The Third Finger
One of the many anecdotes told about Ida Rolf ends with her calling across the room: “No, it’s under your third finger!” Concerning this peculiar and in several ways remarkable incident, a naive and curious observer will come sooner or later to ask three questions: 1. What was “it” that was under the third finger? […]
Technical Catalogue – I
The techniques are described outside the context of integrating the whole. They must not be used this way but only if properly indicated by that context. They can otherwise introduce disorder into the structure instead of order. M. Obturator Internus in the Side Position The m. obturator internus is often the key structure for the […]
Minisession Number Two
The Minisession consists of seven interventions each of which should not last longer than one minute. Structural Analysis The man has had a basic series of Rolfing (10 sessions), three additional sessions, a series of 5 ?advanced? sessions, and some problem-solving work related to the use of his hands as a musician. He has received […]
Structural Levels at the Pelvis
The hierarchy of structural levels proposed elsewhere (1) consists of – from top to bottom -: intersegmental configuration, intrasegmental configuration, and shape of bones. ?Top? means high complexity, ?bottom? low complexity. It is justified to distinguish levels because the progression from considering single bones to the arrangement of all the segments of the body is […]
On Some Aspects of Folding
Folding is representative for movements where the existing balance is kept unchanged as opposed to locomotive movement. This means that the Line, which passes vertically through the gravity center of the body, remains in its place in space. Therefore the ?line?, the long axis of the body, must bend to make it possible for the […]
The Temporo-Mandibular Joint in the Combined View of a Dentist and a Rolfer
Dentistry and Structural Integration approach the TMJ complex from quite different perspectives: While dentists focus primarily on pathology and the painful symptoms of this special area, Structural Integration considers the TMJ to be one unit which is interrelated by connective tissue components with all other segments of the body. Structural Integration aims for balance of […]
How Can We Know What Works?
Once after a first session of Rolfing I had forgotten to change the numbers from zero to one before taking pictures. When I then looked at the developed pictures I was shocked to find out that I had great difficulties to decide which were the before and which the after pictures. And afterwards I wasn’t […]
Physics for Rolfers
The fundamental new concept which Ida Rolf has introduced in connection with the well-being of human beings is to look at the influence of gravity, the physical weight of the body and its parts. From here she went on to interrelate physical to other factors, from anatomy to physiology to neurology and so on, all […]
Structure and Its Integration: The Possible Meaning of the Terms
Ida Rolf’s most prominent definition of Rolfing is “The Integration of Human Structures”. It is short and concise but nevertheless manages to describe to a surprising extent what Rolfing is about and what it intends. “Structural Integration” is not a very popular name however. Perhaps one reason is the fact that both terms have been […]
Theoretical Aspects and Implications of the Internal/External System
The typology of internal and external structure was first presented by Jan Sultan in the Notes on S.I. 86/1. It has been implemented in the practice of some Rolfers in various forms and has shown to help understanding structure better and therefore formulating goals for working in a structurally more pertinent manner. Its potential has […]