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Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief
Chronic stress is a silent assassin that can lead to a number of health and mental health issues, such as anxiety, weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. In this book, holistic health expert Julie Lusk offers readers a powerful Yoga Nidra program to stop stress in its tracks. If you feel stressed out, you aren’t alone. Stress is a modern-day epidemic, and if you don’t make healthy changes to keep it under control, you could end up with a weakened immune system or a number of health and mental health issues. This book offers the solution: Yoga Nidra―a practice based on a lucid, sleep-like state of relaxation―focuses specifically on alleviating both the mental and physical manifestations of stress, so you can live a better life. Packed with meditations, relaxation skills, and visualization techniques, the ancient practices in this book will help you relax, reflect, and revitalize for unshakable peace and joy.
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2015
70 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Julie T. Lusk
10 books4 followersJulie T. Lusk, M.Ed, RYT-E500 has gobs of experience in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training, guided imagery, and meditation as an international author, recording artist, and workshop leader. She loves to offer retreats, trainings, and seminars that are relaxing, reflective and revitalizing. Find out more at JulieLusk.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 19, 2015
This book is accessible to everyone. Directions are clear and concise, and the author comes across as warm, welcoming and compassionate. I am really looking forward to incorporating Yoga Nidra into my life (I'm going to set up my space later today!) because, even with the small exercises I started as I read through the book, I found myself feeling better.
November 24, 2021
One of my favorite yoga books! Probably the most bang-for-my-buck when it comes to my yoga book collection. The writing style is personable. The information is practical. The techniques are applicable.
Great read for beginners or advanced yogis. This book has already improved my personal yoga practice. I'll definitely be referring to it later!
Great read for beginners or advanced yogis. This book has already improved my personal yoga practice. I'll definitely be referring to it later!
November 7, 2017
The yoga nidra scripts are helpful, but there's a lot of repetition and it's more of a resource rather than a fun read.
January 1, 2016
First, I have to admit I didn't read the book fully. I really did try my best, and I almost get it!, but made it just to page 170 (the beginning of the apendixes) and this in almost a month and with great effort.
And that's the reason I only give it two stars. For a book, it's not only important its content, but also how it is written. It has to be a nice way, that makes it easer and fun to read it, but it isn't the case with this. This book was intended for the neophites in Yoga, but, in true, only those who know a little about Yoga would be able to advance in the pages without getting exhausted or lose interest.
I have tried some of the exercises, and they are nice, but they took me a lot of time (approx. 45 minutes each). It's true that there's some brief exercises in the apendixes, but then maybe I should have read them only? I guess not.
Thank you for the effort, but with a little smoothness in the writing it would be easier.
And that's the reason I only give it two stars. For a book, it's not only important its content, but also how it is written. It has to be a nice way, that makes it easer and fun to read it, but it isn't the case with this. This book was intended for the neophites in Yoga, but, in true, only those who know a little about Yoga would be able to advance in the pages without getting exhausted or lose interest.
I have tried some of the exercises, and they are nice, but they took me a lot of time (approx. 45 minutes each). It's true that there's some brief exercises in the apendixes, but then maybe I should have read them only? I guess not.
Thank you for the effort, but with a little smoothness in the writing it would be easier.
January 23, 2021
Reviews are very wrong, The girl that wrote this book has over 35 years of experiences in stress relief and also I have about 3 living in chronic stress related work. I am mentally challenged, I noticed it by myself (long story) and am mentally crazy ( yet more more longer, almost all my life, if not all, I’m 23).
I ve tried very powerful techniques like 1 hour qigong with 1 hour 10 M of EFT (emotional freedom technique) these are of the most powerful (according to an MD and people.) with walking and shower and diet that where good also you can add what I didn’t add like: prayer, stretches, and building new relationships is a good one for stress to that meditations which are good but only all in conjunction to those of above, those are from Stan Lang check his YouTube account and course or read below. I got that stuff from a medical doctor about 9 out of 10 or just 2:30 minutes of mindfulness meditation, not so good like 6 out of 10.
I be tried Tai chi, qigong, a lot of mindfulness meditation, pray, diet, pills, (once I tried a very powerful combination of the best pills it helped a lot about 8.5 out of 10) naps, aromatherapy, grounding barefoot in grass in nature 6.5, also combined them also the yoga you see in tv specialized for stress and anxiety didn’t work to reduce it completely, I didn’t like it tough don’t used it a lot, the few times was not that good. None reduced the activated signals of chronic stress like shoulders up, social anxiety, unhappiness, fatigue, irritability, belly not full expanded (contraction), profound calmness, none of the times that I remember except with only one yoga nidra session of 2 hours and 15.
also drugs from medical doctors like psychologist make things worse like sertralina and Olanzapina (it can cause diabetes easily😄) all those helped just somewhat thought I didn’t complete the drug treatment, also that’s bad for our bodies and was killing me. Yoga nidra is far superior. Just 2 hours and 15 minutes of yoga nidra in the morning stabilized the signs of flight of fight that are very important of the core of our bodies when it comes to stress according to many many specialist of different fields. That’s amazing! Just in a single session... after a lot of practices that didn’t work I finally felt very normal just with that one. People looked at me differently and saw me very differently for first time In 3 years.
I will add more because I have some good experience...
You probably will needn’t help if you are chronically stressed, I’m with you and many people, you are not lonely.
If you want more help according to diets and adrenal fatigue syndrome caused by chronic stress send me a message. I would help you for free. I can give you a lot of support. Please stay positive, you need to shut the negative stuff that comes to your mind when you are chronically stressed. You need to stay the more positive as you can but you need to learn of we the experts that positivity doesn’t mean you can avoid diseases specially when you are in high danger like chronic stress, many people according to us the experts highly believe that is the contrary but we are the experts and we are many. Stay positive.... Avoid all sort of negativity, knowing that you are in control also helps so do that powerful meditations. To balance emotions eat 3 times protein one on each meal. Eat a lot of salads and avoid all the sugar as you can because you would get easily insulin resistance if you don’t in case you are stressed. Right now avoid my disease, I developed peripheral neuropathy likely because of b 12 deficiency, I didn’t purchase that b12 when I knew I needed to do it so purchase a 1000 micrograms sublingual b12 and take it daily. A good b complex. 1 gram of vitamin c preferably chelated. Rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng are good herbs for stress that I used but only as a complement.
Books and courses that I purchased of the most helpful and relevant:
This is a very good one: Check on youtube PTSD, stress relief by user Stan Lang and check his online course:
https://stanley-lang.mykajabi.com/sto...
9 of 10, I would purchase this at first and all the books below. Including this book of this review. And start using them right now.
Buy the book the adaptation diet. This is good for chronic stress also stress warrior by doni Wilson, stress proof by mithu storini. Also to buy at last: the science of stress management by amitava dasgupta.
You can read all those books online and get all of Amazon.
Books for chronic stress that I recommend but even if you don’t have adrenal fatigue. Probably those books below are for people with mild adrenal fatigue (recovery of 1 year to no fatigue but prone because of chronic stress or people that works very hard.
Adrenal fatigue by James l wilson,
Heal Your Body, Cure Your Mind: Leaky Gut, Adrenal Fatigue, Liver Detox, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Disease & Trauma. Mindfulness, Holistic Therapies, Diet, Nutrition & Food
Dr. Ameet Aggarwal
Also good stuff for adrenal fatigue that works well is that of dr Michael lam
If you did all that or want more info you can add more advanced books like letting go: the pathway of surrender. And those of the author.
I don’t like lavanda as aromatherapy, it was not good...
I’m mentally challenged so i know I’m not that good to help people but not normal people 😄 😎 Send me a message if you want to talk. Purchase all them as fast as possible and start doing that as fast as possible if not you are going to die is my quote, according to my experience in these stuff. And what was the first thing that caused you stress in first place? I don’t care if you didn’t liked my info.
I ve tried very powerful techniques like 1 hour qigong with 1 hour 10 M of EFT (emotional freedom technique) these are of the most powerful (according to an MD and people.) with walking and shower and diet that where good also you can add what I didn’t add like: prayer, stretches, and building new relationships is a good one for stress to that meditations which are good but only all in conjunction to those of above, those are from Stan Lang check his YouTube account and course or read below. I got that stuff from a medical doctor about 9 out of 10 or just 2:30 minutes of mindfulness meditation, not so good like 6 out of 10.
I be tried Tai chi, qigong, a lot of mindfulness meditation, pray, diet, pills, (once I tried a very powerful combination of the best pills it helped a lot about 8.5 out of 10) naps, aromatherapy, grounding barefoot in grass in nature 6.5, also combined them also the yoga you see in tv specialized for stress and anxiety didn’t work to reduce it completely, I didn’t like it tough don’t used it a lot, the few times was not that good. None reduced the activated signals of chronic stress like shoulders up, social anxiety, unhappiness, fatigue, irritability, belly not full expanded (contraction), profound calmness, none of the times that I remember except with only one yoga nidra session of 2 hours and 15.
also drugs from medical doctors like psychologist make things worse like sertralina and Olanzapina (it can cause diabetes easily😄) all those helped just somewhat thought I didn’t complete the drug treatment, also that’s bad for our bodies and was killing me. Yoga nidra is far superior. Just 2 hours and 15 minutes of yoga nidra in the morning stabilized the signs of flight of fight that are very important of the core of our bodies when it comes to stress according to many many specialist of different fields. That’s amazing! Just in a single session... after a lot of practices that didn’t work I finally felt very normal just with that one. People looked at me differently and saw me very differently for first time In 3 years.
I will add more because I have some good experience...
You probably will needn’t help if you are chronically stressed, I’m with you and many people, you are not lonely.
If you want more help according to diets and adrenal fatigue syndrome caused by chronic stress send me a message. I would help you for free. I can give you a lot of support. Please stay positive, you need to shut the negative stuff that comes to your mind when you are chronically stressed. You need to stay the more positive as you can but you need to learn of we the experts that positivity doesn’t mean you can avoid diseases specially when you are in high danger like chronic stress, many people according to us the experts highly believe that is the contrary but we are the experts and we are many. Stay positive.... Avoid all sort of negativity, knowing that you are in control also helps so do that powerful meditations. To balance emotions eat 3 times protein one on each meal. Eat a lot of salads and avoid all the sugar as you can because you would get easily insulin resistance if you don’t in case you are stressed. Right now avoid my disease, I developed peripheral neuropathy likely because of b 12 deficiency, I didn’t purchase that b12 when I knew I needed to do it so purchase a 1000 micrograms sublingual b12 and take it daily. A good b complex. 1 gram of vitamin c preferably chelated. Rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng are good herbs for stress that I used but only as a complement.
Books and courses that I purchased of the most helpful and relevant:
This is a very good one: Check on youtube PTSD, stress relief by user Stan Lang and check his online course:
https://stanley-lang.mykajabi.com/sto...
9 of 10, I would purchase this at first and all the books below. Including this book of this review. And start using them right now.
Buy the book the adaptation diet. This is good for chronic stress also stress warrior by doni Wilson, stress proof by mithu storini. Also to buy at last: the science of stress management by amitava dasgupta.
You can read all those books online and get all of Amazon.
Books for chronic stress that I recommend but even if you don’t have adrenal fatigue. Probably those books below are for people with mild adrenal fatigue (recovery of 1 year to no fatigue but prone because of chronic stress or people that works very hard.
Adrenal fatigue by James l wilson,
Heal Your Body, Cure Your Mind: Leaky Gut, Adrenal Fatigue, Liver Detox, Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Disease & Trauma. Mindfulness, Holistic Therapies, Diet, Nutrition & Food
Dr. Ameet Aggarwal
Also good stuff for adrenal fatigue that works well is that of dr Michael lam
If you did all that or want more info you can add more advanced books like letting go: the pathway of surrender. And those of the author.
I don’t like lavanda as aromatherapy, it was not good...
I’m mentally challenged so i know I’m not that good to help people but not normal people 😄 😎 Send me a message if you want to talk. Purchase all them as fast as possible and start doing that as fast as possible if not you are going to die is my quote, according to my experience in these stuff. And what was the first thing that caused you stress in first place? I don’t care if you didn’t liked my info.
February 13, 2016
I thought this book was a good book for me who is looking into getting into Yoga as a stress reliever. I liked how the author talked to you through her writing. Gave some history of yoga, that some of the stories where from people who want to share how Yoga Nidra helped them. Stress is a real problem in this day and time and anything to help with this is great! I am very glad to have the book!
July 24, 2015
Like others have said, the book makes the practice of Yoga Nidra very accessible, just about anyone could follow along. Easy to understand and inspiring. And best of all, the exercises really work to relieve stress.
*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
August 7, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Making yoga accessible is what Ms Lusk has done here. All it takes is to begin these peaceful, stress-relieving exercises and to incorporate them into your life. Good advice taken!
Making yoga accessible is what Ms Lusk has done here. All it takes is to begin these peaceful, stress-relieving exercises and to incorporate them into your life. Good advice taken!
February 10, 2020
This covers the basics, and not much more. I haven’t listened to the audio downloads so I cant speak to those. I loathe spiritual/self-help/etc that include “testimonials” as if we are being sold a product; I find it even more distasteful in a book regarding an ancient practice.
June 8, 2015
This is a good book for beginners and yogis alike. There is a lot of great information on how to relieve stress through yoga.
June 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this accessible take on yoga. The book is very clear and has a great tone - friendly and knowledgeable. I look forward to completing more of the exercises in the future.
June 12, 2024
This book contains several helpful exercises that I plan to incorporate into the yoga nidra practices I will be leading.
There were a few grammatical/spelling errors, but on the whole, I found the book quite helpful. The phrase "more and more" yet again rears its head here, but in smaller frequency than in Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation. Also, I did not at all care for all the testimonials. Those are for the blurb on the back, not the content of the book. And finally, I didn't care for some of the more outrageous claims Ms. Lusk makes here, like encouraging people to stop medications.
****Please do not stop prescribed medications without consulting the prescribing physician.****
In addition to its being helpful, Ms. Lusk has listed several additional resources that I will also check out, as well as where to find yoga nidra research.
I would not use this book alone for teaching yoga nidra. I would combine it with many resources, including Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation, it contains many good exercises, but seems incomplete on the whole.
What I'd like it to contain that it doesn't: a clear structure for nidra practices with several examples of scripts for each stage of nidra, contraindications for use, and some origins of yoga nidra.
There were a few grammatical/spelling errors, but on the whole, I found the book quite helpful. The phrase "more and more" yet again rears its head here, but in smaller frequency than in Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation. Also, I did not at all care for all the testimonials. Those are for the blurb on the back, not the content of the book. And finally, I didn't care for some of the more outrageous claims Ms. Lusk makes here, like encouraging people to stop medications.
****Please do not stop prescribed medications without consulting the prescribing physician.****
In addition to its being helpful, Ms. Lusk has listed several additional resources that I will also check out, as well as where to find yoga nidra research.
I would not use this book alone for teaching yoga nidra. I would combine it with many resources, including Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation, it contains many good exercises, but seems incomplete on the whole.
What I'd like it to contain that it doesn't: a clear structure for nidra practices with several examples of scripts for each stage of nidra, contraindications for use, and some origins of yoga nidra.
June 14, 2020
First I have to start with what I think is most important - if you are sick, visit a doctor! If you want to stop using any medicine, do so after consulting a doctor! And although many say that 1 hour if yoga Nidra is the same as 3 hours of sleep, yoga Nidra will NEVER substitute sleep!
Now with that out of the way. The explanation of the practice of yoga Nidra is very well explained in the book. The downloads are also very good.
It is at times a bit repetitive, but I don’t necessarily find that a bad thing. I also found it an easy read all in all. Well explained when unfamiliar words were used.
So why do I give it a 3... maybe I should’ve given it less. When it comes to explaining yoga Nidra I would give it a 4. But when the author says that instead of taking her allergy medicine, she used a mundra and she realized she no longer needed allergy medicine - well that can get very dangerous... and there were other “fantastic” claims in the beginning of the book too. That should really be enough for this book to get a 1, As it can get very dangerous for someone who actually need medicine. But if you read this book, closing your eyes to all the pseudo science - sure, it’s worth a read!
I will do yoga Nidra to deepen my meditation practice and to lower my stress level, and that’s pretty much all I think it yoga Nidra should be used for!
Now with that out of the way. The explanation of the practice of yoga Nidra is very well explained in the book. The downloads are also very good.
It is at times a bit repetitive, but I don’t necessarily find that a bad thing. I also found it an easy read all in all. Well explained when unfamiliar words were used.
So why do I give it a 3... maybe I should’ve given it less. When it comes to explaining yoga Nidra I would give it a 4. But when the author says that instead of taking her allergy medicine, she used a mundra and she realized she no longer needed allergy medicine - well that can get very dangerous... and there were other “fantastic” claims in the beginning of the book too. That should really be enough for this book to get a 1, As it can get very dangerous for someone who actually need medicine. But if you read this book, closing your eyes to all the pseudo science - sure, it’s worth a read!
I will do yoga Nidra to deepen my meditation practice and to lower my stress level, and that’s pretty much all I think it yoga Nidra should be used for!
August 18, 2019
I've been practicing Yoga Nidra for about a year now and thoroughly enjoy it. Reading this book gave me a deeper understanding of the practice. What I really appreciated about this book were the scripts for Yoga Nidra that were included as well as tips on how to lead others in the practice. I hope to use those one day to record my own guided Yoga Nidra sessions.
If you've never experienced Yoga Nidra, it is often referred to as "yogic sleep". It is a restorative practice that helps you to relax, lessen stress, and sleep better. If those things are important to you, I encourage you to try the practice and to read this book.
If you've never experienced Yoga Nidra, it is often referred to as "yogic sleep". It is a restorative practice that helps you to relax, lessen stress, and sleep better. If those things are important to you, I encourage you to try the practice and to read this book.
December 14, 2021
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
I tend to get very stressed out easily and hang onto it for a long time. At first I was skeptical about the book, but just doing the first breathing technique actually helped me. I was pleasantly surprised. It's not filled with lots of difficult terminology or rules, so I suggest anyone who's chronically worried or stressed out should at least give it a shot.
I tend to get very stressed out easily and hang onto it for a long time. At first I was skeptical about the book, but just doing the first breathing technique actually helped me. I was pleasantly surprised. It's not filled with lots of difficult terminology or rules, so I suggest anyone who's chronically worried or stressed out should at least give it a shot.
September 1, 2019
Yoga Nidra is a type of yoga, I've only recently learned about, and already it is paying dividends in my own life. It is helping me meditate, relax and sleep better. This book is very accessible. It's easy to benefit from this whatever your background.
April 17, 2018
I loved the details and the script
March 25, 2019
While a bit repetitive, I did find myself enjoying the book and look forward to trying the techniques myself.
September 9, 2019
Nice introduction to the yoga nidra practice.
September 2, 2021
I didn't find this book an enjoyable read, it simply didn't seem to flow.
December 2, 2024
Great book to learn about yoga nidra. Really enjoyed it.
October 8, 2019
I was disappointed by the judgmental and unkind language used in this book. I would really expect better from a yoga related relaxation and stress relief book.
November 4, 2015
In 2009 I was sexually assaulted at work. Looking for help dealing with my anxiety, I turned to my yoga teacher, who I knew had volunteered at a rape crisis center. She (very kindly) took the time to teach me the practice of yoga nidra, and I have been an aficionado ever since.
I've been practicing regularly for almost 6 years now, and I have read many books about yoga nidra. This is the most complete, by far, that I have come across! The information about yoga nidra is extensive. The book (which comes with a link to free audio downloads for guided yoga nidra) offers several version of a full yoga nidra meditation, guides for several short 5-10 minute meditations, and guides for mudras or meditation using hand positions.
I find the audio downloads less useful, as the author has a somewhat monotone speaking voice and I always fall asleep! But they are excellent for beginners or anyone who wants to fully relax in the experience.
This book may be somewhat overwhelming if you have never heard of yoga nidra before, simply because of the incredible amount of information it contains. However it is a good read and a very complete volume, making it a useful resource. It has reinvigorated my practice immensely!
I've been practicing regularly for almost 6 years now, and I have read many books about yoga nidra. This is the most complete, by far, that I have come across! The information about yoga nidra is extensive. The book (which comes with a link to free audio downloads for guided yoga nidra) offers several version of a full yoga nidra meditation, guides for several short 5-10 minute meditations, and guides for mudras or meditation using hand positions.
I find the audio downloads less useful, as the author has a somewhat monotone speaking voice and I always fall asleep! But they are excellent for beginners or anyone who wants to fully relax in the experience.
This book may be somewhat overwhelming if you have never heard of yoga nidra before, simply because of the incredible amount of information it contains. However it is a good read and a very complete volume, making it a useful resource. It has reinvigorated my practice immensely!
August 4, 2019
"Le Yoga Nidra ou Yoga du sommeil est une méthode douce de relaxation profonde. Celle-ci se pratique allongée sur le sol, le pratiquant se laisse guider par la voix du praticien, par des exercices de méditation et de relaxation qui se font mentalement (se concentrer sur une partie du corps, sur la respiration, répéter un mantra, visualisations….) Le but est de rester conscient et immobile pour favoriser la concentration. Au cours de l’exercice le corps dort et l’esprit s’enfonce peu à peu dans un état de semi-éveil. Les effets sur notre santé sont : une meilleure gestion du stress - une amélioration de la qualité du sommeil - une pacification du mental - une meilleure gestion des émotions - une diminution de la douleur…..et dans la durée une meilleure connaissance de soi."
October 18, 2015
I'd never heard of Yoga Nidra until I won this book through a goodreads giveaway, and now I don't know how I lived without it. This book explains the science behind Yoga Nidra and includes guided activities so that you can try Yoga Nidra right away. I'm sleeping better and feeling more relaxed. I'm definitely going to integrate Yoga Nidra into my yoga practice going forward.
Check out my blog at https://jennasbooks.wordpress.com
Check out my blog at https://jennasbooks.wordpress.com
October 22, 2015
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
I tend to get very stressed out easily and hang onto it for a long time. At first I was skeptical about the book, but just doing the first breathing technique actually helped me. I was pleasantly surprised. It's not filled with lots of difficult terminology or rules, so I suggest anyone who's chronically worried or stressed out should at least give it a shot.
I tend to get very stressed out easily and hang onto it for a long time. At first I was skeptical about the book, but just doing the first breathing technique actually helped me. I was pleasantly surprised. It's not filled with lots of difficult terminology or rules, so I suggest anyone who's chronically worried or stressed out should at least give it a shot.
January 11, 2016
I received a copy of this book free through Goddreads giveaways.
As someone that is perpetually stressed, this book did not have the disired effect. Though it does have some good pointers, I don't think I can recommend this book to someone as a way to relax and relieve stress. My favorite parts of the book were the breathing practices, those did help some.
As someone that is perpetually stressed, this book did not have the disired effect. Though it does have some good pointers, I don't think I can recommend this book to someone as a way to relax and relieve stress. My favorite parts of the book were the breathing practices, those did help some.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews