What Exactly is ADVANCED Structural Integration
The Basic Structural Integration process is a prescribed series of sessions. In Dr. Rolf’s traditional recipe it is 10 sessions. Some in the field refer to anything after this Basic series is “Advanced”. That is a quick and workable definition, but it doesn’t quite make the necessary distinction for me.
Let me elaborate. The Basic Series is mostly about addressing local imbalances and associated compensations. Arms/shoulder, legs/hip, neck/shoulder, neck/head, feet/ legs; those kind of relationships.* There is a direction to whole body balance and integrity in the Basic Series, just that the process tends to focus locally in terms of working procedures.
Advanced is more of a “head bone connected to the foot bone” kind of thing. As I have learned and practice it, it is a set of 5 formatted sessions that fine tune the OVERALL body structure. Local issues will certainly be addressed, but the intention and main focus is to significantly refine the whole body as a structure in gravity. (If someone seeking Advanced work presents a significant set of still unresolved local imbalances, then I will work on a post-10 basis with the goal of getting them ready for the Advanced.) As such, it deals with patterns in the body which exist between sometimes very distant body segments and often, in my experience, without any easily obvious anatomical referents. The explanation for the latter is in the unique historical patterning of an individual’s body; this is the product of one’s inherent genetic blueprint combined with one’s own history of learning, developed habits and patterns of body use, accidents, and traumas.
Additionally, the Advanced Series is much more subtle than in the original series sessions. Touch has more of a quality of pointing out and/or giving direction or suggestion; not so much the dynamic and sometimes firm manipulation in the “working things out” stages of the Basic work. Think, “micro-movements, alternative gestures”. Also, the client is much more in command and active. Responsibility is an embedded theme is all the Structural Integration work; but the Advanced Series represents a quantum shift forward in that respect.
Advanced Structural Integration is not for everyone. And it is not something that I offer automatically to anyone who has completed the Basic Series. Not everyone is ready for that level of subtlety and transformation. In my practice there is an intake interview and structural analysis to access readiness. In any event, let me stress, it is not even necessary for anyone to advance beyond the basic training. Most people enjoy the lifetime benefits of the Basic Series of Structural Integration and that is sufficient. The Advanced Series is self-selecting; kind of in the realm of, if it’s for you, you’ll know it.
*Regarding associated compensations. For example, one shoulder higher or differently placed relative to the other. Head forward of the shoulders. Waist/hips tilted forward rather than horizontal. Feet pointing off direct forward. This, to name a few of the more common situations.
Additionally, there seems to be an analogous relationship with the lower back and the neck. Adding balance at the lumbar-sacral level of the spine has effects above in the cranial-cervical-thoracic region. Vise-versa, but to a lesser extent since structure develops from below; therefore, corrections at the lower level will impact more profoundly than upper to lower. Another prominent analog relationship is between the hips and the shoulders. The pelvic girdle and the shoulder girdle. Same situation. Constructive changes below support and foster normalizing above.
After the Basic Series there is a complete result, nothing more to do as far as that level of development is concerned. Yet, after the Basic Series things can percolate to the surface and/or events can occur that justify coming back for a “tune-up” or refresher session or a short series. I prefer to call this kind of work Post-10, not Advanced.
Let me elaborate. The Basic Series is mostly about addressing local imbalances and associated compensations. Arms/shoulder, legs/hip, neck/shoulder, neck/head, feet/ legs; those kind of relationships.* There is a direction to whole body balance and integrity in the Basic Series, just that the process tends to focus locally in terms of working procedures.
Advanced is more of a “head bone connected to the foot bone” kind of thing. As I have learned and practice it, it is a set of 5 formatted sessions that fine tune the OVERALL body structure. Local issues will certainly be addressed, but the intention and main focus is to significantly refine the whole body as a structure in gravity. (If someone seeking Advanced work presents a significant set of still unresolved local imbalances, then I will work on a post-10 basis with the goal of getting them ready for the Advanced.) As such, it deals with patterns in the body which exist between sometimes very distant body segments and often, in my experience, without any easily obvious anatomical referents. The explanation for the latter is in the unique historical patterning of an individual’s body; this is the product of one’s inherent genetic blueprint combined with one’s own history of learning, developed habits and patterns of body use, accidents, and traumas.
Additionally, the Advanced Series is much more subtle than in the original series sessions. Touch has more of a quality of pointing out and/or giving direction or suggestion; not so much the dynamic and sometimes firm manipulation in the “working things out” stages of the Basic work. Think, “micro-movements, alternative gestures”. Also, the client is much more in command and active. Responsibility is an embedded theme is all the Structural Integration work; but the Advanced Series represents a quantum shift forward in that respect.
Advanced Structural Integration is not for everyone. And it is not something that I offer automatically to anyone who has completed the Basic Series. Not everyone is ready for that level of subtlety and transformation. In my practice there is an intake interview and structural analysis to access readiness. In any event, let me stress, it is not even necessary for anyone to advance beyond the basic training. Most people enjoy the lifetime benefits of the Basic Series of Structural Integration and that is sufficient. The Advanced Series is self-selecting; kind of in the realm of, if it’s for you, you’ll know it.
*Regarding associated compensations. For example, one shoulder higher or differently placed relative to the other. Head forward of the shoulders. Waist/hips tilted forward rather than horizontal. Feet pointing off direct forward. This, to name a few of the more common situations.
Additionally, there seems to be an analogous relationship with the lower back and the neck. Adding balance at the lumbar-sacral level of the spine has effects above in the cranial-cervical-thoracic region. Vise-versa, but to a lesser extent since structure develops from below; therefore, corrections at the lower level will impact more profoundly than upper to lower. Another prominent analog relationship is between the hips and the shoulders. The pelvic girdle and the shoulder girdle. Same situation. Constructive changes below support and foster normalizing above.
After the Basic Series there is a complete result, nothing more to do as far as that level of development is concerned. Yet, after the Basic Series things can percolate to the surface and/or events can occur that justify coming back for a “tune-up” or refresher session or a short series. I prefer to call this kind of work Post-10, not Advanced.
Rolfer New Jersey
Structural Integration New Jersey
Rolfing Montclair, New Jersey
Rolfer Montclair, New Jersey
Structural Integration Montclair, New Jersey
