Getting Unstuck With Integrated Awareness
By Diana Dring

Human beings function largely according to habit. It's efficient to do so; otherwise, we would have to re-learn the mechanics of basic mobility and personal care every day. Yet, as we mature and the requirements of our age and circumstances change, some habits that were originally helpful can cease to be productive, even become downright self-sabotaging. These behaviors can be difficult to alter.

Integrated Awareness provides a set of self-help tools for accessing and dismantling the unconscious core strategic triggers that perpetuate our most frustrating patterns. One of the biggest challenges to change is becoming aware enough of how our autopilot attempts to carry out contradictory instructions from different levels of consciousness in the moment of a charged situation – and to interrupt the process long enough to recognize and engage an alternative behavior.

Founded on the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, IA uses the technique of closely observing body mechanics during slow, guided movement to alert us to the complexity of internal conflicts that inhibit personal progress and change. Guiding the student to focus attention on what's happening simultaneously at various levels (physical, mental, emotional, energetic, temporal, and others) in a given moment, the IA teacher facilitates being more completely present in the body and awake to the experience we're having. This restores personal choice and the power to create a more authentic, appropriate and pleasing response to any situation.

Integrated Awareness is most often taught in two ways: as voice-guided exploratory movement sequences while standing, seated or lying down on the floor – or on a massage table with the teacher assisting the client's awareness and release of barriers through non-invasive touch. It is a useful tool on its own for addressing many kinds of issues, including physical illness, mental and emotional blocks, relationship or career challenges, and virtually any other life circumstance where energy is stuck. Integrated Awareness can also be engaged to enhance the effectiveness of a wide range of other healing modalities and movement practices. When combined with yoga, weight training, Pilates or dance, for example, it can help prevent potential injury.