Blog - Page 17 of 25 - Wholesome Resources

What is mindfulness ~ Why it matters

December 26, 2011 by Julie Lusk

Let me share with you the best definition of mindfulness and its benefits that I’ve come across. Diane Poole-Heller shared it with us at the recent NICABM conference.

Mindfulness is the moment to moment awareness of present time, inner and outer experience, with a non-judgmental and non-evaluative stance.

Research has shown that a mindfulness practice helps develop all 9 functions of the Pre-Frontal Cortex.

ANS Regulation – Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Balance
Attuned Communication – felt sense of other’s experience
Regulation of emotions
Response flexibility
Empathy
Insight – self awareness
Fear extinction – GABA fibers to amygdala
Intuition – deep knowing
Morality.

Sinking into Sensation, a mindfulness meditation by Julie Lusk, us available on the Power of Presence CD.

Power of Presence CD

Gain the benefits of meditation with comfort and ease. You'll soon solve workplace stress and easily handle personal challenges and health issues. CLICK the blue title link above to find out more... Digital downloads are available.

Price: $16.95

Price: $9.99

Guided Mindfulness Meditations: Practicing Presence & Finding Peace Download

Ease into mindfulness with a clean, user-friendly, body-based, joyful approach. Gain calmer nerves, a brighter outlook, stronger memory, sharper focus, healthier body awareness & more balance. Get a long & short guided experience. Learn informal ways to be more mindful during the day. Available at Hay House https://www.hayhouse.com/guided-mindfulness-meditations-audio-download

[WPCR_INSERT]

Holiday Energizers

December 19, 2011 by Julie Lusk

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, St. Nicholas, Kwanza, Winter or Summer Solstice, Navidades, Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s, the holidays can be stressful.

Decide now whether this year will be full of the season’s stressful traps or fulfilling with plenty of treasures to be thankful for. Take some time to set priorities and make the necessary changes so the holidays are inspiring and energizing instead of a drain. Pay attention to what your needs and wishes are for your body, mind, and heart while finding the balance with sharing with others. I hope these Holiday Energizers from Whole Person Associates help you as much as they help me.

Cheers!

Know what goodies will fill you. What kind of contact will be fulfilling for you? What kind of gift exchange will be meaningful to you? What do you need to help your heart and soul feel refreshed? If you know clearly what you want, it’s easier to choose activities that are likely to satisfy your desires.

Ask for what you want. Don’t hint. Don’t wait for someone to read your mind. Don’t expect others to guess what will satisfy you. Speak up. If you’re lonely, ask someone to share your celebration – or ask to share in someone else’s. If you love surprises, let people know. If you need time alone in the midst of togetherness, say so. If you can’t get what you want, want what you get, it’s much more satisfying than wishing for the impossible.

[Read more…]

Wabi Sabi – The Power of Imperfection

October 25, 2011 by Julie Lusk

♥♥♥

Wabi-Sabi is my new favorite concept. It refers to the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.

Wabi is a Japanese word that connotes rustic simplicity and the understated elegance found in both natural and man-made objects.

Sabi is the beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of something and its impermanence are evidenced in its patina and wear as well as in any visible repairs.

What a wonderful concept that softens the sting of aging and the illusion most of us are under that demands that we always get it right. Not only does it soften it, it elevates imperfection to an art to be treasured.

So, the next time things don’t seem to go right, simply smile and say “Wabi-Sabi”. It’s a real time-saver too.

Please give us examples of how you are celebrating the spirit of Wabi Sabi in your life. Add your comments below.

Good to the Core: Yoga to strengthen & flatten abdominals, tone back, legs, hips, and more.

August 6, 2011 by Julie Lusk

This yoga sequence helps with abdominal core strength and tones the back while also lengthening the psoas muscles.

The psoas, deep and large, runs from the lumbar spine, stretches over the hip joint and under the abs, and attaches to inner thigh bone.

Traditional leg lifts, “crunches” and sit-ups are often done to strengthen and flatten the abdominal muscles. The problem is that they also tighten and shorten the psoas tipping the pelvis forward, pushing your belly out (yuk) and misalignment of the back.

A tight psoas contributes to back, hip and knee problems, indigestion, dysfunctional breathing, instability, and other problems.

This particular yoga sequence activates the psoas muscle in a progressive manner: first facing forward, to the side, and then turning.

Other beneficial yoga postures are the forearm plank and side plank (creates core stability and strength with a neutral psoas) and pigeon (stretches and releases the psoas).

Consult a qualified yoga professional for instructions and contraindications. As with all exercise, practice for your own benefits and at your own risk.

Click here for your complete pdf handout on ” Good to the Core: Yoga to strengthen & flatten abdominals, tone back, legs, hips, and more” from Julie Lusk

It’s Summer Bucket List Time

July 31, 2011 by Julie Lusk

That’s right, it’s already August and fall is racing towards us. Now’s the time to get serious about how you’re going to spend the precious summertime and get busy with both the inner and outer work of growing and developing in your truth. Live. Love. Laugh.

Here is reflection from Joan Borysenko from her Pocketful of Miracles book.

“August is the month during which nature celebrates her maturity. The hatchlings in the nest have found the wings to fly and the boughs of the old apple tree are heavy with fruit. The Godseed within our hearts is also ripening so that we become more flexible, more tolerant of the shades of gray that characterize life on planet earth.

Every interaction becomes an opportunity to encourage, to be kind as we acknowledge the Godseed within all. As the pumpkins ripen on the vine, mellowing in the shortening days and colder nights, the vine itself begins the dying time. It’s purpose is complete.

August reminds us of the impermanence of all things. All that seems so dependable will someday pass away. In that poignant knowledge we mature into a deeper appreciation of all we have, of all we love.

Listen to the voices of the Ancient Ones that call from the roots of the oaks and willows:

Nature is setting seed,
storing the energy of the light
for future generations.
Likewise, our souls are coming to spiritual maturity –
a flexible, gracious attitude that finds intense joy
in the very impermanence of life.”

I challenge you now. Take time to …