The Distraction Disadvantage
Excerpt from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief. Julie Lusk. NHP 2015.
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
The Distraction Disadvantage
Excerpt from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief. Julie Lusk. NHP 2015.
by Julie Lusk
Miracles do happen! Synchronicity too!
The Blue Moon of August set the scene for the recording of my newest CD. This one features 16 beautiful tracks played on the Native American style flute with the sounds of Mother Nature as the backdrop.
The Blue Moon was the day I got a brand new wooden flute from Joseph Whitefeather and Sage Mato. The flute is beautiful and has the most amazing sound. He promised me that it is a healer. He was right! What a welcome surprise it was when the flute music began pouring out of me like a waterfall, so naturally and easily. It had healed me from the remnants of fear and doubt that had plagued my musicality since I was a kid. I felt so happy.
I played the flute during my yoga classes the first chance I got. Folks really appreciated how relaxing it was and commented on its healing sound. Quite a few encouraged me to make a recording so they could enjoy it whenever and wherever they want. Here is what is happening. Marilyn listens to it in her truck. Diana plays it when she gives a massage. Mary listens to it on her daily walk, Susan and her daughter listen on their way to school, several play it before bed, and Kate said that not only does she like it, her dog does too.
To celebrate, Blue Moon Rising is on sale until Nov. 15. Why wait?
The mind-body connection recognizes the reality that the mind and body are intimately and ultimately linked as one. There is absolutely no separation. What is thought or felt always resonates throughout the body moment by moment
through a bio-chemical reaction. This reaction is either life and health enhancing or defeating. It has also been verified that each emotion has a distinct biochemical signature that affects mental and physical health.
Researchers report that meditation, controlled breathing, deep relaxation and directed, guided imagery can boost the immune system, alter blood pressure, decrease pain, and help with problems such as infertility and insomnia. These practices often help people cope with and recover from unpleasant medical procedures as well as the effects of stress from daily living. Furthermore, the refinement of consciousness that takes place leads to spiritual growth and maturity.

Trouble sleeping? Insomnia is at epidemic proportions and has dreadful consequences. A few problems associated with inadequate sleep include feeling irritable, exhausted, lowered immunity, poor mental / emotional health, and heart disease.
Relaxing regularly and deeply is the perfect remedy to conquer stress. The World Health Organization predicts that stress-related disorders and psychological disorders will be the second leading cause of disabilities in the world by 2020.
Guided Relaxation is another tool for your stress relief toolbox. The secret to gaining relaxed energy is to clear away the mental ruckus and emotional debris to make room for clear thinking.
One of the easiest ways of doing this is through relaxing the muscular tension held in the body by tensing and releasing muscle groups throughout your body using a reliable technique known as progressive muscular relaxation. Doing so not only releases physical tension, it also teaches you the felt difference between tension and relaxation.
By knowing this, you can catch physical tension early on and before it causes painful headaches, back problems and digestive trouble. A calming effect for the body, mind, emotions and spirit is awakened as well.
→ Listen to Take 10 free of charge. It’s an excerpt from the Power Napper eBook by Julie Lusk that includes relaxing and refreshing exercises.
PS. Benefit from the 2-Hour Nap in 10 minutes often by coming back to this website again and again.
PPS.
PPPS. Explore more mind-body exercises in Julie Lusk’s books and CDs, featuring deep relaxation and yoga nidra, guided imagery, and meditation.
Stimulates blood flow to your head. Reduces mental congestion. Helps overcome insomnia. Strengthens memory. Opens the crown chakra to higher inspiration.
o Start with your thumbs on your temples with fingertips resting at the middle of your forehead.
o Apply pressure and slowly pull your fingers apart, stretching the skin. Breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat if it feels good.
o Place your fingertips at your hairline and repeat the stretch.
o Repeat this pattern starting at the top, center, and back of your head. Continue until you reach the base of your neck.
Stimulates your energies, boosts immune system, and releases stress. Relieves pain.
♥ Welcome! Click here for the Zoom link needed to start class. This link is for you alone – please invite friends to register for themselves.
♥ The class link above will be emailed to you about 45 minutes prior to class time so it’s on top of the email heap. Look in your spam or promotions folder if you don’t see it.
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♥ Please sign in by 6:45 pm if you are new to Zoom. We will go over a few things like turning off & on audio, video, speaker & gallery view, etc. Here is a Tutorial on using Zoom
♥ Class starts at 7 pm on Tuesday. “Doors” close at 7:07 for security purposes. You will not be able to join if you’re late. You will still get the video after class. Each class recording is available for streaming and is valid for personal, non-commercial use for 14 days after the session happens.
♥ Use this link for yoga info and sequences.
♥ Zoom Etiquette
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Fine Print / Agreement: Sorry, no refunds for missed classes. You will get a recording of the yoga practice (not the discussion) by email within 48 hours after class for streaming for your personal and non-commercial use only that is valid for 14 days. Stuff can happen since this is “live,” (like the Zoom (or similar) connection or audio connection/audio is bad, weather interruptions, etc.). You will be notified by email, if possible and ASAP, if a class you’re scheduled for is canceled or rescheduled. Julie Lusk cannot be responsible for any risks whatsoever for your class participation. By enrolling and attending class, I voluntarily agree to these policies. It is understood that policies and procedures periodically change and it is the participants responsibility stay up-to-date and will abide and agree whatever is currently in place. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
General Consent / Waiver: I understand and voluntarily agree that it is my responsibility to determine and hereby certify there is no medical reason to prevent my participation in a hatha yoga, yoga nidra, meditation, or classes that focus on specific topics. I agree to take full responsibility for my health and well-being in class and will not exceed my limits. I understand that yoga involves sitting, standing, kneeling, inversions, twists, supine and prone positions, breathing ratios and patterns, and combinations of such. Information given is for information only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure anyone or anything. I do hereby indemnify Julie Lusk and Wholesome Resources from all responsibility for injury of any sort and/or loss of property to others or myself at any time, and from claims, losses or expenses which may arise out of or as a result of my participation in this class, whether it is in person, online, or a recording. I understand that since online classes are conducted live on Zoom, weird things can happen (i.e. security issues, internet problems, recording mishaps, etc.), and agree not to hold Julie Lusk / Wholesome Resources responsible. I agree to keep personal information shared by others confidential. I agree that it is acceptable to get periodic announcements via mail, internet, etc. I give permission to be photographed/videoed/ and otherwise recorded, which can be used, free of charge, in advertising, website, social media, audio/video recordings, etc. Sorry, no refunds.
Let me know if you have questions ahead of time. Click here.
Good luck and see you soon!
♥ Julie
by Julie Lusk

Eye Movements
After a while, eye muscles tire out and it becomes harder to focus. To prevent this from happening, you can practice these eye movements. They will strengthen your eye muscles and eyesight and stimulate the brain. Visual, auditory, and sensory perception can increase. Do them sitting up, standing, or lying down.
Here’s How
Chidakasha: Quieting the Mind by Stilling the Eyes Using the sense of sight is a very effective centering technique. Doing so can have a beneficial effect on the brain as well. Have you ever noticed that you can still see even with your eyes closed? All that is needed is to try. You might see it as darkness, designs, colors, spots, or a combination. It does not matter. What matters is passively focusing your attention on what is being seen and watching it as it changes. Have fun watching whatever appears as it comes and goes on the inside screen of your closed eyelids. This brings you into the moment and quickly settles down mental restlessness. Yogis refer to watching this inner space of consciousness as Chidakasha. ( Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief, page 115)
Julie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, has more than 35 years of expertise in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training, guided imagery, and meditation as an international author, recording artist, and workshop leader. Julie is the author of Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, Yoga Meditations, two volumes of 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, and Desktop Yoga®. Her audio downloads and CDs include Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Yoga Nidra Essentials, Blue Moon Rising, and many others. Learn more at WholesomeResources.com