The Distraction Disadvantage
Excerpt from Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief. Julie Lusk. NHP 2015.
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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)
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How your Sleeping Side Matters
The bottom line is that resting for 10 minutes on your left side after eating can improve digestion and immunity, plus increase your energy and memory. It may also improve symptoms associated with menopause and the menstrual cycle. Better yet, sleep on your left side for even better results. Here’s the scoop on it…
Do you ever feel tired after eating? Would you like to know something quick and easy to do that involves lying down that will likely aid your digestion and help your energy bounce back too?
Have you ever noticed that “things” seem to happen more on one side of your body than the other? For example, how rashes, aches and pains, tend to usually show up consistently on either your right side or your left? Even your vision is different in each eye, isn’t it?
I had the good fortune to meet Dr. John Douillard, DC, and his family of 8 on one of my teaching trips to Sivananda Yoga Center in the Bahamas. He spoke on the Ayurvedic aspects of digestion. Ayurvedic is the traditional medicine of India. He says that “According to Ayurveda, the left side of the body is completely different than the right side, and, while I know it sounds strange, emphasizing the left side for rest and sleep offers some time tested wisdom for very real health and longevity benefits.” Resting on your left side for 10 minutes after eating a meal will help your digestion and help your energy bounce back too.
“According to Ayurveda,” he says, “the left side of the body is completely different than the right side, and, while I know it sounds strange, emphasizing the left side for rest and sleep offers some time tested wisdom for very real health and longevity benefits.” Resting on your left side for 10 minutes after eating a meal will help your digestion and help your energy bounce back too. Get the facts here on why Erik Dalton, PhD recommends lying in the fetal position for hydration of the spinal discs for better back health.
Here are the reasons Dr. Douillard gives for sleeping on your left side and resting for 10 minutes after eating.
- Facilitate lymphatic drainage
- Makes it easier for the heart to pump “downhill”
- Better elimination
- Support healthy spleen function
- Encourages proper digestion
- Helps circulation back to the heart
- Helps bile flow more freely
- Brain health (may improve age-related cognitive decline – read more below)
- May improve menopause and menstrual cycle symptoms – click here
There’s some good anatomical logic to back these claims up. Watch this 5 minute video for his explanation.
Complete Yogic Breath: Dirgha Breathing
Dirgha is pronounced DEAR-gah
Summary: This breathing technique is done with long, slow, deep breaths while focusing on the lower, mid, and upper portions of your chest. This allows for the fullest breathing possible and will improve respiration, circulation, and even digestion. The complete breath will soothe your frazzled nerves, clear your mind, and will replenish your life force.
Controlling the volume, duration and frequency of the inhalation, the exhalation, and the pauses between each breath enhances prana, the energy that supports and sustains the life force. Breathing becomes slow and refined.
~~Yoga Sutra 2.50
How to practice the complete yogic breath / dirgha breathing
Either come into a comfortable seated position with your spine erect or lie on your back. It is easier to learn this while lying on your back.
Breathing through your nose is optimal because it [Read more…]
Eye Exercises to Improve Vision
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- « Previous Page
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