Minisession Number One
The minisession consists of seven interventions each of which should not last much longer than one minute. Zero The model has had one session about a year ago. His structure is characterized by the collapse and compression of the lower lumbar area with a consequent loss of tone of the quadrati. These have dropped out […]
Normal Function – I
The premise of Structural Integration as a normative system is economy of function. It starts out from the question: “what movement and posture is most economical?” It shares this premise with several other disciplines. But in contrast to those which deal with the question on the same level – that of function – Structural Integration […]
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 […]
The Line, the Midline, the Postural Curve and Problems of Stance
Ida Rolf’s discovery of gravity as the major physical factor determining the shape of the body, its structure, culminates in the extremely simple block model. It demonstrates that the alignment of all segmental gravity centers, which should optimally be vertical, is the most succinct indicator for the degree of integrity or its lack in a […]
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 […]
Technical Catalogue – V
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. Standard Torsion of the Right Lower Leg Not much is known yet about the configuration of the fascial […]
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 […]
The Influence of Gravity, Normal Force and Anatomy on the Shape of the Body Lying on a Surface
If a person lies on a surface, gravity and normal force naturally continue to act on his or her body. “To take somebody out of gravity” would demand a missile, not a bed. But gravity and normal force affect the form of the body in a different way than in standing because the blocks are […]
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 […]
Seven Elements of Touch
There are probably good arguments for the view that “touch” is altogether impossible to describe. A frequent one takes the position that the quality of touch, whatever that may be, is wholly a matter of intuition and experience. But the predominance of touch in practice and because it is the medium through which professional knowledge […]