Book a Professional Speaker for your Employee Training, Conference, Workshop, and Lunch and Learn sessions. Contact Julie Lusk by email or call 513-248-9642

DARE to Relax © Workshop

Transform daily stress into the energy needed to enjoy life.  DARE’s self-care principles include Diet; Attitude and Awareness; Rest, Relaxation, and Relationships; and Exercise. 

Learning to cope with the stressors of daily living is crucial to health, happiness and well-being.  It is estimated that 60 to 90 percent of medical conditions are stress-induced or worsened by stress.  This is costly in terms of medical bills, absenteeism, and loss of productivity.  An obvious remedy is to learn self-care techniques that both reduce stress and help one cope with the effects of stress.

DARE to Relax ä is a wellness-based relaxation training and stress management program that is practical and well rounded.  The format includes a balance of factual information and experiential activities.  Participants will:

1. Understand the dynamics of stress and it’s causes
2. Understand the positive and negative effects of stress
3. Learn how to reduce stress using the self-care principles of DARE to Relax ä

Diet: Nutritional considerations are discussed.  For example, stress depletes Vitamins A, B, C, and calcium.  Dietary recommendations are given to maintain proper nutrition.

Attitude and Awareness: The stress response is activated by the way a person perceives an event.  Becoming aware of stressors can help a person modify their thoughts and behavior so their reactions are healthier.  The mind/body connection is addressed and mind/body interventions are demonstrated and practiced to reduce stress.

Rest, Relaxation and Relationships: Discovering the difference of active and passive relaxation is taught.  A relaxation exercise is done so participants can learn experientially.  Information is covered on the recent research on relationships that shows the negative effects of loneliness on health.

Exercise: The benefits of exercise are well known.  In particular, physical activity helps burns off the bio-chemical effects of stress.  Participants are encouraged to maintain a practical exercise routine.

DARE to Relax Testimonials

Ethicon Edno-Surgery, Inc.

100% rated the content as excellent or above average

100% rated the speaker as excellent or above average

100% rated the program as excellent or above average

• Everything was interesting.  I liked the relaxation exercises.
• I learned relaxation tips to gain more energy.
• I learned how to relax in short periods of time.  I liked the 2-minute nap.
• I learned techniques to help relax and reduce stress.  I hope some of these techniques will help reduce my stress at work.
• The program reiterated things I know, but was good to have confirmed.  I liked the stretches.
• I learned to release stress with little time and quickly.  How food plays a part in stress and illness.  The instructor had excellent content.  Very beneficial.
• It’s important to take time to relax and reduce stress.
• I appreciated the ideas that were relevant to my situation.
• Thank you

Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems

100% rated the content as excellent or above average

100% rated the speaker as excellent or above average

100% rated the program as excellent or above average.

• The stress fighting techniques allow me to be more focused and therefore a better team player
• How to relax at work when things get you down.  Reinforced healthy eating and its benefits
• Things I can do to minimize the effects of stress on my life
• The info and exercises motivated me to start exercising again and to start yoga
• To try and think more positive thoughts
• I’d like more information on journaling
• The info on the mind/body connection was excellent
• Stop being a perfectionist – I am one and it is stressful
• You have reinforced the idea that I can do anything I put my mind to!!

Mike Sterling, Director of Human Resources, The Art Institute of Ohio writes:

Dear Julie:  Thanks for sharing the Dare to Relax session with our staff.  I have received several positive comments about it, especially the “2- Hour Nap in 10-minutes” segment.

Our staff received several valuable tips on reducing stress and the consequences of stress at work and in our personal lives.  It was definitely time well spent. Mike

Rebecca Laney
Director, Center for Yoga and Health

Julie is a petite powerhouse!

SPICES for Life is featured in

Stress Solutions Now - Instant PDF Download!

Improve your mind, body, and spirit with this amazing manual. This instant download gives you stress relieving solutions that work every time. First, you get quick, easy ways to identify sources and symptoms of stress. Next, you'll learn simple techniques for getting genuine stress relief. Finally, you'll benefit from 6 wellness strategies for living a worthwhile life, 8 practical solutions to handle stress with ease, and find out how to make remarkable improvements at work and home.

Book Julie Now

Julie travels from Cincinnati, Ohio

Julie T. Lusk, M.Ed.
Wholesome Resources
Milford, OH   45150

Greater Cincinnati Area

513-248-9642

email

30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing – Volume 1

by Julie Lusk

• Are you looking for a handy relaxation, imagery and meditation book  for stress relief?
• Do you want to get the most out of relaxation, imagery, and meditation?
• Do you want to help yourself and lead others with these scripts for relaxation, imagery, visualization & more?

Finally.  The perfect book!

PRINT BOOK: 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery & Inner Healing - Volume 1 - Print Edition

Are you looking for a handy relaxation, imagery and meditation book for stress relief? Here's the perfect book! Help yourself and lead others with these scripts for relaxation, imagery, visualization & more. Easy-to -follow scripts are here to * Achieve deep, positive relaxation * Benefit from stress relief * Healing guided imagery * Awaken intuition * Increase self growth and understanding. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...

EBOOK Edition: 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery & Inner Healing - Volume 1 - eBook Edition

Are you looking for a handy relaxation, imagery and meditation book for stress relief? Here's the perfect eBook! Help yourself and lead others with these scripts for relaxation, imagery, visualization & more. Easy-to -follow scripts are here to * Achieve deep, positive relaxation * Benefit from stress relief * Healing guided imagery * Awaken intuition * Increase self growth and understanding. CLICK the green title link to find out more...

♥ Customer Rating from Barnes and Noble  ♥

Perfect for Meditation

“I use this book at work to run meditation groups. It is very diverse so that I have many choices to chose from based on my client population. I had another copy of it but used it so much it finally fell apart, this is a replacement.”  Posted July 28, 2009, 10:44 AM EST
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Easy-to -follow scripts are here to help you

• Achieve deep, positive relaxation
• Benefit from stress relief
• Healing guided imagery
• Awaken intuition
• Increase self growth and understanding

Table of Contents for 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery, and Inner Healing

Volume 1

by Julie Lusk
Whole Person Associates

Becoming Relaxed

Feeling calm, relaxed, and centered is a foundation for any guided meditation. In fact, relaxation is healing in and of itself.

Physically relaxing the body first, before using guided imagery, increases people’s ability to concentrate and allows their minds, hearts, and spirits to be more open to the meditation. A feeling of harmony often results.

For many people relaxation is a new experience. It is important that people practice the physical form of relaxation and spend ample time with it until feeling relaxed becomes natural and easy.

The exercises in this section focus on physical relaxation. Use them on their own or combine them with an imagery exercise from one of the other sections.

• Progressively Relaxing while Sitting in a Chair
  Designed for people sitting in chairs, this progressive relaxation exercise focuses on tensing and relaxing the different muscle groups. (20 minutes)
• Breathing for Relaxation and Health
  Effective relaxation requires proper breathing. In this script, participants concentrate on their breathing by focusing on what their bodies are doing as they take in deep breaths, hold them, and slowly exhale. (10 minutes)
• 1 to 10
  In this brief script, participants lie on their backs and tense their muscles as they count from 1 to 10, then release the tension as they count back down to 1. (5 minutes)
• The Magic Ball
  In this visualization script, participants imagine they each possess a magic ball that travels over, under, and through their bodies, relaxing their muscles as it goes. (20 minutes)
• Total Relaxation
  An eclectic introduction to some of the most popular relaxation techniques, Total Relaxation includes breathing, progressive relaxation, visualization, and body scanning. Use a part or all of this script as a short relaxation exercise prior to a guided meditation in one of the other sections of the book. (10 minutes)

Nature and the Environment
Being connected to the natural world–the ocean, forest, sky, and mountains–is for most people both relaxing and healthy. The guided meditations in this section help people find their connection with the natural world and thereby learn about forgiveness and love.

Note: Before beginning any script, describe to the participants what images you will use. If they make anyone feel uncomfortable, select an alternate script.

• The Sea
  In this script, participants relax by taking an imaginary journey along a beach, listening to the birds and waves and watching a brilliant sunset. (5 minutes)
• Simply Sailing
  In this script, participants imagine setting sail from a quiet dock, experiencing the sea with all its beauty and challenges, and reaching an island paradise. They are invited to release unnecessary personal ìbaggageî and return to the dock with a newfound energy. (25 minutes)
• A Day in the Life of Another Creature
  In this relaxation and visualization script, participants let go of tension and then explore the wildlife found around a pond, first through the perspective of an animal or insect, and then from the human perspective. (20 minutes)
• The Beach
  In this script, participants imagine they are on vacation, strolling along a quiet ocean beach, free of the usual daily pressures and hassles. (5 minutes)
• Flying with the Eagle
  In this script for kids (and for the young-at-heart), participants leave their homes through a secret door, travel to the forest of a magnificent Mother Eagle, and go for a ride on her back. (15 minutes)
• Oak Creek
  In this script, participants experience and feel a personal connection with the energy and the healing power of the earth and sky. (10 minutes)
• The Night Sky
  In this script, participants imagine looking at the stars of a clear night sky and feeling their minds expand into the infinite expanse of space. (8 minutes)
• Ocean Waves
  In this script, participants dissolve their worries and troubles by imagining they are listening to the rhythm of the ocean waves. (12 minutes)

Inner Answers
Taking the time to regularly explore and reflect upon the inner world of intuition, feelings, and thoughts can be uplifting and is a sure path to personal, emotional, mental, and spiritual growth.

The guided meditations in this section help people get in touch with their intuitive inner selves so that they may find answers to lifeís questions from within.

• Your Inner Adviser
  In this meditation, participants have a conversation with their inner advisor to develop their intuitionómaking decisions based on gut feelings rather than on reactions to social influence. (18 minutes)
• Fortune Cookies
  In this script, participants tap into their intuitive selves by imagining that they are reading messages contained in fortune cookies. (12 minutes)
• Your Inner Child
  In this script, participants get to know, communicate with, and learn from their inner child. (5 minutes)
• Time Travel: So What Do You Want to Do for A Living?
  In this script, participants imagine the future to discover potential career paths and living conditions. (20 minutes)

Healing
Integrating the mind, body, emotions, and spirit opens up vast inner resources of intuition, wisdom, and personal power.

So many of us live as if fragmented–thinking of one thing, saying something else, acting one way publicly, while feelings, moods, and emotions provide a constantly changing and inconsistent undertow.

The guided meditations in this section focus on using the mind to heal the body and emotions and to bring thoughts, words, actions, and feelings into harmony and alignment.

• Love, Joy, and Optimism
  In this guided meditation, participants journey down a private path; encounter their own personal guide and shadow; feel love, joy, hope, and optimism; and learn to accept themselves no matter what is going on in their lives. (30 minutes)
• Healing Yourself and the Universe
  In this script, participants relax and feel protected as past hurts and negativity are released and forgiven through the experience of being surrounded by a healing, loving light. (20 minutes)
• Sun Meditation for Healing
  In this script, participants experience the healing power and energy of the sun as they imagine it warming and relaxing them. (5 minutes)
• Vitamin T Imagery
  In this script, participants absorb Vitamin T, the nurturing nutrient found in healthy touch, by imagining they are receiving a massage. (18 minutes)
• Food for Thought: Imagery for Weight Control
  In this script, participants learn to think differently about food, about dieting, and about themselves by stimulating their ability to make informed choices. This script is designed to take the struggle out of weight loss and weight maintenance while increasing the joy that should accompany positive changes. (15 minutes)
• Breastfeeding
  In this guided meditation, mothers visualize the miraculous nursing process while nursing their babies. (10 minutes)

Personal Growth
Using imagery to encourage self-esteem, offer positive affirmations, focus on personal growth and development, and increase people’s ability to imagine sights, sounds, and other physical sensations are the main goals of these guided meditations.

• Addiction to Wellness
  In this script, participants seek physical, mental, psychological, and spiritual wellness. Positive self-esteem is nurtured. (10 minutes)
• Body Image Visualization
  In this visualization script, participants picture their own body images and practice positive affirmations to promote self-esteem and inner beauty. (25 minutes)
• OM Visitation
  In this script, participants meditate on the word ìOMî to help them connect with people they love, but who are far away. (5 minutes)
• The Blue Period
  In this empowerment script, participants observe their lives to discover trends and patterns that are occurring. This script parallels the way an art historian might look at a painterís life. For example, Picasso had his Blue Period, Pink Period, Cubist Period, and a dozen other periods throughout his life. Your life passes through phases as well. (20 minutes)
• You Are a Child Again
  In this script, participants imagine they are children again. Children who have fun playing and moving, are confident and self-assured, and unconditionally loved. (5 minutes)
• Flower Meditation
  In this visualization script, participants increase their ability to imagine seeing, touching, smelling, and feeling. (20 minutes)
• A Meditation of a World Vision
  In this guided meditation, participants experience their connection to the life-force of the universe by lying on the ground and imagining the earth ís energy coming through them. (15 minutes)

PRINT BOOK: 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery & Inner Healing - Volume 1 - Print Edition

Are you looking for a handy relaxation, imagery and meditation book for stress relief? Here's the perfect book! Help yourself and lead others with these scripts for relaxation, imagery, visualization & more. Easy-to -follow scripts are here to * Achieve deep, positive relaxation * Benefit from stress relief * Healing guided imagery * Awaken intuition * Increase self growth and understanding. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...

EBOOK Edition: 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery & Inner Healing - Volume 1 - eBook Edition

Are you looking for a handy relaxation, imagery and meditation book for stress relief? Here's the perfect eBook! Help yourself and lead others with these scripts for relaxation, imagery, visualization & more. Easy-to -follow scripts are here to * Achieve deep, positive relaxation * Benefit from stress relief * Healing guided imagery * Awaken intuition * Increase self growth and understanding. CLICK the green title link to find out more...

My Favorite Links & Resources

• Yoga Links
• Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation
• Guided Imagery
• Meditation
• Holistic Health
• Wellness Resources

Yoga Links

The Yoga Alliance is an organization that registers yoga teachers.  Registration can take place on at the 200 and 500 hour levels.  Finding a teacher who is registered assures you that they have studied everything  from philosophy, anatomy and physiology, asanas, teaching methodology, ethics, and techniques.  Julie Lusk has obtained registration at the highest level possible.  Julie is qualified to offer CEU’s from Yoga Alliance as a YACEP,

The Yoga Journal online is brimming with a wide range of yoga information.

Integral Yoga whose founder is Swami Satchidananda.

Himalayan Institute and the home of Yoga International Magazine

Iyengar Yoga A classic and always inspirational.

The International Association of Yoga Therapists has a wonderful collection of information.

Visit an excellent yoga pose (asana) library at beYogi

Yoga Nidra

Learn more about the history of yoga nidra here.

Yoga Nidra Network offers tons of resources on yoga nidra including free audios in multiple languages, a listing of yoga nidra teachers worldwide, info on trainings, and much more.

Research on yoga nidra, under the direction of Kamakhya Kumar, PhD 

Jennifer Reis’s yoga nidra CDs, Mp3’s, trainings and workshops

The Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI), under the direction of Richard Miller, PhD, provides materials, programs and teacher trainings based on yoga nidra.  See current, upcoming and planned IRest yoga nidra research

Guided Imagery

Health Journeys, by Belleruth Naparstek is the very best place to go for information and products, especially for medically-related guided imagery.  Click here for a collection of research on guided imagery and similar mind-body techniques.

CardPlusCD produces Julie Lusk’s guided imagery CDs.  Relaxation music by Tom Laskey is also offered.

Meditation

Loose Leaf Hollow is a wonderful retreat center in Bardstown, KY under the capable leadership of Joe Zarantonello.   Joe is an exceptional teacher, poet and the creator of the Integral Journal.  Check it out – it is truly a ‘space for grace’.

The Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford is in the greater Cincinnati area.  It provides programs, facilities and an environment which helps people find God in all things and live a life of compassionate service.  Julie Lusk teaches classes and offers retreats there and is on their Board of Trustees.

Click here for Meditations to listen to on-line from Thich Nhat Hanh, Sharon Salsburg and others.

Holistic Health

SelfHelpMagazine is a wonderful resource.  Please check it out.

The Continuum Center for Health and Healing is located at Beth Israel in NY.  Their site has a great resource library on complementary therapies as well as on health conditions.

Wellness Resources

Whole Person Associates  makes available the finest books, materials, audio and video tapes on stress management and wellness.  They publish and sell Julie Lusk’s Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices, 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Volumes One and Two and Wholesome Relaxation CD, Wholesome Energizers CD, and Refreshing Journeys audio tape and CD.

New Harbinger Publications is publishing my next new book, Yoga Nidra for Stress Relief.  They offer self-help resources  that are concise, practical, and factual.  Topics include anxiety, depression, anger, relationships, and health and feature the newest research available.

7 Arts Studio is the brainchild of Noreen Wessling.  She will inspire you to drum, draw, dream and let your spirit soar.  Mostly, you will have fun discovering hidden talents you never knew you had.  Cincinnati based.

Jakk’s Magic Beans Workshop:  Julie Keefe (a/k/a Jakk) offers Reiki and Feng Shui services, as well as one-of-a-kind creations to encourage, support and enhance your connection to well-being.  Visit her website to learn more and to feast your eyes on her wire-wrapped pendants!  Cincinnati based.

Mandala Monday is a new feature being offered by Julie Keefe (more about her above).  A mandala is a symbolic circle for healing.  It feels peaceful to look at and helps you focus too. Even better, she posts a new mandala each Monday  for you to color and submit for prizes.

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