Editor’s Note: The following is a transcription of a morning lecture by Michael Salveson during the April 2008 Advanced Rolfing Training in Berkeley, California. Several recurrent themes from the training are covered in this talk, giving the reader an idea of what is currently being addressed in the training. Thanks to Michael for his permission to publish this text. In a few instances, minor changes were made to improve readability. Transcribed and edited by Craig Ellis, Certified Rolfer with additional editing by Georgette Delvaux D.C., Certified Advanced Rolfer.

The Advanced Class is one place where Rolfers can participate in a rigorous, community-wide dialogue about creative developments in our work. As creativity in Rolfing® occurs at all levels of the work (as we absorb the rapidly expanding body of knowledge in the field of Soma tics), it is useful to have such a designated place, where this new knowledge can be discussed, evaluated and demonstrated, toward the responsible integration of new knowledge into our clinical practice. To support this dialogue, the Advanced Faculty will sponsor a column in the next four issues of the Journal devoted to recent developments in the Advanced Class curriculum, reports on recent Advanced Classes and discussions of challenging, creative advances in the work. This first column will feature Michael Salveson’s comments regarding the value of the Advanced Class, to be followed in the next issue by comments from Jeff Maitland. We invite your participation by submitting letters to the Journal with opinions, comments and testimonials regarding the Advanced Class and the continuing inquiry into the creative edges of our work.

Moderators:Michael Salveson, Peter Levine, Jeffrey Maitland, Peter Schwind, Jan Sultan