination with deep breathing. Yoga can be modified to help people achieve a wide range of personal and fitness goals. Some styles of yoga are gentle and slow while others are vigorous and strenuous. Yoga’s benefits include the ability to: [Read more…]