Dr. Ida P. Rolf, for whom the process is named, developed the work in the 1940's and 50's after training as an Osteopath. Dr. Rolf was a genius pioneer in bodywork, or Somatic Manipulation. She observed that chasing symptoms around the body was not effective. We can begin with what it is not, it is not chiropractic. Often with chiropractic an adjustment feels better for a day or two, but begins going back to the way it was before. That is because myofascia is stronger than the bone and is part of a preexisting strain pattern that needs attention as well.  

The Work is not Osteopathy. It is not Massage, Deep tissue or Craniosacral Therapy.  Dr. Rolf developed a series and sequence of personalized sessions of connective tissue manipulation, somatic education, and alignment, balancing the body in the field of gravity. She observed that we have never been aligned with the invisible influence of gravity. Changing how one is in stillness and motion affects the entire system. Look around sometime and notice how often people stand on one leg or the other, or lean on something to find support for the body. People often have a hard time finding support within the body in order to stand up, it’s what sets us apart from all of the other critters. Over time people seek outside support to keep us upright, which isn’t upright at all. Most bodies are more organized over one leg than the other, which puts strain on the leg, pelvis, spine and neck. It is a chain reaction with unconscious consequences.  

The intention of the Series, or any session, is structural integrity by centering and aligning the body from the inside out. Centering touches all aspects of how one breathes, moves and lives. We live in a world out of balance, and now is a good time to move toward greater balance, which can lead to greater vitality. An integrated body is responsive to the demands we make upon it. When it is at rest it rests more deeply and fully by diffusing cumulative static electricity that builds up over time to become chronic strain. 

Dr. Rolf observed the body loses structural integrity and balance by collapsing laterally, falling away from center, diminishing the spine's ability to distribute weight top to bottom. Gravity exaggerates and exacerbates structural collapse over time. The pull away from center starts to tug on and put strain on organ systems stressing function. Falling out of balance begins slowly, becoming more apparent over time. The classic image of older people is of a body with the head out front, thorax behind, pelvis forward and legs straining to hold up that architecture. That requires a lot of energy as the body's major segments are not in alignment with one another. Consider your significant other, or anyone you know well, their posture is their signature. You can recognize them a block away and if you’re observant you can tell what kind of a day they're having. The intention of the Basic Series is to bring the body into greater alignment with gravity and self. 

An In Depth Look At

Rolf Structural Integration

The Body Tells a Story

It is a keeper of secrets, trauma, pain, and more. Aside from injuries, falls and the like, the body holds on to its relationship to events in personal history. It is a three-dimensional memory matrix we tend to cover over with a shell, a mask, a smiling face. Life can be hard. Buddha said life is suffering. Suffering is nearly universal; some believe it starts with birth trauma. All of these things affect the quality of life. I tell my students it can be harder to recover from a broken heart than a broken ankle. Broken dreams can also influence posture, structure and function. Personal history is written in connective tissues, it is the piezo-electric tensional fabric holding the living matrix together. Our issues are in the tissues. Dr. Rolf saw the body as a plastic medium, meaning it can change posturally, structurally and functionally, these are interrelated. This is part of Dr. Rolf’s gift to humanity, that body and being are related and can change. Changing posture changes perception, how one sees oneself, how one sees the world, and how one fits into it at any age. Any body can benefit from expanded conscious awareness of how they move through life. Every body can benefit from S.I.

The Basic Series

The beauty, elegance and genius of the Basic Series is how it works front to back, side to side, top to bottom and outside to inside sequentially bringing the body into a center and alignment it has never experienced before. This stimulates mind and body. Because it is an experience, S.I. is difficult to describe and even harder define, It has a fluid quality about it just as the integrated body does. Part of the intention of the work is to rehydrate desiccated adhered tissues that hold the body in a random pattern of structural disorganization. Releasing adhesions and lesions that have become chronic and therefore unconscious has great benefits. One of my clients, a Dr. of Psychology, said, ”If I’m not all of my aches and pains, who am I?” Good question, which brings us to the deeper potential of moving into and through life differently. Releasing stuck patterns allows people freedom of choice to pursue and actualize their dream, as well as freedom to dream anew.  

 Everyone gets something different out of the work and each person needs to hear about the work in a personal way. Every occupation has potential hazards and stress injuries from repetitive use of activities we weren’t designed for. Easing chronic strain makes living more enjoyable. Ease of movement, diminished strain and feeling more balanced speaks to all aspects of the human condition. Dr. Rolf thought almost any condition can benefit from the Basic Series, and my experience is that that is true. Living conscious awareness centered and aligned in resonant balance inside and out is an initiation into integration.  The work is about relationships, you feel more connected and supported by the Earth. An improved base of support allows you to feel more stable on your feet and the legs feel more connected to the feet, ground, pelvis and torso. The body feels more connected to itself, supported from the inside out. A self-supporting body is a different experience than one continually at the effect of gravity. The living matrix feels less compressed in its systems and functions. An integrated body balances the cranium atop the cervical spine which is supported by the thoracic, lumbar spine, pelvis, legs and feet. It feels more connected to itself and functions better. There is an awakening process within this series, waking up in the body, new qualities of sensation. The body feels more at ease with itself. Connectivity allows the body to extend in into the field of gravity rather than feeling compressed. I have often heard clients say, “I feel more like me!" 

 After completing the Basic Series, you will have awareness and tools with which to walk in balance and know when you are falling out of balance, perhaps falling into old unconscious patterns. Being more aware, and aware differently the processing invites greater awareness and the body enjoys the attention. One can hear the body's messages and messaging more clearly, perhaps for the first time. One finds support and connection from within. The body has a  wisdom different than the brain, and the body and brain can get out of sync. Usually, the body winds up serving the left brain overruling the intelligence of the heart. A communing mind-body is a new experience with the body and mind resonating. The Basic Series can be a step in that direction as Rolfees move toward 'rolf-ease' in an aligned integrated structure.