We believe the evening came off as well as it did because it was a team effort, and we are commenting on the procedure in case someone else wants to use it. Keith started out with a semi-formal rap, Peter analyzed the model and did the processing, local practitioners fielded questions during and after the main event. This varied format kept the load from falling on the shoulders of any one person and seemed to stimulate an already lively and alert audience.
We got some really intelligent questions. Some people who attend lectures like to be entertained as well as instructed, and a very small amount of extra effort will do it. We found it possible to be relaxed, interesting and amusing without making a big production of it or losing “professional dignity.”

We spent some time together before the presentation to get tuned into each other and establish a wavelength on which to work. We had already made a fairly complete checklist of the props we needed such as; projector, slides, extension cords, camera, film, lights and lists of local practitioners to hand out. The model came early for the purpose of getting the before photos out of the way. (We used #146 L Polaroid film because we had a projector to handle it, however, opaque projectors are usually available through local school, library, church or, as a last resort, can be rented from a camera store. Regular Polaroid prints taped to white cardboard work fine. You can use the illustrations from books and other flat material as well, so a whole presentation can be built around this projector.) The effectiveness of before and after photographs is well worth the effort.

The evening started with a relaxed discussion for about fifteen minutes, which established the tone and language level for the rest of the evening. It covered:

– a little theory on the body considered as a whole system.

– some description of bones, muscles and fascia and the parts they play.

– comments on the person as a structure within the field of gravity.

– stacked blocks, XYZ lines, “ideal” posture from the point of view of Structural Integration, and the results in economy and use of energy.

– discussion of aberrations and how they typically come about.

– description of some typical postures in random bodies ( with attention to Individual difference) and comment on the body as a person’s history.

Then we guided a little experiential trip for the audience:

– without changing anything, become aware of how you are sitting, how your weight is distributed, what is holding you up, how your breathing is working.

– take your shoes off, stand, become aware of how your feet contact the ground, how your weight is distributed on them, what is happening in calves, pelvis, lower back, breathing.

– now, work with the person next to you. In their natural posture, tell them where they are off the vertical line, what you observe about the relationships of the large blocks of the body. Now attempt to help your partner to get into a posture more nearly consistent with the verticle line. See how this feels, how long you can comfortably hold it.

This whole process is simple and very effective, both for getting people into touch with themselves and establishing a sympathetic atmosphere for our propositions.

Keith spoke about the rolfing process in more detail, is: cost, number of sessions, who may benefit, some about pain, and how it may be bandied. We used some of Ida’s slides, when appropriate, to emphasize the comments. Peter then did a brief analysis of the model’s structure, from the projected slides and then “in vivo”.

While the actual processing was going on, Keith make occasional observations on some of the more obvious changes.

A few questions from the floor were entertained, while those requiring complex or lengthy answers were deferred. Some of the local practitioners, Peter Levine in particular, handled some of the questions. You need a fairly careful balance so the audience does not become restless yet attention is not drawn away from the processing by too much talk. Peter was pleased to be able to devote full attention to the model. At the conclusion of the processing, Peter talked briefly about some of the visible changes in the model and then whisked him off stage for the “after” photos. While the pictures were being taken and mounted, (forgetting the scotch tape can be deadly) Keith continued speaking about:

– results of processing, permanence, why extra sessions beyond the basic ten, Structural Patterning and who practises same, research which has been done and will (hopefully) be done, his own personal experience of changes from the rolling process. (We attempted to avoid ail therapeutic claims and limit reports of changes in structure to comments on personal experience and what was immediately visible.)

Then answers to, and skillful avoidance of, diverse questions on the personal history of Ida P. half, the Guild for Structural Integration, classes, how to find your local practitioner, etc.

By now, after a good deal of mattering, Peter had returned with both model and “after” slides. We asked for comments from the modal (someone asked if he had been coached he said no), then invited the audience to come up with their remaining questions to the stage and surrounding environs and rap with us and the local practitioners in small groups.

And so … the evening ended with the custodian throwings all cut so he could clean the place up. We all went off to Tommy’s Joint for a couple of pitchers of beer.Lecture – Demonstration