Cultivate Your Healing From the Ground Up
The Tending Method
Living with chronic illness, chronic pain, or a body that feels like it is working against you?
Learn to Read Your Body's Language
with Three Expert Guides
The TENDing Method™ is a virtual group coaching
program that combines lived experience,
medical expertise, and nervous system healing.
Stop fighting your body and starting learning to TEND.
PROGRAM DETAILS
📅 Starts September 10, 2026
🕐 Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 PM CST
💻 100% Virtual (Join from anywhere)
🎥 All sessions recorded (accommodating your bad days)
Is this You?
Chronic illness of any kind — Long COVID, ME/CFS, chronic Lyme, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, POTS, chronic migraine, IBS, MCAS, and beyond
Chronic pain that conventional medicine has not been able to fully explain or resolve
Post-viral or post-infection syndromes
Burnout so deep it has become physical
A body that is exhausted, dysregulated, or simply asking for a different way of living
You're in the right place.
Learn About Our Collaborative Approach ↓
Or maybe you do not have a diagnosis at all.
Maybe you just know something is missing.
You are functioning, but you are not flourishing
You are tired in a way that sleep does not fix
You have lost the thread of what it feels like to be in your body
You are doing all the right things and still feeling flat
You keep waiting to feel like yourself again
The absence of illness is not the same as thriving.
You are allowed to want more than okay.
Whether you are navigating illness or simply longing for more —
you are in the right place.
Let's Name What You're Actually Carrying:
You might not call it "shame." You might call it guilt, frustration, or embarrassment.
But underneath? It's shame.
The shame of:
→ "I'm unreliable" (when you cancel plans... again)
→ "I'm a burden" (when you need help from your partner, employer, friends)
→ "I'm weak" (when you can't just push through like you used to)
→ "I'm broken" (when your body won't cooperate)
→ "I'm doing something wrong" (when nothing seems to work)
Not just symptoms. Shame.
And shame can't heal in silence.
So here's the question:
What if you stopped trying to FIX what's broken and started learning to TEND what's trying to heal?
Continue reading ↓
Why living in a complex body needs more than one perspective
That's why we built a teaching team instead of a solo program.
Michele Renee, DC
Her Story: From 100% disabled with Long COVID to 50% capacity—not through another protocol, but through learning to TEND instead of FIX.
Her Expertise:
Doctor of Chiropractic
Masters in Acupuncture
Functional Medicine Training
20+ years treating complex chronic illness
Director of Integrative Care, Northwestern Health Sciences University
What She Brings to TENDing: The vulnerable truth of what it's actually like to live with chronic illness—and the practices that create healing conditions when there is no cure.
Her Teaching Focus: Body literacy, self-compassion practices, sustainable pacing strategies
The Guide Who's Walked This Path
Karen Lawson, MD
Her Background: Board-certified physician with specialized training in integrative holistic medicine and health coaching.
Her Expertise:
Deep expertise in sustainable behavior change
Integrating of mind/body approaches with practical coaching
Helping people move from passive patients to empowered participants
Creating meaningful, lasting transformation
What She Brings to TENDing: Medical credibility and evidence-based frameworks that help you understand WHAT'S happening in your body and WHY the TENDing approach works.
Her Teaching Focus: Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching & Empowerment
Health Empowerment Specialist
WHY THREE INSTRUCTORS?
You Get the Full Picture
Most programs give you one angle:
❌ "Just retrain your brain" (ignores your body's real signals)
❌ "Here's the perfect protocol" (one-size-fits-all doesn't work)
❌ "It's all nervous system" (dismisses medical complexity)
TENDing Foundations gives you integration:
✓ Lived Experience (Michele) shows you it's possible
✓ Medical Expertise (Karen) helps you understand the science
✓ Nervous System Healing (Brenna) gives you regulation tools
This is the approach
you've been missing.
The Nervous System Specialist
Brenna Erickson, DC
Her Background: Chiropractor specializing in gentle, nervous-system-focused care for chronic conditions.
Her Expertise:
Doctor of Chiropractic
Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT) specialist
Craniosacral therapy
Migraine and chronic pain specialist
Trauma-informed body-based practices
What She Brings to TENDing: Deep understanding of how nervous system dysregulation drives chronic illness—and the somatic practices that restore regulation without forcing or pushing.
Her Teaching Focus: Vagal nerve regulation, somatic practices, trauma-informed body awareness
Whether you are navigating a specific diagnosis or simply a body that feels persistently dysregulated — the complexity is real.
These conditions and experiences often involve multiple systems at once, and a single perspective is rarely enough.
It’s Not Noise. Your Body Is Speaking.
You're exhausted from trying everything.
The supplements. The protocols. The conflicting advice from doctors who don't quite understand.
You've searched desperately for answers, only to find that most approaches feel generic, disconnected from what your body is actually telling you.
Meanwhile, your symptoms shift and change. Your capacity fluctuates wildly. And you're left wondering if anyone truly gets what you're going through.
Here's What Conventional Medicine Misses:
Complex chronic illnesses like Long COVID, Lyme, ME/CFS, MCAS aren't just one thing.
They're multi-system conditions involving:
Nervous system dysregulation (stuck in threat mode)
Immune system confusion (inflammation, autoimmunity)
Gut microbiome disruption
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Viral reactivation patterns
Cookie-cutter protocols can't address this complexity.
That's why you need THREE
expert perspectives working together.
The TENDing Method™:
A Revolutionary Collaborative Approach
How Our Collaborative Teaching Model Works:
📚 WEEK 1: Welcome Home (Michele leads) Understanding your baseline without judgment—from someone who's lived it
Your capacity assessment
The difference between fixing and tending
Shame-resilience foundations
🧠 WEEK 2: Nervous System Roots (Brenna leads) Why your body is stuck in threat mode—and how to regulate it
Vagal nerve science
4 somatic regulation practices
Your early warning signal map
🌿 WEEK 3: The Inflammation Story (Karen leads) Understanding what's happening in your body at a cellular level
Gut-brain-immune connection
Your inflammation trigger map
Anti-inflammatory nutrition (no perfection required)
💚 WEEK 4: Movement & Pacing (All three co-teach) Building capacity without crashing—integrated expertise
Post-exertional malaise prevention
Sustainable movement practices
Energy budgeting strategies
🔍 WEEK 5: Detox & Drainage (Karen + Brenna co-teach) Supporting your body's natural healing systems
Lymphatic system support
Safe detox protocols
Environmental trigger reduction
🌸 WEEK 6: Integration (Michele leads with guest support) Building your personalized lifelong toolkit
Your sustainable daily practice
90-day continuation plan
Community support structures
What Sets the TENDing Method Apart
❌ Other Programs:
Solo instructor with one perspective
Generic one-size-fits-all protocols
Focus on "fixing" or "optimizing"
Disconnected from lived experience
Brain-based approaches that ignore the body
✅ TENDing Foundations:
Three expert perspectives (lived experience + medical + nervous system)
Personalized approach (learn to read YOUR body)
Tending mindset (sustainable, gentle, anti-hustle)
Trauma-informed (shame-resilience built in)
Body-based practices (working WITH your nervous system)
The Deal
Founding Cohort (September 10, 2026): $1,297
(payment plan available)
Next Cohort (January 2026): $1,997
Final Price: $2,997
You save $1,700 by joining founding.
Limited to 12 founding members.
Three instructors teaching collaboratively means we need intimate group size to:
Give personalized attention
Adapt curriculum in real-time
Create safe community container
Actually KNOW each participant
September 2026
(exact date TBC)
Thursdays, 5:30 to 7:00 PM CST
100% Virtual (join from anywhere)
All sessions recorded (accommodating your bad days)
What’s Included
Complete 6-Week Experience
Live Virtual Teaching:
✓ 6 weekly 90-minute Zoom sessions (Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm CST)
✓ Rotating instructors based on weekly focus
✓ All three instructors present for integration weeks
✓ All sessions recorded (lifetime access)
✓ Join from anywhere (your home, your safe space, your couch)
✓ Camera optional (participate at your comfort level)
Resources
✓ Comprehensive digital workbook with all three instructors' expertise
✓ Weekly practice guides
✓ Inflammation trigger tracker
✓ Nervous system regulation toolkit
✓ Personalized capacity assessment
Is the TENDing Method Right for You?
This program is designed for you if:
✓ You are living with chronic illness, chronic pain, or a body that feels persistently dysregulated — with or without a clear diagnosis
✓ You're tired of one-size-fits-all protocols that don't work for YOUR body
✓ You want to learn body literacy and self-management skills, not just follow another protocol
✓ You're ready for vulnerable, imperfect work (this isn't easy, but it's transformative)
✓ You can commit to 90 minutes weekly + daily practice (all sessions recorded)
This might NOT be right for you if:
✗ You want someone to tell you exactly what to do (we teach you to listen to YOUR body)
✗ You're looking for a quick fix or cure (this is lifelong skills, not magic bullets)
✗ You're not ready to address shame and self-compassion (this is core to the work)
The Vulnerable Truth
Dr. Michele speaking:
We don't have it all figured out.
Turning these practices into a collaborative program? Teaching it to 12 people at once with three different voices? Adapting in real-time?
We're nervous.
What if the curriculum doesn't flow perfectly?
What if we miss something important?
What if your needs are different than we anticipated?
That's why it's beta.
That's why we need YOUR feedback.
That's why it's co-creation.
If you need the expert who has it all figured out, wait for Cohort 3 or 4.
But if you're okay with us showing up imperfectly, learning alongside you, and building this TOGETHER?
Welcome. Let's be brave together.
When you join our founding cohort, you're not getting a finished product.
You're co-creating something revolutionary.
Why Founding Matters:
When you join the Founding Cohort, you get:
✓ More access to all three instructors than anyone will ever have again
✓ More personalization (curriculum adapts to YOUR group's needs)
✓ More influence (your feedback shapes future cohorts)
✓ More value ($1,297 vs $2,997 = $1,700 savings)
Join the very first official cohort. Which is perfect if you want responsiveness over rigid structure.
📅 6-Week Virtual Program
September 10 - October 15 2026
Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 PM CST
Join from the comfort of your home
What Changes When You Complete 6 Weeks
Where You Are Now:
The Shame Spiral:
"What did I do wrong?" (self-blame after crashes)
"Why can't I push through?" (comparing to healthy self)
"My body hates me" (disconnection and fear)
The Confusion:
Trying supplement #47 without understanding YOUR body
Following protocols meant for someone else
Feeling isolated and helpless
Where You'll Be:
The Shame-Resilience Shift:
"What does my body need?" replaces "What did I do wrong?"
"I'm honoring my body" replaces "I'm unreliable"
"My body is communicating" replaces "My body hates me"
The Concrete Tools:
✓ 5 nervous system regulation practices you can use when dysregulation hits.
✓ Your personalized inflammation trigger map (know what to avoid)
✓ Shame-resilience toolkit (from "I'm broken" to "I'm learning")
✓ Sustainable daily tending routine (no hustle, no optimization)
✓ Body literacy skills you'll use for the rest of your life
The Both/And Reality:
You'll have tools AND you'll still have hard days.
You'll understand your body AND it will still surprise you.
You'll trust yourself more AND you'll still have questions.
This is the path. It's predictable. It works. It's also imperfect.
The Bigger Shift:
Beyond symptom management and shame resilience, many people find something they were not expecting:
A sense of being at home in their body again
Moments of genuine aliveness — not just okay
The ability to feel pleasure, rest, and meaning without guilt
A relationship with their body built on curiosity, not combat
Healing is not just the absence of illness.
It is the presence of something worth living toward.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A: Live attendance is encouraged for the full experience, but not required. All sessions are recorded and available for 6 months. We understand that chronic illness means some days you simply can't show up—that's exactly why we build in this flexibility.
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A: The entire program is designed for bodies that need flexibility. Rest when you need to. The recordings and materials will be there when you're ready. This is about tending, not pushing through.
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A: No. The TENDing Method is an educational coaching program, not medical treatment. We provide evidence-based information and body-based practices, but we don't diagnose, treat, or prescribe. Always work with your healthcare providers for medical care.
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Can I take TENDing Foundations more than once? A: Yes! Some participants find value in repeating Foundations with a new cohort to deepen their practice. Contact us about returning participant pricing.
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Do you offer payment plans? A: Yes. Payment plans are available for all programs. Details are provided on individual program pages.
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What's your refund policy? A: If after the first session you feel the program isn't right for you, we'll refund your investment in full, no questions asked. After session 2, all sales are final.
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We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.
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have a different chronic condition than the ones listed. Is this still for me? A: If you're living with any chronic health condition that affects your daily life and you're looking for nervous system-based, body-aware practices, TENDing may be right for you. The principles apply across many conditions. Email us if you're unsure: hello@bodyluminary.com
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What's the difference between TENDing Foundations and Advanced TENDing? A: TENDing Foundations (weeks 1-6) teaches the foundational nervous system regulation and body awareness practices. Advanced TENDing (weeks 7-10) goes deeper into mental patterns, grief work, Long COVID/post-viral insights, and creating your sustainable long-term protocol. Foundations is a complete program on its own; Advanced is optional for those who want to continue.
Q: Will there be more cohorts after these? A: Yes! We'll be offering multiple cohorts throughout 2026 and beyond. Join our email list to be notified about new cohort dates and early registration opportunities.
Email Signup Section
H2: Stay Informed About New Cohorts
Body Copy: Get notified when new cohorts open, receive early registration access, and get free resources for living well with chronic illness.
[Email signup form]
Form Fields:
Email address (required)
First name (optional)
What brings you here? [Dropdown: Long COVID, ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Dysautonomia, MCAS, Chronic Migraine, Other chronic condition]
Privacy note: We respect your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.
Final CTA Section
H2: Ready to Start Tending?
Body Copy: Your body has been waiting for you to come home. Choose your cohort and begin your journey.
[Two CTA Buttons]
Primary CTA: Browse Current Cohorts
Secondary CTA: Contact Us With Questions
Additional SEO Elements
Image Alt Text Templates:
For all program images on this page:
"Virtual chronic illness coaching session - TENDing Method"
"Woman practicing nervous system regulation for Long COVID"
"Diverse group in virtual chronic illness support program"
"Person using body awareness practices for fibromyalgia management"
"Compassionate chronic illness coaching community meeting online"
Internal Linking Strategy:
Link to these pages from the programs page:
/about - "Meet our teaching team"
/contact - "Questions? Contact us"
Individual program pages for each cohort
Blog/resources page (if you have one) - "Learn more about chronic illness management"
External Linking (if applicable):
Consider linking to:
Research on polyvagal theory
ME/CFS resources
Long COVID resources
Reputable chronic illness organizations
Schema Markup to Implement:
Course Schema for each program listing
FAQ Schema for the FAQ section
Organization Schema for Body Luminary
Review Schema for testimonials (if you have structured review data)
BreadcrumbList Schema for navigation
Structured Data Example for TENDing Foundations:
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Content Optimization Notes:
Primary Keywords Used:
Chronic illness programs
TENDing Method
Nervous system regulation
Long COVID coaching
Virtual chronic illness support
Body-based practices
Trauma-informed chronic illness care
Secondary Keywords Integrated:
ME/CFS support
Fibromyalgia management
Dysautonomia coaching
MCAS support
Post-viral illness recovery
Chronic migraine program
Polyvagal theory
User Intent Addressed:
Informational: What is the TENDing Method?
Comparison: Which program is right for me?
Transactional: How do I enroll?
Local: Virtual (accessible anywhere)
Would you like me to create the individual program page content next, or refine any section of this programs overview page?
Claude is AI and can make mistakes.
Please double-check responses.
Ready to Begin Tending?
September 2026 (exact date TBC)
Thursdays, 5:30 to 7:00 PM CST
100% Virtual (join from anywhere)
All sessions recorded (accommodating your bad days)
If you're ready to:
Stop feeling helpless
Start becoming an expert in your own body
Learn from three guides who bring different essential perspectives
Do brave, imperfect, shame-resilient work
Your spot is waiting.
Whether you are navigating illness or simply ready to stop settling for okay — this is where the work begins.
Not quite ready?
That's okay. Trust your timing.
Sign up for our email list and we'll keep you updated on:
Future cohort dates
Free resources from all three instructors
Body literacy practices you can start today
Get on the waitlist here: