Rolfing SI in Its Relation to Osteopathy, Especially the Lineage of Visceral Manipulation Developed by JeanPierre Barral
In osteopathy the main aim is to find and release the “primary lesion” within an organism. This primary lesion is determined by the practitioner using a series of diagnostic tools with the aim of getting as specific as possible. Some of these diagnostic methods are: arcing, local listening, general listening and Manual Thermal Diagnosis followed […]
The Schumann Syndrome
I am not sure when I first told my friend Hal about a favorite musical quote, but I suspect it was several decades ago. This lifelong friend is an exceptional jazz musician and teacher who unapologetically detests all critics as talentless parasites. Therefore, he had wanted to use this infamous vulgarism in his recent jazz […]
Boulder… and Beyond
Editor’s Note: In this issue we profile two Rolfing practitioners in Boulder, Colorado, which presumably holds the record for practitioner density per square mile. Interestingly, both of our subjects also have traveling practices. A key difference is career stage – sone has been in practice for many years, the other is relatively new. As I […]
A Lecture from the April 2008 Advanced Rolfing Training
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 […]
From Private Practice to Business Practice: Developing Brand You
Editor’s Note: With this issue we are introducing a new column on practice building, which we consider an especially relevant topic at this point in time. We welcome guest writers: a diversity of background and experience, ranging from more experienced Rolfers with thriving practices to those just starting out, will serve well. What has worked […]
Is Embryology Relevant for Rolfing?
Note on the vignettes heading the text sections: Blechschmidt identified and depicted a set of “late metabolic fields” that signify biophysical forces. The employed stick figures illustrate these forces. They are actively involved in organizing the change of position, shape and structure of (biochemical) metabolic fields. They represent specific kinetics of ontogenetic developmental movements. <img […]
A Dialogue Between Two Rolfers
Tom West: The good folks of the Rolf Institute have asked us to dialogue concerning a father and daughter both becoming Rolfers. I can say at the very beginning how proud I was when my daughter decided to move in this direction. But first of all, let me say a few words about my getting […]
SI Psoas Intervention Considered in Terms of Normal Stability Response for Hip and Trunk Flexion
The psoas muscle topic highlights important differences between structural integration (SI) practice and allopathic approaches to musculoskeletal symptoms and dysfunction. Ida Rolf’s SI approach restores system coordination integrity rather than claiming to cure disease or organ, nerve, or muscle pathology. Out-of-balance psoas function is part of a motor control pattern. Psoas issues are part of […]
The Arches of the Feet, Part 2
The feet are part of a living system and, as such, play a role in both cause and effect in the orchestra of the whole body. As, on one hand, they determine much of what happens in the body above them, they are also determined in many ways by the more skywardly-placed parts of the […]
Why I Got Foot Surgery
Introduction In this article, I describe hallux rigidus and functional hallux limitus from a clinical perspective, as well as from my own experience with the condition, and my recent surgery and postoperative regimen for recovery. My wish is to educate practitioners so that they can potentially recognize budding symptoms in clients and address underlying […]