What is Structural Integration (SI) (Dr. Ida Rolf Method)
Do you feel that you’re flowing freely through your body or that you’re dragging your body around with you? Are you in chronic pain?
Creating Balance From Your Feet to Your Head: Structural Integration (SI) is an educational process of understanding the relationship between gravity and the human body. It is a systemic approach to relaxing the patterns of stress and impaired functioning in the body’s structure through the fascial layer. When your body is misaligned with gravity, posture worsens and flexibility is slowly lost. The block model to the right shows the difference between a random body with unevenly stacked blocks to an organized body where the blocks are in alignment. The philosophy is FORM = FUNCTION.
How does Structural Integration work? The body’s connective tissue is lengthened and opened through a 10 session hands-on series. The tissue toughness becomes softer, more pliable, thus allowing movement and flexibility. Structural Integration involves the fascial layer, the gelatinous, pliable connective tissue that surrounds all muscles. Imagine your body encased in fascia, like a sweater wrapped around you. With the pull of gravity, injuries, & the effects of stress, the body is pulled out of alignment. The fascia shortens & tightens to accommodate the misalignment.
The Structural Integration Basic 10 Series Sequence:
Session 1 – The Breath of Life.
This session allows the client to breathe more deeply as the practitioner frees up holding patterns in the external fascia of the chest and arms.
Session 2 – Getting Grounded.
The second session organizes the ankle and foot and lengthens the back while providing a base of support for the entire body.
Session 3 – Lengthen the Front and Lateral (Side Line).
This sessions frees the 12th rib, creates balance between the back and front of the thorax and lengthens the midsection
Session 4 – Internal Line and Core.
This session tones and integrates the pelvic floor by relaxing and toning muscles of the adductors of the inner thigh.
Session 5 – The Pelvic Floor and Lengthen Front.
Balance of the rectus abdominus (stomach muscle) with the psoas (deep pelvic muscle) to horizontalize the pelvis.
Session 6 – Free the Sacrum, Pelvic Floor.
This session begins at the feet and travels to the shoulders, removing holding patterns, the tightness of the back, the lumbars, sacrum and tailbone to horizontalize the pelvis.
Session 7 – Breathing Cranium, Organization of Head and Neck.
A result of this session is that the head and neck initiate intrinsically rather than extrinsically and is placed in alignment.
Session 8 and 9 – Balance of Shoulder and Pelvic Girdles.
These sessions address the two girdles which coordinate the extremities with the spine.
Session 10 – Balance and Integration of the Upper and Lower Body around the diaphragm.
Sessions 1-3 completely covers the body, paying special attention to holding patterns at the superficial level.
Sessions 4-7 releases the deeper, hidden holding patterns that often cause symptoms of pain in the body.
Sessions 8-10 are the artistry of Structural Integration and blend deep and superficial work into cohesive body awareness and freedom.
The Structural Integration experience may include:
- re-experiencing of emotions and memories stored in the body
- increased bodily and mental awareness
- feeling of centeredness
- freedom of movement
- increased athletic performance and lowered incidence of injury
- increased energy, vitality and breathing capacity
- a sense of increased well being
How long does the Structural Integration Process take and how long will it last?
The 10 session basic series takes approximately 10 weeks (1 session a week). Structural Integration can last for many years to come and studies have revealed continued integration 1 year after the initial process. Conscious movement such as Pilates and Yoga can retain your structural integration longer. Depending on how a person uses their body will determine how long the structural integration will last. It is recommended that touch-up sessions be administered every 3 to 6 months. For those involved in athletics, dance or strenuous daily activity, every 3 months is recommended. For athletes, SI can increase athletic performance up to 16%.
Does it hurt?
No – “Thanks to Susan’s work, I feel better able to breathe deeply; and my neck is more flexible. Most people that have not had the work that I talked to thought it was supposed to be painful. That was NOT my experience.” Robert Townsend, Chiropractor, Oakland, California
Structural Integration (SI) and Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. The curves are usually “C” shaped or “S” shaped, creating a twist in the spine. Scoliosis affects 1 in 1,000 children with about 500,000 children in the U.S. suffering from it. Most people with scoliosis suffer from back pain. Signs of scoliosis are uneven shoulders, a prominent shoulder blade, an uneven waist, elevated hips or a tendency to lean to one side. Structural Integration is the only natural remedy for scoliosis.
Please see the following web sites for a detailed article and photos of the SI work:
http://www.manualtherapysolutions.com/scoliosis.pdf
http://www.massageandbodywork.com/Articles/OctNov2003/scoliosismanagement.html
For more information on Structural Integration: www.rolfguild.org
