We fall down. We get up. Our bodies are amazing at adapting to our mishaps in life, structural imbalances we are born with, crunchy holding patterns created out of habitual movement. This all makes us beautiful and perfect in our asymmetry and imperfections. And sometimes it brings discomfort, pain, the moving away from fully inhabiting, fully revelling in, the body.

The Rolf Method of Structural Integration seeks a new relationship to alignment.

By manipulating the fascia – the elastic soft tissue that surrounds all of the major systems in the body – space is created between muscles and joints. Long-held holding patterns unwind, the fascia becomes more fluid where it was once stuck, and the body finds its way to a place of better balance and more ease of movement.

The Ten Series

Developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Structural Integration consists of a unique session process called The “Ten Series”. Roughly ninety minutes in length, each session addresses specific areas as a way to affect change in the whole body, and clear the way for stuck areas to shift. Sessions 1-3 loosen surface tension, sessions 4-7 attend to more deeply held patterns, and sessions 8-10 integrate the body with movement so the structural changes will stay.

This deep, slow, connective tissue work centers around the ‘Line,’ an internal place of reference for the body’s alignment within the supportive and energizing force of the gravitational field. As Dr. Rolf said, “when the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.”

Once the Ten Series is finished it is recommended to allow 6 months to a year for the changes to integrate. Further treatment can then be done in the form of maintenance sessions, a 3-series, or an advanced 5-series.

A very thorough, clear, and fun read on the process written by a colleague can be found HERE and HERE.