This heart was created spontaneously when I shifted my focus of attention towards my upcoming 2017 communication workshops. One of my first steps in starting classes in a new year for Think Speak Act and Removing Obstacles to Love (both based on Nonviolent Communication) is to stop and check in to sense inwardly my connection to where I am at and what focus is important to draw the learners attention to. Being equally dominate kinesthetically and visually, this check in involves sensations (feelings) and images that then go through a process to become a teaching language. Unlike traditional styles of teaching that have an inflexible structure that restricts the spontaneity a tactile or visual learner needs, the intention of these workshops is to create more balance and understanding between old school doctrine and new age agility training.
Not experiencing education that accommodated my style of learning, finding Dr. Marshal Rosenberg was a huge gift for me to overcome the obstacles of disconnection. I longed for a bridge to enable me to be who I was on the inside with others in the world I lived in who processed in a mindset of right and wrong. The difference for me between those with tactile and visual sensibilities and those of a right and wrong thinker is interpersonal intelligence. This is ones ability for effective verbal and nonverbal communication and to note distinctions among others, to have sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives.
Thankfully, I discovered this way of communicating as I had children who have my learning styles!
Typically in the past this heart may have had shades of grey, however, as this practice deepens it is becoming more expressive and vibrant. I am discovering that to be an effective listener, and to express with confidence and self-esteem that leads to honesty, it is best if one has a deep love for oneself . Marshall has given me the practice tools to discover how all our differences are gifts to a relationship. I hope you will join one of my upcoming classes to discover this within yourself!
New babies are borne to be loved in a way that is reflected back by their parents. One expression of this is when they look into their parents eyes they see mirrored back to them the unconditional love they express in their own eyes when looking at their parents. However, as we are fitting our life puzzle pieces together, life jostles us around and unconditional love may not be the expressions we see reflected back. If one has not experienced it, they cannot mirror it. This form of communication can support you to explore and experience this within yourself. It will empower you to begin to mirror this back to others in a safe way that is appropriate for the circumstances. If you have a child you may be more open and vulnerable that with a shop keeper! If you have a lover you may be more intimate than with your boss or fellow employee. It is a wonderful skill to begin to have more clarity in all your relationships. It begins with checking in first to connect to your intention followed by skill development.
Read more on upcoming Communication Workshops
Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder – 2014 & 2015
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Did you begin your new year drawing attention to your inner conflict and what you hate about yourself? If you did, what do you think your chances of success are when your focus is on what’s wrong with you versus what’s right with you? 
Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning 