Mind-Body Mastery through
Yoga, Meditation, Guided Imagery,
Stress Relief & Wellness

Wholesome Resources is a company that believes stress management, wellness promotion, and mind-body techniques and strategies are indispensable to thrive in today’s world and essential for personal and professional growth.  Established in 2000 by Julie Lusk.

Services include:

• Workshops,
• Resource Materials: Books, CD’s, Newsletters, Articles.
• Professional Training: conferences, businesses, retreat centers, and more.

Clients include (partial list)

• Businesses: Proctor & Gamble, Fidelity Investments, General Electric, City of Staunton, Ethicon/J&J, Xpedx, Convergys, Cincinnati Bell, Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Allstate Insurance and more
• Yoga and Meditation Centers:  Kripalu (7 years), Jesuit Spiritual Center (9 years), Discovery Yoga (4 years), Sivananda / Bahamas, Satchidananda – Yogaville and more
• Colleges and Universities:  University of Cincinnati, Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, University of Western Australia, Hollins College, and more.
• National Conventions:  National Wellness Conference (16 years), NICABM ( 10 years), Speaking of Women’s Health  (4 years), National Flute Convention (2 years), International Symposium on Community Health (Washington, Hong Kong, Japan)
• Non-Profit Groups:  American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Jamaican Cancer Society, Council of Community Services, American Red Cross

Stress management and wellness program development and resource materials:

• City of Staunton, Roanoke College, Medco Health, Alive and Well Coalition, and many others.

Julie’s relaxation, imagery and affirmation CD’s are used by:

• Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, American Heart Association, Hospice of Cincinnati,  American and Jamaican Cancer Societies, VA Tech and other organizations nationwide.

Media interviews, appearances, articles:

• Yoga Journal; Cincinnati Business Courier, Cincinnati Woman (front cover), Roanoke Times & World News, ESPN-WBOB, WVXU and WVTF public radio; ABC-TV; NBC-TV; Fox-TV; Hong Kong Metro Post; New Woman Magazine; and more

Please contact Julie Lusk now:

513-248-9642

Click here to email

MusicSmith Flutes | A Native American Style Flute | Handmade by Dave Lusk

Native American flutes were first created and played by Native American people. They are instruments of beauty, magic, ceremony, healing, and entertainment. They bring out the music that dwells in all of us.

This instrument has a full, warm sound. Made from western red cedar, it’s protected with non-toxic waterproofing, inside and out. Each flute is embellished with a unique design handcrafted with a wood-burner. A thumb-rest is offered. This innovation stabilizes and balances the flute while playing by positioning your lower hand correctly. Place the thumb of the lower hand against the bottom of the thumb-rest. The index finger covers the hole right above.

Playing your Flute |There are no wrong notes! All notes harmonize melodically. Reading music is not needed.

• Press your lips against the mouthpiece to gently seal it.
• Cover the holes with the finger pads, not the tips or nails.
• Adjust the air pressure until notes sound clear.
• The note played with all the holes closed is the key of the flute.  It’s called the flute’s fundamental note.
• Use the fingerings shown below. Cover and uncover the holes one at a time in order.
• The third hole down on a 6-hole flute always stays covered to play the minor pentatonic scale and uses all the notes shown on the chart.
• For a major scale, start and land on the second note up from the bottom of the flute.
• Start going up and down the flute, slowly and evenly. Gradually pick up speed. Next, vary the rhythm. Play melodies by playing the basic scale but put intervals between the notes. For example, cover all the holes followed by another finger pattern. Doing so will always sound melodic and harmonic.
• Embellishments and more scales can be added for more musicality once you’re proficient.
• Have fun!

Tip: The third hole down always stays covered in the minor pentatonic scale and uses all the notes shown on the chart. For a major scale, start and land on the second note up from the bottom of the flute. Once proficient, embellishments and more scales can be added.

Caring for your Flute | Keep your flute at a steady temperature. Do not let it get too hot or cold. Temperature variations expand and contract wood. This can cause your flute to crack. If the flute is cold, warm it with your hands and gently blow warm air into it. Do not leave it in a car when it’s either hot or cold. Avoid direct sunlight.

Remove the block after playing to dry the flute out. Wipe off any moisture. To retie the block, position the front edge of the block at the back edge of the sound hole. Tie tightly. Experiment with its placement for the best tone. Push it slightly forward to raise the pitch higher (sharp), move it back to lower it (flat).

Caring for Yourself  with Hand Warm-ups | Here’s an easy 5-minute series of hand movements & mudras to help your fingers, wrists & hands with easy-to-remember names for each one. Great for musicians & anyone with stiff, painful fingers, hands or wrists. Learn the Hakini Mudra, Beak, Bug, Claw, Paw, Seed, Web, Wings, and the Eagle & Hridaya mudras. Thank you Christine Stevens at Upbeat Drum Circles for interviewing me.

Troubleshooting | Fuzzy, unclear, sour, airy, or shrillness

• Cover the holes completely or else it will squeak or sound airy.
• Adjust air pressure. Are you blowing too softly or too much?
• Make sure the block is tied down tightly (see above).
• Poor tone quality occurs when moisture collects inside the flute, especially between the mouthpiece and the block. To remove it, hold the flute tightly and briskly shake the whole flute. Try covering the sound hole with a finger and blow hard to push the moisture out. Release your finger while still blowing. Wipe off.
• The bottom note is the hardest to play. It’s important to make sure all the holes are completely covered. Use a mirror. This note will jump an octave if too much air is used.

MusicSmith Flutes info, tips, etc. (pdf to download/print)

Music Lessons |  Music lesson details and registration

Handy Links

• MusicSmith Flutes Info 
• Store| Native American style wood flutes for sale
• Playing tips, flute care, troubleshooting
• Flute Music | Scales | Embellishments | Lessons
• Musical Sound Bath Tune Up
• Music lesson details and registration
• Contact us anytime.

Contact us anytime about flutes & lessons.

By appointment only ♥ Not a retail store.