Search Results for: wp-content/uploads/2010/08/library/chakra-chart-2/• https:/wholesomeresources.com/chakra-energy-flow-meditation

Meditation is a form of mental martial arts.

January 8, 2011 by Julie Lusk

Joan Borysenko says…

Meditation is a form of mental martial arts. If we resist thoughts, they will overpower us. But if we just step lightly out of their way, letting them come and go like birds flying overhead, we can use their energy to further focus our minds.

The nature of the mind is to think and create, so the mind naturally wanders during meditation. The demoralizing thought that only your mind wanders while other meditators are sitting there in bliss is a major reason why people give up on meditation practice. All people think when they meditate. What distinguishes the novice from the skillful meditator is the attitude of detached awareness that the skillful meditator maintains toward thinking.

Is this true for you? How do you handle it when your mind is restless?

Yoga Mudras for the Hands

October 10, 2010 by Julie Lusk

Have you ever needed the benefits from yoga (energy, relaxation, clear mind, emotional balance, etc.) but couldn’t practice a pose because you were in public, not dressed for yoga, or didn’t even know how to do yoga? This happens to me several times a day! Luckily, I have found another secret that really works. It’s Yoga Mudras – yoga poses using hand positions and gestures.

I finally started taking these ancient teachings seriously while I was teaching relaxation training and guided imagery in the Bahamas last spring for the Easter/Passover Symposium on Yoga and Sacred Healing at Sivananda Ashram. Amy Weintraub (Yoga and Depression) and Joseph and Lilian LePage (Integrative Yoga Therapy) taught them as part of their presentations. This experience convinced me that Yoga Mudras are very effective, simple and profound.

As soon as I got home, I began investigating and practicing Yoga Mudras more and more. One morning I was reading a book on Yoga Mudras by Gutrud Hirschi and it described amazing results and reasons to practice Yoga Mudras. The results sounded too good to be true. Since I was suspicious, I wanted to put it to the test.

Meanwhile, I was suffering from seasonal allergies – my nose was running, my eyes were watery and itchy, and I was sneezing. So I tried Bhramara Mudra. It worked – and quickly too! Naturally I shared this with my yoga students and they also reported positive results too. We were so excited and it convinced us that Yoga Mudras have lots of valuable benefits to offer.

There are Yoga Mudras to help with allergies, feeling calm, lifting energy, headaches, chakra balancing and many more.

So, how can you learn more about yoga mudras for the hands?

1. My next 2 blog posts will show you wonderful mudras to practice. (use the RSS feed so you don’t miss out – it’s up in the right corner of this blog)

2. Attend yoga classes. See my schedule. Let me know if you would like to book me for a workshop.

3. Joseph and Lilian LePage have been studying Yoga Mudras for 10 years to write a book all about them. Their book shows 108 hand gestures along with guided meditations and affirmations. I am honored and excited that they asked me to edit the guided meditations.

Yoga Nidra Teacher Training

Yoga Nidra Teacher
Training & Certification ~ Levels 1 & 2
for Teachers & Health Professionals

with Julie Lusk, M.Ed., E-RYT-500, YACEP

Author of

Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief (NHP)

Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation (Llewellyn)

Numerous yoga nidra, guided relaxation and imagery books & recordings

See Julie Lusk’s qualifications here

Yoga Nidra means “yogic sleep.” It is conscious, complete relaxation that is tremendously healing for the body, mind, and spirit. Progressive relaxation skills, specialized breathing techniques, guided imagery, and mindfulness are systematically used to easily create a deeply meditative state that reliably reveals and awakens an inner reservoir of intuitive understanding and unconditional joy. Unique skills are developed for handling stress and tension in the short term and for the long run. Yoga nidra is fundamental to a complete hatha yoga session and can also be done as a complete practice on its own.

Yoga nidra is based on authentic yoga teachings and backed by contemporary science. Studies have shown that yoga nidra can boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, decrease pain, and improve other health conditions. Regular practice can improve memory, concentration, and relieve anxiety and depression. Using a sankalpa (special, self-selected resolve) during the fertile brain wave states experienced during yoga nidra makes it possible to clear out useless habits and bring about positive and durable changes to one’s personality and life. It’s delightfully replenishing and empowering.

Since yoga nidra is so powerful, it is critical that it is taught to others correctly. Attending this workshop and training will give you the tools and resources needed to lead others effectively and how to avoid dangerous pitfalls. You will gain the know-how and confidence needed to offer yoga nidra for groups and individuals. Your clients and students will feel centered, increase bodymind awareness, enhance relaxation, make positive behavior changes, help heal emotional and physical upsets, and enhance self-understanding.

Who is this yoga nidra teacher training for?

These trainings are appropriate for yoga teachers, therapists, healthcare professionals, pastors, and other helping professionals. You do not have to be a yoga teacher to do this. This yoga nidra teacher training is approved for CEU’s by the Yoga Alliance. Other health professionals may qualify for CEU’s.

Here’s what 3 graduates want you to know!

<br />

Register Now! Limited enrollment

Level 1 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 1
- - In-Person – Sept 15-20, 2023
  - Hosted by Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
  - Details & registration link
Level 2 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 2
- TBA
- Prerequisite – Level 1
- Hosted by Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
- Details & registration link

Level 1: Yoga Nidra Training Objectives

Be able to describe the essential principles, practices and benefits of yoga nidra and why it matters
Describe yoga nidra’s heritage from its ties to yoga to contemporary science
List the benefits, risks, and ethics of leading yoga nidra
List the five sequential levels of relaxation: distinguishing characteristics, benefits, and how to experience each one
Learn and demonstrate how to help others experience progressive levels of awareness that correspond to the layers of oneself, called koshas, that conceals one’s true Self
Learn and demonstrate how to lead relaxation techniques, specialized breathing methods, guided imagery, mindfulness and other mindbody techniques used in yoga nidra
Explain how to help clients develop positive, personal characteristics and bring a meaningful purpose to one’s life by setting and using a self-selected resolve, called a sankalpa, during certain stages of yoga nidra
Know how to create the right atmosphere and select music. Be equipped at handling distractions.
Demonstrate voice quality, wording, sequencing, timing and pacing
Experience yoga nidra first-hand and receive its benefits personally
Practice leading others to gain the skills needed for your classes, clients, and students.
Get your questions answered.

Watch what these graduates say about their experience

Upon completion of Level 1 training, graduates will:

Be able to teach yoga nidra for overall health in group and private settings
YACEP
Use yoga nidra for personal self-care
Have an understanding of the principles and practices of yoga nidra and its uses and benefits
Receive a certificate upon completion of the training
Yoga Alliance Approved for CEU’s
Obtain CEU contact hours (varies per profession)

Textbooks |

Required
Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief by Julie Lusk

Additional training materials will be provided

Register Now! Limited enrollment

Level 1 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 1
- - In-Person – Sept 15-20, 2023
  - Hosted by Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
  - Details & registration link
Level 2 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 2
- - TBA
  - Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
  - Prerequisite – Level 1
  - Details & registration link

Level 2: Yoga Nidra Training Objectives

Level 2 trainings can be customized to cover these and other topics pertinent to the advancement of yoga nidra understanding, practice, and delivery. Yoga nidra training from Julie Lusk is required prior to enrollment in a Level 2 training. If you have successfully completed training from another qualified yoga nidra trainer (iRest, Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra, Marc Halpern, etc), please inquire to see if you are you are eligible for this training.

Julie is uniquely qualified to show you how to write your own scripts. By writing Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation, she worked with the leading yoga nidra experts worldwide. This gave her a comprehensive perspective on all the major yoga nidra methods available and how to apply them in a wide range of settings, purposes, and populations. You’ll confidently write scripts based on the spirit of classical yoga and backed by modern, mind-body science.

Use and deepen one’s understanding of yoga nidra’s purpose, principles, techniques and delivery
Demonstrate advanced skills, techniques and variations in leading:
- Relaxation techniques
- Breath-work
- Guided imagery
- Mindfulness
- Other mindbody techniques
Design and demonstrate how to write one’s own scripts
Demonstrate how to adapt yoga nidra for specific needs and populations such as:
- Stress management
- Physical health (health concerns and medical conditions like insomnia, inflammation, hypertension, etc.)
- Mental and emotional well-being
- Behavior change
- Various age groups / in diverse settings
Explain and integrate chakra theory and techniques to enhance yoga nidra
Use of mudras (hand gestures) to enhance yoga nidra
Demonstrate how to integrate yoga nidra into one’s classes, workshops, and with individuals
Get practical tips on designing, marketing, implementing, and evaluating yoga nidra workshops

Upon completion of Level 2 training, graduates will:

Be able to teach yoga nidra in groups and private settings in sync with the purpose of the particular training
Use yoga nidra for advanced personal self-care
Have an understanding of the advanced principles and practices of yoga nidra and its uses and benefits
Receive a certificate upon completion of the training
Yoga Alliance Approved for CEU’s
Obtain CEU contact hours (varies per profession)

Textbooks |

Required
1. Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief by Julie Lusk
2. Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation Print Book or Audiobook by Julie Lusk
3. One additional Yoga Nidra book of your choice

4. Additional training materials will be provided

Register Now! Limited enrollment

Level 1 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 1
- - In-Person – Sept 15-20, 2023
  - Hosted by Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
  - Details & registration link
Level 2 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 2
- - TBA
  - Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
  - Prerequisite – Level 1
  - Details & registration link

Trainer

Julie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, NCC, focuses on opening, balancing, and strengthening the body-mind-spirit connection through yoga, meditation, transformative relaxation, and guided imagery based on more than 30 years of study and experience. She is an internationally published author and recording artist whose books include Yoga Nidra Meditations, Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, and Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening and 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery & Inner Healing, Vols. 1 and Vol 2. Julie is president of Wholesome Resources. The retreats, trainings, and seminars she presents are relaxing, reflective and revitalizing. She is talented in bringing the best out in others through her depth of knowledge, natural lightheartedness, and caring nature. See additional qualifications here.

Contact Julie Lusk to schedule a training for yourself or for your yoga studio, meditation center, or special group.

YACEP

Yoga Alliance Approved.

Call 513-248-9642 (ET)

Register Now! Limited enrollment

Level 1 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 1
- - - Online – Jan 5 – 28, 2023
    - Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
    - Details & registration link
Level 2 – Yoga Nidra Training & Certification – Level 2
- - - TBA
    - Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville in Virginia
    - Prerequisite – Level 1
    - Details & registration link

How to do the Breath of Fire: Kapalabhati Breathing

July 12, 2011 by Julie Lusk

***

Kapalabhati is pronounced KAH-pah-lah-BAH-tee.

The Breath of Fire is a powerful yoga breathing technique that emphasizes a pattern of quick exhalations followed by passive inhalations.

Benefits of the Breath of Fire – Kapalabhati Breathing

It cleans and purifies the respiratory system, invigorates the vital organs of digestion, and strengthens the nervous system. Due to the swift and sharp exhalations, a shift in pressure occurs in the cerebral spinal fluid. This causes a massaging effect on the brain, enlivening every cell, and creates an “aura’ of light and vitality around the skull. According to yogis, it has a positive influence on both the third and sixth chakras.

How to do the Breath of Fire – Kapalabhati Breathing

The breath of fire is best practiced on an empty stomach. It is not to be practiced if you are pregnant, menstruating or have high blood pressure, recent abdominal surgery, heart disease, severe lung disease, hiatal hernia, or glaucoma. Do not use too much force and be cautious if you have digestive or respiratory problems. If you have questions, please consult a qualified teacher.

Practice three rounds daily.

Come into a comfortable seated position with your spine erect. Take a few deep breaths and relax.

Exhale quickly and completely through the nostrils by contracting (snapping) the abdominal muscles toward the spine. Follow this with a passive inhalation. Repeat this several times slowly. The secret is in the rapid pumping of air out from the lower lobes of the lungs, followed by a passive inhalation that occurs naturally and automatically. The exhalation is active and the inhalation is passive.

To learn the proper amount of effort needed for each exhalation …

[Read more…]

What is Golden Repair Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi

August 8, 2018 by Julie Lusk

What is Golden Repair Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi

These Japanese Words mean Golden Repair

Kintsugi (金継ぎ) or Kintsukuroi (金繕い)

“Kin” is translated as Golden

“tsugi” means Repair

Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi prizes imperfection. It is the art of restoring broken pottery with gold so the fractures are literally illuminated, capturing a kind of physical expression of its spirit.

“As a philosophy, kintsukuroi, celebrates imperfections as an integral part of the story, not something to be disguised. The true life of an object (or a person) begins the moment it breaks and reveals.that it is vulnerable,” says Georgia Pelligrini.

This technique suggests many things. Maybe we should think twice before throwing away broken objects. Perhaps, we should try to repair things rather than assume it is no longer useful. It may sometimes become a more valuable object.

This is the essence of resilience. Each of us can look for a way to cope with traumatic events in a positive way, learn from negative experiences to take the best from them and convince ourselves that every experience makes each person unique and even more precious.

Pictured are a few golden repairs that I have done. Doing kintsugi gave me welcome relief when a few things that held sentimental value to me were better than before.

Inspired by Georgia Pelligrini, Steffano Carnazzi, Leggi L’Articolo, and Beth Owens

Here’s a little more background on Kintsugi with
instructions on how to make your own ceramic golden repairs

Many thanks to Imaginative Crafts, Do-It-Yourself Projects and Video Tutorials by Robert Mahar, robert-mahar.com

Materials:
Broken pottery
Clear two-part epoxy
Mica Powder

Directions:
1. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, dispense a small amount of the clear two-part epoxy into a disposable tray.

2. Scoop a small amount of the mica powder onto the epoxy and stir thoroughly to combine.

3. Using a toothpick or sandwich pick, generously spread the epoxy along one edge of the broken pottery seam.

4. Align the two pieces of pottery and press together. Hold in place until the epoxy sets. Allow epoxy to fully cure before using.

Search Results for: wp-content/uploads/2010/08/library/chakra-chart-2/• https:/wholesomeresources.com/chakra-energy-flow-meditation

Meditation is a form of mental martial arts.

Yoga Mudras for the Hands

Yoga Nidra Teacher Training