with a curious mind
Intro
Connecting to the true nature of learning
The discovery of learning systems for empathic nature
You can replace the term empathic nature with the description of dominant right-brain learning versus dominant left-brain.
As an empath, with somatic style learning characteristics, I would have been given one of the popular descriptive labels casually given to children today. In my formative years educators (including parents) did not focus their attention on creating ease in a child’s learning experience. The patterns for mentoring in the learning environment created a disconnection for me that was further complicated by my families patterns of moving from town to town. Sadly each school district differed in their educational model and patterns for learning. Learning was a nightmare experience for this dominant somatic learner with sensitivities and ability to observe any hidden social clue in socialization. Thirty years later I sadly discovered that the root cause for experiencing disconnection wasn’t necessarily from changing school districts, it was the mentoring style, environment and social interactions. I had hoped by staying within the same school community district that my children’s educational experience would be different. It wasn’t. I increased my children’s discomfort through the effort of trying to improve their learning environment and conditions only to have them become targets of the Principal, educators and community. In comparison, my parents didn’t show any initiative for supporting a healthier educational experience while I did, only to have the same outcome.
Mentoring & environments for entraining experiences
The mentoring I would have benefited from growing up eventually came through forms of practical life applications that made sense from a perspective of somatic experience. These somatic applications integrated a deeper understanding of how expectations, competition, theory and memorization weren’t a benefit for this empath. I wasn’t even aware I was empathic. I was a round peg formidly forced into square holes with tremendous social judgement that can only leave a child feeling alone and disconnected. As a adult the exploration of practical somatic applications deepened a connection and changed familiar withdrawal behaviours and feelings of disconnection. The learning models aligned with my style of learning by focusing attention on self-discovery using patterns for exploring differences versus being informed of facts and memorizing them.
Illusive becoming obvious
The outcome of this new way of learning was the ability to recognize the differences from earlier learning experiences. It was obvious that the rules and expectations of the old warehousing effect of education made no sense to an empath. I wasn’t even aware I was an empath until tapping into these new learning models that encouraged being present to what was obvious in the moment. This led to unraveling a lifetime of entrainment in a system that held me hostage to a disconnected lifestyle. I am extremely grateful to having lived long enough to pass through this entrained lifestyle into one that has introduced being present, connected and heart-felt. This was not so for my own parents, or their parents. They died under violent circumstances through self inflicted wounds, events or diseases while in living in relationship experiences of turmoil and conflict. My hope of breaking free of these early learned behaviours is to be a support for others to become less attached to the the constraints of their learned behaviours they aren’t even aware of having. This hope has been manifesting and evolving since the late 90’s.
Learning Systems with a focus on patterns for growing personal awareness and balancing; focus of attention through mental, emotional and physical actions
I recommend exploring patterns in models that increase one’s focus and clarity on their own nervous system versus trying to achieve an outcome or self-image. The method isn’t the statement of who one is, it is a pathway to learning one’s potential. The difference is tapping into what’s inside versus adopting an outside influence.
For example, I am not Feldenkrais®, I am not Nonviolent Communication. I am not…… Rather I practice Feldenkrais, I practice Nonviolent Communication, I practice…….. The difference is wearing a label versus integrative learning. The label is a closed system, authoritative and lacks the ability for growth, while integrative learning is open, spontaneous and taps into a quality of continuous growth. It’s individual and unique.
The integrative learning systems that met my needs for practicing being present to the moment and providing the open ended guidance for self discovery have culminated in the following body, mind and lifestyle programs.
Integrative Learning Systems designed to focus attention before actions
Illusive nature of Intention and turning them into obvious actions
Two examples of the illusive becoming obvious are:
The micro-movement system of Feldenkrais harnesses one’s focus of attention to enable the ability to observe where the intention of a movement begins. Developing this ability for observing increases the likelihood of moving with intention versus random movements that are not connected through the whole structural posture.
The communication system, Awareness through Communication harnesses one’s focus of attention to observe the root intention of the spoken word. The connection to the root source or purpose of the spoken word increases the likelihood of speaking for intention resulting in being heard, understood and accepted.
Personal / Personnel Somatic Programs to integrate practice skills for a lifestyle of success, harmony & balance
1. Micro-movements using the Feldenkrais® Method of Somatic Education
Felt sense through Body
Feldenkrais® is a system for learning new actions through movement to increase ones function and quality of life. There is no dogma or self-image attached to this system of independent self-learning. This means it introduces a focus upon what you can do, not what you can’t. It reduces limiting beliefs by increasing focus of attention in the the present moment. As an empath I can trust the Feldenkrais® experience as it deepens my inner understanding, clarity and skeletal support through perception. It taps into the same dynamic of inner support that I trusted as a baby to stand up and begin talking my first step.
I recommend it to everyone longing to be free of the past and to shift the fear of the unknown future. I especially recommend it for those who have been given labels and now identify with them. The only way to transformation is through a new action.
Renee is a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner – since 2007
The following learning programs are designed with a focus on somatic sensory awareness that is flavoured by the open ended learning process of a Feldenkrais practice founded upon the understanding that life is spontaneous. These programs are grounded upon balancing all life areas: physical, cultural, perceptual, emotional, mental and faith.
2. Awareness through Spoken Word
Auditory Sense through spoken word
Awareness through Spoken Word is a system for learning new actions to increase ones function and quality of life. Though the art of listening and choices of spoken words this system actively balances right and left brain to create an environment for increasing the potential to be seen and heard in a quality of acceptance. It reduces limiting beliefs by increasing focus of attention in the the present moment. As an empath I can trust the Awareness through Spoken Word experience as it deepens my comprehension and inner listening skills to tap into heightened perception that replaces old thinking. It taps into the same dynamic of inner clarity that I trusted as a baby to learn to speak and process thought.
3. Awareness through Eating
Taste Sense through eating
Awareness through Eating increases brain and body functions through a focus on feeding the body, not the ego. Replacing old patterns of eating begins with a connection to nutritional values needed for individual functions. It is a transformative lifestyle that changes mental, emotional, and physical functional patterns. Patterns of exploring different types of nutrition increases clarity, vitality and flexibility. It can reverse aging, reduce weight and clear up skin spots and tighten skin (even from weight loss).
4. Awareness through Goals
Cultivating choice & decreasing random actions
Awareness through Goals is a model of learning that integrates how to turn random actions into intentional ones. This model integrates a connection to nature (grounding), universal values (root source of connection) and behaviour (learned). Manifesting actions that begin with intention can reduce or eliminate the sense of being held hostage to differences in relationships and life events. Creating intentional actions can create new behaviours grounded in clarity, understanding and acceptance.
5. Awareness of Nature
Cultivating interconnectedness to ultimate nurturer – nature
The definition of nature here is all living things to increase understanding of how nature stimulates health and wellbeing. Nature is the provider of life. Even the scientific exploration for products developed for health and wellbeing are mimicked from nature’s pharmacy. In most cases science supports wiping out the very natural elements that they have learned to mimic. Without nature we would not exist. This exploration is encouraging a somatic experience of interacting with nature to increase or create a felt interconnected relationship with all living things. This means focusing one’s attention on noticing inner responses to natures stimulation without an active physical or mental agenda. Connecting to the environment and letting it stimulate one’s senses integrates a deep connection to one’s whole body experience that includes placement in nature. It is discovering the interconnectedness between self and nature while integrating a growing awareness of not being separate from it of autonomous. This creates a strong sense of belonging, being grounded and supported. It reduces fear and increases self-esteem.
6. Awareness of Personal Space
Visual Sense through surroundings
Learning and understanding the spatial container of one’s surroundings and its influence on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and behaviour is a powerful learning experience. The images of one’s surroundings is the storyline of their lifestyle and relationships. It suggests to an outside observer how one interacts with the world and with others. Integrating the language of space provides the foundation for a balanced, peaceful and harmonious environment for expressing life. Did you know that one’s environment helps to shape movement patterns and viewpoints? Also, did you know it is a stimulus for emotional behaviour or reactions?
7. Awareness through Meditation
Balancing all senses through focus on body & mind
A meditation practice balances right and left brain activity. Right brain activity is an expansive and open experience that is adventuresome, creative and playful. The left brain is focused, system oriented and organized. An easy comparison is through two activities. A right brain activity would be walking a labyrinth, while a left would be solving a puzzle. The right brain activity is one where you follow a path into the center, a moving metaphor for looking inward, while the puzzle focuses on outward solutions, a mental gym activity. One creates a connection to all living things through it’s pattern that balances mind and body, while the other creates a singular mental focus that excites through a dominant mind activity.
7a. Sound Bathing
Sound bathing is another way of stimulating connection and mind and body balance through hearing and making sound vibrations.
