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Friendship Blessing

February 13, 2017 by Julie Lusk

I’m still on Cloud 9 from our recent Yoga Women’s Retreat & Slumber party. What a joy to be surrounded by friends – soul friends! They are the people, whether known a long time or briefly, that have shaped and supported you into being who you are today, and who you’re growing into.

The Celtic tradition calls one’s soul-friend the Anam Cara. John O’Donohue explains “With the anam cara, you could share your innermost self, your mind, and your heart. This friendship is an act of recognition and belonging that did not set limitations of space or time on the soul. It cuts across all convention, morality and category. In it, you are understood as you are without mask or pretension.”

A Friendship Blessing by John O’Donohue

May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where
there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessing, challenges, truth,
and light that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.

Please tell us about your anam cara by sharing under comments.

What is Meditation?

March 28, 2014 by Julie Lusk

Let’s define meditation. While guided imagery allows thoughts and feelings to occur while directing and focusing the mind in certain areas, meditation seeks to bring about a state of awareness without thinking. This is not be to confused with attempting the impossible task of clearing and emptying the mind completely, rather, it is about becoming conscious and aware of our thoughts, feelings, physical distractions, and the other senses. This awareness helps us cultivate acceptance, compassion and wisdom. This is the wisdom of self understanding so an appropriate response is revealed. The goal of meditation includes remembering and experiencing the connection between oneself and the divine.

While there are hundreds of meditation techniques, the basic elements include sitting in an upright manner with a straight, but not stiff, spine. Taking time to bring the breath into balance and focus, and using a concentration technique are often incorporated. Concentration calms and clears the mind of distraction making room for the meditative state.

Here are a few fundamental meditation methods. A mantra, which is a word, sound or phrase can be silently repeated over and again; focusing attention on the sensation of the breath can be used; being mindful of the present moment is another practice; and gazing upon an object, such as a candle flame, nature scenes, or holy picture is another approach.

Details Yoga Basics Guidebook

Yoga Guidebook: How to Have a Great Yoga Experience

by Julie Lusk, M.Ed., C/RYT -E500

Yoga Guidebook - Instant PDF Download!

Yoga is the perfect way to * Tone your body and improve health * Clear your mind and calm emotions * Change negative stress into positive energy and * Make new friends. This handy download gives you all the essential resources and guidelines you need for a great start.

Yoga is the perfect way to

Tone your body and improve health
Clear your mind and calm emotions
Change negative stress into positive energy
Make new friends

This handy download gives you all the essential resources and guidelines you need for a great start.

This eBook highlights:

Essential information to help you know what to do to maximize your experience
Guidelines for health conditions with tips for people with arthritis, back problems
cancer, high blood pressure, and women’s health (menstruation, PMS, menopause)
List of benefits, cautions, and contraindications for yoga postures
Handy yoga glossary, drawings of yoga postures, warm-ups, and lesson plans
How to start and maintain a yoga practice for yourself

Yoga Guidebook - Instant PDF Download!

SoulCollage® Workshops – Zoom

Experience the Magic of SoulCollage®

Info & Registration

SoulCollage® is a fun process of making small collages from pictures and images that catch your eye. It boosts creativity, intuition, and self-discovery using a special and unique process to nurture your well-being. It’s different than typical collages, scrap-booking or vision boarding. It’s a special way to give expression to your inner voice by making collages and through conversation. Register now to find out for yourself.

No artistic talent is needed – cutting and pasting is all that’s required. New and experienced folks are welcome. Scroll down to pre-register.

SoulCollage easily becomes very empowering due to combining the proven process with the special supplies used. A personal deck of cards are made one at a time to weave parts of yourself into wholeness. You’ll learn to consult your cards using a simple, yet elegant, process for gaining insights, answering questions, and getting more meaning from life.

5″x8” mat boards and special see-through sleeves are used. To spark your creative imagination and intuition, it’s customary to use pictures with no words on them. Precut images are supplied from a variety of sources. Your own photographs and images can be added. Participants typically make from 1 to 6 cards during a session.

You use your own supplies for Zoom workshops. ♥ BUY supplies here if needed.
All materials are supplied during in-person workshops – even snacks.

Comments from Participants

“I like the sense of community, the creativity, using my intuition, looking at images and finding beauty and meaning.”

“I like how it helps me see life through a different lens, a different perspective.”

“I love the soul-searching, self discovery, and connecting with others.”

Julie Lusk is a trained SoulCollage facilitator since 2015. She loves sharing it with others.

What is SoulCollage FAQ handout (pdf) explains what SoulCollage cards are, how to make them, types of cards, and how to use them on.
Get Julie’s Soul Collage READING Worksheet 2 per page 2021 (002) here. (pdf)
See the supplies needed. Order a packet.
Get detailed information from founder Seena Frost’s book, SoulCollage® Evolving.
Register below ↓↓

2026 SoulCollage Schedule

Come to one, some, or all!
All times are in the Eastern Time Zone
Schedule is subject to change
Click here to contact Julie Lusk to save your spot or make inquiries.

Jan	July
Feb 21 \|10 – 1:30 pm on ZOOM	Aug 8 \| 10 – 1:30 pm on ZOOM
March	Sept
April 18 \| 10 – 1:30 pm \| on ZOOM	Oct 24 \| 10 – 1:30 pm on ZOOM
May	Nov
June 20 \| 10:30 – 2 pm on ZOOM	Dec

Registration

Pay online below OR send a check to payable to Julie Lusk to 5678 Willnean Dr., Milford, OH 45150
$30 on Zoom for a virtual workshop from your own home using your own materials. Purchase supplies and have them mailed to you in advance if needed. Options include just cards & sleeves or a complete workshop supply packet including instructions, mat boards, sleeves, frame, glue stick, and a variety of inspiring, trimmed images. Get supplies here.
Register now for all 5 in 2026 for $125 to save time and money.
Schedule is subject to change. Verify dates and times here.
Cancellation/ Refund Policy: Contact Julie for details. No refund or credit for no shows.

SoulCollage (r) Workshop

Register now! Checkout at "View Cart." A confirmation email is sent prior to the SoulCollage workshop with details and directions.

Price: $40.00

Price: $30.00

Go to CART to review your order & check out.

Julie T. Lusk, M.Ed.
Wholesome Resources
5678 Willnean Dr.
Milford, OH 45150

Greater Cincinnati Area

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.