Structural Integration

"We don't need the strength that is the result of effort, we need the strength that is the result of ease."

-Ida Rolf

Click here to hear Carl's podcast on Structural Integration and Feldenkrais

Structural Integration is a ten-session series based on the work and discovery of Dr. Ida Rolf. This system is often referred to as Rolfing, a nickname that developed in the 1960's. Unlike massage, Structural Integration focuses not as much on the muscles, but on the complex web of connective tissue known as fascia. Fascia surrounds all of the muscles, bones, and organs in the body. Over time, with the effects of gravity, posture, or injury, adhesions form in the fascia which restrict the efficient functioning of the muscles, organs and bones. Sometimes the illustration is used of fascia being like the fibers of a sweater--when one part is pulled or gets a run, the whole sweater is affected. Likewise, when there is an adhesion in one part of the fascial system, its effects are experienced throughout the body. In our culture, with the years of sitting in chairs or in front of computers, in cars, or with heavy backpacks in school--our support network of fascia begins to adapt to the shape of its limited use, thus becoming shortened and random, causing our bodies to collapse under the force of gravity. Standing, moving, being in the field of gravity thus requires more muscular effort and energy which can result in (among many other things) the increase in migraines, back and neck pain, and symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. The ten sessions of Structural Integration are designed to invite the fascia back into its natural patterns, thus allowing the muscles to expand into their full range of motion. The structure of an aligned body is actually supported and reinforced by the flow of gravity and thus frees up all of the energy previously required to maintain an unbalanced body in the gravitational field.

I approach this work with the view that whatever that is arising in the body is lawful. Our physiology is an accurate mirror of our history of life experience-all of our activities, thoughts, injures, our values and views of life . Our task is not to change the reflection, but rather to begin to explore with curiosity our embodied experience. What could the way we hold our shoulders, or stand on our feet reveal about our view and experience of the world? What does our breath reflect about our current state of being? As we bring the light awareness to how we do what we do, a natural reorganization occurs that is quite different from a correction. As infants and children we found aligned, balanced posture without giving ourselves mental instructions on how to move or stand-we didn't rely on the postural tips from PT's, yoga teachers, bodyworkers etc, rather we simply were aware in our bodies, and naturally found the easiest, most balanced and efficient ways to move in the world. This same experience is available to us as adults. As Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais often used to say "When you know what you are doing, you can do what you want."

People often wince when they hear of Structural work like it is going through some bodywork bootcamp, which is a reputation that spread as Ida Rolf's work became popular in the 70s. Since then, much of the training in the work has shifted with a recognition that intense pain and contraction in the name of ease and openness doesn't exactly work. I don't believe that deep fascial work and pain are synonymous. In the words of body worker and teacher Hugh Milne, "You can't go too deep, only too fast." My sessions are between 75 and 90 minutes and include movement explorations, and aspects of Functional Integration (The hands on Feldenkrais work) to help integrate and embody the shifts which occur. I think of my touch as listening, and asking questions rather that making statements and demands.

I have also developed a series of 10 Awareness Through Movement lessons for the client to do at home each week between sessions which help to deepen and integrate the learning of each session, and they also serve as a way to revisit and refresh some of the aspects of the 10 sessions after they are complete.

"When the body comes into alignment with gravity, it spontaneously heals itself." - Ida Rolf