PERSPECTIVES

elsewhere Rolf Lines changed, and was

transformed into a magazine with articles
and research reports on Rolfing.
It was in 1981, when publication of the

Advances in the Theory Bulletin for Structural Integration was

discontinued, that Rolf Lines assumed the
mantle of a more scientific journal and

and Practice of Rolfing began to print more serious material of the

kind that was previously the province of
the Bulletin. Currently in Volume XXXVI,
By Pedro Prado, Ph.D., Certified Advanced Rolfer it was Rolf Lines that published the greater
part of discussions about Rolfing not only
in formal articles, but also in a section called
Editors note: This article has been translated and adapted from the the Forum, which included exchanges
Portuguese by Heidi Massa, Certified Advanced Rolfer. of letters and impromptu reflections on
controversial topics about the theory and
practice of Rolfing. In 2001, by which time

W hat follows is an adaptation and Although some important work might Rolf Lines had already published nearly 400
update of a portion of my doctoral have been omitted because it escaped my significant articles, its name was changed to
dissertation, Exploratory Studies of the attention, the intention is for it to be a base Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf
Psychobiological Dimension in Rolfing: and stimulus for future discussion, study, Institute. The editorial standards became
Creation, Development and Evaluation of instruction and research. The Ida P. Rolf more rigorous, and the Forum section was
Questionnaires. The full dissertation was Library of Structural Integration is now separated out. By 2008, 244 more articles
presented in September 2006 to the Somatic available to the public free of charge at had been published.
Psychology group of the Department of www.pedroprado.com.br, and material Meanwhile, in 1989 in Switzerland, Hans
Clinical Psychology at PUC-SP (Catholic cited below is posted there. Flury took the initiative to create Notes on
University of Sao Paulo), and is available Structural Integration, which was published
at http://www.sapientia.pucsp.br/tde_ SOURCES OF annually through 1993. Its more rigorous
busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=3251 EXISTING LITERATURE editors accepted only scientific articles.
The purpose of this dissertation chapter was And, in 1999 in Brazil, the ABR began
Ida P. Rolf created the Rolfing method
to outline advances in structural integration to produce Rolfing-Brasil, a Portuguese
based on her own empirical research (Feitis,
since Ida Rolf s founding of the Rolf language publication to document the work
1986). Initially, she formulated the ideas
Institute of Structural Integration. One of Brazilian Rolfers, as well as to provide
by herself; however, as she trained more
of my goals in preparing my dissertation them with translations of important articles
and more students, they began to discuss
was to establish and nourish lines of from elsewhere. It is now at Volume 8, No.
and debate the work among themselves
communication between the Rolfing 25, and has published nearly sixty original
and, eventually, to contribute to it. At
community and the academic world. articles.
first, the material was transmitted as an
However, because this chapter includes oral tradition (Rolf herself wrote very little); During the same period, various academic
my review of the existing literature on but over time, it was reduced to writing by works and a few formal research projects
Rolfing, I want to share it with the Rolfing Rolfs followers. were completed, and various books written
community. Because it was prepared for an by Rolfers were published. This work was
audience having little or no knowledge of First, in 1969, the Bulletin for Structural
the product of the professional practice
Rolfing, some of the information presented Integration was created. This publication
experience of the community a community
will look very familiar to most of you. I gathered the initial commentar y and
that has, as of 2008, grown to comprise 1608
retained it here to maintain the integrity of discussion about Rolfing, and flourished
members in thirty-six countries and forty-
the chapter, as it carries both my view of in that form until 1980. I t collec ted
nine states of the United States.
the subject and the organization and form approximately 150 contributions, twenty-
through which I presented the information one of which were from Rolf herself. Around
the same time, with the establishment of the THE CONTEXT OF THE WORK
to the world of academic psychology.
Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Maitland, in teaching materials and later
To prepare the preliminary review of the 1971, Rolf Lines was created. At first, it was in an article written with Cottingham
literature on Rolfing that follows, I first only an information bulletin. However, it (1997), built the first framework in which to
had to reorganize and complete, as much as soon became a place for Rolfers to share organize the various domains encompassed
was practicable, the collections of the Rolf their professional experiences, which, in within the vision Rolfing. He noted that to
Institute of Structural Integration and the turn, fomented an informal debate about understand Rolfs contributions to manual
ABR (Brazilian Rolfing Association). From the practice of Rolfing. As the Rolfing and holistic therapies, it is necessary first
this effort came the idea of building an community grew in number and extended to understand the differences between
on-line virtual library to make the existing beyond the United States first to Europe therapies that are holistic and those that
intellectual product readily available and and later to Brazil, Australia, Japan and are not. He outlined three paradigms of
easy to consult. I undertook this task.

40 www.rolf.org STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008

 PERSPECTIVES
therapeutic practices, which represent and has provided a foundation for others to organization. Adherents of this view
three potential attitudes toward treatment: elaborate the distinctive therapeutic attitude arrive at an understanding of gravity as a
palliative, corrective, and integrative that distinguishes Rolfing from other relational concept as a continuing dance
(holistic). manual therapies. Rolfing recognizes that a involving the mechanisms of perception
persons symptoms must be perceived and and the positional adjustment of the
Practices in the palliative paradigm seek to
addressed in relation to the persons entire person in the environment (Agneessens,
alleviate tension, pain or other symptoms.
structural and functional system, as well 2001; Zorn and Caspari, 2001, 2003). They
Practices in the second paradigm, the
as in relation to the environment in which see the person as a dynamic structure and
co r re c t i ve, a re d i re c te d tow a rd t h e
that system exists. seek to understand gravity in the context
correction of that which produces the
of movement.
symptoms, seeking to alter the causes so
as to eliminate the symptoms. Both of these REVIEW OF SOME Is there no one in the entire Rolfing
paradigms indicate more superficial or local ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS community who has not participated and
interventions, whereas the third paradigm, Gravity and The Line is not still participating in this debate?
the holistic, cultivates integration, i.e., The Line, Rolf s orthogonal geometric
balance and harmony within the person Over the past fifty years, advances in reference that has been considered both
as a whole. physics have brought new models for static and dynamic, will be a continuing
interpreting the concept of gravity, which topic of discussion among us.
As an illustration of how the three paradigms is the central theme of Rolfs ideas. Both the
work, consider a person with back pain. He concept of the gravitational line as a referent Connective Tissue
could receive a massage to alleviate the for structural integration (in the sense that The nature and behavior of connective tissue
pain and to reduce tension (first paradigm); all human structures are organized around have also received a great deal of study
various biomechanical maneuvers to a central axis) and the idea of gravity including speculative articles, compilations
correc t inter-ar ticular misalignments as a compressive force acting through a of clinical observations, and a few books
(second paradigm); or Rolfing structural column of blocks best organized when their and scientific research projects.
integration, to integrate the entire body in centers of gravity are aligned, have shown
gravity (third paradigm). Much of Western themselves to be limited. Several Rolf Institute anatomy instructors
medicine operates in the second paradigm, have directed their studies to the nature of
with specialized methods of controlling Among the ideas that have received connective tissue. They have also explored
symptoms. extensive discussion in the years following the implications of its nature for locomotion,
Rolfs death, in terms of both the theoretical rehabilitation, and chronic pain (Schultz,
T h e o b j e c t i ve s a n d a t t i t u d e o f t h e viewpoints and their implications for the Feitis, 1996; Myers, 2001; and Bertolucci,
prac titioner, in whatever prac tice of practice of Rolfing, the contributions of 1998, 2003, 2005a and b). Along the same
therapeutic intervention, are based on James and Nora Oschman (1998, 2000, line of inquiry, Rolf Institute anatomy
one of these three paradigms, and reveal 2001) are considered the most important. instructor Robert Schleip (2005, 2006),
differing philosophical dispositions. The Oschman tried to bring the concepts of the along with Adjo Zorn (2007), has performed
three paradigms are not mutually exclusive: theory of relativity and quantum physics laboratory research to study the passive
e.g., with an integrative vision, one can still into the domain of Rolfing and outlined, in elasticity of connective tissue. This research
correct particular symptoms and achieve light of those concepts, certain explanations is contributing to our understanding of why
relaxation. Or, a treatment that begins in of the physiology of connective tissue. the Rolfing touch is so efficient and how to
the first or second paradigm can end in the
Meanwhile, by attentively experiencing the maximize the results of our interventions.
integrative paradigm.
effects of gravity first-hand and studying The presence of smooth muscle cells within
Rolf expanded the holistic approach to them in others, Rolfers found that gravity the connective tissue matrix suggests that
include the idea of integration in gravity. manifests not only as a sense of weight, Rolfing affects the autonomic nervous
She insisted that lasting changes to structure but also as a sense of lightness. There have system. This resonates with the theory and
or function require balance not only within been two principal approaches to this practice of Rolfing (Schleip, et al., 2004,
the body itself, but also in relation to gravity theme. In simplified terms, one approach 2005, 2006). From the theoretical viewpoint,
and the environment. Often, the recurrence continues to emphasize the idea of gravity the Oschmans have contributed their vision
of a symptom or the appearance of new as a compressive force. In this approach, of the function of connective tissue in light
dysfunctions is a sign that the person has the biomechanics of the bodys bones and of quantum physics, which is very much in
not been able to adapt to local interventions, connective tissues convert this compressive line with contemporary studies (Oschman
which might have failed to take into account force to lift. The analysis of the structure J., Oschman N., 1993, 2001, 2003).
some other dimension of the person, or the begins by considering it as a closed system
persons relationship to the environment. in gravity, and stresses the relationships A byproduct of the practice of Rolfing
Rolfing, therefore, has two concomitant among forces and masses within this system is Myofascial Release. In Brazil, Certified
objectives: to organize the person in relation (Flury, 1989; Harder, 1991; Salveson, 1992; Rolfers including Bertolucci, Menagatti,
to himself, and also in relation to gravity Brecklinghaus, 1998; Gaggini, 1998). and Cintra have organized this into a
and the persons environment. specific system, which is a rich addition to
The other approach to the theme of lift the exploration of connective tissue touch
M a i t l a n d s c o n t r i b u t i o n i n fo r m a l l y emphasizes the importance of sensory (Bertolucci, et al. 2005). The descriptions
articulating the domain of Rolfing has orientation processes to postural of techniques and integrated systems of
helped to stabilize the focus of our approach,

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008 www.rolf.org 41

 PERSPECTIVES
techniques, which demonstrate and record As to the first, some people understood Rolfing. This divergence of views produced,
the possibilities of manual intervention for that clients were to be evaluated based in 1987, a schism within the community
the liberation of myofascia, also show that on the degree to which their structures out of which emerged, on the one hand,
different therapeutic paradigms can be used were congruent with the line of gravity the Guild for Structural Integration (where
to take care of specific symptoms and help verticality in relation to the ground. Rolfing the first view was cultivated) and on the
relieve pain (Bertolucci, 2005b). Similarly, in was directed to the liberation of soft-tissue other hand, the Rolf Institute of Structural
Australia, John Smith published Structural restrictions to permit the emergence of Integration.
Bodywork (2005). a higher level of organization around a
Thereafter, the Advanced Faculty of the
central vertical axis, and they believed that
The Recipe: Rolf Institute, having been freed of this
the goal was to harmonize each persons
A Ten-Session Protocol par ticular argument about the work,
reality, within the limits of each persons
revised the Recipe and created principles
Maitland (1993), while organizing Rolfing individual process, with an ideal. That ideal
for strategizing, under which the Recipe
conceptually, also established important was, in fact, unattainable.
is considered one of many possible work
distinctions among the general objectives, A formulistic protocol by its very nature strategies. In 1992, Rolf Institute faculty
principles, strategies, techniques and tactics assumes the existence of an ideal body members Matiland and Sultan published the
of the work. He arranged a hierarchy of or bodily state that represents normal. article entitled Definition and Principles of
thinking from the most abstract to the most This is a somatic idealism; and formulism Rolfing (Maitland; Sultan, 2002).
concrete, and from the most general to the and somatic idealism go hand-in-hand
most specific: the general principles support The Principles of Intervention
( M a i t l a n d, 2002). But, R olf s var iet y
the strategies, which require tactics, which of somatic idealism was not rigid or Having been relieved of the limitations of
are effectuated through techniques. judgmental. Instead, she used her concept somatic idealism and formalism, Rolfing
In the early days of Rolfing, it was common of ideal structure and function which became a resource for more people.
to confuse the techniques or tactics of the reflected universal values and referred to Rolfers began to consider how different
work with its goals, and to identify the the human species as a whole as a base psychobiological types struggle differently
latter with the former. In Rolfing, the types line against which to evaluate her clients with the effects of gravity, and the resulting
of touch applied to connective tissue range and the results of the work. discrimination was incorporated into the
from superficial to deep. Rolfers use their theory and practice of Rolfing. Nearly all
As to the second pitfall the belief that
hands, thumbs, forearms and elbows. types of bodies and all types of persons can
any particular method is appropriate for
However, the tactics do not define the benefit from Rolfing, but not all benefit in
everyone to deliver the same treatment
work itself; they are no more than ways the same way.
to all persons presupposes that the results
of accomplishing the process. Historically, will be the same in each case, and that the The idea of normal also changed: it came to
confusion in this respect has clouded for process will go along the same path toward be recognized less from an external referent
many people the real sense of Rolfing, and a body that conforms to the ideal (Maitland, and more from an internal and personal
has in some sense caused the practice of 2002). It follows that whatever is unique and referent, respecting each persons process of
Rolfing to be led astray. specific to each person and each persons discovery and adaptation. The vertical line
Rolf, in order to clarify the instruction process cannot be addressed in a formulistic thus came to be seen as a result rather than
and dissemination of her point of view, or idealistic theory. a norm. Without any external referent, the
established the famous formulistic protocol search for what is natural for each person
Clinical observation has demonstrated that
of ten sessions (the Recipe). It was in relation to the persons environment
the Recipe does not adequately account
brilliantly conceived, broadly applicable, transformed Rolfing into a far more
for differences among various body types.
and highly efficient as a working strategy. complex and fascinating process.
With the gradual emergence of different
It was also an outstanding pedagogical theories of structural typologies came Out of all this arose the non-formulistic
method: as prac titioners repeatedly adaptations of the Recipe to address these thinking, in which strategies are organized
performed this systematic protocol, bit by variations. Not surprisingly, therefore, for each person within the framework of the
bit they came to comprehend the real nature student reports attest to the fact that Rolfs Principles of Intervention. Maitland reduced
of the work and master its particulars. In own work was not necessarily according the strategy problem to three basic questions:
other words, the clinical application of to the protocol. Rather, she adapted the How do I begin, how do I continue, and when
this formulistic protocol was a method of method to each clients individual needs. am I finished? (Maitland, 1993). Maitland,
practitioner self-training. However, the The protocol was designed not so much as Sultan and Salveson, in their Rolf Institute
power of the ten session strategy was so a mandatory technique as a way to facilitate advanced trainings, taught the meta-
great that it was seen by some as equivalent instruction. principle of holism and five subordinate
to and synonymous with the essence of the
principles, the combined application of
work itself. The discussion has produced two opposing
which yield the conditions for the work
views: some advocate following a practice
Any formal protocol brings with it two to be efficacious. With the understanding
that values the somatic ideal and that uses
potential pitfalls: first, the assumption that of these principles, strategizing the work
only the basic ten session protocol taught
all bodies travel the same path in their can be more free, creative and efficient.
by Rolf, while others have tried to distill
evolution toward an ideal configuration; It is directed to the specific needs of each
the fundamental principles of the Recipe,
and second, the notion that the same method client as the clients process develops and
which principles govern the strategies of
is appropriate for everyone (Maitland, 2002).

42 www.rolf.org STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008

 PERSPECTIVES
produces better results (Maitland; Sultan, ankle retinaculae such that the other joints spatial relationships and of the dialogues
1992). The Principles are as follows: can respond with appropriate movement, between opposites.
the ankle will stiffen up again to the
Holism Imagine, for example, the body of a
degree that the clients body image cannot
depressed person, wit h a collapsed
Holism is the meta-principle that accommodate the greater potential ankle
chest that exerts mechanical pressure
comprehends all the other principles. movement.
on the respiratory diaphragm and the
Consequences of the principle of Holism
Support organs. Under the lens of the principle
are:
According to the principle of support, an of palintonicity, the balance between the
t
5IF
CPEZ
JT
BO
FOUJSFUZ
BOE
OP
QBSU
JT
intervention will be successful only to superior and inferior parts of the visceral
more important than any other for the the extent that the client can find effective space is compromised, with too little
organization of the whole; support in gravity for the change. At the space above the diaphragm and too much
mechanical level, for example, if the clients space under it. The transformation would
t
5IF
CPEZ
JT
POF
XJUI
UIF
QFSTPO
BOE
B

pelvis is shifted excessively anterior in the bring about a new spatial relationship,
somatic dysfunction will be reflected in
horizontal plane, it will not provide adequate freeing the chest and allowing a different
all other aspects of being;
support for the chest and head. Therefore, spatial relationship between the two
t
-JWJOH
CPEJFT
BSF
TFMGSFHVMBUJOH
BOE
there will be compensations throughout the visceral compartments. At the same time,
self-organizing systems; myofascial system to stabilize the structure the relationship between inhalation and
in gravity. If restrictions in the tissues of exhalation would have the potential to
t
5P
VOEFSTUBOE
MPDBM
EZTGVODUJPO
POF

the chest are released, but the restrictions be transformed. The depressed persons
must understand the condition of
causing the excessive anterior pelvic shift pattern of respiration was most likely
the whole and its relationship to the
are not, the chest will lack mechanical expiration-fixed within the collapsed chest,
environment;
support for the greater freedom in the chest with reduced the contractile potential of the
t
/P
QBSU
PG
UIF
CPEZ
DBO
CF
BEFRVBUFMZ
tissue, the change will not be stabilized, and respiratory diaphragm. If, in response to the
understood in isolation from the the contractions in the chest tissues will improved spatial balance, the functional
whole and without regard for the return in order to re-establish the persons respiratory pattern also becomes more
environment; equilibrium in gravity. balanced, we have altered the functional
palintonicity, as well.
t
"MM
PG
UIF
QSJODJQMFT
PQFSBUF
UPHFUIFS Similarly, if the person is unable to initiate
the gait from the chest and repeats the In another dimension, if the person has
Adaptability a more elevated chest, the head can also
pattern of initiating it from the anteriorly
The principle of adaptability is concerned shifted pelvis, the chest tissue that the be carried in a more erect position. This
with whether the client is able to accept new manipulation freed will tend to contract might influence the persons proprioception
options for alignment, self-perception, and once again due to the absence of dynamic of the head and his perception of the
movement. By this principle, we recognize support in gravity. Therefore, helping relationship of the head to the environment.
that any intervention (whether by touch, the client both to recognize the system of This implicates the palintonic principle in
movement or words) will be effective only support and to use it in movement have relation to perception of the personal and
if the client can adapt to its results. This become elements of the work. environmental structure, and in relation
adaptation must happen in the clients to the process of transformation and
physical structure, in the relationship If the same person can recognize support integration of the person in gravity.
among the various dimensions of his being, within his process of perception and
and in his relationship with the universe of orientation to space, as well as in the Continuity
which he is a part and in which he orients, heightened awareness of sensation in the What happens on any dimension of the
organizes and integrates himself. feet, his consciousness of posture and human being will be reflected in all other
equilibrium are enhanced, which achieves dimensions. All interventions affect the
If one releases a myofascial restriction the principle of support in Rolfing. On continuity, organization and function of
e.g., of the retinaculae of the ankle the another level, the clients awareness of a the whole. The success of any intervention
intervention will actually enhance the pattern or sense of support in the therapeutic is limited by its continuity within the
active range of motion of that joint only to relationship can also help support changes dimension in which it is effected. However,
the extent that the relationships among the at the structural and functional levels. it is also limited by continuity among other
ankle, knees, hip, vertebral column and dimensions. Interaction among the various
head are free enough to accommodate the Palintonicity
dimensions of being allows the possibility
freeing of the ankle. Should the knees or hip In Greek, palintonos refers to a dialogue of continuity among them and brings them
joints be rigid, the ankle will not be able to between opposites. It expresses a into harmony with each other.
use the dimension of freedom produced relationship among spatial dimensions,
by the intervention and according to the and addresses the unity of opposites in the In the example above, we have been
principle of adaptability, the ankle will body and in movement of the body through describing changes in the structural and
return to its restricted condition. space. It is manifest in the relationships mechanical dimensions concerning the
among structures, spaces, volumes and relationship between the superior and
Similarly, even if the structure has sufficient inferior visceral spaces; their functional
planes. It refers to an orthogonal order,
freedom throughout the myofascial network effects on the respiratory cycle; and their
and recognizes that the success of an
to accommodate the intervention upon the psychological implications (potentially
intervention is a function of appropriate

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008 www.rolf.org 43

 PERSPECTIVES
connected to changes in perception of the It is appropriate to emphasize here that, as Physical
world as a result of more erect head that can a function of the meta-principle of holism,
Structural
provide a greater range and competence of the work takes place through the dynamic
perception of the environment and the interaction of all of the principles. They The structural taxonomy concerns the
relation of the body schema to the body all operate continuously and interactively, geometry and biomechanical alignment
image). each coming to the fore over and over of the body. It may be operationalized
as the entire system evolves through the a s s e gm e n t a l p o s t u r a l p o s i t i o n , o r,
If the person cannot sustain the change in geometrically, as computerized topography
process.
the emotional states that can be triggered (Maitland, Cottingham, 2000, p. 120.) In the
along with changes in the perception of The Taxonomies continuing tradition of teaching and clinical
the environment and of the self, there will practice of Rolfing, photographs taken
T h e d e ve l o p m e n t o f t h e p r i n c i p l e s
be lacking continuity for the change in the before and after various sessions or before
made possible non-formulistic work ,
intended dimension and the force of the and after the entire process are used to
which requires continual monitoring
intervention will be diminished accordingly. evaluate this dimension.
and re-evaluation to identify the various
If the person cannot assimilate the change in
dimensions in which the work has already Rolf used a model of orthogonal organization
the respiratory function, it will also diminish
happened, as well as to make proper choices with respect to the relationships among the
the power of the intervention. If, however,
of technique for further interventions. sagittal, horizontal and coronal spatial
the person perceives the meaning of this
Along with the development of the planes. Loss of dimension in any one of
transformation (whether it be a postural
principles, Maitland (1993, p. 3) set forth the these planes implies adaptations in the
change in gravity, improved respiratory
taxonomies of assessment and observation, others. In its simplified version, this model
function, or enhanced perception of the
which facilitate perception of the different is illustrated by a column of blocks, the
environment), he will be able to live it
dimensions influenced by the body and its centers of gravity of which share a common
more fully.
organization in gravity. alignment. A central line the axis of
Closure gravity is considered the point of reference
The categories that have emerged are
The principle of closure affirms that a for observation of the three-dimensional
p hys i c a l, f u n c t i o n a l, e n e rg e t i c, a n d
session or a process ends when the client architecture of the body. To facilitate this
emotional Prado (2004a). As has been
achieves the highest degree of somatic and three-dimensional reading, the model of
included in the Manual for Completion of
perceptual integration available at that core/sleeve has been suggested (Feitis,
the NAPER Questionnaires, the elaboration
moment, taking into consideration the 1986, p. 211), which compares more internal
and restructuring of these categories is as
current temporal and spatial limitations. to more external body structures and
follows:
According to this principle, we consider assesses the functional equilibrium between
the degree of integration that is available to Physical: them.
the client in his process both consciously Structural
The exploration of Rolfs model gave rise
and unconsciously. It refers to the degree Functional
to new ways to perceive and describe the
of appropriation that has happened or that
Psychobiological: human form. The development of these
has yet to happen to arrive at the moment
Emotional/psychological models of perception has paralleled the
of closure of the process. To abide by
Cultural/environmental development of specific techniques, and
this principle, it is necessary to take into
Existential/spiritual ultimately the quality of touch used in
account variables that will occur outside
Energetic manipulation. The principal innovations
the therapeutic context, once the structural
came from Flury, Sultan and Schleip.
changes manifest in function over time. This organization advances Rolfing by
explaining the different dimensions of Flury (1989), a Swiss physician, sought to
To address the highest possibility available
the person that present in the context of define in a literal and orthodox manner
at a par ticular moment given, and
the work and facilitating the organization the effects of the gravitational force on
respecting, the limitations of the tissue and
of existing techniques (Prado 2004a) and the arrangement of myofascial tissues.
the course of the clients personal journey
those that will be developed in the future. He created a typology based on four
we must consider the fact that Rolfing
As we will see, and which is implicit in the combinations of anterior/posterior pelvic
happens in cycles, within the limitations
formulation above, it facilitates increasing tilt and shift within the horizontal plane. He
and possibilities of the particular phase of
discrimination and organization of the described various primary and secondary
a particular persons process. Each phase
work. In short, this categorization helps us to overall structural shortenings derived from
prepares for the next, which can happen
identify the locus of the clients dysfunctions the four possible combinations of pelvic tilt
whenever the person chooses. It is a delicate
and fixations in each taxonomy. It also lets and shift. Within a corrective mindset, he
task to respect the moment and to refrain
us determine where the client would sought ways to create a Rolfing language
from initiating a new cycle of changes that
benefit from intervention the most. Below, and to found a new science. The work of
cannot be integrated in the context of the
we will explore the various taxonomies of Harder (1991), Flurys principal disciple,
current series. And yet, in recognition of
assessment, including their definitions and advanced the physical and biomechanical
this principle, the practitioner must leave
the main theoretical advances in respect discussion along these lines.
the process to the client, so that the client
to them.
can participate in and own the results of Sultan (1986) developed the Internal/
the process. External Model based on observations
from cranial osteopathy a science that

44 www.rolf.org STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008

 PERSPECTIVES
studies the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. In are presented in Spinal Manipulation The underlying premise was that correct
this science, the flow takes place in two Made Simple (Maitland, 2001b) and in the movement would help to balance the
phases flexion and extension. Depending compendia formulated by Maitland, Sultan myofascial network. Rolf used movement
on the individuals tendency with respect and Salveson for their advanced trainings during structural sessions as a technique
to these phases, the myofascial structures (Maitland, 2000). Along with these authors, auxiliary to manipulation.
accommodate themselves in specific Gaggini (2003) has contributed her work on
A series of exercises Rolf inherited from Amy
rotations, which affect the arrangement of the biomechanics of alignment.
Cochran (later dubbed Idas Yoga Exercises)
the structure as a whole.
The influence of cranial osteopathy, were used to re-pattern movements and
Schleip (1993a) extended this thinking to articulated in its various forms by Upledger sensations. Here, the emphasis is on the
include the role of the nervous system in (1983), Milne (1994) and Sills (2001), neurological imprint of movement patterns,
the structural arrangement. He proposed a has brought to the practice of Rolfing and movement work is seen as a technique
typology based on the relative dominance several specific maneuvers for work in the for re-educating articular proprioception
of the flexor and extensor muscle groups. cranium and other techniques that require and teaching how movement transmits
In addition to the introduction of this a particular orientation on the practitioners through the body. Caspari (1996) has
typology, his work contributed to the part. In contrast to direct techniques, which prepared a practical description of these
technique of touch, bringing the idea of challenge the existing tissue pattern, these techniques.
monitoring touch vis the type of nervous indirect techniques require the practitioner
Having recognized the importance of
system stimulation it induces. first to receive the existing pattern and take
function, Rolf called upon Judith Aston
the tissue in its direction. The practitioner
Sultan, Salveson and Maitland, in an effort to collaborate in developing what she
then waits for a gradual diminution of the
to give greater precision to Rolfs structural called Rolfing Movement. Aston designed
patterns force on the tissue, following
readings, developed a model of structure the first systematic functional approach,
which the structure stabilizes itself in a
based on embryological development. This and her work revealed that structural
new pattern in gravity. The existence of
model, the Five Elements of Structure, divides integration could happen using no more
these contrasting orientations of actively
the body into five anatomical regions: than functional techniques. Eventually,
inducing a change, on the one hand, or
visceral space, superficial muscular layers, along with Rolf s formulistic approach
waiting for and receiving the change, on
pelvic girdle, shoulder girdle, and axial and somatic idealism, Astons vision
the other hand, have broadened the gamut
complex. The structural arrangement is collided with Rolfs. However, after having
of intervention in terms of both assessment
observed with a view to the relationship separated herself from the Rolf Institute,
taxonomies and work techniques (Sultan,
among these components. It was viewed Aston continued her work and founded the
2001; Walker and Loveitt, 2004; Maitland,
initially not as a typology, but rather as an system known as Aston Patterning (Foster,
2006).
aid to perception and design of strategy for 2004; Pare, 2004).
the work (Maitland, 2000). Functional
The next group to advance the functional
From the nascent visceral osteopathy of A functional assessment evaluates the p e r s p e c t i ve i n c l u d e d M e g a n J a m e s,
Barral and Mercier (1983), Schwind (1992, quality and economy of movement, and Heather Wing and Gale Ohlgren. For them,
2003) brought advances in ways to perceive along with direct observation, includes movement work was directed to somatic
and address the visceral space. Minutely tests of mobility and balance (Maitland; exploration and education. It allowed the
detailed observation and description of Cottingham, 2000, p. 120). The functional clients to find options for movement in their
membranes connected to and supporting category has generated the most discussion daily lives, as their tissues and structures
the organs clarified their importance for and also the greatest evolution in adapt to gravity (Ohlgren; Clark, 1995;
the arrangement of the structure as a whole, Rolfing. Movement work at the Rolf Wing, 1982a, 1982b). Although the work
as well as development of techniques Institute of Structural Integration nurtured was considered auxiliary or complementary
to approach them, opened a whole new many elements that later unfolded in the to structural manipulation, the therapeutic
chapter in the evolution of Rolfing. Gaggini psychobiological category (emotional, relationship was emphasized. Conceptually,
(2000, pp. 6-10) and Sommer (2000, pp. 11- cultural, energetic and spiritual). To help what emerged was a more process-oriented
14; 2005, pp. 127-30) are continuing this line us understand better the advances in this perspective: perception of the clients
of research. Sommers work includes the perspective of the work, it is fitting here to rhythm in respect to the transformations
neural tissue (2006 pp. 22-23; 2008 p. 42). tell the story of its evolution. and ownership of the results.
In the realm of specific techniques and Rolf recognized that connective tissue Dugan and French, in 1987, advanced a
tac tics, a group of advanced faculty manipulation transforms function. She more introspective aspect of the work,
developed techniques to address every saw structural integration and functional which began by bringing the clients
joint in the body. (Maitland, 2000, 2001b; economy as equivalent. She fur ther to perceive their own fixations. Next,
Sultan et al., 2001; Schwind, 2006 and Asher, recognized the connec tion bet ween micro-movements, light touch and gentle
2007). We must recognize that these are structure and function, on the one hand, stimulation help the client recognize and
not techniques of osteopathy or physical and behavior, on the other hand. release multiple fixations sequentially and
therapy: despite the influence of these fields, Rolf herself used movement to enhance the reintegrate in gravity. This work made it
the advanced facultys innovations are outcome of manipulative interventions. To possible to observe emotional patterns, and
grounded in Rolfings focus on connective quote one of her most famous phrases, Put brought a psychotherapeutic component
tissue. The best descriptions of technique it where it belongs and ask for movement. to the somatic approach. As a result, it

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008 www.rolf.org 45

 PERSPECTIVES
engendered considerable resistance among or they could combine the two approaches ways of organizing posture and function in
the more structurally oriented practitioners, (Prado 1995). gravity, and the importance of perception
and movement work began to be set apart for Rolfing. The muscle -chain models
Over time, incorporation of the movement
and devalued. In 1990, Dugan and French and access to the tonic layers positioned
approach has yielded a tremendous
left the Rolf Institute and formed the muscular coordination and, as a result,
product. The movement techniques that
Dugan-French Association (DFA). functional economy on the same plane as
had been available earlier have been
structural integration.
Wing and Ohlgren and later for many revised, enlarged and published by Caspari
years Jaye and Harrington carried the (1996). New movement approaches also The emergence of Godards work, at that
torch and preserved the values and interest arose e.g., Structural Stretches, which very stage in the evolution of Rolfing,
in internal processes, emotions, therapeutic enhance both structure and function appeased the spirits and calmed the fears
relations and individual introspection. (Prado, 2000); Bonds guide to self-help of the structuralists, on the one hand,
They perceived the value of exploration of through Rolfing Movement (1993); Carli- and highlighted the values long held and
internal movement as a way of exploring Mills discussion of the integration of maintained in movement work, on the
integration in gravity, and discussed Rolfing and Rolfing Movement (1998); other hand. It also brought a new point
movement work as not merely a series of Flury s exploration of what he named of view, observing that movement and
as re-patterning exercises, but rather as a Normal Function, (1991); and Sanchezs manipulation were in a sense the same
Rolfing technique in and of itself. investigation of proprioception with his work, and also enlarging the concept of
tuning boards (2004). the client from both the biomechanical and
This perspective brought to the work
functional perspectives simultaneously.
an attitude different from that of the In the early 1990s, the work of Hubert
sturuc turalists, some of whom were Godard came to the fore. A Cer tified In 2001, in Seon, a small Bavarian village,
prone to falling into a doing to second Advanced Rolfer and a professor at the an international summit meeting took place
paradigm clinical mode that was dualistic University of Paris, he came from a dance among certain advanced and movement
and treated the body as an object to be background and had been inspired by faculty. The basic Rolfing curriculum was
fixed. Movement work, with its emphasis Labans work. Godard gave considerable explored and defined from the structural
on the clients experience and its a priori thought to the idea of muscular chains, which and functional viewpoints, as well as with
non-formulistic approach, supported a had been in vogue in Europe in the 1980s respect to the dimensions of the therapeutic
more phenomenological vision. (see, e.g., Muscular Chains of Godelieve relationship inherent in the Rolfing process
Stuff-Denis, 1995), and made forays into (European Rolfing Association, 2001).
With the formulation of the Principles
skeletal, cranial and visceral osteopathy.
o f I nte r ve nt i o n by M a i t l a n d, S u l t a n The big question was how to organize
Godard worked with movement in the
and Salveson (Maitland; Sultan 1992), a curriculum that could honor both the
context of rehabilitation and brought to
movement was finally perceived as a traditions and the advancements of Rolfing,
Rolfing the theory of Tonic Function. This
body of work that could be used either by teaching it from different perspectives such
theory includes the study of movement,
itself or in conjunction with manipulation as structural and functional, and formulistic
and recognizes the importance of tonic
techniques. and non-formulistic. The experience of
muscle activity for postural organization
teaching had already demonstrated that
The Rolf Institute organized Rolf Movement and functional balance (Frank, 1995, 2006;
to teach non-formulistic work requires the
trainings, and, later, a Combined Studies Newton, 1997, 1998a, 1998b).
students to think abstractly through the
program tried to teach both approaches
For proponents of structural work, as much vehicle of the Principles, which had not
distinct and simultaneously, in the same
as for those of movement work, the theory always been possible in a basic training.
training. This project was discontinued
of tonic function provides deep insight
after a couple classes, as it represented an Rolf s classic ten session protocol (the
and theoretical support for coming to grips
excessive load of work for the students, Recipe) was chosen as the axis around
with structure, function and context at the
who would be getting or giving a session which to discuss the new curriculum. As
same time. It comprises the coordination
each day. the criticisms of the formulistic model were
of movement, the role of perception in
reviewed, it was perceived that because the
Prado and Jaye were pioneers in the the organization of both structure and
formula captured something of the essence
integration of the movement and movement, and the world of meaning
of the meaning of being human, it could be
manipulation perspectives. In 1994 in and its relationship to gravity. Although
used not as a fixed universal template, but
Mairinque (SP, Brazil), Prado and Jaye, these elements had already been included
rather as a flexible guide that accommodates
assisted by Caspari, presented a training in the theory and practice of Rolfing, they
individual differences within the larger
in which they performed the exercise of were highlighted by the theory of tonic
dimension of humanness. The observation
teaching both perspectives together. This function.
that work with respect to the many variables
was the start of the Brazilian Education
The distinction between the intrinsic and included in functional thinking can be also
Model, which the Rolf Institute eventually
extrinsic musculature, so salient to Ida organized around the strategic concepts
accepted. This model used the Principles of
Rolf, was amplified and described in detail of the classic recipe encouraged reflection
Intervention and taught a non-formulistic
in connection with the theory of tonic upon how to integrate the structural and
approach in which the work whether
function. A discussion began about the role functional perspectives. The result was
structural or movement was defined by
of perception in postural organization, the development of the Functional Logic of the
the needs of the client. Sessions could be
correlation between ways of perceiving and Recipe inspired and articulated by Godard
pure, with one approach predominating,

46 www.rolf.org STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008

 PERSPECTIVES
and organized, compiled and published by Emotional psychotherapy session. As we saw earlier,
Caspari (2005). This subcategory brings to the work the originally there had been no intention to
subjective dimension of meaning and position Rolfing as a form of psychotherapy;
Advances in neuroscience also inspired
consciousness. To better analyze the however the release of emotions happened
articles and technical explorations. The
advances that have been made, I will naturally through the process. Reports of
works of Menegatti (2003, 2004) deepened
address a few subsidiary themes: enhanced well-being and also of emotional
our understanding of the importance of
disorganization were common.
phylogeny, as well as its application in t

3PMOH
BOE
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Rolfing. t

5IFSBQFVUJD
SFMBUJPOTIJQT Among Rolfers themselves, much has
t

3PMOH
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QTZDIPQBUIPMPHZ been written comparing, integrating, and
Psychobiological
t

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DPOUFYU discriminating Rolfing from various forms
With his introduction of the term of psychotherapy, just as many projects and
psychobiological to the domain of Rolfing, When Rolfing began, society in general case studies on the use of psychotherapeutic
Maitland (2000, p. 121) noted that this in keeping with the prevailing positivist techniques in combination with Rolfing
category refers to what is traditionally paradigm of modern Western science have been reported: e.g., Reichian Therapy
called the mind, and includes the clients assumed a dichotomy between mind (Sharaf, 1972); Bioenergetics (Lustfield,
worldview. This taxonomy considers the and body. This assumption was imbedded 1997); Jungian therapy (French, 1997, pp.
self-sensing nature of the body, as well as in the way that Rolfers first addressed 15-17; 2007, pp. 6-11); psychoanalysis
how the clients emotional and perceptual the emotional realm. Rolfing bloomed at (Kertay, 1999a); psychopathology (Short,
orientation influence how the client Esalen a cradle of exploration for the 1997, pp. 15-19, and Asher, 1997); Gestalt
perceives his own movement, self-image new approaches of the Human Potential therapy (Greenwald, 1969). Techniques
and place in the world. Acknowledgement Movement. Gestalt Therapy, Bioenergetics, imported from other practices were used
of this territory is an advance in that it makes N e o -R eichian B ody Therapies and and perhaps incorporated into Rolfing,
room for discussion of the intersection later, Hakomi, Kelemans Formative just as were speculations about different
of the behavioral and somatic realms Ps y c h o l o g y, B o d y - M i n d Ce n t e r i n g , typologies that purported to reflect an
in respect to the theory and practice of Continuum were all being created emotional organization of the body.
Rolfing. Assessment in this taxonomy, together in this same wave. The notion of
gaining access to the emotions through the All of this continued to reflect the prevailing
which is by nature subjective, is through
body was part of these practices from the view of a division between the mental
the clients personal reports of their internal
1960s through the 1980s. and the corporeal, and demonstrated
experiences. Although these reports are
the absence of full comprehension of
often spontaneous, they may also be The emotional dimension received so the emotional dimension within holistic
elicited in standardized formats, such as much attention that, as Rolfing established therapy. Eventually, studies of these
the NAPER questionnaires. itself, the earliest descriptions of the dimensions were separated. Rolfing became
To explain the advances that have taken work associated it with new forms of more connected to the physical dimension,
place within this category, I have followed psychotherapy. When Rolfing was first and its effects in the emotional dimension
a proposal I developed (2004a), in which popularized, it was frequently mentioned were viewed as incidental byproducts of
I suggested a modification of Maitlands in articles in psychology magazines, such as the touch. As a result, these effects were
taxonomies (1993) to include in a larger Psychology Today or Psychotherapy Handbook not monitored, and the emotional aspect
psychobiological category the following (see Feitis, 1986, pp. 36-38). At that time, of the process took place largely on an
subcategories: the most frequent reference was to Reich unconscious level.
and his followers; and the articles explored
t

FNPUJPOBMQTZDIPMPHJDBM two basic ideas muscular character armor In 1982, Prado presented at the University
t

DVMUVSBMFOWJSPONFOUBM and energy. of Sao Paulo his investigation of the
t

FYJTUFOUJBMTQJSJUVBM importance of Rolfs contributions to those
t

FOFSHFUJD Strong, direct touch into tissue came to who work with posture in psychology.
be considered the only way to dissolve He introduced Rolf s new point of view
To my thinking, this is a clearer division character armor. The power of the physical and indicated the possible use of Rolfing
than Maitlands (physical, functional, transformation that happened with Rolfing as a prophylactic measure for emotional
emotional and energetic) in which to caused it to be perceived as something questions. He also suggested a revision to
make discriminations among different that dissolved armor to allow the flow of the concepts of muscular character armor,
perspectives. A student or professional energy through the body. For that reason, in view of the uniqueness of connective
takes up one or both of the general domains the techniques and tactics of Rolfing were tissue for the body and its anatomical
(physical or psychobiological), and from employed in the psychotherapeutic context, characteristics (Prado, 1982).
there expands the inquiry into the various and the distinction between structural
subcategories. One must always take care integration and psychotherapy was blurred. At this time, two sides emerged. One side
not to reduce ones thinking to the specificity In one moment, the psychological effect sought in other psychotherapeutic practices
of any subcategory, but to recognize that the of Rolfing was denied, while in the next inspiration for pattern recognition and
human being must be treated in the totality moment Rolfing was used as an auxiliary monitoring of pattern transformation (e.g.,
of them all. Still, the subcategories help us technique to psychotherapy. There was reading with the bioenergetic typologies).
to perceive the different dimensions of the even a clinical practice of giving double The other side tried to bring Rolfing ideas
whole. sessions a Rolfing session followed by a to psychology (e.g., the understanding of

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008 www.rolf.org 47

 PERSPECTIVES
the human structure for exploration of the that transcends the classic ten session Levines work is now the subjec t of
subjective realm). Recipe, allowing exploration of the systematic research. Meanwhile, the effects
clients process; of his training of Rolfing practitioners
The start of the practice of Rolfing was
t
5IF
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JOJUJBM
SFMFBTF
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already have been significant. First, it has
accompanied by what I would call the
connective-tissue compensations permits called our attention to coupled body
gradual formation of the professional
the manifestation and actualization structures, which has opened our perception
identity of the Rolfing practitioner. This
of the structure underlying the to the nature of trauma and its manifestation
process clearly goes along with the
compensations; in the organization of the tissue. Second,
development of Rolfing as its own science.
we have learned that a certain quality of
Although Rolfing was a somatic approach, t
"
DIBOHF
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touch can bring resolution to neurogenic
therapeutic roles, transference and counter- from doing to the client to facilitating
freezing and induce autonomic discharge.
transference were considered. Rolfing the clients process by working with the
Third, the method brings a way to monitor
professionals needed to position themselves client.
the discharges which, in turn, brings a
both individually and as a community
This maturation brought Rolfing to a more refinement to the therapeutic relationship.
with respect to these questions. This also
evolved stage in terms of therapeutic Recognition that touch, allied with the
contributed to a broader discussion than the
relations, ethics, and the process-oriented clients felt-sense, is an effective technique
one that took place within the Rolf Institute
vision of the work (Zorn and Caspari, to deal with emotional trauma represents
one that included everyone who was
2001). This progress was woven through the a significant evolution for Rolfing. This
grappling with somatic approaches in those
educational systems of the Rolf Institute, evolution requires differentiated touches
days (Melamed, 1980; Salveson, 1997).
ABR and European Rolf Institute, and and a particular therapeutic attitude that
Eventually the power of Rolfing was gradually more attention was given in makes contact with the emotions possible.
recognized the power that was revealed in the trainings to ethics and the therapeutic
Levines somatic approach to working with
the physical and emotional transformation relationship (Luchau, 1997; Prado, 2003a,
emotions through the body is compatible
of the clients who underwent the process. 2004b).
with Rolf s think ing, and it provides
The pioneers were in the position of having
It was Levine (2002) physician, scientist Rolfing practitioners a framework and
to validate Rolfing, and they based that
and Rolfing practitioner of the early days methodology from which to approach
validation on the visible and measurable
who developed Somatic Experiencing, a emotional questions. Keen (1999), Prado
physical transformations that Rolfing
method to ameliorate the effects of post- (2000), St Just and Sanchez (2001) and
could produce. To achieve concrete results,
traumatic stress. He influenced a whole Sanchez (2004) have written on this subject.
Rolfing practitioners sometimes had a
new generation of Rolfing practitioners, Prados Structural Stretches (2000) include
tendency to work too hard; and the amount
and wrote numerous articles about stress Somatic Experiencing in their conception
of force required in the Rolfing touch
and trauma (Levine, 1977, 1980, 1997, and practice.
was exaggerated. This might have been
2004). His work sought the regulation of
the source of the reputation of Rolfing as The Rolfing Movement work of Jaye,
the autonomic nervous system (ANS),
painful and invasive. Unfortunately, it also Harrington and Godard included techniques
the function of which is disturbed by
encouraged the idea that Rolfing went only to address the emotional question. Building
developmental or shock-induced traumas.
to the physical form. upon that foundation, Prado (2005)
Levine proposed that activation of the
and Prado and Allen (2005) went on to
In any event, these ideas had consequences sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
examine the importance of meaning as
for therapeutic relations and associated of the ANS in situations of unresolved
both an element of the clients pattern and
ethical attitudes, and clouded the more threat could precipitate a freeze response,
a contributing factor to transformation of
accurate perception of Rolfing as a process, and as the responses of fight or flight
the pattern.
unique and individual for each client and were interrupted or frustrated, the activities
tailored to the clients particular rhythm of both the ANS and the central nervous Prado (2005), in Advanced Training: An
(Prado, 1999). This topic led directly into system would be disorganized, diminishing Opportunity to Deepen our Awareness of
consideration of ethics, and the ethics of the resilience of the nervous system as a the Subjective, called attention to the need
touch in particular, helping the Rolfing whole. His somatic approach begins with for Rolfing to develop its own approach to
community to ponder, to meet, and to Gendlins felt-sense (1982) as a method. the meaning and emotions that are often
develop an ethical attitude about clinical According to Levine, once (a) the residual part of the experience of somatic patterns
contact (Greenstreet, 1992; Kertay, 1999b; activations are accessed, (b) the resulting a specific approach different from those
Keen, 1999). discharges are monitored and titrated, and of other sciences. Psychological life is all
(c) the frustrated responses are completed, about meaning and meaning is inherently
With time, there came a certain maturation
then the resilience of the nervous system subjective, both individually and culturally.
in various dimensions of the practice, which
could be restored by the self-regulatory Meaning influences both posture and
was reflected by:
mechanisms of the body. The conscious movement. It is both cognitive and affective
t
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PG
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UPVDIFT
presence of the client in contacting the at the same time. Prado (2005, p. 5) explains
originating in the discoveries about sensations and observing the discharges the importance of exploring meaning in the
the influence of the nervous system on not only rebalances the ANS, but also Rolfing context: just as gravity unites the
alterations in myofascial tonus (Schleip, yields a new experience this time one of structural and functional perspectives, it is
1993b); power which releases the post-traumatic also the key to the work with meaning. The
t
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disturbances. question is how meaning and the subjective

48 www.rolf.org STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008

 PERSPECTIVES
dimension affect, and are affected by, the therapy; however, qualities of healing can Maitland (1999; 2000, p. 121) noted the
organization of the person in gravity. be present. This process takes place in a influence of worldview on structure. Prado
relationship between the Rolfer and the asserted, in a discussion on meaning,
P r a d o s c l i e n t - c e n t e r e d a p p r o a c h
client. This is the fourth dimension of the Meaning is an individual and cultural
encourages attention to the perceived
structural integration process: a dimension factor. When we are going for meaning we
meaning of the patterns, as well as to the
of relationship. (Prado, 1996) are also going for how the individual shares
meaning of their transformation. This
it with others (Prado 2005, pp. 25-28). The
attention to meaning augments the clients Still in the emotional dimension, the
same article also suggests addressing this
own participation in the process; brings academic work of two Brazilians deserves
dimension through techniques that evoke
understanding, awareness, and access to be distinguished:
consciousness of a particular pattern,
to emotional material; and emphasizes
Motta (2003) has presented a ten person movement or attitude. Cultural diversity
how the client lives the patterns and their
study that compares the clients evaluations and the spread of Rolfing throughout the
associated meanings. The idea is to mediate
of their own body images before and after world has expanded this discussion within
the pre-reflective experience in the direction
Rolfing. The study concluded that the body the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration,
of reflection and suggest analysis of the
image variations could be connected to the the Rolfing schools, and their students and
effects of the transformation.
Rolfing intervention, that Rolfing facilitated class clients, demonstrating the field to
Rolfing happens in many levels self-awareness by encouraging client be rich with promise for the investigation
of consciousness and awareness. The identification of bodily sensations, and of the intersection of culture, structure,
emergence of consciousness can also be the that Rolfing induced changes in behavior movement and gravity.
essence of the transformative experience. and psychological attitude as much as in
Energetic
Such a transformation happens in a person the relationships among the various parts
that, as he lives his reality, lives the change of of the physical structure. Here lies the question of what energy
his form. He perceives himself in relationship means in the lexicons of both common sense
In Rolfing as a Restorative Agent of and science. In Rolfing, this discussion
and in transformation, and also participates
Communication between the Body and permeates both realms. As a method
in the change through perception, carrying
the Environment: A Conquest of the to achieve structural integration and
the intention of the change of form in a
Ground, Merlino (2005) made important func tional economy, Rolfing induces
continuous interaction with the internal
theoretical observations about perception, biological changes that the client senses
and external environments.
consciousness and the body image, and describes as improved vitality and
It is impossible, at this stage of the evolution connecting them to the Rolfing process. well-being. Sometimes, this vitality and
of Rolfing, not to consider the symbolic and She reports a case study connecting the well-being is called energy. The imprecision
affective aspects of being, as well as the use of metaphors to perception of self in the use of the term energy compels us to
physical and functional patterns and how and the environment, consciousness and consider the inconsistent uses of the term
they form in the being. Clearly, the degree transformation. among various fields of science, as well as
of continuity across all of the taxonomies at the fact that practitioners and clients do
Ultimately, the category of the emotional
any particular moment will be an indication indeed choose this term to express something
brings us to the questions of consciousness
of the state of the process at that moment. but not always the same thing. Therefore,
and its development through the clients
The greater the continuity, the greater the we should discuss this central question
ownership of the transformation process
degree to which the client is integrating the from two angles: one of science, and the
first at a sensorial, pre-reflective level, and
work within himself, as well as with gravity other of the general public.
then at a reflective level with both conscious
and the environment.
language and perceived connection between From the scientific angle, Maitland (2000, p.
Others have inquired along the same lines: the transformation and the meanings 121) has observed, The energetic taxonomy
Keleman (1992) with Formative Psychology, involved in the persons perception of relates to the energy fields and flows that
Kurtz (1983) with Hakomi, and Lizbeth himself and the world. are transmitted through the body. The
Marcher with Bodynamics (Meister, 1991 energetic taxonomy can be operationally
Cultural
and Stolzoff, 1997) are only a few examples. measured as direct microcurrents that
The works of these authors have been This subcategory has only recently begun
are transmitted through the connective
explored by Rolfers, who have produced to receive formal attention. For example,
tissue network. Autonomic activity, as
literature with respect to the interface of in recognition of the fact that that the
operationalized by heart rate variability, has
these inquiries and Rolfing. individuals existence in the social context
also been used as a measure of the energetic
influences body form and movements,
taxonomy. Research studies support this
The study of therapeutic relations in the cultural category has been included
view; see, e.g., Cottingham, Porges and
Rolfing has been advanced by Luchau in NAPERs clinical questionnaires and
Lyon (1988) and Cottiingham, Porges and
(1997), Kurtz (1992), Prado (2004b), Smythe process evaluation forms (see Prado, 2004a).
Richmond (1988). In particular, research on
(2006) and McCall (2007). One question is Sometimes, a particular persons structural
the changes in measured parasympathetic
how the Rolfing process can be followed and movement patterns are even shared
activity produced by the Rolfing touch
in all of its dimensions. It should not be within a cultural group, and are associated
have yielded significant findings. It is also
treated as psychotherapy, but rather as a with particular historical events or epochs
appropriate to refer once again here to the
process of transformation that involves (Prado, 2005).
studies of Oschman (2000, pp. 165-66), who
many dimensions of human behavior. It
considers how the models of quantum
is education and facilitation more than

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION / SEPTEMBER 2008 www.rolf.org 49

 PERSPECTIVES
physics can enhance our understanding of importance has been implicit in Rolfing BIBLIOGRAPHY
how Rolfing works. since its creation (Prado, 2003b, 2004a).
Maitland (1990) has attempted to set Agneesens, Carol, The Fabric of Wholeness:
Valerie Hunts studies of aura readings Biological Intelligence and Relational Gravity.
a philosophical context to support the
are another tentative exploration of the Santa Cruz: Quantum Institute Press,
exploration of Rolfing in the existential
energetic aspect of Rolfing (Hunt and 2001.
dimension. He proposes that Rolfing is
others, 1977, and Hunt, 1996, pp. 22-25).
in the domain of somatic ontology, a line of Asher, James, Rolfing and the Mentally
She found significant correlations among
inquiry that investigates the nature of being Ill. Rolf Lines, Rolf Institute of Structural
the physical, emotional and energetic
through the lens of our own embodiment. Integration, v. 25, n. 3, pp. 10-14, 1997.
dimensions. Stucker (1999), following
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guided by the organization of the persons in perspectives beyond the physical. This Integration, v. 35 n. 3, p. 2, 2007.
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stimulated considerable discussion. It is occupies the attention of our scholars; Barral, Jean-Pierre and Pierre Mercier,
both ambitious and courageous to try to see,, e.g., Doing Bodywork as a Spiritual Visceral Manipulation. Seattle: Eastland
raise hypotheses to correlate our work with D i s c i p l i n e, by R o g e r Pi e rce ( 1 9 9 0 ) . Press, 1983.
two potent forces of nature gravity and Johnson (1999, pp. 33-34; 2006, pp. 24- Bertolucci, Luiz Fernando, Cinesioterapia.
electromagnetism. A proponent of such 27) has led a discussion about the iconic In J. Greve and M.M. Amatuzzi (eds)
hypotheses will, of course, have difficulty line of gravity, and considers it a mudra Medicina de Reabilitao Aplicada Ortopedia
testing and evaluating them. The challenge an archetypal gesture that carries an e Traumatologia. So Paulo: Ed. Rocco, 1998,
is how to identify the fixations on the intention and, if practiced regularly, can pp. 47-80.
energetic level, and to develop and describe bring transformation. O ther authors
techniques that might address them. have described it as a model of bodily Bertolucci, Luiz Fernando, Integrao
organization for meditation, and also as a de segmentos corpreos na dor msculo-
Because the term energy is used to describe esqueltica. Rolfing Bras., v. 10, n. 4, pp.
process of perfecting the path of a spiritual
the intensity or rate of metabolic processes, 4-8, 2003.
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those who study Rolfing from the biological
organization between the sky and the earth Ber tolucci, Luiz Fernando, Anatomia
viewpoint are contributing their work to
in which the human phenomenon exists, funcional do aparelho locomotor. In
the science of Rolfing (Varela and Frenk,
and that working to organize what exists Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira, Lin Tchia Yeng,
1988; Menegatti, 2004; DUdine, 1994, 1998;
between these dimensions supports and and Helena S. Kaziyama (eds.), Reabilitao
Oschman, 2000).
enlarges the human experience. da sndrome dolorosa miofascial. So Paulo:
A brief but beneficial conversation has Roca, 2005a. pp. 23-28.
There is a sense in which all of Rolfing
taken place among Rolfing practitioners,
is connected to this idea and can be Bertolucci, Luiz Fernando, Reorganizao
on the one hand, and proponents of various
explored through its perspective. We do muscular manual (RMM) na dor crnica
viewpoints in bioenergetics, on the other
not consider the investigation to be closed musculoesqueltica. In M.J. Teixeira, L.T.
hand. The par ticipants have explored
or hermetic, and only about the magic of Yeng, and E.F. Almeida (eds), Biomecnica do
how the ideas of energy and bioenergy
transformation, but the inquiry is open aparelho locomotor, 6. ed. So Paulo: Revista
permeate not only exact sciences, but also
with respect to it. The debate has led us do Centro de Estudos da Dor HC-FMUSP,
psychology and teaching. Among the few
to reconceptualize the work, focusing 2005b. pp. 12-24.
published works to explore these interfaces
on gravity as a relational context, the
is one on Reich (Sharaf, 1972) and one on Bertolucci, Luiz Fernando, et al. Liberao
environment, and the integration of ones
Bioenergetics (Lustfield, 1997). miofascial. So Paulo: Associaco Brasileira
being with oneself and with the cosmos
In 2005, in the attempt to find appropriate simultaneously. de Rolfing, 2005.
language to use with students and the public, Bond, Mary. Balancing Your Body a Self-help
Rolfing works from the perspective of
the Rolfing faculty in Brazil recognized the Approach to Rolfing Movement. Rochester:
releasing compensations in the soma, and
need to discuss the idea of energy. As a Healing Arts Press, 1993.
the hope is that conditions will then be
result of this fruitful discussion, the faculty
right for the human being to explore new Brecklinghaus, Hans Georg, Welcome
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the terms vitality and well-being, which
liberation and reorganization. The effects 24-28, 1998.
connect to the clients experience, and to
of Rolfing in the spiritual dimension are
avoid using the term energy in ways that Carli-M ills, Rebecca, The Func tional
reflected in the reports of some clients
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integrated structure allows the person to Caspari, Monica, Mindful Motion: Rolfing
word among the general public.
gain access to a certain inherently human Movement Integration Techniques. Boulder:
Existential/Spiritual spiritual faculty. /s.c.p./, 1996.
This subcategory highlights the
transformational aspect of Rolfing. Its

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