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Virtual Yoga with Julie Lusk

Yoga at home!

Enjoy classes with Julie Lusk from the comfort of your own home.

Info & Registration Links

Yoga Nidra – Totally relax. Put your physical, mental, and emotional stress to rest.
Yoga Postures, Mindfulness & More – Enjoy gentle posture flows at your own pace.
Yoga on Demand – Have video classes to watch anytime, anywhere. Plans available for Yoga Nidra, Hatha Yoga & Combos.
Download popular classes to keep.
Personal Lessons – Get a private 75 minute lesson + video to focus on whatever you want! The video is downloadable for keeps. Contact Julie Lusk for details.
Yoga Nidra Teacher Training TBA | Level 1 teacher training | Level 2 teacher training

“By doing Yoga Nidra on Mondays, my Tuesdays are always awesome and joyous.”

“I slept like an angel.”

“My pain is 80% better.”

“It lowered my anxiety and cravings.”

“I love taking yoga with you online. It was a full experience.”

“Your voice is so soothing, even on Zoom.”

“The recordings are great. Now I can practice on my own.”

“I felt like I just had a massage, healing touch session mixed in with energy medicine, and traditional Hatha yoga!!!! So yummy!!!! So good for us!”

PS. Results vary

Click here for Julie Lusk’s catalog of books, audios, and more, including her Yoga Nidra books

Eye Exercises to Improve Vision

October 20, 2018 by Julie Lusk

Computer and device screens seem to torture your eyes causing them to become tired and dry in no time at all. Poor lighting, glare, dry air, and constantly staring at the monitor all contribute to eye strain.

Chances are good that it’s hard to recognize how exhausted your eyes are until they feel tired and dry or your head aches. Here are a few preliminary steps you can take to avoid such strains:

If possible, adjust the screen colors so they aren’t too hard on your eyes; try soft colors for a nice change.
Avoid glare by choosing a place for your computer that doesn’t reflect windows or lights. Remember to wipe your screen off regularly.
Remember to look away from your screen every fifteen minutes or so. It’s too hard on your eyes to do such close work without a break. Do it now!

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

Start doing the eye movements slowly and pick up the pace after you can do it smoothly without jerks.
Switch off by first paying more attention to the eye movements than to the visual effects. Next, take a moment to focus on both ends of they eye stretch.
Remember to keep your head still as you do the eye movements. Let your facial muscles relax as well.

First Variation: Up and Down

With your head and neck evenly aligned and movement-free, look up as far as you can and try to see up and over your head. Then look down as if you would like to see under your chin. Keep doing this for about 15-20 times in a row.
Follow this by bringing your eyes back to center and blink them a couple of times.
Afterward, rest with your eyes closed and take several deep breaths.
Smile

Second Variation: Side to Side

This time look quickly to the right and try to see behind your ear, then rapidly look to the left and try to see behind your left ear. Keep looking back and forth for 15-20 times.
When finished, bring your eyes back to center.
Blink a few times and rest them with your eyes closed.
Smile

Third Variation: Eye Circles

Keep your head still and look up. Circle your eyes in a clockwise direction three times.
When finished, bring your eyes back to center and rest with closed eyes for a few breaths.
Circle your eyes in a counterclockwise direction three times.
Blink a few times and rest them with your eyes closed.
Smile

Palming will rest and relax your eyes, calm your nerves, and quiet your mind. Your respiration will increase as long as you remember to breathe deeply and fully.

Rub your hands rapidly together with your palms and fingers touching. Keep rubbing until you feel the generation of some heat and energy.
Next, rest your elbows on your desk.
Cup your hands and gently place them over your closed eyes (no glasses). Let the warmth and darkness soothe your eyes.
Take several long and easy breaths as you imagine the tiredness being released with your out-breath, and energy and vitality returning with your in-breath.
Smile

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)

Note: If somebody catches you doing this, be prepared to say something clever like, “Can’t a person even pray around here?” Your other option is to tell them what you’re doing and have them join in.

Notice the benefits and smile.

This one of the many exercises you can do while at your keyboard, in your car, or whenever you want to feel better.

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

Wholesome Resources

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

Guided Imagery Course at Sivananda ~ Bahamas

April 9, 2013 by Julie Lusk

Are you ready to tune yourself up and get powerful and practical tools and techniques to overcome stress, improve your health, and gain amazing insights to guide you forward?

If so, please register for my upcoming workshop on Guided Imagery & More to be held in May at Sivananda Yoga Retreat Center in the Bahamas.

We will explore several wonderful types of guided imagery within the context of the seven major chakras (energy centers) and the five koshas (sheaths). You will enjoy the experience of relaxing deeply and activating your energy by the stunning ocean, surrounded by beautiful gardens and awesome people. There’s also yoga, meditation, chanting, delicious food, and so much more!

You’re invited, so please come and bring your friends. You will benefit no matter what your level of experience is. It’s perfectly beautiful

The Bahamas are very easy to travel to. Accommodations are comfortable and affordable. English is spoken & USA money is used. Passport is required.

9 CEU’s are offered for nurses, social workers, licensed mental health workers and counselors (NBCC).

What: Guided Imagery and Creative Visualization Course

Presenter: Julie Lusk, M.Ed., NCC. Author of Yoga Meditations, 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, Wholesome Relaxation CD, Power of Presence CD, and many others.

Where: Sivananda Yoga Retreat, Paradise Island, Bahamas (easy cab ride from Nassau Airport)

When: May 24-26, 2013 – Check here for more times, places and dates.

Click here for details and registration info.

Playing Tips | Flute Care | Troubleshooting | Native American Style Flutes

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

Contact us anytime about flutes & lessons.

By appointment only ♥ Not a retail store.