Chronic Illness Programs: The TENDing Method

Evidence-based nervous system regulation and body-based practices for chronic health conditions

Stop fighting your body. Start tending to it. Our programs teach you sustainable, trauma-informed practices for living well with chronic illness, Long COVID, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, dysautonomia, and other complex conditions.

How TENDing Method Works

The TENDing Method is a comprehensive 10-week program taught in two parts: TENDing Foundations (weeks 1-6) and Advanced TENDing (weeks 7-10, optional). Designed for people living with chronic health conditions, this virtual group coaching program combines nervous system regulation, body awareness practices, and sustainable behavior change strategies.

What Makes TENDing Method Different

Expert Collaborative Teaching Learn from three instructors: Michele (founder with lived chronic illness experience), Dr. Karen Lawson, MD (20+ years behavior change expertise), and Dr. Brenna Erickson, DC (nervous system specialist, the Migraine Whisperer).

Science-Informed, Compassion-Led Grounded in polyvagal theory, trauma-informed care, and integrative medicine—delivered with genuine understanding of what it's like to live in a body that needs extra tending.

Community That Understands Small cohorts (max 12 participants) create genuine connection with others who truly get what you're experiencing. No explanations necessary.

Sustainable, Not Overwhelming Gentle micro-practices designed for real bodies with real limitations. This isn't another exhausting protocol—it's about building practices you can actually maintain.

Current & Upcoming Cohorts

TENDing Foundations BETA

6-Week Foundational Program | Virtual | Beta Pricing

Join our inaugural beta cohort and help shape the future of the TENDing Method. Learn nervous system regulation, body scanning, emotional awareness, and daily tending practices.

Key Details:

  • Start Date: March 31, 2026

  • Schedule: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00 PM CST

  • Duration: 6 weeks

  • Format: Live virtual sessions with recordings

  • Group Size: Limited to 12 participants

  • Investment: $797

What's Included: 

✓ 6 live weekly 90-minute sessions

✓ Complete course materials & practice guides

✓ Private community access

✓ Guided practice recordings

✓ Monthly office hours (3 months)

Advanced TENDing - June 2026

4-Week Expansion | Virtual | Beta Pricing | Weeks 7-10

Short Description: For TENDing Foundations graduates ready to go deeper. Explore beliefs, grief, Long COVID insights, supplement strategies, and create your sustainable path forward.

Prerequisite: Must complete TENDing Foundations

Key Details:

  • Start Date: July 7, 2026

  • Schedule: Tuesday 4:30-6:00 PM

  • Duration: 4 weeks

  • Format: Live virtual sessions with recordings

  • Group Size: Limited to 12 participants

  • Investment: $517 (Standard: $997)

What You'll Explore:

  • Week 7: Thoughts, Beliefs & Identity

  • Week 8: Grief, Loss & Letting Go

  • Week 9: Long COVID & Supplement Strategies

  • Week 10: Your Sustainable Path Forward

Special Focus: Evidence-based information on Long COVID, post-viral illness, ME/CFS, MCAS, dysautonomia, and personalized supplement strategies.

Image Alt Text: "Virtual group coaching session for chronic illness support"

TENDing Foundations - May 2026

6-Week Foundational Program | Virtual | Reduced Pricing

The first official cohort following our successful beta. Get the refined curriculum at founding member pricing—save $1,700 off the standard rate.

Key Details:

  • Start Date: May 12, 2026

  • Schedule: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 PM CST

  • Duration: 6 weeks

  • Format: Live virtual sessions with recordings

  • Group Size: Limited to 12 participants

  • Investment: $1,297 (Standard: $2,997)

What You'll Learn:

  • Week 1: Welcome Home - Creating nervous system safety

  • Week 2: Understanding Your Nervous System

  • Week 3: The Body Scan Practice

  • Week 4: Befriending Your Emotions

  • Week 5: Daily Tending Practices

  • Week 6: Integration & Your Path Forward

TENDing Foundations - June 2026

6-Week Foundational Program | Virtual | Reduced

Short Description: Summer cohort of TENDing Foundations. Learn the foundational practices for nervous system regulation, body awareness, and sustainable self-care.

Key Details:

  • Start Date: September 8, 2026

  • Schedule: Tuesday 4:30-6:00 PM

  • Duration: 6 weeks

  • Format: Live virtual sessions with recordings

  • Group Size: Limited to 12 participants

  • Investment: $1,797 (a savings of $1200 off the future rate!)

Image Alt Text: "Virtual group coaching session for chronic illness support"

TENDing Programs Are Designed For

People living with:

  • Long COVID and post-viral illness

  • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Dysautonomia and POTS

  • Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

  • Chronic Lyme disease

  • Autoimmune conditions

  • Chronic migraine and headache disorders

  • Other complex, multi-system chronic health conditions

You'll benefit from TENDing if you:

  • Are tired of protocols that promise quick fixes but leave you more depleted

  • Want to understand your nervous system and how it affects your symptoms

  • Need sustainable practices that fit into real life (not 47-step morning routines)

  • Crave community with people who truly understand chronic illness

  • Are ready to stop fighting your body and start listening to it

  • Want trauma-informed, compassionate guidance from experienced practitioners

This is NOT for you if:

  • You're looking for a cure or quick fix

  • You're not ready to engage with body-based practices

  • You prefer one-on-one coaching only (these are group programs)

  • You're seeking medical diagnosis or treatment (this is educational coaching, not medical care)

Meet Your Teaching Team

TENDing programs are taught by a collaborative team of three instructors, each bringing unique expertise to create a comprehensive approach to chronic illness management.

Michele Renee, DC, MAc

Founder & Lead Instructor Creator of the TENDing Method

Karen Lawson, MD, DABIHM, NBC-HWC

Co-Instructor & Health Empowerment Specialist 20+ years behavior change expertise
Co-Developer & Nervous System Specialist The Migraine Whisperer

Brenna Erickson, DC

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Do you offer payment plans? A: Yes. Payment plans are available for all programs. Details are provided on individual program pages.

  • 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.

  • We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

  • 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

  • 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:

    1. Course Schema for each program listing

    2. FAQ Schema for the FAQ section

    3. Organization Schema for Body Luminary

    4. Review Schema for testimonials (if you have structured review data)

    5. BreadcrumbList Schema for navigation

    Structured Data Example for TENDing Foundations:

    json

    { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Course", "name": "TENDing Foundations", "description": "6-week nervous system-based program for chronic illness featuring body awareness, regulation practices, and sustainable self-care strategies", "provider": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Body Luminary", "sameAs": "https://www.bodyluminary.com" }, "instructor": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michele [Last Name]" }, { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Karen Lawson" }, { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Brenna Erickson" } ], "hasCourseInstance": { "@type": "CourseInstance", "courseMode": "online", "duration": "P6W", "startDate": "2026-04-03" }, "offers": { "@type": "Offer", "price": "1297", "priceCurrency": "USD" } }

    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 Start Tending?

Your body has been waiting for you to come home. Choose your cohort and begin your journey.

Questions before getting started?

Contact us