Frequently Asked Questions...
What is Structural Integration?
Structural Integration is a process-based approach to somatic education and manual therapy, that explores the possibility of change in how you use and experience your body. Through education, awareness, and therapeutic touch, you can release painful, stressful patterns of tension. Effortful habits are replaced with feelings of comfort, ease of movement and posture, and a sense of whole-body coherence.
SI systematically addresses your body as a whole, usually over a series of sessions. Skillful touch brings relief from pain and discomfort, and awareness of how you’re holding and using your body. As your practitioner helps you inquire into how you relate with your body and environment, you may come to recognize patterns of tension that no longer serve you, and discover new options for movement, posture, self-care, and your overall physical experience. Rather than treating symptoms, SI practitioners work to help your body integrate internally between systems, and externally toward your life’s challenges.
Borrowed from International Association of Structural Integration
What is Anatomy Trains Structural Integration?
ATSI is a school of Structural Integration. ATSI differs from other SI schools in that it rides the coat-tails of the original framework of Rolfing Structural Integration (the original method), but evolved the work based on contemporary fascial dissection and anatomical research. The ATSI framework follows the lines and layers of fascial connection and function.
"Most of us have collected extra tension through the course of our lives, either from injury or surgery, imitation of our parents or heroes, from our repetitive activities, or attitudes we’ve acquired along the way. These injuries and tensions form a pattern in our bodies. Exercise, and our mother’s request of us to “stand up straight!” may help, but most of this patterning happens below our conscious awareness and becomes part of who we are. These patterns become written into our muscular tensions, or skeletal form, and into the tissues that go between: the connective tissues. The Anatomy Trains SI approach is to free the binding and shortening in these connective tissues, what we refer to as the fascial network, and to re-educate the body in efficient and energy-sustaining patterns."
Borrowed from Tom Myers, founder of ATSI
How is Structural Integration different from Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is an ON-GOING manual therapy practice that aims to promote relaxation and reduce muscular tension. Structural Integration is a PROJECT. It is a goal oriented framework of manual therapy. There is a beginning & end to the hands on work. Bringing awareness back to clients' goals is a huge component of the work. SI uses active movement, breath-work, walking assessments throughout the session.
What do I wear during a session?
Wear minimal clothing for optimal skin exposure and the ability to move freely without exposure. People usually wear full coverage underwear, athletic shorts, a bra that has an open back, or a tank top they. can roll up. I suggest wearing what you think meets these criteria and then adjusting based off what feels most comfortable to you for future sessions.