WHAT IS STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION? Structural Integration is the body of work originally developed by Ida
P. Rolf, Ph.D. Dr. Rolf acquired a Ph. D. in Biochemistry from Columbia
University in 1921. Over the ensuing 50 years or so, she developed the
work that she called Structural Integration, and that her early
followers termed "Rolfing".
Structural Integration is designed to restore a person’s body to its
natural state of alignment in relationship to the constant force of
gravity. Results include improved posture, balance, & movement.
Better organization in the body is achieved by direct manipulation of
connective tissue combined with movement education.
Connective tissue, or fascia, is that protective and supportive layer
that surrounds each muscle and provides a matrix that supports every
tissue in the body. Over time, under the influence of the constant
force of gravity, bodies become less organized, more restricted.
Structural Integration takes into account those compensations that have
accrued over a lifetime, and provides a series of sessions, or
sometimes individual sessions, to return the body to a more natural
state of alignment and ease.
"Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a
sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their
body, others as a constant fatigue, yet others as an unrelentingly
threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age. And yet
all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in
their own structure, as well as others, that it has been ignored: They
are off balance. They are at war with gravity." ~Ida P. Rolf
WHO BENEFITS FROM STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION? Gravity never sleeps. Anyone can develop restrictive, compensatory
patterns in response to the powerful force of gravity that limit some
aspect of life. Over the course of our lives, we accumulate injuries,
accidents and stress from activities of daily life, work, &
athletic pursuits. Anyone who would like to feel more supported, to
move with more ease, fluidity, and grace will benefit from Structural
Integration.
Structural Integration affects the whole person emotionally,
physically and energetically. Bringing the physical body into greater
balance tends to generate a greater sense of well-being. A body that is
integrated in gravity moves with less pain and restriction. Ordinary
activities become more pleasurable, breathing is easier and good
posture requires much less effort. There is a sense of finally being at
home in the body.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Structural Integration practitioners use a range of approaches to
affect the fascia of the body. Using the tools of observation, direct
manipulation and movement education, coupled with active participation
from the patient, change is effected in the fascial matrix. Habitual
patterns of movement can be replaced with more efficient, fluid
movement. Structural Integration practitioners receive training in the
10 -session protocol, originated by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Each session in a
series is based on goal, and each builds on the results of the previous
session to produce lasting change in a person’s structure. Together,
the sessions are designed to integrate structure in relationship to the
field of gravity.