The Symbiotic Partnership of Dentistry and Manual Therapeutics
Introduction This article will explore the symbiotic partnership between the dental profession and manual therapeutics. It is intended as an interface for communications with dental professionals. It is meant as a primer for the dentist, as most manual therapist will already be aware of the information contained here. It will focus on the evaluation […]
A Fifty-Year Perspective of Rolfing
I met and started studying with Dr. Rolf in 1968. My perspective now covers forty years. During that time I have witnessed a silent revolution in our collective field of inquiry. What is a human body? What are its possibilities for change? Although these questions are not the headlines in our news, there has been […]
Seven Important Ideas in the Development of Rolfing
That was a great opening act, I must say! I want to acknowledge the love in the house right now; it feels really lovely in here. We are all grateful for the work Valerie Berg has done to make this annual meeting a success. Thank you Valerie. I was just in a workshop with Gail […]
Getting a Handle on the Superficial Fascia
Introduction Ah, the superficial fascia. This thin layer of loose fatty connective tissue underlies the skin and binds it to the structures beneath. This layer also contains the cutaneous vessels and nerves, and is also called the hypodermis, subcutis, or tela subcutanea. While myofascia tends to get most of the press, I have recently been […]
How We Develop as Rolfer’s™ – At Our Schools – Becoming a Rolfer: An Instructor’s Overview, a Student’s Project, and Mentoring
An Instructor’s Overview of Phase II Phase II of the Rolfing Structural Integration (SI) training is entitled “Embodiment of Rolfing and Rolf Movement Integration.” The purpose of the class is to learn at a beginning level about “the Recipe,” theory, touch, therapeutic climate, movement, etc. that make up all that we do in Rolfing SI. […]
Structural Dysfunction: Strain and Release
A premise underlying structural bodywork may need updating because of the growth of many new release modalities within the Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration (SI) and elsewhere. It has long been held that structural bodyworkers primarily release fascial restrictions. But it is likely that muscles can play a key role in the generation and maintenance […]
Pelvic Organization and Psoas Function as Influenced by Inflammation and Pregnancy
In this article I want to facilitate an enhanced awareness of major physiological conditions the body goes through that highly influence the internal and external organisation of pelvic structure and psoas function. Some of the bony and functional dysfunctions are protective patterns associated with organs ranging from kidneys to the ovaries and the prostate. These […]
Healing the Trauma Body
We have all been traumatized, some more than others. Trauma is not special . . . it’s part of the lived experience. During my thirty-two years of clinical experience, I have witnessed that traumatic wounding is at the heart of most human suffering and that everyone in the field of structural integration (SI) needs to […]
Integration Versus Fixing Parts
Anne Hoff: I initially contacted you when there was a discussion on the Rolf Forum LISTSERV about pain issues and solving pain. A lot of the comments were about modalities and techniques, things like releasing nerves. Then you wrote a very articulate post reminding us of the holistic paradigm of our work, and discussing how […]
The Mystery of the Ten-Series Symbols
Author’s note: I am most grateful to Emmett Hutchins, Carol Agneesens, Don Bruce, Jeff Linn, Michael Vilain, and (particularly) Allan Kaplan for all of their efforts and communications to help with this article. When I was studying Rolfing® Structural Integration (SI) in the mid-1990s, students had class t-shirts made with the stick-figure images shown in […]