Original Ida Rolf method of Structural Integration
What is Structural Integration?
Structural Integration is a form of body work and movement education pioneered from the work of Dr. Ida Rolf. She called it ‘structural integration’, which is a process of realigning the body through soft tissue manipulation. Structural Integration works with the body in gravity and how it is affected by gravity. If the body is misaligned in gravity, the result is strain. Our day to day lives are impacted by gravity, stress, injuries and poor posture patterns. These factors affect our bodies' alignment and balance. This can be perceived as a loss of energy, decreased flexibility, back pain, headaches and general aches and pains. Balancing the body through Structural Integration enables us to function more efficiently. When the body becomes balanced, less energy is expended to support body. People who receive Structural Integration often feel lighter, fluidity of motion, increased breathing capacity, more energy and elimination of chronic pain.
How does Structural Integration work?
Fascia or connective tissue surrounds joints, muscle, and bone. It gives shape and strength to our body. Fascia typically becomes harder or shorter in areas due to repeated patterns of use such as walking, sitting, standing as well as emotional patterns. Healthy fascia moves smoothly permitting structures to slide over one another. Injury, poor posture or emotional stress will typically cause layers to adhere together and become glued or stuck. This gluing causes the body to work a lot harder to accomplish normal function. Structural Integration works to release these patterns of holding and helps restore movement and alignment.
Who benefits from Structural Integration?
Anybody!
People come receive Structural Integration for many different reasons. Some seek relief from chronic pain and stiffness while others want better performance in sports, yoga, or dance. Some might seek more flexibility, mobility and a better awareness and presence in the body. Some might find an emotional process and a personal growth potential.
Structural Integration is usually done in a series of ten structured sessions in which the major segments of the body are addressed progressively. This is often called a ten series. Sessions are usually a week or two apart and each session is about one and a half hours. Each session has specific goals and each session builds upon the results of the last session. This creates a cumulative effect as the entire body is addressed progressively. Follow up work may consist of occasional tune up sessions.
When our bodies are out of alignment from injury or repetitive activity or from gravity pulling down into poor posture, we are forced to compensate for this loss of balance. These compensatory patterns bring us into chronic pain patterns and restriction. By creating length and reorganizing the soft tissue Structural Integration restores balance in the body and allows it to work more freely and efficiently.
Will Massey practices the Ida Rolf method of Structural Integration in Chattanooga TN. Will Massey is certified by the Guild for Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado. He is a licensed bodywork therapist. Will has a BS in Anthropology with a minor in Psychology from Appalachian State University.
