WHAT IS
STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION?
Structural Integration is based upon the teachings & work
of a brilliant woman, Ida Rolf. This bodywork is structured around the belief that gravity will “lift
up” an aligned, comfortable body and continually compress an injured, misaligned body. The innate
intelligence we have within our bodies tries continually to offer strength and support for gravity’s compression by
building-up the connective tissue matrix. Connective tissue (or fascia) is a very strong, though pliable
web that covers every fiber of muscle, every bone, every vascular and lymphatic vessel, and each organ of our bodies.
This fascial web intertwines everything within us. Our efforts in the work of the Ida Rolf Method
of Structural Integration focus on lengthening and rehydrating shortened, compressed, adhesive connective tissue to allow
for fluidity (rather than gluing) and resiliency (rather than inflexible, inefficient “strength”).
Our bodies then become more organized and relaxed, allowing for much better movement capability and healing.
The athlete, physically hardworking person, those that sit in a static position at a desk or in a vehicle most days,
injured or not, ANYONE feeling just plain “tired” and lacking energy can benefit from this work!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION is first, a series of 10 “basic
sessions” that emphasizes balance, education and release of a client’s physical patterns; structurally and in
movement. After a session of Structural Integration, people (in amazement) often report feeling “lighter.”
Sessions include the actual bodywork, both obtaining information from and conveying focus to the client regarding the
work, as well as offering movement awareness for continuance of integration between sessions. Each session
involves treatment of fascial tissue. The timing of receiving each session is up to the client though regularity
is important be it weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
When
this Basic Ten Series is completed, a period of time is allowed for integration in the body. Following
this time, clients often return for more advanced work, dealing again with balance, movement and awareness. Each
session (whether basic or advanced) is part of a progression in releasing myofascial restrictions that disallow comfort in
the client’s body.
THE
BASIC TEN SERIES
is referred to as Ida Rolf’s “Recipe.”
Each session may be a bit different from one client to the next, depending on particular needs though there is a format or
intention for the efforts in each session. The First Hour lengthens and relaxes the overworked flexor muscles
in the front of the body offering an increase in vital capacity and breath. Session Two works feet and
calves, providing better support for the body as well as lengthening the back. In general, the work in
#1 and #2 attempt to balance the front (flexor muscles) with the back (the extensors). Third Hour lengthens
the sides, giving vertical strength and support from ankles to ears. Sessions 4, 5, 6 and 7 are the deeper
sessions and require full commitment from the client to complete the series. #4 lengthens the interior
thigh and begins working with deeper structures associated with the pelvis, #5 works with the abdominal muscles and upper
body, lifting the chest and diaphragm, creating comfort and length above the pelvis. #6 entails “freeing”
the sacrum from the pelvis by treating the myofascial network holding it in place allowing the sacrum to be in its proper
place at the base of the spine rather than tied-to the legs and pelvic girdle. #7 completes the core lift
of prior sessions and frees the cranium and neck from shoulder and arm activity allowing the head to be freer-floating rather
than compressed-into the chest and back. Sessions #8, #9 and #10 integrate all of the changes that have
occurred through the client’s body during the prior 7 sessions, bringing buoyancy to the tissue, requiring less effort
for the client to move and participate fully in life.
