ABSTRACT This issue of Structure, Function, Integration casts a spotlight on the appendicular skeleton – the shoulder girdle and arms, the pelvic girdle and legs, along with their associated tissues. We have invited Russell Stolzoff to speak on this important topic and, in particular, how he relates the appendicular skeleton to the overall concept of integration.

ABSTRACT This issue of Structure, Function, Integration casts a spotlight on the appendicular skeleton – the shoulder girdle and arms, the pelvic girdle and legs, along with their associated tissues. We have invited Russell Stolzoff to speak on this important topic and, in particular, how he relates the appendicular skeleton to the overall concept of integration.

ABSTRACT This conversation between two Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® (DIRI) faculty members focus on the path Pierpaola Volpones has traveled to becoming a Rolf Movement® Practitioner, a Rolfer®, a Basic Rolfing Instructor, and recently an Advanced Rolfing Instructor.

ABSTRACT For this issue, some of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® (DIRI) faculty members share: their approach to working with hands and arms, when they encountered DIRI training regarding hands and arms, and the evolution of how they currently approach teaching hand and arm territory in the classroom.

Question: I have noticed that some of my clients seem to have a primary pattern involving an over-activated nervous system. Their problem seems to be systemic rather than local. There is a high level of tone throughout the body, with all their muscles tight and holding. We have lots of techniques for releasing restricted fascia and joints, but what is the best approach to help relax an amped-up nervous system?

I have a lot of clients who exhibit a valgus leg pattern. How much of this problem is typically due to the genetic structure and bony alignment, and how much is due to myofascial imbalance and faulty movement patterns? Are women, who naturally have wider hips than men, more predisposed to problems of this type? What are the general considerations and goals in working with these clients to help them achieve better structure and balance?

Question: Could you discuss your thoughts regarding the different approaches and techniques you use for working with the psoas muscle, and its importance in our work?