Core Balance
INTRODUCTION The essence of Structural Integration is the dynamic tonal balance between the surface of the body and the body’s core. The nature and location of “Core,” however, has long been debated among Structural Integrators. This article explores several avenues of thought about Core and synthesizes them into a practical whole, citing research that is […]
An Ancient Method of Rowing
[Fonte: Structural Integration – February 2003] At this point, two questions are of interest to us. Firstly, did the Egyptians have certain typical postural and movement patterns? Secondly, were these patterns identical with those found in their art? A Master’s Thesis that was written in 1978 deals with ancient Egyptian rowing style. This piece, written […]
Flat Feet
Deborah Weidhaas You must get the navicular to lift up. Many times, I need to: 1) mobilize the cuboid (give it “wiggle room”) enough to ease its fixation from the flat foot pattern; and 2) work through the metatarsal tissues if they have gotten dense over years of use with a fallen navicular. The navicular […]
Ida Rolf on Sutherland and Swedenborg
“…they would not admit me to a class because I wasn’t an Osteopath. Well, you all know me. I rented myself out as a secretary (laughter), so I got my first observation and information about what goes on in the head through that trip. Now I am not belittling Cranio-Osteopathy. It was a very great […]
The Melodies of the Tides
The idea for this article slowly emerged during a class in Energetic Osteopathy taught by Tom Shaver, D.O.’ During the class, Shaver used musical terminology (tone and frequency) to describe the osteopathic “tides” and suggested obliquely that they have an inherent melodic quality. These observations precipitated a tsunami of questions, some of which he later […]
The Core of the Matter
The concept of “core and sleeve” is central to the Rolfian paradigm of bodywork. Their abstract nature makes them useful descriptive terms for understanding structure in space. These concepts speak clearly to our intuition about the physical body’s relationship to threedimensional reality and are undeniably a part of the rich oral tradition left by Dr.Rolf. […]
Volunteer
The immediate aftermath of the “bombing” of the World Trade Center was less dramatic and yet more profound. Where there had been two columns of lights at night from my window, now there was darkness and emptiness. This was eventually replaced by a huge pink cloud covering the south of Manhattan, fighter jets, helicopters with […]
An Interview with Judith Aston, Part II
JA: My relationship with Dr. Rolf was very complex on the heart level; I loved her very much, not only as a mentor, but as a family member. I really cared for her a lot. She had me assist quite a few of her classes, in ’70, ’71, ’72. Between or during class breaks I […]
Effect of Structural Integration on Running: A Case Study
INTRODUCTION Many people report after a session of Structural Integration that they feel lighter, and that movement is easier. In my experience, when I ask “What do you notice?” without prompting, they often choose the same words: “I feel lighter” or “I feel taller.” This sense of ease has been investigated in several ways. I […]
The DFA Movement
Some people will remember Annie Duggan and Janie French teaching al the Rolf Institute® as Movement Instructors in the 1980’s. The movement work of that time was designed to help the clients take advantage of, inhabit, and fully utilize their newly “Rolfed” bodies. Annie and Janie explored movement patterns with their clients by helping them […]