A Holistic View of the Upper Limb
By Ellen Freed, Basic Rolfing® Instructor and Rolf Movement® Practitioner and Tessy Brungardt, Basic and Advanced Rolfing Instructor and Rolf Movement Practitioner Introduction On a Zoom call recently, I interviewed Tessy Brungardt about the arms, the hands, and the shoulder girdle. After witnessing Tessy work for many years, I can categorically say that her words […]
Letter from the Embryo
By Konrad Obermeier, Basic Rolfing® Instructor ABSTRACT Structure is a dynamic, developmental movement. An embryological perspective can contribute to our understanding of structure and can provide us with insights into the practical work of structural integration. Development and differentiation follow lawful principals and what is described in the brief article below in respect to the organization […]
Fascia Insights
ABSTRACT The ubiquitous network of fascial tissues in the human body is usually regarded as a passive contributor to musculoskeletal dynamics. This review aims to highlight the current understanding of fascial stiffness regulation. Notably the ability for active cellular contraction which may augment the stiffness of fascial tissues and thereby contribute to musculoskeletal dynamics. A […]
Ask the Faculty
Ask the Faculty Hands and Arms in Rolfing® SI 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 […]
Deconstruting ‘Dynamic Process Integrity’
ABSTRACT The article examines and offers commentary on Dr. Rolf’s 1954 essay “Dynamic Process Integrity: Introducing Postural Integration,” noting that this may be Rolf’s first writing on what later became known as Rolfing® Structural Integration. Significantly, the author notes that Rolf viewed her work as both structural and movement work. Editor’s Note: This article […]
Dynamic Process Integrity
ABSTRACT This early essay, prepared in advance of a 1954 class for chiropractors and osteopaths, shows Ida Rolf’s early thinking on the theory and principles of what later came to be known as Rolfing® Structural Integration Editor’s Note: We have made minor edits for clarity. Modern workers, struggling to find that physiological balance called […]
The Mystery of Felix Kersten and His Pioneering Work on Nerves and Arteries
Some time ago, you mentioned to me some old books you found discussing a way of working with nerves and arteries that was not in the osteopathic tradition. Can you tell us about this? Mathias Avigdor: Felix Kersten was the author’s name. Ever heard of him? AH: No, never. MA: Intrigued about him and about […]
Working with Nerves and the Cold Laser
Editor’s Note: this interview was conducted in spring 2018. Anne Hoff: James, I first met you in a class Jon Martine was teaching on nerve work, and you were already pretty deeply into it. Would you share your story of how you got interested in this and decided it was an important […]
Neural Strain Patterns Associated with Low-Back Pain and Pelvic Asymmetry
ABSTRACT The author discusses an approach to low-back pain and pelvic asymmetry that looks at nerve tethering as the pain generator. He discusses a manual approach to repositioning nerves and fascia to release nerve tension. Most clinical approaches to low-back pain focus on the condition of the intervertebral discs and impingement of spinal nerve […]
Nerves, Arteries, and Veins in SI
ABSTRACT In this encyclopedic article, Jeffrey Burch discusses nerves, arteries, and veins with consideration to tissues, fibrosity, the impact of fibrosity on structure, and appropriate treatment (including both cautions and illustrative examples). Introduction This article discusses the structural roles of nerves and blood vessels in our bodies; how they function well within our […]