Reflection of yin and yang balance (feminine and masculine energies)
Yesterday I shared an exercise to introduce a connection to mindful intention and action in one’s personal environment.โIt is the first tip of 31 created to cultivate somatic and mindful awareness.โ
In 2013 I wrote a little booklet to support an introduction for practicing techniques to ground and expand mindful connection using focused attention on the integration of intention with action. The purpose of these tips is to cultivate conscious awareness.โOne way you can bring your goals into reality is to consider these daily awareness techniques and actions to define your intention. Bring them alive by making time to manifest physical change in your living/working space. ย It takes a few minutes a day.ย Designed for slowing down and consciously pausing to reflect, notice and take actions. It is for creating your dreams and taking actions to make them happen that combines mindfulness and physical action to create your space of ‘success’. ย Each day for 31 days there is a short pattern or exercise to integrate in one’s environment to support change and connection!
Here is the second tip on day two for you to investigate and experience.โEach January I follow this program to remind myself and reconnect to my space and things with intention and mindfulness.โ
Here is a pdf of exercise 2 for your enjoyment!โ
Leave a comment and share back how this exercise was for you. For me I felt pleased after doing this task that I have done numerous times before with no sense of joy, rather felt effort previously.โThe difference was the connection to my intention and purpose.โIt change the inner vibration in the action that began with a different mindset.โMy mind was refocused and the thought stories were of a higher vibration.โ
This post is the first in a while.โThe last one I posted focused upon the numerology meaning of 2024.โAs I reread it I recognize my own focus of attention aligns with this interpretation.โThe last half of 2023 had a focus upon defining the balance of material and spiritual wealth.โThe last few decades has had a focus on the evolution of ego that began to transition from an elusive somatic experience into an obvious mindful perspective. โ
What is the evolving focus for Renee in 2024 at the Learning Center for Inside Awareness for Healthy Living?
Defining humanness through somatic function
A strong propensity that created an unintended boundary in earlier years was a strong-willed action for not pursuing comparable modalities.โThis meant choosing one main method for somatic integration and diving deep into the patterns.โRather than entering into somatic confusion by trying many similar methods the only consideration for pursuit was a compatible functionally focused method that was an identifiable missing link.โFor example it is well known among Feldenkrais Practitioners that Moshe Feldenkrais was a poor communicator.โHence, there was a gap in speaking and listening skills for me.โRather than pursuing comparable movement modalities my focus was on integrating speaking and listening skills to create a fuller holistic experience between movement and expressed mindfulness. Starting in 2004 the modalities I mentored and personally practiced were contained and isolated from each other.โHowever in 2014 I began to relax and integrate them somatically.โIn the past 10 years, the progress in personal transformation in others and myself has been identifiable.โObserving these transformations has been rewarding.โWith a focus of attention on integrating inner change with an intention to shift outer experiences requires an environment for retraining habitual learning.โA person needs to enter into an adventurous space for unlearning old behaviours while in the action of exploring new ones in a mindfulness state of expanding their awareness.โRather than assimilating methods with an egocentric focus of attention the focus has been on functional mindfulness in day to day that defines humanness through somatic function.โThe change in 2024 will reflect this somatic integration process.โThe successful components of these years will be reflected in offerings.โ
Some of the topics that will be added in 2024:
Reverse aging
Classes and workshops have been held in activity centers since the late 90’s.โThese have been seasonally with no breaks which has offered the opportunity to work with aging personalities, communication and physical abilities.โCulturalization of aging has been a big proponent in the aged that has been intriguing.โThis has been a low key focus these years that moved into the forefront in the last five years.โThis topic will become a larger focus this coming year.
Cultural entrainment
In the 90’s entrainment was a focus of attention when entering into homes, offices and organizations to consult on spacial awareness and influences.โThis awareness has expanded into its relationship in the minutia of all day to day functions.โThis topic will become a larger focus this coming year.
Expansion
Requests for creating supportive development programs for training purposes, consulting and resolving conflict through empathy, to connect first before change versus compromise, has increased the depth energetically in the ethos this past year.โExpect to learn more about these offerings as they expand outward into other potent life areas such as institutions, corporations, organizations, groups.โOf course personal transformation materials will continue to grow in offerings for transformation to define humanness in somatic function.โ More growth this coming year.โ
Turning the cultural definition of manifestation into an active vibration
A focus of attention for health and wellbeing that will dominate our 2024 expression will be upon the use of vibration in manifesting.โThe purpose is to transition goal setting into an active expression versus an outside strategy.โThe intention is integrating it into a mindful process versus demand.โThis topic will become a larger focus this coming year.
An example is the first step I wrote in a manifestation booklet in 2013 and still use personally now.โEach January since I follow this program to reconnect to my space and things with intention and mindfulness.โHere is an example:
Here is a pdf of exercise for your enjoyment!โ
Leave a comment and share back how this exercise was for you. For me I felt pleased after doing this task that I have done numerous times before with no sense of joy, rather felt effort previously.โThe difference was the connection to my intention and purpose.โIt change the inner vibration in the action that began with a different mindset.โMy mind was refocused and the thought stories were of a higher vibration.โ
As I consider today’s Self-Awareness through movement workshop I am searching for a focus point of motivation. ย Recent Feldenkrais students have deepened the connection between left and right brain movement actions. ย I recognize that this is the intention for today, the balance of the right and left brain in movement that creates ย presence in action.
Babies are the most present and aware beings on the planet. ย They have to be to be able to teach themselves to roll over, sit up, crawl, stand, walk, run do somersaults and cartwheels. ย This will be a good place to focus the workshop participants. ย Not on doing cartwheels, exploring babies first movements!
One segment of society that I have consistently worked with this past decade is seniors, men and women. ย This includes those with diagnosed conditions and those without. ย As my experience of theirs and societies behavioral patterns become more recognizable, I find an urge to begin to write a series to share some aspects that I am discovering that influence false believes of ย aging. ย ย If you are interested in learning more, check back in to explore this series!
Recent Comment:ย ย Thank you for the amazing session which helped me to better understand the pain and anxiety issues Iโve been dealing with. Very insightful experience. I felt way more relaxed Friday evening and Iโm monitoring myself to help ensure Iโm releasing tension and breathing properly. Am impressed by it and by your skills. D
Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Jaw Release Program since 2007, Authored ย Achieving your Goals ย 31 Day Program, Sleep Sweet Sleep, Kidโs Peace Bus Calendar of Values ย Educational Program & InTouch with Your Values Self-Actualization Program. ย Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000, Labyrinths of Victoria since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Grassroots Calendar Founder, Vice-Chair of World Children
We have all heard how movement can change your brain! ย Now explore how movement can change your voice!
Sunday, Dec 11, ’16 –ย 1 to 4 pmย
Live Workshop in Greater Victoria
in North Oak Bay close to College & University
A system of integration of body, mind, emotions and belief’s that ย supports balance, centeredness, ย groundedness
Explore a system of mindfulness to understand how your body posture and typical movements can interfere with being able to speak up or to be honest! ย ย
Here is a system of intelligent body awareness that unleashes one’s potential to expand one’sย state of self empathy and increases the likelihood of ย speaking from a powerful center.
Movement and Speaking Authentically
Join us to deepen and align how you speak from a place of ย flexibility and be more authentic in your expressive nature! ย By learning to focus attention on movement to increaseย physical flexibility, ย one can experience the differences between; being frozen and loose, ย having the urge to run and stand ones ground, or being reactive versus mindful.ย ( Read more: ย Intouch with the Brain โ Amygdale, Hippocampus, Prefrontal Cortex)
Here is a way to take one’s knowledge of fright, flight and fight reactions and apply movement patterns that are self empathetic in nature to go far beyond your typical coping threshold.ย You may notice your voice is deeper and stronger and if you sing, ย you may even discover that you have more vocal range!
In our workshop you will have the opportunity to safely explore how you speak before we begin the movement awareness patterns and afterwards. ย The group environment will be in a container of safety and privacy.
Only 10 spaces so register now!
ย with renee@insideawareness.com
COST: ย New Program Launch – By Donation
Confirmation & address will follow with registration
Wear loose and layered clothing, Floor Mats provided, Bring Blanket if you would like extra covering! Must be able to lay on floor.
Read Authorย Norman Doidge’s,ย The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity where he discusses the advantages of Feldenkrais Movement for changing the brain!
Jaw Release Program since 2007, Authored ย Achieving your Goals ย 31 Day Program, Sleep Sweet Sleep, Kidโs Peace Bus Calendar of Values ย Educational Program & InTouch with Your Values Self-Actualization Program. ย Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000, Labyrinths of Victoria since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Grassroots Calendar Founder, Vice-Chair of World Childrenโs Summit on Peace & Nature in 2015
I shared an article recently about an experience with someone in a Balance class who didn’t walk, stand or sit in an upright position.ย I want to share now what motivated a change in her mental, emotional and physical behavior in her first two classes.
Our first class together was spent re-directing her focus from her storytelling to noticing how to stay upright in her seat to do the movement patterns being shared with her.
She didn’t show up for the second class yet did come back for the third. Between our third and fourth classes there was a significant difference. ย She had been the first one to arrive at the third class.ย This meant there was enough time to spend propping her up to stay in an upright position. ย She was frozen solid through her shoulders, arms, neck, head and torso with one side of her rib cage being held so it was shorter than the other. ย To keep her upright props were placed under her arm on the side that was contracted (shorter side). ย Blocks were put under her feet so she could feel them on the floor.
By the end of the lesson she became aware that she had stopped using her back muscle strength to hold herself upright even in sitting. ย She had lost physical contact with engaging them!
After our class she went home and used the same propping technique to support herself in sitting. ย This was obvious ย as at the next class she was able to bring herself into an upright position in sitting and hold it. ย She had no concept of this the week before. ย As I place props under her arm I noticed her arms were more flexible and she was bracing herself less!
She was more happy and content in this class and I noticed she was listening more deeply and paying attention. ย At the end of this class she exclaimed, “No one is showing us this or explaining how the body works.”
This is an extreme example of the meaning of Moshe’s quote:
Flexible Bodies, Flexible Minds
Moshe Feldenkrais
Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder โ 2014 & 2015
I saw a new student to our balance class walking in behind her walker. ย She was bent completely over with arms outstretched in front of her, hands on the walker handles, head and eyes looking directly down towards the floor. ย I was surprised and curious at how to teach the class and include her.
Sitting down on a chair was an effort for her with turning, twisting and letting go of the walker to sit down all the while talking and totally unaware that we had started the workshop. She began her story before coming through the doorway and didn’t stop for most of the class.
Her story, the one that gave away the secret of her current condition was possibly the first one she shared. ย One we could all face in some way. ย She had taken her elderly husband into ย an overcrowd hospital where they left him in a bed in the hallway. ย She tended to him herself and when trying to lift him she hurt her back and bent over in pain. ย From the looks of her posture she never stood back up! ย Did I forget to mention she is 4 foot 11 inches and a senior!
After many doctors visits with x-rays she heard there was nothing medically wrong. ย No spine or brain damage and no strokes, etc. ย In addition to her fear, she now experiences her husbands feelings of frustration at her condition.. She has fallen a few times and lost three teeth.
Some challenges we experienced together with her loss of connection to her own body:
The first challenge – stop talking long enough to experience the movement patterns and let ย everyone benefit from the workshop
The second challenge – to support her sitting posture. ย ย Not only was she falling over in standing, she was falling over in sitting.
The third challengeย – remind her to stand up.
The fourth challengeย – re-introduce her to her pelvis.
The fifth and sixthย – to re-introduce her to her legs and feet.
Surprisingly she grew up a dancer and taught it up until that hospital visit you read about above. When she began to listen and follow our guided movement patterns she recognized them as movements she made and taught in her own classes. ย Now in her frozen state she wasn’t making these movement patterns that were hers for seventy years. ย Pain and fear had erased them from her posture and memory!.
Read more on what affected her the most and shifted her into paying more attention to learning what she could do verses seeking answers
Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder โ 2014 & 2015
#2. ย You have the INHERENT ability to learn INDEPENDENTLY stimulated and shaped by your environment
First learning is inspired through movement!ย
If your environment is safe, open and free your thoughts, emotions, movements and ย behavior will reflect these qualities. ย You will likely be more flexible in your actions. ย However if your environment is a prison filled with hate and poverty your thoughts and behavior will reflect these qualities! ย You will likely be more conservative and restricted in your actions.
The good news is you never stop learning! ย You have the ability to change your own conditions through awareness techniques and skill building that will create the environment for your own future generations! ย Change the future by shifting the past, now in conscious presence.
Make a difference. ย It begins with you! ย
Why? ย
To go beyond the imposed constraints and false emotionalย realities,ย ย
To support a healthier culture that cares for themselves, others and the planet equally. ย
To live as though values matter,ย
By speaking your values creating autonomy
and valuing others values equally creatingย interdependence! ย
To use gravity effectively to attain balance, consider your bones as the structureย of support in the designย of your body, and values as the structure of support in your relationships.
Feldenkraisยฎ Practitioner since 2007, Value-Based Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement ย since 2000, Founder of Greater Victoria Peace & Intercultural Celebrations since 2010 & Greater Victoria Labyrinths since 2012, #yyj Peace Week Calendar Founder โ 2014 & 2015