Enjoy this Tsunami of Love from Mimi Sammis, a visionary artist, sculptor, and painter. It feels great. Please share!
https://youtu.be/XTS1mwpaaTk
Wholesome Resources for Mind-Body Mastery through Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Stress Relief, Wellness
by Julie Lusk
Enjoy this Tsunami of Love from Mimi Sammis, a visionary artist, sculptor, and painter. It feels great. Please share!
https://youtu.be/XTS1mwpaaTk
by Julie Lusk
Guided imagery and relaxation are so much more than nice things to do if there’s time. They are important life skills to know about and practice regularly. Both are powerful mind-body-spirit techniques that elicits therapeutic relaxation; awakens and activates the natural ability for self-healing to occur; helps with
changing behaviors and habits; and uncovers your inner truth and life direction while stimulating the intuition. Everyone can do it.
Do you want to unlock your highest potential, experience many types of guided imagery first hand, and understand relevant scientific principles? Check out my schedule for upcoming workshops.
“Many common diseases and health complaints can be treated directly with mind-body techniques.” reports Dr. Herbert Benson, the Harvard Medical School scientist who coined the term “relaxation response” 35 years ago. He states that “study after mind body study, carried out with the most careful scientific protocols, produced incontrovertible evidence that the mind can indeed influence – and heal the body – even down to the genetic level.” Along with appropriate medical care, mind body techniques are used for health improvement and can eliminate problems associated with anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, PMS, menopausal, peri-menopausal and breast cancer hot flashes, nausea, pain, premature aging and other disorders to the extent that stress is a factor. Now consider that 80% of all illness is either caused by or made worse by stress.
In addition to the powerful and positive effects of relaxation and guided imagery on physical health, it is invaluable and reliable for tapping into one’s inner source of divine intuition and wisdom. Plus, behavior change, musical performance, sport and athletic ability can all be strengthened with the regular use of relaxation and guided imagery. It can be used to reveal inner guidance with respect to one’s life direction.
Guided imagery, also referred to as creative visualization, is intentional daydreaming whose aim is to magnify the positive aspects of the mind-body connection. First, focused breathing and/or progressive muscular relaxation prepare the body for guided imagery and creative visualization. Next, the mind is purposefully guided in a process similar to daydreaming. The difference is that in daydreaming the mind is allowed to go wherever it pleases. Instead of this, the mind is directed in a specific and special manner. For example, a guided imagery exercise might ask you to focus on a setting or environment that feels safe and comfortable. This can be experienced and accomplished by mentally seeing the setting, feeling or sensing the environment, or using the senses of sound or smell. As Belleruth Naparstek says, “there are many right ways to experience guided imagery.” Get more about relaxation, imagery and meditation here.
So, now what? If you want to feel your best, and even prevent or conquer long-term medical problems, it’s time to get back to your yoga, meditation, and visualization habits. You wouldn’t skip brushing your teeth everyday, would you?
If you’re like the rest of us and could use some help, so either join a local class, get together regularly with like-minded people to support each other, and get your DVD’s and CD’s back out. I am delighted to offer a selection of yoga and meditation classes in the Cincinnati area. Plus, I have retreats and conferences coming up. Check out my schedule.
If you prefer here’s some book and CD resources on mind body relaxation to benefit from. Click HERE to buy my Real Relaxation: Yoga Nidra CD.
Your Native Flute is made by Dave Lusk, a lifelong musician. His mastery of hand-making 14k gold and sterling silver concert flutes and restoring flutes, piccolos, and other woodwinds are applied to designing, carving, and tuning your flute to perfection.

These handmade Native American style flutes have a full, warm sound. They easily play softly or with gusto. They are expertly crafted from western red cedar because of its beauty and coupled with its amazing sound. It’s lightweight which adds to its playability.

We ship Priority Mail ($24.49) anywhere in the USA.
Sorry, no international orders.
These Native Flutes are available for immediate purchase. Please inquire if you’re looking for a flute key with either a classic or special flute block not pictured. Contact us with this link for availability.
Handy Links
Contact us anytime about flutes, lessons & concerts
By appointment only ♥ Not a retail store.
by Julie Lusk
Mindfulness is defined as the impartial awareness of ones inner and outer experiences practiced moment by moment.
Here is an effective mindfulness meditation exercise from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, a book and audio set by Julie Lusk. Try it out and let us know how it goes. Your questions (and answers) are welcome!
This mindfulness meditation provides seven steps for practicing mindfulness with a twist of meditation. The word “breathe” will help you remember each step. Take your time to fully experience each of the steps before going on to the next.
Process
Release muscular tension.
Engage and Expand your awareness.
Alert to sounds, sights, and smells. Awareness without naming.
Think positive thoughts.
Here and now.
Enjoy the moment.
Diane Poole-Heller reports that research has shown that the benefits of a mindfulness meditation practice helps develop all 9 functions of the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This happens by practicing 20 minutes daily for only 8 weeks.

How, When and Where
Mindfulness can be practiced formally by closing your eyes and sitting up straight as in meditation for 20 or so minutes. This builds up your capacity for mindfulness while also developing your brain. It will lift up your energy and lower stress levels. Your productivity will improve, your emotional fuse will lengthen, and your ability to enjoy living is enhanced. Your whole day will go better, even in the midst of stress.
In addition, mindfulness can be practiced informally as well. This is when you practice moment-to-moment awareness during your day-to-day activities. To get started, simply shift your attention to whatever is happening while it happens. For example, impartially check in with sensations from your body (cool/hot, tense/relaxed, etc.), notice how you feel, impartially naming the mood you’re in, and noticing how your emotions are being expressed physically, and by becoming aware of whatever thoughts are taking place. Practically speaking, this is done by taking time, for example, at meals to really look at your food and consciously smell it, taste it, and chew it. Throw in some gratitude if you wish. Or, take a few moments to feel the sunshine, to feel the actual texture of your pets fur or listen to whatever sounds are happening – all in a non-evaluative and nonjudgmental manner. This also goes for noticing however you’re breathing and the level of tension or relaxation that’s present in your shoulders.
* Reprinted from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief by Julie Lusk
by Julie Lusk
Time: 15-20 minutes
Summary: This meditation opens the door to your inner awareness and to a place of deep inner stillness by focusing your awareness upon the inner pulsation that is seen behind the closed eyes. Yogis have used this practice for thousands of years.
Guided Meditation:
Begin with settling your body/mind in a meditation posture that is comfortable for you. This may be sitting upright on a firm
chair, or on the floor with or without a meditation cushion. Choose a position that allows your spine to be upright and erect, respecting your knees, hips, shoulders, and back.
Refine your seat by settling more firmly onto your sitz bones…level your pelvis…circle your shoulders up, back and down…lift your sternum…place your chin so it’s parallel to the floor…and lift the crown of your head gently upwards.
Place your hands either on your lap with one had cradled into the other with your thumbs touching or place one on each knee and touch the pads of your thumbs to the tip of your index fingers. The hands can face up or down.
Speaking from your heart, quietly set an intention by saying something like “I’m going to be still for 15 minutes focusing my breathing. As soon as I notice I’m thinking or distracted, I will let it go of the distraction and return to my breath.”
Take a few moments to get in touch with the sensations present in your body … ask for and receive permission from your body to meditate.
Get in touch with your thinking mind …and your emotions … ask for and receive permission from your mind… and emotions to meditate.
Ask for help and grace from your inner teacher and your connection to the divine (Jesus, Buddha, the Divine Mother, etc.)
Follow your breath for a few minutes, or use whatever method works best for becoming centered.
Take a moment to offer your meditation to be of benefit to all sentient beings.
With your outer eyes closed, become aware of your inner eyes by looking at what you see behind your eyelids …turning your attention inward to your consciousness… simply observe your own inner world with your inner eye so you can become more aware of what you actually see behind your closed eyes…
Perhaps you see a field of gray…or a mosaic of color…something like the night sky… a ruby red…or a bluish-gray light … The shapes and color you see doesn’t matter at all, what’s important is to impartially watch whatever you see as you see it.
You are looking at mind stuff; the inner consciousness…this is the place from which all thoughts, feelings, perceptions and sensations arise and subside. It’s the energetic ground.
If you would like to spark your inner experience, blink your eyes tighter, even though they are already closed and pay attention to what you see…Another way is to rub your eyes through your closed eyelids very softly and tenderly.
Now notice the dynamic quality of this inner consciousness…Notice if what you see constantly shifts and changes, forming new patterns of subtle movement …a kind of dance of images…color…or shapes…vibrating and pulsing… expanding and contracting… …this is your inner consciousness and it’s made of energy… merely watch the pulsation and it’s ongoing nature.
Take as much time as you wish to follow the patterns of the coming and going of the designs that are a part of your inner world of awareness.
When you notice your mind has drifted into thinking, bring your awareness back to looking behind your eyelids.
If you would like to deepen your experience, find a point of inner awareness that captures your attention right now and in this moment…perhaps it’s a darker, or maybe a brighter spot, and focus there…watching and witnessing …and allowing it to take you inward still…and deeper.
It’s time to make the transition back…Bring your attention back to your breath and without changing it, follow along with your mind’s eye…following the inhalation and exhalation and the coming and going of your breath.
Focus your attention on the rest of your body … shift your weight … and stretch a little bit…and return to being still.
Open your eyes just a sliver and then close them, returning inside for a little longer…slowly blink your eyes open, being aware of blending the inner sight with the outer world…Sit a bit longer and gradually open your eyes and stretch more fully. Notice any changes that have happened since your inward journey into the eye of consciousness.
Author’s Note: This practice is one I discovered on my own as a little girl. More recently, I have returned to this form of meditation and it is particularly effective for capturing my attention and holding me in the moment. This rendition was inspired by Sally Kempton and is included in her book named “The Heart of Meditation: Pathways to a Deeper Experience” published by the SYDA Foundation in 2002. Sally shares a wealth of her vast knowledge and experience in her book and it is one of my favorites.
Reprinted with permission from Yoga Meditations: Timeless Mind-Body Practices for Awakening by Julie Lusk.