Tag Archives: Feldenkrais Method

October Embodied Lifestyle Articles & News

by Renee Lindstrom, Founder – Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning

Autumn New Moon Inquiries

Septembers New Moon Was the Inquiry: What is calling me? Now In October the inquiry is:

What do i want to grow?

Current position of the moon phases – September 25th, ’26


An Invitation to Walk with Awareness

No two life paths unfold in exactly the same way.

People may arrive at the same age having developed remarkably different ways of moving, relating, responding, choosing, caring for themselves, and participating in life. These differences do not appear all at once. A life path develops through an accumulation of experiencesโ€”circumstances encountered, responses learned, choices made, opportunities available, and patterns repeated over time.

Many of these influences become part of everyday living without being consciously noticed. What is repeated becomes familiar. What is familiar can become a lifestyle. And the lifestyle itself begins to influence how the continuing path is experienced.

This raises a different possibility:

What might change when awareness becomes part of how the path is walked?

Awareness does not tell us what our life path should be, nor does it guarantee where the path will lead. It can, however, help us recognize what is happening while we are living it.

A habitual response can become something we notice.

A reaction can become something we feel before acting upon it.

A familiar strategy can become something we question.

A choice can become more conscious.

The guided patterns offered through Inside Awareness are invitations to explore this possibility through lived experience. They bring attention to ordinary areas of livingโ€”movement, sensing, feeling, thinking, eating, communicating, relationships, home and environmentโ€”not as separate subjects, but as experiences through which awareness can be learned and integrated.

The intention is not to interpret your life path for you or prescribe how it should be walked.

It is to offer guided experiences that may help you become increasingly aware of how you are walking it.

Your life path continues to unfold.

The invitation is to be present for more of it.

A pattern of inner listening to the experience has emerged through my own life path that has shaped the awareness integration sessions and classes for a number of years. The organic connections that emerged have been put into guided patterns that will be available through boutique group learning in early 2027.

An infographic titled 'Life Path of Renee Lindstrom' illustrating a journey from loss to inner listening and integration. It consists of three main sections: 'Experiencing,' 'Inner Listening,' and 'Integrating,' detailing phases such as grief, vulnerability, awareness, and clarity. Each section includes descriptions of emotional experiences and personal growth, accompanied by scenic imagery symbolizing transformation and connection.

Inner Listening Pathway

This image below reflects an experiential pattern that spontaneously emerged through a shift in the orientation of interpretation. The pattern is one of inner listening that can actively transition from sitting into standing and walking. The pattern of inner listening creates balance and clarity without reacting or attaching to the stories, emotions and thoughts of others in ones relationships. The space becomes the gentle boundary between what others experience and how they responded for remaining centered and grounded creating choice. A choice to engage and how to respond sensibly.

Lifestyle Opportunities for Lifepath Integration of Esperance's

Read more on Life Path Origins or if you are interested in exploring boutique group learning opportunities sign up for updates or like and subscribe for future news as it is posted

A woman meditating with a glowing aura, surrounded by words related to emotional challenges and transformation. The image contrasts 'fear' and 'negativity' with 'awareness' and 'compassion', symbolizing inner growth and healing.

Lifestyle Opportunities for Lifepath Integration of Experiences

Embodying Relationship with Lived Experience in the Home

Foundation – Where living takes root

Home โ€ข Environment โ€ข Life Path

An artistic representation of a meditative figure with a landscape scene inside, featuring a house at the heart surrounded by trees and water, symbolizing harmony between person, home, and land.

The home becomes a life path for the time one lives in it. This clarity has value as it brings awareness to how it stimulates your thoughts, emotions and actions. Most are considering colour design trends and locking into a long term experience, bypassing the listening stages for maximizing the potential influences in becoming a supporting and flourishing home. One that reflects the homeowners intentions and expectations.

An infographic contrasting diminishing and thriving mindsets in decision-making, with a focus on discernment. It illustrates a pathway with a house, highlighting thought processes such as focusing on flaws versus possibilities, and the resulting emotional states like stress versus clarity.

The patterns of listening at Inside Awareness use natural patterns for balancing the interrelationships between the home and householders living within it. The intention is for a fuller life that is supported by a foundation that compliments ones hopes, dreams and intentions on their lifepath.

A beautiful wooden house surrounded by trees under a clear sky, with a text overlay promoting a holistic lifestyle.

Listening to Universal Interconnected Qualities

These qualities of Yin and Yang are a focus in Traditional Feng Shui. Together in balance they reflect balance.

These same qualities are consideration that are reflected in in the Life Path & Living Expressions through relationships learning and coaching opportunities.

An infographic illustrating the 'Twin Pillars of Cosmic Energy' concept, featuring two columns labeled Yin and Yang. The Yin pillar is associated with feminine energy, intuition, and nurturing qualities, while the Yang pillar represents masculine energy, action, and clarity. The center emphasizes integration and self-awareness, with sections detailing the conscious and subconscious mind, societal conditioning, and the need to trust one's internal compass.

Embodied Function Integration Opportunities

A woman lying on a yoga mat in a well-lit room, practicing body mindfulness, with a plant visible in the background and the text 'Body Mindfulness' and contact information overlaying the image.

Harmonizing Movement

Learned by the Body, not explained

An infographic titled 'The Four Quadrants' illustrating a natural pattern for movement, understanding, and thriving. It features four sections labeled: 1. Explore, 2. Stabilize, 3. Mobilize, and 4. Integrate, each with corresponding actions and meanings. Centered is a spiral, symbolizing balance and flow, with arrows indicating movement directions. The bottom includes a note on the significance of this pattern in ancient designs.

Recognize the seed pattern? Ancient gravitational rotational pattern. Explore Feldenkrais @ Monterey Center in #yyj’s Oak Bay or create your own boutique workshop or group lessons at home, work or organization. Living Functional topics could include, TMJ and Jaw Bone Function, Breathing through the Flexible Bone function, Walking through Flexible Bone Function, Sleeping with Bone Functional Awareness, Rolling into and out of Bed through Bone Functional Awareness, and more…..

New Fall Movement Classes

Signing up for #yyj Balance and A Fear of Falling still active – Monterey Center – 250-361-7508

October 31st, ’26 – #yyj Workshop – Breathe Easier with Feldenkrais – 250-361-7508

December 5th, ’26 – #yyj Workshop – TMJ – 250-361-7508


Harmonizing with Food

A decorative quote image that reads: 'Food creates the narrative, the body follows, the mind separates.' The text is styled with elegant lettering and surrounded by green leaves and a floral motif.
Infographic titled 'Human Flourishing' illustrating various cultured foods: Milk Kefir, Water Kefir, Fermented Vegetables, Kefir Cheese, and Whey, highlighting their benefits, reference portions, and suggestions for use.

A focus of Harmonizing with food is to inspire lived relationships with eating plans that support inner and outer relationships with nature. These lived relationships are demonstrated in the diagram. Eating plans with a focus on the seven energy center colours was an plan to inspire the connection with food choices. The seven chakras life areas influenced by the chakras are shown in a gallery under it.

If you are interested in starting your Cultured Food Journey:

This slideshow demonstrates the body’s seven energy centers in alignment with their corresponding life area influences. Each picture shows a person transferring this into lived action by the figure coming into standing for a lived experience.


Harmonizing Interactions

A motivational quote framed with decorative leaves, reading, 'Others interpret you to fit who they need you to be instead of seeing the beauty of you.' The text is titled 'Relationships Flourish' and includes the source '@insideawareness'.

September Fall News – First Full Moon

Embodied Discovery – What becomes possible through exploration

Learning โ†’ Practicing โ†’ Integrating โ†’ Embodying โ†’ Recognizing


Embodiment before strategy is a learning pattern integrated into the program topics at Inside Awareness. Learn more about the lifestyle program topics.

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Copyright 2026 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP

With respect and gratitude, this work acknowledges the ground provided by the teachings and practices of Moshe Feldenkrais, Marshall Rosenberg, Chรถgyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and Dyan Grant Francis. Their contributions are honoured as part of the learning from which Inside Awareness continues to grow.

Feldenkraisยฎ, Feldenkrais Methodยฎ, Awareness Through Movementยฎ, and Functional Integrationยฎ, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guildยฎ of North

September Embodied Lifestyle Articles & News

by Renee Lindstrom, Founder – Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning

Energy of Abundance

The flow into fall begins and summers ease begins to fade.

Sensing


Money Path

When money is approached primarily through fear, analysis, and pursuit, it can become an external measure of security rather than something we feel capable of creating and receiving.

Developing trust in yourself can open a different relationship with moneyโ€”one that is less influenced by old social conditioning and more connected to your own sense of possibility, resourcefulness, and abundance.

This does not mean being financially reckless. It means noticing the beliefs and habits that restrict your relationship with money and exploring what supports a more independent, grounded, and abundant way of creating financial well-being.


Nature demonstrates.
The moon reminds.
Awareness notices.
Intention chooses.
Life reveals what grows.


New Fall Classes – Functional focused movement

Fall Awareness through Movement will have a focus on Incontinence


Learning โ†’ Practicing โ†’ Integrating โ†’ Embodying โ†’ Recognizing


Embodying Nature Lifestyle

This is a mobility labyrinth designed by Renee Lindstrom, founder of Inside Awareness

approximately 15 years ago

A healing garden design created by by Renee Lindstrom, founder of Inside Awareness

approx 20 years ago

Educational health and wellness garden patterns by Renee Lindstrom, founder of Inside Awareness

for students to move through on way to home office


Embodying Relationships

Bond Touch 4

Long-distance bracelet that sends human-like touches, replicating the comfort of a loved one’s presence and bridging the distance between couples, friends, and family. The emotional gift to stay in touch with the ones you love. Link below to learn more:


Embodying Feng Shui

Buying a House


Embodying Goal Setting using integration

Lifestyle Goal Setting

Read more on conscious alignment through personal goal setting using intention. Includes perspective of 2027 on community:


Renee’s Educational Journey of the Labyrinth mirroring this historical evolution

beginning with introduction through dousing and walking meditation followed by the uncovering of the mathematical patterns in churches and community group sharing labyrinth values


Renee’s Educational Urban Gardening exploration and decisions

A choice to become a master gardener was blocked by a life event. The choice shifted to exploring urban foraging and healing gardens alongside one another with one foot in each category – it changed everything and reconnected a separation to the land I felt somatically yet couldn’t identify cognitively


Fall Detox to build Immune System

I do a detox a couple times of year with wormwood and black walnut. I have never digested it through a liquid and decided to try it for this summer transition into fall. The ingredients in the pic also are inclusions I had not experienced in combination. The berberine excites me as it is a plant tincture I use for infections. It comes from Oregon Grape roots, which is a common bush/shrub in our #yyjneighbourhoods. It is a good time to start this due to the immune system support it offers. Read more @ link below:


Shopping Partners to support Literacy Project

New Lifestyle Affiliates:

Bond Touch


Embodiment before strategy is a learning pattern integrated into the program topics at Inside Awareness. Learn more about the lifestyle program topics.

Connect to inquire about programs, coaching and mentoring

Stay connected by liking and subscribing.

Follow Socials:

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, X or Pinterest

Copyright 2026 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP

Feldenkraisยฎ, Feldenkrais Methodยฎ, Awareness Through Movementยฎ, and Functional Integrationยฎ, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guildยฎ of North

#yyj in person Awareness through Movementยฎย lessons in Oak Bay

Fall ’26

group lessons

Micro-movements using the Feldenkraisยฎ Method of Somatic Education

Felt sense through Body

New Fall Sessions:

Sept, Mondays, Sept 14 โ€“ Oct 26, โ€™26
– 6 Sessions

Nov, Mondays,ย Nov 2 โ€“ Dec 7, โ€™26 – 6 Sessions


Oct 31st ’26

Breath Easier Workshop

1442 Monterey Avenue, Oak Bay, B.C.

1O am – noon

Group ATM Workshop @ Monterey Center in Oak Bay

Online @ Oak Bay Parks, Recreation

Learn more about the TMJ Joints


Dec 5 ’26

Jaw Release Workshop

1442 Monterey Avenue, Oak Bay, B.C.

10 am – noon

Group ATM Workshop @ Monterey Center in Oak Bay

Online @ Oak Bay Parks, Recreation

Breath Easier Workshop Description


Feldenkraisยฎ is a system for learning new actions through movement to increase 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 present moment. As an empath, I can trust the Feldenkraisยฎ experience as it deepens my inner understanding, clarity and skeletal support through perception. It taps into the same dynamic of inner support I trusted as a baby to stand up and begin taking 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.

Dedicated Feldenkrais Focus, influenced by Somatic Dialogue & Awareness of Environment Stimulation to function

(Read more)

Renee is a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner – since 2007

Location: Monterey Recreation Center – Oak Bay

Register by phone @ 250-370-7300 or

online @ Oak Bay Recreation website

Read more on Awareness through Feldenkrais – topic website for updated topic information, news and tips for somatic movement programs


Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement since 2001

Thinking patterns that create constraints to physical function, and false emotional responses

 

One of the possibilities for those longing to cultivate their own awarenesses is in the integration of a specific way to pause and listen.

 

This skill can turn illusive reactive behaviour into obvious thoughtful behaviour thereby increasing the quality of one’s life style, relationships, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

This style of listening cultivates awareness and connects one to their surrounding environment, inner emotional and mental environment and the very environment of functional movement.ย  Whether one functions with aย  dominant right brain or left brain this style of listening creates balance.ย  Afterall we can access both sides of our brains equally.ย ย I liken it to walking a maze or a labyrinth.ย  One is a right brain experience of introspection to connect and the other a left brain activity to solve puzzles.ย  The goal is to have a choice of pathways in any one moment.ย  Both right and left brain activities are equally valuable to reaching a specific target.

I experience right and left brain behavioural reactions in others whether theย  focus is on movement, thinking functions, communication,ย  life purpose,ย  surroundings or lifestyle influences.ย  I have experienced what most have in common are the missing skills of how to make the change.ย  They can all identify it in others, and are quick to, however the model to dig deep within themselves to be self-witnessing is lacking.ย  It’s not a pattern in our general educational experiences.ย  It is an untapped resource.ย  There is a wealth of theory related material available yet the practical steps for integrating change are missing.ย  The theories out there contribute to the concept of something being “wrong” so there needs to be a fix. This is old school.ย  ย New school is that there is nothing wrong, it’s just a gap in the learning process.

Many of us process new information through old learning patterns from earlier cultural experiences.ย  This includes our:

  • thinking process
  • movement postures
  • emotional reactions.

Habitual behaviours can only only be transformed through exploring and practicing new ways of doing things with an attitude of open curiosity.

Over the years I have begun to witness that it’s how one thinks that is creating the dis-ease

As this post is focused upon types of thinking that pose a constraint to fully functioning with flexibility and clarity, in movement, thinking and responding, here are some types of learned responses.ย  Responses that are mental blocks to cultivating awareness that actually stop transformation ofย  habitual living and behaviours, mentally, emotionally and physically.

  • evaluative experiences in patterns of making moral judgments
    • labeling
    • assessing
    • diagnosing
    • criticism
    • incorrect use of one’s ability to compare
    • scarcity
  • positions of authority
    • right and wrong thinking
    • punishment and reward
    • making demands
    • hierarchical positions of power over
  • denial of responsibility
    • lack of honesty
    • blame and shame
  • competing
  • status quo

Developing the skills for transforming into who you long to be

 

Ways of integrating ones bodies of function is through new learning experiences for checking in and exploring:

 

 

  • how one thinks now and noticing if there is a better quality of experience with new patterns
  • how one moves now and noticing if there is a better quality of experience with new patterns
  • how one is stimulated by their lifestyle and surroundings now and noticing if there is a better quality of experience with new patterns

Finding your intention and creating a target for meeting the goals of who you long to be with Inside Awareness

The learning modules here at Inside Awareness can be specific to life areas whether you are:

  • looking for your life purpose
  • seeking to improve your relationships to all life
  • wanting to enhance your physical abilities
  • introduce a sense of sacredness in your environmentย 

Each module are concrete actions steps that bring one into the shift they long for.

Each module has a foundation in practical steps and have applications that are logical yet bring focus to the illusive.

Inside Awareness focuses upon switching back on one’s inherent ability to learn where the experience becomes the teacher and the student becomes the sage.

The intention is to increases creativity and expressiveness in living. by Renee Lindstrom

Awareness Through Livingย Mentoring Programs Available:

ย 1st Level โ€“ Getting Started (Introduction & Pattern)
ย 2nd Level โ€“ Getting Intouch (Experiencing & Connection)
ย 3rd Level โ€“ Integration (Embodiment)

 

Follow the journey onย Twitter,ย Instagramย orย Facebook

by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP @ Inside Awareness,ย ย Living in Natures Love Blog
&ย Renee Lindstrom Live
Copyright 2014 โ€“ 2020 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP

 

Like everyone in the world I wondered if my live interaction with students would come back to life

Getting set up for Functional Integration sessions (Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education)

Like everyone in our recent reality seeing people in person had stopped or shifted to phone calls and zoom.ย  In the past few weeks as talk ofย  lifting theย  restrictions began I hadย  doubt and uncertainty about how to move forward myself.ย  There was aย  lingering question of whether anyone would come.ย  I wondered if there was a future.ย  All it took was a student to connect and inquire if I was seeing anyone yet or not.ย  They shared they would be willing to connect on-line yet expressed a preference to come in person.ย  Okay they will come, so now what?

Time to source out disposable face masks, gloves, a face shield, hand sanitizer, cleaners for disinfecting and new cleaning cloths.ย  Then set to work on the new appearance of the space.ย  Removing all extraneous objects, getting the steamer in to steam everything including the carpet.ย  Setting it up to walk through to experience how it could work.ย  This included changing shoes and having a specific pair just for that space and having disinfectant ready for spraying the soles of their shoes.ย  Walking through it it became apparent that I will know have to giving directions on how to enter into the office with me opening and closing doors to limit touching.ย  It’s a lot of extra work.ย  Going through it I found I was hot and sweating.

My appreciation grew for those in the care industry who have been working on the front lines.

After walking through this and recognizing it was doable I recognized this could be be totally integrated.ย  Then this same student inquired how much extra I would like to charge for the additional costs, etc.ย  I was thankful for this inquiry of thoughtfulnessย  My focus of attention was on the equipment and how to get ready, not the financial costs.ย  My thoughts go to how living and working through this appears to be affecting pretty much all of the primary nine life areas.ย  Getting serious about conscious safety at work increases the knowledge on how to be safer in my home life areas.ย  What ever I experience in either area, work or home, influences all of these:

  1. Wealth
  2. Fame
  3. Relationships
  4. Past
  5. Health
  6. Future
  7. Education
  8. Career
  9. Community

3 things I have learned from this experience

  1. It is doable.
  2. Extra precautions for cleanliness can be taken for the benefit of all.
  3. We can ask for and also be more considerate meeting the needs for valuing others and one-self.

Follow the Journey onย Twitter,ย Instagramย orย Facebook


Book a personalized Coaching session for self, work, group or create a retreat
250-361-7508

by Renee Lindstrom

Awareness Through Livingย Mentoring Programs Available:

1st Level โ€“ Getting Started (Introduction & Pattern)
ย 2nd Level โ€“ Getting Intouch (Experiencing & Connection)
ย 3rd Level โ€“ Integration (Embodiment)

Follow the journey onย Twitter,ย Instagramย orย Facebook

by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP @ Inside Awareness,ย ย Living in Natures Love Blog
&ย Renee Lindstrom Live

Communication retraining the brain

In Cultivating Awareness foundational for experiential learning one will read about the similarities and differences between Renee’s educational programs and a Mindfulness Mediation Practice.

The focus of this article is on cultivating awareness to retrain the brain and balance used of left and right sides of the brain that Renee encourages her students to learn in the process of becoming self-directed and connected to what and how they are speaking.

The importance of a particular practice of identifying types ofย  thoughts became relevant when a student came back to class and shared their life changing self-awareness experience.ย  They discovered that they compare themselves and others while making critical moral judgments based upon their filter of jealousy. By slowing down to observe these patterns, this recognition can shift and transform their experience. The types of thoughts we address are in the following illustration.

In this diagram a maze is in the area of the fore-brain that depicts the essence of figuring it out and hitting walls until one finds their way forward. This can be complex and draining process.

In the following diagram a larger spiral leading directly into the center point is shown in the fore-brain area that demonstrates the ease in which cultivated awareness through communication can mirror.ย  This cultivation is not unlike the growing ability to focus ones attention as they would in a sitting mediation.ย  It is a different focus, pattern and foundation that one would practice that would include more of ones whole functional ability than the limiting thought process shown in the above diagram.

ย Go back to – Cultivating Awareness foundational for retraining the brain


Book an appointmentย with Renee

Learn more aboutย Reneeโ€™sย  educational programs,ย workshops and events

Follow Reneeโ€™s Calendar onย Twitter,ย Instagramย ย Pinterestย orย Facebook


Encouraging others to become self-directed, improve abilities to notice and discover new connections, refine self-use, and integrate new and practical skills is life enriching for this teacher and students.

Copyright 2014 โ€“ 2019 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000

 

 

Cultivating Awareness foundational for retraining the brain

Each of the these experiential learning opportunities share the same objectives ofย  cultivating awareness and focusing attention.

Another thing in common they have is that they are inclusive of the four aspects of the human condition and function:ย  mental, emotional, physical and belief systems.ย  These components are not isolated as separate functions as in other wellness styles.ย  In each of these functional events there is an education aspect that includes a mindful pattern cultivating expanded focus.

Here is a way of cultivating awareness through a pattern one may be familiar with:

Mindfulness Meditation

Change through Cultivating Awareness
  • 3 Steps to Mindful Meditation to Cultivate Awareness

Step #1 – Begins with a foundation

Mat, Cushion, Posture

Step #2 – Then a focus point

Breath

#3 – Followed by a pattern

Observe your thoughts & environment while following your breath

Improving the ability to notice, discover new connections, refine self-use, and integrate your new skills through the experiential learning techniques anyone can integrate the skills and action steps that creates a ‘being in the moment experience‘ like in a dedicatedย  meditative practice.

Read more:

First communication steps for retraining the brain


Book an appointment with Renee

Learn more about Renee’sย  educational programs, workshops and events

Follow Renee’s Calendar onย Twitter,ย Instagramย ย Pinterestย orย Facebook


Encouraging others to become self-directed, improve abilities to notice and discover new connections, refine self-use, and integrate new and practical skills is life enriching for this teacher and students.

Copyright 2014 โ€“ 2019 Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000