FlexAware & the Future of Movement: Steven Shafarman on Healing Through Awareness

In this powerful episode of Resilience Redefined, host Michael Ostrolenk sits down with Steven Shafarman, creator of FlexAware®, to explore a radical new approach to health, movement, and healing.

Inspired by the Feldenkrais Method, Steven has spent decades developing FlexAware—a system that helps people of all ages move more freely, breathe more fully, and live more vibrantly. He challenges conventional fitness norms that isolate muscles and often cause injury, advocating instead for natural, integrated, full-body awareness—like the kind children intuitively express.

The conversation dives deep into:

• Why most fitness routines miss the mark

• How FlexAware supports emotional and physical healing

• What we can learn from somatic psychology

• The real impact of shoes on body mechanics

• Insights from Steven’s upcoming book, Outgrow Back Pain

Whether you’re an athlete, trainer, therapist, or simply someone looking to move and feel better, this episode will challenge what you think you know about movement and introduce you to a liberating new path.

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If you want to find more of Steven's work, connect with him on LinkedIn and check out his books!

00:00 Introduction to Steven Shafarman and His Work

01:02 The Paradigm Shift in Health and Fitness

01:22 Feldenkrais Method and Its Evolution

03:25 Introduction to Flex Aware

09:41 Challenges and Setbacks

10:46 Outgrow Back Pain: The New Book

12:17 The Importance of Breathing and Movement

13:40 Flex Aware Practices and Benefits

16:55 Engaging the Whole Body

18:36 Somatic Psychology and Emotional Benefits

19:47 Flex Aware for Athletes and Trainers

21:19 The Role of Shoes in Movement

23:13 Flex Aware for Everyone

26:45 Conclusion and Contact Information