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Advice from a Tree

October 17, 2013 by Julie Lusk

What an opportunity to experience yoga’s tree pose (Vriksasana) while absorbing the energy from the trunk of this tree.  What a powerful experience to feel into the roots of this tree, to reflect on its life, and to stand where it stood for so many years.  It seemed perfect to pair the photo with “the advice from a tree.” from ‘anon.’  Learn the tree pose below. 

 

Advice from a TreeJulie's Tree pose

stand tall and proud

go out on a limb

remember your roots

drink plenty of water

be content with your natural beauty

enjoy the view

And I’d like to add…

bask in the sun

don’t mind the clouds

provide shelter for birds, squirrels, and other creatures

go with the winds that are blowing through your life

climb a tree once in a while


Practice yoga’s tree pose (vrksasana) to gain balance, core strength, humility, centering, and self-acceptance.

Stand tall. Balance your weight equally on both feet in mountain pose (tadasana). Put your hands on your hips. Breathe. Raise your right foot and press it into the inside of your left leg either above or below the knee. Steady your gaze. Raise your arms up like branches. Wobbling is normal and helpful. Hold for several breaths and repeat on the other side. See the picture above.

 

 

Filed Under: Misc Musings, Yoga, Yoga and Meditation Quotes, Sayings, Poems Tagged With: advice from a tree, yoga tree pose

Yoga Nidra FAQ on Setting Intentions & Sankalpas

This article is a yoga nidra FAQ on setting intentions & sankalpas for making durable positive changes effectively.

Yoga nidra is rapidly gaining in popularity these days, mostly because it’s so blissfully exhilarating.  Yoga nidra (pronounced nih-drah) yoga nidra's benefitsmeans “yogic sleep” and is an ancient yoga practice with benefits supported by modern-day science.  It’s a powerful experience of progressively relaxing and restoring physically, energetically, mentally, and emotionally that naturally opens us to accessing our intuition, unconditional joy, and deep restorative peace.  It’s very refreshing too.  In fact, one hour of practice is equivalent to four hours of sleep.  See more documented benefits of yoga nidra here.

The yoga nidra process also makes it completely possible to clear out useless habits and bring about positive and durable changes to your lifestyle and positive personality changes by using a sankalpa at the start and the end of the practice.  A sankalpa is a special intention, a self-selected resolve that you choose yourself.  It’s a sacred vow and promise you make in support of your highest truth. Sample sankalpas are “I am courageous,” or “I have confidence,” or “My life is worthwhile.”   It’s a quality that helps you become or do something worthwhile with your life.  Likewise, it can be a reflection of your True Self such as “I am conduit of love,” or “My true nature is peace.”

How yoga nidra helps you make behavior changes and enables you to develop positive personal qualities.

“Our day-to-day frame of consciousness (beta brain waves) makes it extremely difficult to make and maintain our good intentions because they crash into our long term conditioning, habits, and social pressures,” as reported in Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief (New Harbinger Publications, 2015).  “Through no fault of your own, your mind is simply not very receptive to making these changes.  During yoga nidra, we knowingly, consciously, and consecutively experience different types of brainwave levels that are receptive to change that include alpha, theta and delta frequencies and are associated with levels of consciousness.  The level reached during yoga nidra depends on the depth of your experience.  When we implant a resolve in the subconscious mind, useless thoughts and behaviors can be weeded out and the conditions are created for significant and transformative change to take root and grow.”  Success is fortified by staying with the same sankalpa from practice to practice until it becomes a reality and takes root.  Consistency counts.

Setting Intentions & Sankalpas

Time is set aside at the beginning of yoga nidra for a sankalpa to reveal itself naturally instead of intellectually.  Making intellectual sankalpas rarely yield results.  In other words, one that you “should” make or one to please others.  Instead, have one that resonates and rings true with you.  Go for a balance between letting it come to you intuitively and thinking it through.  Furthermore, you could have one specific to help with weight loss, getting more exercise or stopping an unhealthy habit, but it’s advised that you pick a grander quality instead.  In doing so, the behavior change is likely to happen anyway and you will also reap many more benefits.  For example, if you choose kindness as your sankalpa, true self-kindness will lead to eating better and exercising more by being kinder to yourself in support of your health.  In addition, kindness will naturally bring on generosity, patience, and other positive qualities.

Word your sankalpa positively, in the present tense, clearly, and concisely.  Keep it consistent.  Back it up sincerely with gratitude and inner will.  If using “I am” seems too challenging or too mindboggling, try adding “more and more” to it.  For example, “I am content, more and more.”

Sample Sankalpas:

  • I am kind.
  • I am trusting.
  • I am accepting of my feelings. Or, I accept unhappiness as part of my human experience.
  • I have abundance.
  • I am grateful for a peaceful nature.
  • I embrace all of who I am.
  • I enjoy life fully.
  • I welcome health and wellness.
  • My true nature is joyful.

Using a Sankalpa during Yoga Nidra.

A sankalpa is first silently said at the beginning of your yoga nidra experience and with your whole heart.  It helps if you use your senses to imagine what it would be like if it were already true.  Once again, repeat your sankalpa several times near the end of yoga nidra.  Namely, when you are totally at ease and in the fertile delta brainwave state, and before coming back to full awareness.  This is when your brain is most receptive.

Outcomes

I had my doubts about the effectiveness of using a sankalpa, especially when writing Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, so I put it to the test with a variety of students.  Much to our delight and satisfaction, results started rolling in.  Find out for yourself by reading their stories in the book.  Better yet, try it yourself.  Please let us know about your experience.

How to Experience Yoga Nidra:  

Like all worthwhile things, regular practice yields the best results.  It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

  1. Listen to Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation | Audible – iTunes – Amazon
  2. Read about it and get free audio downloads in Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief (New Harbinger, 2015).
  3. Experience yoga nidra on video/audio.
  4. Attend a virtual yoga nidra class held weekly on Zoom.
  5. Take a yoga nidra teacher training course and earn a certificate.
  6. Get yoga nidra downloads here.

Resources: Books, Recordings & More

Get yoga nidra downloads here.

NEW! Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation
NEW! Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation
Experience peace and deeply restorative rest that heals your body, mind & spirit. Features 24 Yoga Nidra scripts written by author Julie Lusk and 12 of the world's master teachers. Enjoy 6 levels of relaxation for a joyful meditative experience. Learn to use yogic sleep to revitalize your inner reservoir of intuitive understanding and unconditional joy. Audiobook available. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...
Quantity:  
Price: $19.99

Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief - Print Book & Audio download
Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief - Print Book & Audio download
Yoga Nidra can stop tension in its tracks with a wonderfully, powerful & unique state of deep relaxation, mental clarity & insightful awareness. These practical, empowering relaxation exercises, meditations that soothe and visualizations that renew are based on classic yoga and backed by modern science. They’ll help you unwind, replenish, and feel refreshed with durable peace and unconditional joy. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...
Quantity:  
Price: $17.95

Yoga Nidra Essentials CD
Yoga Nidra Essentials CD
Find your calm spot. Brighten your energy. Enjoy a more meaningful life. Experience 6 levels of relaxation. Reclaim optimal health for your body, mind & heart. Laura says "My focused mind easily. I was 100% worry-free. It's wonderful." By Julie Lusk, 6-time author. Digital downloads available.
Quantity:  
Price: $9.99Price: $16.99 

Author: Julie Lusk, M.Ed., E-RYT 500
Julie Lusk

 

Yoga Basics Guidebook by Julie Lusk

Get your free Yoga Basics Guidebook, an eBook by Julie Lusk.  It has…

  • How to Practice Yoga:  Steadiness and Comfort vs. Struggle and Control
  • Guidelines for the Practice of Yoga.
  • General Benefits, Cautions and Contraindications of Yoga
  • Yoga Guidelines for Health Conditions
  • Yoga During Pregnancy:  General Guidelines and Cautions
  • Yoga Practice Sheet
  • Basic Alignment and Selected Warm Ups to Open Joints and Warm Muscles
  • Yoga Practice Sheet – Earth Series ©
  • Yoga Practice Sheet – Sky Series ©


 

As a bonus, you will get the Wholesome Resources News. It features:

  • Practical tips for improving your health through relaxation training, yoga,
    meditation, and other mind/body techniques. See previously published articles here.
  • Info on books, CDs and other services from Julie Lusk
  • Special offers, class and workshop schedules, valuable opportunities and more
  • Sandy Byrd says ” Here are real practices for real life!  The content is great…Practical ideas that can be implemented easily.  I always love the quotes.”
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Happy Humming Practice

May 12, 2025 by Julie Lusk

Happy Humming Practice

Do you have a happiness practice? Our world is starving for happiness. We are parched for smiles. We are hungry for connections. Practice happiness daily.  Hum daily.

Hum your happiness out. Have you forgotten you are made of vibrations? Remember, energy is real. Hum when you’re happy, content, blessed. Hum for no reason. It’s contagious. Quench each other’s thirst for happiness and hum.

Hummmmmmm…

Recall a happy moment. Hum to soak it into your heart.
Hum to those who struggle.
Catch on to shimmering beauty and grace and hum to capture its essence.
Hum out to the harsh realities.
Notice smiling times and hum to savor its sweetness.
Hum out to ease suffering.
Feel heartfelt happiness within. Hum to embody it. Set it free with a hum.

Hummmmmmm…

You can do this. You are meant to do this.
You are not in the crossfire. You are not hungry.
It takes as long as breathing in happiness and sharing it with a hum.

Hummmmmmm…

Devote your happiness practice to benefit everyone, everywhere.

Dedicate your happiness practice to fill the broken people and places craving relief.

Hummmmmmm…

Hum a single note.

Hum a tune.

Hum till you feel happy.

Hum for those who can’t.

Hum for those who forget and for those forgotten.

Hum when sad, lonely, and feeling mad.

Hum your own sound ~ high/low ~ soft/strong ~ clear/crinkly ~ in tune/or not ~

Hum at home, while working, and in between.  Hum inside and outside and in between.

Hum a lullaby and to awaken.

Happy. Happy. Happy.

Hummmmmmm.  Hummmmmmm. Hummmmmmm.

 

From Julie Lusk with inspiration from Susa Silvermarie ~ May 2025

Filed Under: Misc Musings

Yoga Nidra FAQ: Real Relaxation, Meditation & Much More

Yoga Nidra FAQ by Julie Lusk as PDF

YogaNidraCF.inddWhat Is Yoga Nidra? Yoga Nidra means “yogic sleep.”  It powerfully combines ancient yoga with contemporary science. It starts with a systematic process for shedding physical, mental, and emotional stress. Energy and alertness increase and unconditional peacefulness and quiet is uncovered. No yoga experience is needed. It is typically done lying down. It feels great!

What are the benefits of Yoga Nidra?  With regular practice, your health will improve.  Scientific studies have shown that real relaxation and yoga nidra helps with a variety of physical and mental problems.  It can boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, and decrease pain.  Though it’s not a substitute for sleeping, one hour of yoga nidra equals about 4 hours of typical sleep because the brain wave state we’re in is extremely restful and relaxing.  You’ll enjoy living with a clear head.  Eventually, mood swings and emotional upsets won’t bother you.  Your creativity and intuition will flourish in a positive and productive way.   Plus, your energy increases.   See more documented benefits of yoga nidra here.

Is Yoga Nidra different from hypnosis?   Yes.  In hypnosis, we’re in a brain wave state that is not as deep as in yoga nidra.  With hypnosis, someone else makes suggestions to us in this altered state.  In Yoga Nidra, positive suggestions originate and come from within ourselves for lasting and constructive change.  This is called setting a resolve, or sankalpa.

How is Yoga Nidra Done?  The purpose of yoga nidra is to completely relax physically, yoga nidra's benefitsenergetically, mentally, and emotionally.  Doing so is deeply soothing and it naturally awakens innate wisdom and intuition.  During the yoga nidra process, you’ll be invited to get comfortable lying down in the relaxation pose (savasana)  This is done on a yoga mat or something similar.  Specialized relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, and guided imagery are utilized for becoming extremely relaxed and to replenish energy. Yoga nidra effectively handles everyday tension and is capable of healing deep-seated stress. It is much more than a quick fix.

How does Yoga Nidra help me make positive changes?  What is a resolve, also called a sankalpa? The brain wave state we’re in during Yoga Nidra is fertile ground.  We’re both very relaxed and very receptive.  Setting a resolve during this time makes it completely possible to clear out useless habits and bring about positive and permanent changes in your personality and life.  So, choose something worthwhile that has meaning and significance for you as your resolve. Some examples are kindness, courage, and love or something to give meaning to your life purpose.  The sankalpa (resolve) is stated briefly, sincerely, and in the present tense at the beginning and end of yoga nidra.  Use the same one until it becomes a living reality.  Get more help on sankalpas here.

How often should I do Yoga Nidra?   Regular practice (daily to several times a week) is strongly recommended, especially if you want to reap the benefits.

Note:  Refer to Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief by Julie Lusk (NHP 2015) for a clear and complete information on yoga nidra.  It’s available at the WholesomeResources.com store and other online outlets.

The Map of Consciousness used during Yoga Nidra

One technique that is used to achieve the state of conscious awareness known as yoga nidra, is to mentally scan the body using a specific order and duration based on the sensory-motor cortex, also called the homunculus.  It is recommended to follow the same sequence to help bring about the movement of prana (life force) and create a healthy flow of energy.

If you look closely at the diagram of the brain’s sensory-motor cortex below, you will notice that more area is devoted to certain places than to others.  For instance, compare the relatively large amount of area dedicated to the hands and fingers with the small amount dedicated to the hips.  This is why more time is intentionally spent scanning the areas of the body with more of the brain dedicated to it during the practice.

Sensory-motor cortex © as shown in Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief by Julie Lusk. Click image to enlarge.

Sensory Motor Cortex of Brain from Yoga NidraThe diagram below shows the subtle energy centers, called chakras, that are also mentally scanned.  Chakras are associated with physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual health, and more.

ChakrasCrown Chakra – Wisdom. Spirituality – Purple
Third Eye – Intuition.  Insight – Indigo Blue
Throat – Self expression. Communication – Blue
Heart –  Compassion.  Love. Kindness – Green
Solar Plexus – Self esteem. Confidence – Yellow
Sacral – Sensuality, intimacy, creativity – Orange 
Root –  Safety. To have.  To be – Red

Yoga_nidra_FAQ_by Julie Lusk as PDF

 

How to Experience Yoga Nidra:  Like all worthwhile things, regular practice yields the best results.  It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

  1. Listen to Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation | Audible – iTunes – Amazon
  2. Read about it and get free audio downloads in Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief (New Harbinger, 2015).
  3. Experience yoga nidra on video/audio.
  4. Attend a virtual yoga nidra class held weekly on Zoom.
  5. Take a yoga nidra teacher training course and earn a certificate.
  6. Get yoga nidra downloads here.

The map of consciousness technique is used on the Yoga Nidra for Sensing Inner Strength & Balance CD and the Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CDs listed below.  Chakra awareness and balancing is featured on both of these recordings.  Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditations for Relaxation & Renewal puts a different twist on this technique.  Relaxed breathing, mindfulness and guided imagery are incorporated as well.

A progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique is used on Yoga Nidra for Unshakable Peace & Joy.  Every muscle group is consciously tensed and released during progressive muscle relaxation. Specialized breathing techniques follow along with ways to calm restless thoughts and feelings are done.

The autogenic training technique is the focus on Yoga Nidra for High-Level Living.  Statements are silently repeated to produce sensations of heaviness and warmth throughout the body are used.  The paradox of opposites is featured as well as mindfulness, the awareness of witnessing one’s experience, are also used.

Resources: Books, Recordings & More

Get Audio Downloads here

NEW! Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation
NEW! Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation
Experience peace and deeply restorative rest that heals your body, mind & spirit. Features 24 Yoga Nidra scripts written by author Julie Lusk and 12 of the world's master teachers. Enjoy 6 levels of relaxation for a joyful meditative experience. Learn to use yogic sleep to revitalize your inner reservoir of intuitive understanding and unconditional joy. Audiobook available. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...
Quantity:  
Price: $19.99
Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief - Print Book & Audio download
Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief - Print Book & Audio download
Yoga Nidra can stop tension in its tracks with a wonderfully, powerful & unique state of deep relaxation, mental clarity & insightful awareness. These practical, empowering relaxation exercises, meditations that soothe and visualizations that renew are based on classic yoga and backed by modern science. They’ll help you unwind, replenish, and feel refreshed with durable peace and unconditional joy. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...
Quantity:  
Price: $17.95
Yoga Nidra Essentials CD
Yoga Nidra Essentials CD
Find your calm spot. Brighten your energy. Enjoy a more meaningful life. Experience 6 levels of relaxation. Reclaim optimal health for your body, mind & heart. Laura says "My focused mind easily. I was 100% worry-free. It's wonderful." By Julie Lusk, 6-time author. Digital downloads available.
Quantity:  
Price: $9.99Price: $16.99 
Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra  CD (Shop @ Amazon / iTunes = We are sold out temporarily)
Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CD (Shop @ Amazon / iTunes = We are sold out temporarily)
This takes you into a deeply relaxing and powerful state of being fully aware while being in the state of deep sleep.

Its many benefits include:

  • Listening for 1 hour equals 4 hours sleep
  • Improves immunity
  • Increases heart health
  • Relieves stress
  • Brings inner peace and balance

Digital downloads are available.

CLICK the blue title link above to find out more...
Quantity:  
Price: $9.99Price: $16.95 
Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditations for Relaxation & Renewal Download
Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditations for Relaxation & Renewal Download
Get clear guidance to experience 6 levels of relaxation done lying down. This meditation replenishes energy. It delivers mental clarity as restless thoughts and emotional upsets fade away. Specialized breathing, guided imagery & mindful awareness are used. An inner reservoir of heartfelt peace, intuitive understanding & unconditional joy is revealed. One hour of practice equates to 4 hours of sleep.
Quantity:  
Price: $5.99Price: $29.99 
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