Structural Integration (SI) is a systematic approach to balancing an individual's physical structure in relationship to the earth's gravitational filed. SI was created by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, a biochemist who studied collagen. Collagen is the building block of the body's connective tissue, or fascia, and forms a continuous net thoughout the entire body, giving us our three-dimensional shape. Our bodies become misaligned as the collagen fibers of the connective tissue becomes too tightly bonded together through aging, everyday stress, physical and emotional trauma.

Results from SI sessions can be seen as quickly as a single session, although SI should be seen as a process rather than a quick fix. As a person goes through the SI process, the connective tissue lengthens layer by layer, allowing for a gradual release of tension and stress. This release can be felt as space in the joints and freedom of movement throughout the body.

Structural Integration is a basic ten-hour cycle of treatments that balances myofascial relationships. Each session works with a specific theme that emphasizes exact anatomical goals; an identifiable layer of connective tissue – superficial, middle, or deep – is addressed, and precise structural objectives are obtained.

A typical session starts with observation of the client’s posture and movement patterns. We discuss the areas of the body to be worked on and specific needs that either of us sees. By “needs” we are referring to holding patterns in the tissue that reflects a stillness which inter-rupts the energy flow in the body, and consequently restricts the range of motion of his or her muscles.

Clients will usually recognize these needs as areas of chronic pain or discomfort – stress-related headaches or backaches are quite common. In other cases, personality characteristics, such as shyness or emotional trauma, are reflected in a person’s body patterns. In most cases, as each session progresses, client’s needs are transformed into memories of how they used to be. Chronic pain is reduced and often disappears.

Concurrently, pleasant personality changes occur as the client see the world from a less stressful, more secure structure. With their body now having higher energy content, the possibilities of their participation in life expand.They experience a natural sense of happiness and a mind/body harmony.