by Renee Lindstrom, founder Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning
This blog article below was written on this author’s personal website http://www.reneelindstrom.com recently. It is from a perspective of a somatic empath that carries the ability to identify the authentic somatic experience and the cognitive conceptualization that those not in their somatic experience believe it is. No judgement, simply a gap this author is bringing focus to. You can read this article by clicking the article link below or listen on You tube at link below it. I hope this content will be of interest in those sincerely interested in actively going beyond what they think they know from societies conditioning in accepting the stories attached to their mental, emotional and physical states of being. The first step to breaking free of acceptance to labels, assessments, and moral judgements, etc., is having clarity on the separation that supports it.
Below are two earlier articles from this authors personal web site on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs from an interesting perspective that may be interesting to read after digesting and integrating this perspective from a somatic empath. Understanding this first stage will support how society is perhaps being misguided by this lack of clarity by those who are seeking to meet their needs without compassion and empathy for others.
If you would like to connectto learn moreabout educational opportunities, coaching, mentoring , consulting or functional integrations
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, and Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America. Feldenkrais Method®
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A woman demonstrates a sequence of recovery poses from lying down to standing up during a workout.
1. Standing
2. Sitting
3. Prone
Here are some reflections of this Feldenkrais Practitioner prior to a Breath Workshop held in April, ’26 to center and ground prior to leading a group through a specific guided patterns of movement. .
The focus of attention in the verbal guided patterns to go beyond the busy mind of thinking into an expanded awareness of the somatic experience
The process of observing the guided pattern suggestions is another focus of attention for balancing the somatic experience with cognitive conceptual function. This focus in this pattern leads with somatic experiences to redirect cognitive functional focus of attention. In the process of this focused pattern, the mind can enter a state not unlike a mindfulness meditation. In this mindfulness like state the cognition can expand beyond beliefs, opinions, evaluative thinking and social conditioning into a field that cultivates deeper awareness.
The guided micromovements focus on the body’s structural design for potential movement beginning with the core – the skeleton.
Why? The natural design of the bodies ability to transition through postural shifts is through the bone pressure using the force of gravity. Original movement transitions are not through muscle and soft tissue lifting the bone and bearing the weight of the bone matter. That only creates constraints, pain and limited function. Organizing the skeletal bones to transition through flexibility and expanded range of motion increases ease and effortlessness in functionality.
Micromovements through the perspective of skeletal function is its own separate type of workout from what is currently focused on, and this focus can be far more challenging than the current mainstream focus is aware of
Imagine repeating changing patterns of micromovements toning the muscles through available functional transitions that release the few muscles that have become the primary motivation for controlling movement. New muscle patterns are created as habitual holding is released through the tonification and dormant muscles are activated, while the organization in the brains is expanding through conscious awareness.
These guided patterns go beyond the conceptualization of cognitive intellectualization that has locked movement into patterns that eventually create diminishing capacity through its limited understanding. Beliefs, opinions and evaluative expressions lock down the brains functional capacity. This is expressed through a lack of flexibility in all qualities of function; mentally, emotionally and physically.
This suggests that these guided patterns for integrating movement through a focus that taps into conscious awareness that balances both the somatic experience and cognitive function can give all aspects of functional experiences a workout from perceptions, mobility to brain function. Ihe focus is completely on expansion and identifying limitation whether it is through thinking, emotional and physical patterns.
This fantastic connection in this process is that it is through organic functional movement, the brains focus of attention and mindfulness. Imagine a fitness workout that is actually a pattern for learning and going beyond what we know into a expanded reality that reduces fear, pain, effort and suffering into ease, flexibility, groundedness and agility.
Learning focus here is through the bones and not socially conditioned thinking patterns that come through titles, names, labels, trends and images of right and wrong beliefs. Current examples are the bastardization of the cultural practices of yoga and tai chi where cognitively designed exercises have been turned into chair yoga and chair tai chi. These are exercises packaged as a concept and they lack the somatic awareness component of the source philosophy. It’s the development of a marketing strategy for creating an image that taps into the focus of attention of society’s ego concepts of self image. Are they beneficial for becoming active. Yes, however they are examples of misleading advertising that is associated with the mindfulness and expanded consciousness of the traditional philosophies.
The above is an evolution of deeper understanding of social conditioning and the lack of balance between somatic experiencing and cognitive conceptualization that is developing from the focus of attention and observations of the practitioner of functional integration.
It is an example of reflection for tapping into and grounding thought patterns for organizing a focus on balancing the mind to guide patterns that will open students consciousness and not reflect boxed in cognitive concepts. Pausing to organize thoughts to set them aside to guide others into mindfulness is an important part of this practitioners process. I hope you enjoy the content.
Body Mindfulness – Core Body Functional Breathing Audio
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, and Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of NorthAmerica
by Renee Lindstrom, founder, Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning
Launching TMJ – Jaw Release #1 – Side to Side
TMJ Jaw Release Guided Pattern Audio #1/3
These guided patterns are from Feldenkrais workshop that Renee has held since 2007. The feedback after each workshop has been positive with appreciation expressed. Here is a recent comment from a ’26 workshop.
I always appreciate my sessions with you and the learning. The focus on the tongue, back of throat and head hinging as part of the jaw release has really made a difference. Some of what you shared was new for me so it is taking me awhile to get the hang of it but I’ve been exploring those movements further at home and it’s been good. J
These somatic patterns are called Awareness through Movement Lessons and this workshop series is the integration of of moving parts that enhance ease in the jaw function. The patterns cutivate awareness of the joint movement through micro movements that increase efficiency.
A student may become consciously aware of the individual parts inside their mouth and in their facial features, neck, and further down the torso. It is a wonderful way to find a deeper inner peacefulness, and experience the calming influence of mindfulness.
These lesson contribute to:
Reducing jaw and neck pain
Headache support through pain reduction
Increased jaw function
Lessen scienty, tension and stress
Improve Jaw Function
Enhance sleep and relaxation
Read more on the benefits of Somatic Body Mindfulness and research of Feldenkrais below
How to purchase and enjoy TJM Jaw Release – Side to Side
TMJ – Jaw Release Side to Side #1of 3
Explore the anatomy of the jaw using guided patterns and mindful exploration for cultivating awareness through the felt senses and the skeleton.
increase relaxation and windows of emotional tolerance and self-connection
improve sleep and sleep sounder
increase body functions, cognition and emotional responses of calm, mindfulness and joy
Exploring the body anatomy through the felt senses increases inner awareness and trust. This body exploration is a different type of strength training. The difference is the focus of attention on the body, mind and felt senses through guided patterns designed to expand conscious awareness of the body function. The strength of feeling one’s body through moving joints and bones deepens awareness of physical connections as postures change, like in the shifting transitions from sitting to standing and back to sitting. Movement is a series of shifting postures. The functioning healthy body is not stationary, nor poses. It is designed for a continuous flow of integrative movement patterns.
Feedback On Body Mindfulness Introduction
“I am excited!!! This is great! It is like you are there with me step by step. It’s what all of us are looking for, real Feldenkrais support” S
“That was great, Renee! You have such a calm and lovely voice. I’m happy to add this to my calming strategies.Thank you. ” H
“I really like this sort of thing and would welcome further “installments” in the series and/or a revised version of this one. I liked the pace at which you spoke, not too rushed and left enough time to do the exploration of the particular area of the body to which you were drawing attention.
I liked that you offered options re leg position (straight out or with bolster under knees) but wondered whether one position or the other is preferable. Or is it just that one would notice different things, depending on how the legs are positioned?” K
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, and Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of NorthAmerica
Inside Awareness Legacy Project for balancing transition in early childhood somatic learning to conceptualized intellectualized learning
While continuing to expand the Learning Center’s objectives for continued consulting, teaching, coaching and mentoring Mindful Lifestyle choices through education, a new goal was announced in late 2025 for creating a legacy impact through education for balancing the two learning streams of consciousness.
One way you can support this legacy project is by visiting and shopping at one or more of these creators. Each one of these online marketers offer products that align with the lifestyle area learning opportunities offered by Inside Awareness.
Please support the Educational Legacy Project at Inside Awareness
Remember, the only place to donate is on the Inside Awareness website – www.insideawareness.com under the legacy tab. This website will demonstrate years of work in blog posts and pages to confirm its authenticity. Authenticity can further be explored at http://www.reneelindstrom.com.
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, and Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North
Here are the YouTube channels for Inside Awareness with playlists you can like and subscribe to if you are interested in supporting the Legacy Project of Inside Awareness. Each playlist has individual videos you can listen to, like and support. This objective is to monetize the channels and playlists to help finance this legacy.
Renee also has a podcast with interesting topics. For example, one that is relevant and has been discussed in mainstream media recently is on the incorrect use of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The label of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs isn’t used, yet the points made in the article are the same. It identifies and demonstrates the inverted use of this pyramid to block and stop people from moving forward in their lives. This is currently playing out in the global experience that encourages us to develop the consciousness we need to change these behaviours, or at the very least call them out as we recognize them.
This Legacy project educational focus aligns with organic somatic learning in early childhood and can transition these early learning patterns to counterbalance socially conditioned ones. There are many lifestyle benefits to this objective, like aging well.
Remember, the only place to donate is on the Inside Awareness website – www.insideawareness.com under the legacy tab. This website will demonstrate years of work in blog posts and pages to confirm its authenticity. Authenticity can further be explored at http://www.reneelindstrom.com.
Here are the playlists on YouTube channel for Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning – Click individual pics to link to plalist
Here are the playlists on YouTube channel for Somatic Influencer
Here are some examples of podcasts on Renee’s YouTube channel
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, and Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North
by Renee Lindstrom, founder, Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning
Launching Somatic Body Mindfulness Series on Audio Video
Guided Somatic Patterns for Centering
Listen on Youtube audio – Authors Voice
Cultivating Awareness & Grounding through Body Mindfulness
Somatic Body Mindfulness is a series of guided movement patterns based upon the Feldenkrais® Method of Somatic Education through the perspective of Renee Lindstrom, GCFP ’07 . Renee has been teaching Lifestyle Models in the community since the mid-nineties, which has expanded her perspective, clarity and understanding of learning and aging.
These Somatic Body Mindfulness audio videos will align body, mind and emotions. These patterns will calm the nervous system and increase inner peace. With an increase in the felt sense of inner quiet, there is an increase of clarity in the felt sense movement patterns in the shifting body parts as they transition postures. This mindful connection to the movement and physical response in transition increases conscious awareness and organically integrates the pattern into movement behaviours.
Somatic Body Mindful guided patterns reduce tension, stress, anxiety, fear, frustration and anger and increase inner calm, peace and relaxation. SBM guided patterns support an increase in the range of motion and can reduce constraints that restrict movement.
The positive mental and physical functional outcomes of these SBM guided patterns increase clarity, focus, inner calm, mindfulness, stability and physical balance. These patterns will create a balanced alignment between the mental, emotional and physical functions. This alignment improves flexibility and spontaneity. The positive emotional outcomes are an increase of inner peacefulness, contentment, groundedness, connection and belonging.
Some of the conditions that SBM guided patterns that Renee has observed improve are:
Anxiety and Depression
Artheritis
Back and Neck Pain
Loss of Balance
Bell’s Palsy
High Blood Pressure
Shallow Breathing
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
Fibromyalgia
Lack of Flexibility
Hip, Knee and Ankle Joint Pain
Injuries
Insomnia
Pulled Muscles
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinsons
Locked Shoulders
Stroke
TMJ
Some of the Benefits that Research has shown are:
Improved:
proprioception
coordination and ease of movement
posture and stability
well-being
feeling of confidence
breathing
Decreased
pain
spasm
Research Evidence:
Improves:
body awareness: Multiple sclerosis, pain, stroke, able-bodied
mobility
stability
coordination
ease of movement
posture
balance confidence
mood
breathing
well-being and quality of life
sleep
self efficacy and health locus of control
self image
greater recruitment of the affected part of the motor cortex (stroke)
Reduces, decreases:
decreased pain
fatigue
anxiety and stress
medical costs
To learn more about this Research on the Benefits of Feldenkrais, go to the link in the description box and tap the link
How to purchase and enjoy this introduction to a grounding and centering somatic experience:
Introduction: Grounding thru Body Mindfulness
Experience Somatic Body Mindfulness by aligning felt sense observation and anatomy
Introduction to the anatomy using guided patterns and mindful exploration for cultivating awareness through the felt senses and the skeleton.
Use QR Code to Purchase or go below
Benefits:
reduce and reverse aging
increasing flexibility and resilience
develop body awareness
reduce body tension, pain, anxiety and effort
increase relaxation and windows of emotional tolerance and self-connection
improve sleep and sleep sounder
increase body functions, cognition and emotional responses of calm, mindfulness and joy
Exploring the body anatomy through the felt senses increases inner awareness and trust. This body exploration is a different type of strength training. The difference is the focus of attention on the body, mind and felt senses through guided patterns designed to expand conscious awareness of the body function. The strength of feeling one’s body through moving joints and bones deepens awareness of physical connections as postures change, like in the shifting transitions from sitting to standing and back to sitting. Movement is a series of shifting postures. The functioning healthy body is not stationary, nor poses. It is designed for a continuous flow of integrative movement patterns.
Feedback On Body Mindfulness Introduction
“I am excited!!! This is great! It is like you are there with me step by step. It’s what all of us are looking for, real Feldenkrais support” S
“That was great, Renee! You have such a calm and lovely voice. I’m happy to add this to my calming strategies.Thank you. ” H
“I really like this sort of thing and would welcome further “installments” in the series and/or a revised version of this one. I liked the pace at which you spoke, not too rushed and left enough time to do the exploration of the particular area of the body to which you were drawing attention.
I liked that you offered options re leg position (straight out or with bolster under knees) but wondered whether one position or the other is preferable. Or is it just that one would notice different things, depending on how the legs are positioned?” K
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness Through Movement®, and Functional Integration®, are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of NorthAmerica
by Renee Lindstrom, founder, Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning
The nine life area goals identified in the poster above were painted as a creative personal connection to intentions in each area and framed last night as the calendar is about to shift into 2026. This poster is hung facing the door to my office/creative space as a visual reminder as I move about and sit at my desk. This interactive poster is placed prominently with the intention of manifesting life through creative expression in living and learning. It is a visual focus of intention for creative living in 2026 that expresses from a thoughtful core connection. It is my ‘Shining North Star’ guiding my 2026 experience. A Shining North Star that contains what is alive and meaningful in the present moment of reflection. Each year is a stepping stone on an elusive journey, and this poster identifies the present location of this North Star on this pathway. It creates groundedness in the spontaneity of living an interactive and innovative lifestyle.
Shining Star
by local #yyj artist from my children’s school in ’01/’02
In the center of the Shining Star, in the above drawing, one can imagine the burst of creation. Creation that creates form. This activity, shown in the poster above, demonstrates intentional action for creating an interactive board that connects to what is meaningful at a core level. It is the elusive structure that contains the form for bursts of spontaneous action in alignment with core intention.
The board replaces outside influences and realigns my decision-making focus to make independent choices in alignment with what is meaningful, rather than seeking outside advice and opinions. It has proven to be a strong support that eliminates the unnecessary projections of others that do not have the same inner patterns for processing information. Each of us has an inner pattern for processing information that is unique. No one can duplicate another person’s inner filter or processing patterns or tell someone what to do effectively, based on the separation between inner programming. Programming that I identify as social and cultural conditioning.
In simple terms, this means that the poster above reflects a lifestyle model where consideration was given to determine important next steps. These stepping stones guide the coming year at a core level and become the source for checking in for reassurance and guidance that outside actions are in balance with inner values. My yearly considerations go back to 2013 or thereabouts. Each year became a stepping stone on a journey that unlocked a natural and organic model of elevating conscious awareness. It is one of the pillars that has become an educational pattern for expanding beyond the constraints of learned social and cultural behavioural conditioning. How? It has replaced outside authorities with an inner one.
What does outside authority versus an inner one mean?
Outside
An outside authority is exactly how it is written. In this context, it means looking to others (false guru’s) for guidance on what is right and what is wrong based upon their opinions, belief systems and limited living experiences. Anyone with a closed mindset that looks outside themselves at status (what others have) and self-image (how things appear) has limitations in clarity and life experience. It’s all contained within a closed circuit and small-mindedness. If they have a title, it is even harder to discriminate, as the Indoctrination creates a false belief system of superiority.
Google writes: Indoctrination is teaching someone a specific set of beliefs or ideas, often political, religious, or ideological, in a way that discourages questioning or critical thinking, making them accept it as truth without examination, like brainwashing, but can also be a less harsh form of cultural teaching. It’s about instilling a doctrine or viewpoint repeatedly until it’s accepted uncritically, differing from general education which encourages independent thought.
Inside
An inner authority means checking in mindfully or thoughtfully to tap into what is meaningful in the present moment. This suggests a structure for learning core values, and trusting them in a sea of outside opinions, perspectives and beliefs. It suggests owning one’s own power, instead of being in the habit of giving it away. This is an action of leadership that can be challenging. It means letting go of blame and shame to justify the action one is taking, or has taken.
An example of blaming others for personal actions. As a kid, I blamed a sibling for taking an action to shoplift. I was 7 years old. I told my dad …….made me do it. Only,………wasn’t there!
Not only is considering intentions for the coming year important for cultivating awareness of personal needs, its accountability training. It can be an elusive pattern with a spontaneous outcome. It shifts the blame and shame learned thinking behaviours into a focus on self-value and accomplishments.
Reading more posts on Cultivating with Goals on our Goal news webpages:
Inside Awareness Center for Integrative Somatic Learning 