structural integration - rolfdec 23, 2011 · the tmj. and then, of course, i findquite a few...

Structural Integration THEJOURNALOFTHEROLFINSTITUTE® DECEMBER2012

COLUMNSAsk the Faculty: Traditional “Seventh-Hour” Work 2

Rolf Movement® Faculty Perspectives: 3Differentiating Categories of Embodiment

NOSE AND MOUTH CONSIDERATIONSCranial, Oral, and Nasal Work in Rolfing® SI: 6An Interview with Jim Asher

DerekGill

On the Nose 11DanSomers

Craniofascial Structure: In Osteopathy, Dentistry, and Rolfing SI 14OlixnAdams,RebeccaGriffiths,AnneHoff

THOUGHTS ON BREATHINGBreathing Through the Whole Body: 20 Toward A New Functional Definition of The Line

WillJohnson

Rolfing SI and the Buteyko Breathing Method 22RobertLitmanandHelenLuce

Middendorf Breathexperience Work 24JudithMayanja

The Breath That Breathes Us 27CarolAgneessens

PERSPECTIVESMental Health Is in the Body 32

KarlE.Humiston

The Case Study Method: Year Two 33PedroPrado

Rolfing SI and the Brain: An Interview with Kevin Frank 35SabineWeis

Conceptual Housekeeping 39JeffreyMaitland

An Excellent Adventure: 43 Poster Presenting at the Fascia Research Congress

KarenSallovitz

Ida’s Imprint Holds for Life: The Passing of Ed Jehebar 44AnneF.Hoff

REVIEWS 45

From Manual Evaluation to General Diagnosis

The Roots and Philosophy of Dynamic Manual Interface

Visceral Vascular Manipulations

Manual Therapy for the Prostate

INSTITUTE NEWS 48

CONTACTS

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION: THE JOURNAL OF THE ROLF INSTITUTE®

December2012Vol.40,No.2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 StructuralIntegration/December2012 www.rolf.org

COLUMNS

A: Sometimes,whendoinga traditionalSeventhHour of a ten-session series, Ilookat thenotes that I tookasa studentmore than thirtyyears ago.Andusuallymyattentiongetsdrawntoafewdetails,mentionedbydifferentteachersofthefirstgenerationandtheirimplicitinterpretationofIdaRolf’soriginalvision.Onedetailistheemphasisputontheroofofthemouthandits relatedness to therestof thecranium.Anotherdetailistheattentionthatwaspaidto thevarious tensionalpatterns aroundtheTMJ.Andthen,ofcourse,Ifindquiteafewdetailsaboutnosework.IrememberEmmettHutchins stating thatnoseworkisaboutstretchingthemembranes insidethesinuseswhilegettingoutof thenose.Gettingout is the job tobedone,gettinginisjustpreparingit.Irememberworkingin classwith amodelwhowasnot ableto breathe through the nose for eightyears after a car accident. Inmynotes Ifind thedescriptionof thedramatic andelegant procedure thatmy teacher JanSultansuggestedtogetthiscasehandled.Wehadtomovethenoseby“following”towards themorecompressedsidealongthezygomatic arch– almost to the ear –toget inside,until tightmembranes andcompressedcartilagewouldletgoatonce,creatingsomeveryscarynoises.

TodayIbelievethatwewereactuallydoingmuchmore than opening the nose.Wewere,withoutbeingawareofit,releasingthewholerelationshipoftheneurocraniumtotheviscerocraniuminprofoundways:onthe levelofmyofascial andmembranoustension, on the level of important nervestructures, and on the level of arterialsupply.

Ifthisisreallytrue,wehavetolookmorecarefullybothatourconceptoftheSeventhHourandatthetechniquesweapply.Wemaygo in and just “release tension” orjust“puttheheadon”asweusedtosay.Indoing thatwewill be successful, to acertaindegree,withclientswhoareruledbystrongmesomorph-typetensionallover.However,withpeoplewhoaremorefragile

orevenhypermobilearoundtheTMJ,anewavenueofdetailed structural integration(SI)mayopenforourpracticeifwefollowsystemicallysignificantdetailsallthewaydown.Itwillhelpustobeawarethattheinsideofthemouthandtheanteriorpartoftheneckare,asidefromtherespiratorydiaphragm,themostdynamicpartsoftheorganism.Andwemayusethesedynamicsto openor stabilizepatterns all thewaydownbehindthesternum,orlaterallyallthewaytotheshouldersandarms.

Howcanwedothatinpractice?Wemayallowourselvestobemoreselectivewithour items.Whichof the traditional intra-oral techniques are effective,whichonesarenot?Which tests canhelpus?– testsconcerningtheTMJfunction,theresilienceinsidethesinuses,andthetissuesaroundthehyoidsling.Andwhatkindsofchoicesare to bemade according to our tests?Dowe treat oneTMJonly, or both, andwhen?Andfinally,whendowehave towork directly by “stretching tissue“ orstimulatingmechanoreceptors?Whendoweworkindirectlyorinacombinedway?Then, ifwe reallywant to changegearsand followupbygoing into thefieldofmicromotionof the craniosacral concept,thelargerfieldwillbewell-prepared.

Peter Schwind, Ph.D. Advanced Rolfing® Instructor

A: Personally I teachmouth and nosework in the basicRolfing SI training aswell as other concepts and techniquesthatdesignatetheseventhsession.Idon’tthink that a craniosacral approach canbe a substitute. Craniosacral work is,in my understanding, a method andnot a technique. Part of the territoryoverlaps, but concepts and goals areverydifferent.

There are a lot of good reasons toworkinside themouth and nose when theclient agrees to receive the specificworkandwhenitisnotpainful.Again,itisnottheonlyterritorywecoverintheseventh

Ask the Faculty Traditional “Seventh-Hour” WorkQ: I hear that some Rolfers™ no longer do traditional Seventh-Hour mouth and nose work. Some have dropped it, or changed the way they do it to a more craniosacral approach. Others do it in sessions besides the Seventh Hour. Can you discuss what you see as the current understanding of this work and its place in the Ten Series, post-ten work, and advanced work?

hour,itissimplythemost“strange.”Ithashappenedtomethatmymodelinclassdidnotwantanyworkinsidethemouthorthenose,andIthendideverythingelseinthesession,reachingthegoalsoftheSeventhHourbyothermeans.

Pierpaola Volpones Rolfing & Rolf Movement® Instructor

A: It’s understandable thatRolfers andRolfing students sometimes find theSeventh-Hourworkmysterious – someRolfersmightjuststopdoingallorpartofit,asking themselves“What’s thepoint?”Howdoesoneseetheresultsandhowdoesoneselltheclientonitsvalue?

Overthedecadesdifferentviewshavebeenoffered,whichhaveledtofurtherquestions,such as:Arewe attempting to shift thepositionsofthecranialbones?Arewedoingaminisessionofcraniosacraltherapy?Howwould fascialworkon the scalp changeposture? If it does,why?Questions canpersist,literally,fordecades.

Wemight alsowonder:Howdowe sellsomeoneontheideathatanentiresessionfocusedontheheadisgoingtohelpwith,forexample,lowbackpain?Howdowesella“head”sessionaftersellingthenotionthatRolfingSIisaboutshiftingtheconnective-tissuematrixtohelpyoustandupbetter?Whatwouldtinybitsoffasciaonthesurfaceoftheskullhavetodowiththat?

The Rolfing series ostensibly involvesmoving fascial cables tomake the bodystandupbetter.Weapplypressureordeepstrokesontheribsorbackorthighandthestoryappearstomakesensebecauseweareworkingonthingsthatsegmentallymove.Rolfers theoreticallyunglue these layers,andposturechanges.Butwhatcablesareweun-gluinginthehead,andwhywouldthat help?A legendaryRolfing teacheronce said ironically, “Wearepushingontheheadtomakeitlarger,”theimplicationbeingthatitdoesn’tlogicallymakesense.Doespushingonthescalpmaketheheadpush back in a kind of rebound effect?(And how does a “larger” head helpposture?)Attempts touse “body-as-soft-machine”thinkingtoexplaintheSeventhHourultimately stretch credulity.Magicthinkingwears thinafterawhile, so thisis a great question: “What areweup tohere in session seven?”This question isuseful since itpromptsus to re-examineourassumptionsandask, forexample, isfascial tissue really the thingwechange?Wedotouchfascialtissueandit’spowerful.

www.rolf.org StructuralIntegration/December2012 3

COLUMNSWhy?Whywouldwedointranasalwork–isitfasciaweareafterthere?Ifwefindaplausibleexplanationforsessionseven,wemightgainabetterexplanationforonethroughsix!Inordertore-imaginethevalueoftheSeventhHourwereallyneedtore-imaginewhatwearetryingtoaccomplishinallourwork,andbeclearaboutsessionsevenwhenwedosessionone.

Wheredowestart?AlmosteveryonewillagreethatthepointoftheTenSeriesistoachieve lasting improvements in thewayabody responds to its environment.Thehealthy response to thenormaldemandsoflifeistomeetthem,andtogrowalittlelongerasonedoesso.Howdoweevokethishealthy response in abody thathaslostthiscapacity?

Wecan summarizeourworkas foundedonthebiologicalimperativetoorient.Theprimedirective is: “don’t falldown.”Toobey,thebodymustorientfoundationallytoupanddown.Wearerestoringaperson’scapacity toorient, andbyorientationwemean the relationshipof the body to itssources of information about location,its location toupanddown, its locationsthroughout body structure, and to theimmediacyofthepotentialforactionandresponseinalldirectionssurroundingthebody.Thispointofviewleadsusinevitablytotheroleofworkwiththehead.Theheadhasmanyaspectsinvolvedwithorientationstartingwith the innerearand includingthe sense of hearing, seeing, smelling,and sensingwith the tactile channels ofthe skull.Theseportalsofperceptionarethe stuffonwhich lengthening responsedepends.Thehead is,firstand foremost,aninstrumentoforientation.

Whenwe touch the fascia of the scalp,whenwe teach (hopefully long beforesessionseven)theskillfulpurposeofeyesinorientation,whenwedifferentiate thejawgirdlefromtheaxisinthesamemannerwedifferentiatepelvicandshouldergirdlesfromaxis,we are freeing theprocess oforientationtolocationfromthedominanceofimage,idea,andeffort.Theorientationprocess is hungry to restore aliveness,alivenessthatcomesfromcontactwiththespaceinsideandaroundthehead,andthesenseofupanddown.Ourbodysystemis setup todo this activity, anddoes sowhetherwe pay attention or not. ButRolfingSIgetsustonoticeit.WhatRolfingSImakespossibleisanewrelationshiptoanormallynon-consciousprocess.Whenwetouchscalpfascia,andwhenweteach

people to feel thepotencyofpresence tothesenses,posturalintegrityamplifies.Weseeitoverandoverwhilenotnecessarilycreditingtheprimacyoforientation.

Anorientationpremiseworksbest ifwelink it towork on all the other parts ofthebodyaswell. Ifwewaituntilsessionseven tomake thepitch, it’smaybeabitlate.We canofferanarrative thatmakestheSeventhHouranatural continuationof every session before. The function oftheheadandtheorientationprocesscan’tbe leftuntil session seven ifwehope toenroll clients in taking an active interestin its potential.And after thework inour office isdone,what canweoffer sothatclientscanverifytheexperienceoverandover for themselves, so thatfindinglengthbecomesanaturalandun-effortedexperience?Wecanteachourclientsmanyself-caretips,tofeelthelocationoftheA/O,orthesenseofextendedaxisthatcontinuesabove the head and beyond the coccyxthroughideokinesis.Wecanofferavenuestonoticemodesofeyegaze.Wecanteachclients to enliven theperi-personal spacearoundtheheadbysimplyrollingtheheadslowlyonthefloororawall.Wecanofferbreathandsoundastoolstofindinternaldimensionality in the sinuses and thepalate.Wecanteachclientstodifferentiate

thejawandskullinsimpleexercisesfirstaccompaniedbyfascialtouchinasession,butthenpracticedathomeandultimatelyineverydaysituationsuntiltheheadfindsbuoyancy and the jawfinds the supportofthefeetontheground.Wecanbegininsessionone to introduce the relationshipbetweenorientationandbreath.Breathisinterwovenwithorientation.

It’s a welcome relief tomake friendswith the SeventhHour, to frame it interms that can be explained and taughtclearlyand simply, at least as apracticalfoundation. [Considerations of inherentmotion,tides,andintercraniallesionsarevalid and important topics of inquiry.But, as structural integrators, do weput our strongest foot forward or arewe overreachingwhenwe claim thesephenomenaarethebasisforSeventhHourwork?Mightasimplerandmoreprovableexplanationserveourstudentsandpublicimagemorereliably?]Ourworkwithheadand jawandeven intra-nasalexplorationcan be grounded in modern science,linked to improvedmotor control, andcongruentwith structural integration asbody-basededucation.

Kevin Frank Rolf Movement Instructor

Rolf Movement® Faculty PerspectivesDifferentiating Categories of Embodiment: An Educational Rationale for Rolf Movement Integration within Rolfing® SIBy Kevin Frank, Certified Advanced Rolfer™, Rolf Movement Instructor

Embodiment is intrinsic to structuralintegrat ion (SI) . SI depends on apract i t ioner ’s learned capaci ty toexperience, demonstrate, speak about,andwork from a personal embodimentofDr.Rolf’swork.Apractitionerlearnstoempathically“see”anotherperson’sbodyprocess; butwe learn to see primarilythroughwhatweknowinourownbody– embodiment. Seeingdependsonone’sowndifferentiatedbodyawareness.Ourawarenessbecomesdifferentiated asourbody awakens tomore andmore of its

full range of inherent capacity tomove,sense, andmeet challenge.Embodimentis a lifelong inquiry into inherent bodymovementintelligence.

Embodiment,forpurposesofSI,meansaset ofdeveloped skills of awareness andcoordination:skillsforconsciousawarenessofperceivedphenomenaand,atthesametime, acquired non-conscious capacitiestoperceive and respond skillfully.Whatkindsofskillsareinvolved?SItrainingisbuiltaroundspecificskillsofbodylearningthatwere synthesizedandassembledby


COLUMNSRolf as aparticular gestalt.RolfdefinedSIbycertainhallmarksoffunction–thesehallmarksarepartofwhatofferscontrasttootherformsofbodyandpsychologicaltherapy. In any tradition though, it isthrough depth of embodiment thatwecontact the limitless nature of somaticinquiry.Historically, theRolfMovementfaculty has been the group at the RolfInstitute®most focusedon curricula thatsupport skillsof embodimentaside fromfascialmobilization.

Keen’s Discussion of EmbodimentRolfMovement training is becomingbetterdocumentedanddefined; the timeis ripe formore precise descriptions ofthiselusive term,“embodiment.”RolfingSI and RolfMovement Instructor LaelKeen has contributed significantly tothis task.Keen offers eight componentsof embodiment intrinsic to Rolfing SIin her 2009 article on the subject.1 Shehighlightsthefollowingqualities:presence;palintonicity; contralateralmovement;responsiveness, lightness, and fluidity;dynamic balance; grace; and optimalrelationshipwith gravity.Keen’s articleelaboratesoneachqualitytoillustratewhatweaimtoevokeinSI.

Keen’shallmarksoffunctionreflectdecadesofevolutionintheSIfieldand,atthesametime,ringtruetoRolf’soriginalvision.IntermsofRolfMovementeducation,anextstep is to ask the question: howdowecategorizeembodiment?Howdowesortthedimensionsofembodimentthatinhabitthelessonsweteach?Howdowelinkthemtophysiology?

Thepurposeofthisarticleistodifferentiateunderpinnings to integrated function ingravity sowemay further ground theabstraction “embodiment.”Whenwecategorize forms of embodiment, weofferstudentsspecificitytotheir learningprocess –what skills are explicit to theirdevelopmentandwhatleadstodepthinthework.Wemaketheprocesslessmysterious.Whatwe cannotdo ismake theprocessquickandeasy.Byanyname,embodimenttakespractice.

Embodiment Seen in Terms of Brain Maps of Body FunctionPhysiologically, embodiment, bothconsc ious and non-consc ious , i sconveniently linked toa scientificmodel:

differentiated sensory andmotormapsin thebrain.Greater embodimentmeansmoredifferentiationinthebrain’smapsofsensoryandmotorprocesses.Mapsinthebrainarenotliterallypictorialmapsinthewaywe thinkof, say, roadmaps. “Brainmaps”isaneurosciencetermforthebrain’sorganizationof learned coordinativeandperceptual patterns, likemusical scriptsthat the brain can play. These routines,oncelearnedandpracticed,arecalleduponforwhatever purpose the brain/body isaskedtoplay.Whenevertheterms“map”or“maps”areusedinthisarticle,itisthesensory andmotor brainmaps that arebeingreferredto.

Whilebrainmapsarenotpictorialmaps,themetaphorhelpsexplainthedifferentiationof these terms.A paper roadmap thatcoversanentire continent can’t showthesmaller,back roads. Ifwemake themaphuge, though,wemagnify thescale.Ourmap of the continent could become thesizeof a soccerfieldand those tiny littleroadswouldshowupandbeeasytoread.Themore tiny roadsandhamletson themap, themore it has beendifferentiated.A large thing is brokendown into finedistinctionsbetweenone thing (location)and another. In thebrain, themore thattinythingsaredistinctanddefinedandthemoreconnectionsbetweenpoints,themoredifferentiatedthesensoryandmotormapsare,andthemorerefinedandskillfulthemovement–ahallmarkofSI.

Maps existmostly below the level ofconsciousawareness.However,wewitnessourmappingwhenwefeelthequalityofourbodymovementsandhowwerespondto circumstance.We feel the “movementbrain”make choices faster thanwe canthinkaboutdoingso,andmoreskillfullythanwecan controlwith thought.Whenyoutieyourshoesorflipapancake,therearehostsofmapsoperatingautomatically.Maps that allow shoe tying or pancakeflippingarefundamentallysimilartomapsthatcauseustostanduprightingravityorwalkdownthestreet.MapsofferawaytoexplainthepowerofSI.

Tobuildnewmaps,mapsthatleadtoSI,we can describe categories of learning:newmapsandimprovedmapsrepresentlearning. This type of learning isembodiment.

Models,ofcourse,arenotthethingitself.Soitiswithmodelsofsensoryfunctionandmotor control. The list belowartificially

divides embodiment into categories ofbody process thatwe can think aboutseparately. It is an approximation. Thebodydoesn’twork individed categories,butwe think and talk thisway.The listassistsusinorganizingourthinkingaboutdifferent parts of a course or training.The list categorizesparts of the learningprocesssostudentshaveanotheroverviewofwhattheyarelearning;it’sachancetonoticewhichbodyprocessesareskillfullyembodiedandwhichonesarelessso.

Seven Categories of EmbodimentWhy seven categories?There is nothingmagic about thisnumber. It is a startingpoint from which we may consideradditionalcategoriesinthefuture.Thislistattempts to include importantperceptualandcoordinativeprocessesforwhichSIhasarelevantcontribution.Thedescriptionsarenecessarilybrief.The larger storybehindeach categoryof embodiment constitutesthe content of other articles, aswell ascoursestaughtaspartoftheRolfMovementcertification program. The overlappingnature of these components and theirnatural interrelationship are left forfuturediscussions.

We begin at the body process that isthe foundation for consciousness andmovementorganization–orientation.

1.Orientation Embodiment:Orientationis, formammals (including people),a biological imperative that beginswith orientation to up and down.“Orientation embodiment”means acapacity to draw on orientation as aresource formeeting demand. To beclear: inordertoreadandthinkaboutthewordsinfrontofyourightnow,youarenecessarilyoriented.It’sautomatic.It functions in the background foreveryminimally functional person.Partofembodiment,though,involvesadeliberate and consciousawarenessoftheorientationprocess:forexample,wecanlearntobeawareofourorientationtoweight, and orientation to spaceanddistance.Wecanlearntoperceivea spectrum of ways for arousingorientationresponsetoestablishsecurityat a sensorimotor level.We returnover and over to gravity orientation,experienced as the foundation for allother formsoforientation.Orientationembodimentincludesacapacitytofeeldifferentiationbetweenorientation to


COLUMNS“where”andorientationto“what”–thatis,betweenorientationthatlocatesusatasensorimotorlevelversusorientationthat lives in thought.UnderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenwhereandwhatisfundamentaltotheSIprocess.2

Body Perceptive Processes:

2.Interoceptive Embodiment:What isinteroception? Clare Fowler, in thejournalBrain, states, “As originallydefinedinteroceptionencompassedjustvisceral sensations but now the termis used to include the physiologicalcondition of the entire body and theabilityofvisceralafferentinformationtoreach[conscious]awarenessandaffectbehaviour,eitherdirectlyor indirectly.Thesystemofinteroceptionasawholeconstitutes “the material me” andrelatestohowweperceivefeelingsfromour bodies thatdetermine ourmood,sense ofwell-being and emotions.”3This comment is apt. Interoception isa concept that has evolved and nowprovides structural integratorswith away todescribehow felt sense affectsfunctionandposture.It’sadefinableskill:todifferentiateinterceptiveinformationand integrate it into life. Interoceptionembodiment includes capacity tofinda sense of the internal volume anddensity in thebodyandtoarouseandenhanceanexperienceofbodyvolume.Itincludesacapacitytosenseandenhancethe experience of body containmentwitha feelingofwhatHubertGodardcalls “bodyenvelope,”whichhe linksto Jacques Lacan’s first (real) bodyimage.4 Interoceptive embodimentincludesacapacitytointerpretconsciousinteroceptiveawarenessasfeltsense,andlinkittoemotion,resource,andsecurity.Interoception includes themanner inwhichweperceiveand interpretpain.As in the caseof other formsofbodyinformation, and as the above quotepointsout,non-consciousinteroceptivesignalsabound.InSI,itistheportionsofthesetypesofsignalsthatwenoticeconsciously that are themost relevantfor learning.Non-consciousprocessesdevelop in response to what welearnconsciously.

3. P r o p r i o c e p t i v e E m b o d i m e n t : Proprioception, like interoception,has shifted indefinitionover thepastdecades,butamodernworkingdefinitionincludes how the body consciouslydifferentiates shifts in bodyposition,

shape,movement, and relationshipto gravity through stretch receptorsand vestibular function. Healthyproprioceptiveembodimentmeansthatproprioceptionisgivenachancetodoits job;meaning that proprioceptionisnot eclipsedby image-based efforts– images of performance or learnedpatterns of fear and compensation.Consciousproprioceptioncanbeawayofrestoringbodyintelligencesoeffortsandimagescanrelease.Proprioceptiveembodiment education includes thefascialmobilization component of SIaswell as instruction in experientialanatomy,andothermeansthatprovokeorrefreshadifferentiatedexperienceofthephysicalbody.

4. E x t e r o c e p t i v e E m b o d i m e n t :Exteroception concerns one’spositioningravityandspacelikeproprioception,butreferences theworld“outside” thebody boundary, using the eyes, ears,and skin. Exteroceptive embodimentincludesa capacity to sense theworldas adifferentiatedmoving event – aneventthatIreachtotouchwithmybeing,and(whencoupledwithorientationtoweight) is anevent thatholdsmeandtouchesmy being. Exteroception isanother sourceof basicbody security.It is prominentwhenwe observe theuse of the eyes. Eyes can integratewith proprioception or can interruptproprioception; this issue is centralto SI. Palintonicity can be viewed asproprioceptive awareness ofweightor the downdirection, coupledwithexteroceptive awareness of space orupdirection.

Body Coordinative Processes:

5.A g e n c y B o d y / C o o r d i n a t i o n Embodiment: Ashumanbeingsthereisabeingaspectandadoingaspect.“Agencybody”5,6 refers to the embodiment offunctional(andoptimal)coordinationtomeetphysicalorpsychologicaldemandof themoment. In SI the termhelpsclarify the idea that integrationmeanshelping people be effective in life.AgencyalsomeansintheSIaestheticthatwemightnotevenfeellikethedoerbutratherwecanwitnessaseffectivedoinghappens.“Stabilizationembodiment”isaspecificembodimentthatfallswithintheagency-bodycategory.Stabilizationis interwovenwithallotheraspectsofposture in theSIprocess. Stabilizationembodiment,when named, helps to

defineanessentialqualitythatunderlieshallmarks of integrated function:stabilizationofthespineforhipflexionis one example; another is freedomoftheaxisfromthegirdles–manyofthehallmarksofourworkareexamplesofappropriate stabilization. Stabilizationembodimentmeansthecapacitytodrawonallformsofembodimenttomeetthebroadspectrumofdemandsthrownatuswithandwithoutwarning–howwemeet thedemandsof themoment. InSIthecapacitytomeetdemandmeansonecanfeelthebodylengthenandfindspaciousnessratherthancontractasonemeetsdemand.Itisacapacitytorespondwithprimarystabilizermusclesbeforesecondary,andsecondarybeforetertiary,asdemand escalates; also included isthe capacity to perform actionwithreducedeffort.

6.Levels of Abstraction Embodiment: Thisisthecapacitytonavigateskillfullybetween thought and sensation, andskilltonavigatetowardlesserorgreaterdegrees of abstraction in languageand self awareness. Rolf’sworkwasinfluencedbyAlfredKorzybskiandhistheoryofgeneralsemantics,7aviewthatseeslanguageuseasacommonlimiterforalldimensionsofhumanexperience.DerivedfromKorzybskiistheworkofJ.SamuelBoiswhobuildsonKorzybski’sthesis andpresents amore accessiblestory abouthowouruse of languageand thought structures experience sofundamentally as to render humanbeingscaptivetotheunexamineduseoflanguage.InhisbookThe Art of Awareness,Bois shows us howwe can learn tonavigatebetweendegreesofabstractedexperience,withpuresensoryawarenessbeingtheleastabstracted“knowing”wecanidentify.8ForSIafundamentalissueishow languageand thoughtpatternsreinforce faultymotor control. RolfMovementmakes the case thatwhenstudentsgainbasicskillindistinguishingsensoryinformationfrominferenceaboutsensation,otheraspectsofembodimentareeasiertolearn.Coupledwithdirectexperience of sense perception, it’shelpful for students to learn to namesensation, to deepen an experiencewithwords,and,atthesametime,notlosedirect observation.PeterLevine’sSomaticExperiencing® trainingworkssimilarlybut focuseson the treatmentofshock/trauma.SIisfacilitatedthroughpractice in shiftingbetweenwords of


NOSE AND MOUTH CONSIDERATIONSlowabstractionandwordsthataremoreloadedwithmeaning, inferential and/orabstractedfromprimaryexperience.With practice, sensory experienceis more easily observed in oneselfand others,which, in turn,makes iteasier to teach embodiment to clientsandstudents.

7.Autonomic Embodiment:Autonomicnervous system activity gets studiedmedically and academically; in SIone learns to discern the cycles ofsympathetic and parasympatheticarousal inone’sownbody.One learnstofeelhowthese“involuntary”bodilyresponses are, in fact, like posture,plastic and susceptible to choices inmindfulness,movement,andexpression.SI includes an embodiment of thecapacity to regulate basedon learnedability tonotice changesof autonomicstateinoneselfandothersandtohavepracticedability tomeet eachof thosestates with resource and spacious,timelesspresence.

Further Notes on MappingThebody, the sensorimotor brain of thebody,cannot,anddoesnot,thinkofitselfasabody.Thatisanideathatweimagine;itisacognitiveidearatherthanaphysiologicalfact.Theideaofabodyisanabstraction.To the extent that the body “thinks,”functionsat aphysiological level, itdoes

so in reference to theperceivedpotentialformovement.Thebrainhas evolvedasa tool for predicting and responding tomovement.Themissionofthebrainistomap the space inwhichactioncanoccurandactioninvolvesthebodyandthespaceavailabletothebodyequallyandwithoutpreference. Inotherwords thebodyanditssurroundingspacearealltheterritory,thematrix for action, and inasmuch, thebrainmapsthe“actionspace.”9SIisafieldengagedinamultidimensionalapproachtomappingtheactionspace–thedimensionsofbody,bothconsciousandunconscious,astheyapplytoallactionsofperception,gesture, bodymovement, stabilization,regulation.SIistheterritoryofintroducingthevariousdimensionsofembodimentinatitratedmannerforlastingimprovementofhumanpotential.

Endnotes1.Keen,LaelKatherine,“EmbodimentandGrace.”Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute,December2009,pg.25.

2. Frank,Kevin, “Body as aMovementSystem”.Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute,June2008.

3. Fowler, Clare J., “Visceral SensoryNeuroscience:Interoception.”Brain(2003)Vol.126(Issue6),pp.1505-1506.Availableonline at http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/126/6/1505.

4.Author’snotes froma class lecturebyHubertGodard.Godard cites theworkof FrenchpsychoanalystDidierAnzieu,authorofLe Moi-peau (Paris:Dunod,1985),asaninfluencethatledtohisuseoftheterm.

5. Godard has taken up the usage of“agencybody”asithasbecomecommoninneurosciencework.

6.Schwabe,L.,andO.Blanke,“Cognitiveneuroscienceof ownership andagency.”InConsciousness and Cognition,Volume16,Issue3,September2007,pp.661-666.

7.Korzybski,Alfred,Science and Sanity: An Introduction to Non-Aristotelian Systems and General Semantics. Lakeville,CT:TheInternationalNon-Aristotelian LibraryPublishingCo.,1948.

8. Bois, J. Samuel,The Art of Awareness.Dubuque,IA:Wm.C.BrownCo.,1978.

9.GodarddrewmostdirectlyonRizolattiasinspiration[G.RizzolatiandC.Sinigaglia,So quel che fai (Milan: RaffaelloCortinaEditore,2006)]tobringthistermintousage,derived fromRizolatti’sphrase spazio per l’azione.TheideaderivesalsofromPoincaré[seeH.Poincaré,The Value of Science(NewYork:DoverPublications,1905/1958)].

Cranial, Oral, and Nasal Work in Rolfing® SI: An Interview with Jim AsherBy Derek Gill, Certified Advanced Rolfer™

Derek Gill:ThestoryistoldthatDr.Rolfgaveyouamandate togooffand studycranialworkwithvarious osteopaths tobringthatknowledgebacktotheRolfing[StructuralIntegration(SI)]community.

Jim Asher:Yes.ItstartedoutwhenIwasinaRolfingclasswith Ida in theFloridaKeysin1971.Inthosedayswedidn’thaveaUnitI,andsomepeopledidn’thavetheiranatomydown– theyhaddoneacollegecourse, but hadn’t gotten a lot of grossanatomy. Idaaskedme todoananatomy

classintheevening,soIwasteachingthem.Dr.RolfhadhercopyofThe Cranial Bowl1byDr.SutherlandwithherandaskedmeifIwouldgivealittletalkonit.AsIreadit, Iwas fascinatedby thewhole ideaofeverythingmoving–bones,membranes,fluidsinsync,everythingmovinginsideofus.Ihadseenreferencestothis,Iunderstoodtheanatomy,butitwashardtopictureitallhappeningtogether.Dr.Rolfgavealectureon itherself after Ihadbrieflygoneovertheanatomy,andshetoldtheclass,“ifyouwant to learn this, theplace to learn it is

fromtheosteopaths.”IdahadstudiedwithDr.Sutherlandandherosteopathicfriends,butshedidn’tfeelitwasherplacetoteachcranialwork.Inthelate‘60sandearly‘70s,Rolfing[SI]wasreallyunknown–therewerelikefifteenorsixteenRolfersintheworld,and shewashoping thatRolferswouldhookupwithosteopathsandworkintheiroffices.So,shedidn’twanttobeteachingthecraniosacralworkandhavetheosteopathsthinking that shewas treading on theirterritory.SheknewDr.Sutherland,andshehadanincrediblecranialskill.

So Iwent off to an osteopath Ida knewinSt.Petersburg,Florida,aDr.Kimberly,andhadsomesessionswithhim.Istartedreadingthecranialtextbooks–The Cranial Bowl,Dr.Magoun’sOsteopathy in the Cranial Field,2etc.Therewerealsoarticleswrittenbyosteopathsoncranialworkrelatingtothe“core”workweweredoing.Thishelpedin understanding that the respiratorydiaphragmandthoracicinlet/outletarepart


NOSE AND MOUTH CONSIDERATIONSofthecore,thankstoahandoutIdagavetheclassabout thecore,“TheLine,”and thethreediaphragms.BecauseIhaddonemyhomework,someosteopathswouldteachmeafewoftheirskills.Atthattime,therewasn’talotofoutsideinterest.Cranialworkwasseenalmostasanoccult thing.Mostosteopathsdidstandardosteopathicspinalmanipulations,butnotalotofcranialwork.Sothat’showIgotstarted.

DG: So,was itmoreyourowncuriosity,ordidsheactuallyaskyoutogooutandgatherabodyofwork thatotherRolferscoulduse?

JA:Well,both.Dr.Rolfwouldencourageustoexplorecranialosteopathy,amongotherthings, likehomeopathy.Sheaskedme todosomein-depthresearchintothecranialfieldtobringbacktothegroup.In1971webroughtDr.Rolf toFlorida fora seriesoflecturesandRolfingdemosatTheUniversityofMiami,FloridaAtlanticUniversity, theSouthernDentalAssociation, and several“growthcenters,”allofwhichwereattendedbyvariousosteopaths.SheintroducedmetoanM.D.fromStanford,Dr.WillMcDonald–abrilliantguy.HedidcranialworkandRolfing [SI]. She asked himhowmuchRolfing[work]he’ddoneandhesaid“notmuch.”Hedidn’tlikeputtingpressureonhisfingersbecauseitthenbecameharderforhimtofeelthecranialworkinhisfingers.Italkedwithhimandhepiquedmyinterest.Dr.RolfsuggestedIlearncranialworkfromhim,especiallysincehealsodidRolfing[SI]withthecranialwork.

AtthesametimeJanDaviswasinclasswithme.Idamentionedthatshemightwanttoexplore this too. So Jan,whowas also adoctor,wentoffandmadefriendswiththisosteopathandtooksomecranialclasses.ShesteeredmetosomeclassesImightnothavefoundoutaboutotherwise. In thosedaysosteopathswouldshowyoua fewthings,butitwashardtogetintotheirclasses.Youcouldfindsomethatwouldspendhalfadayormaybeafulldaywithyou,butthatwasall.SoJanhadtakensomeformalclassesandthenshehelpedmemeetsomeosteopathswhoweremoreopentoteaching.

Inthosedaysweusedtotravelaroundalot.IusedtodrivefromFloridatoColoradoandsometimesIwouldstopinTexas.OnetimeIgotatreatmentfromDr.Core,anosteopathinDallas. Iwouldalwaysbringalongmyskullthatwasheldtogetherbywire[Editor’snote: an“exploded”orBeauchene skull],andhe showedme a few things. In theearlydays,ifyoushowedthemyouhada

seriousinterestinlearning,byhavingaskull,thentheywouldshowyousomethings.AfewyearslaterIstudiedwithanosteopathnamedDr.Fulford inTucson,Arizona.AtfirsthewasreallyclosedandstaredatmealmostlikeIwasacommunistorsomething.Iwasprettyseriousandbroughtinallthesefascial studies. I had slides and slidesoffascia[dissections]thatRon[Thompson]andLouis[Schultz]andIhaddone.Isaid“Iwanttoshowyoumyresearch.”ThenIshowedhimmyskullandhesaid“wellyoutakethisseriously,don’tyou!”andIsaid“yes,sir.”Sohestartedshowingmesomethingsandletmeintoaclassortwowithhim.Ifoundthatthatwasthebestwaytostudywithpeoplewhohadbeendoing it for a really longtime–withpeoplewhowerelikeseventyoreighty–youhadtoshowthemyouwereseriousfirst,notjustthatyouweregoingtoreadthebookandthenpractice.

Luckily,hereinDenverwehadDr.MagounwhowroteOsteopathy in the Cranial Field.Ihadatreatmentwithhim,andthenwithhisson,whorecentlypassedaway.Dr.MagounhadknownDr.Sutherlandandhedidn’tlike talkingmuch.Hedid theseamazingtreatments,andjustbygoinginthereandgetting themdoneonyourselfyoucouldstart intuitingor feelinghiswayofdoingthings.Iwouldgotoalotofdifferentpeoplewhohadbeen trainedquite awhile agoandgetacoupleofsessionsfromthemandfeel their style.Eachpersonwas slightlydifferent–almostlikeadifferentlanguageinaway.Peoplemightbedoingaverysimilarthing,buthavesomedifferencesofstyle.IstudiedwithaguyinTucsononceinawhile,HermanMyers,Ibelievehisnamewas.Hedidn’tdomuchcranialwork,mostlysomeother formofosteopathy.Healso taughtthereandhehadanicewayofdescribingthework. I reada lotofbooks, too. Iwasreallyinterestedintheanatomyofitall,ofthemembranes,andhowtheymove.

DG:DoyouknowwhereDr.Rolflearnedhercranialwork?

JA:InherearlydaysinNewYork,Idawasaskedtoworkonachild,ayoungboyintheneighborhood.Hewasdragginghisfeetandshesaidhislegsweren’tworkingtoowell.Sheworkedonhimandhelookedbetter,hislegswere lookingbetter. It turnedouthisfatherwasanosteopath,thoughIdadidn’tknowthisasthemotherhadcalledherup.Heaskedifhecouldcomeoverandwatch,whichhedid.Hereallylikedwhatshewasdoingandhebroughtoveranotherfriendtowatch.Thesecondguycouldn’tseemuch

goingonanddidn’tthinkmuchofit.ThefirstguygotintriguedbyitandheinvitedhertogotosomeoftheclassesthathewastakingwithSutherland.So,shestartedtakingsomeclasseswithDr.Sutherland.Therewereoneor twopeoplewho’dask“Whoareyou?”becauseshewasn’tanosteopath,thoughshehadaPh.D.inbiochemistry.Shejokedthatshewastheotherdoctor’ssecretary,thoughhedidn’treallytreatherlikeasecretary.Youhavetorememberthatintheearlydays,likeinthethirtiesorforties,therewasjustasmallgroupofpeopleyoumightrefertoashands-onhealersormanipulators,orhoweveryouwanttophraseit.Sothereweren’talotofcranialosteopaths– thereweren’ta lotofosteopaths,period.Theydidn’thavemanyschoolsthenandonlyasmallgroupofthemweredoing thecranialwork. Itwasmorelikeanopenforum.Theyweren’tholdingit close to their chest; everybodywas like“Whatdoyoudoforthis?”or,“Howdoeswhatyoudohelp?”

Therewasalotofopennessinthosedays,likewhenDr.Rolf becamegood friendswithachiropractornamedByronGentrywho took her class. Byron had a veryenergeticapproach.Hecouldactuallyread[people]atadistance,soyoucouldcallhimupanddescribesomeoneoverthephoneandhecouldtellyouwhattodo.Idahada lotofpsychic friends,anda lotof, inaway,mysticalfriends.ShehadfriendswhowereM.D.s.DidyouknowshewasfriendswithJonasSalk[thedeveloperoftheSalkpoliovaccine]?ShealsoknewDr.Krebs,theguywhodiscovered theKrebscycle.Sheintroducedmetobothofthem:Dr.KrebsonceinMiami,andDr.SalkinCalifornia.Dr.SalkreallylikedRolfing[SI].He’dhadanumberofRolfingsessionshimselfandencouragedMichael Baker, Ph.D.,whoworkedwithDr.Salk,tostudyRolfing[SI].

In the early days, whenDr. Rolf wasdevelopingRolfing[SI],beforeshestartedteachingit,shewastradingideaswithotherpeople, includingosteopaths.Sheworkedwithablindosteopathinherhometown–IthinkitwasNewRochelle,NewYork.Shetooktwoyearsoff,afterherhusbanddied,tohelpherboysgetsettledintoschool.DuringthedaywhileDickandAlanwereinschool,shewouldgoovertohisofficeandreadtohim,becausehisbooksweren’t inBraille.Theywoulddiscuss themand thenhe’dworkonherandshe’dworkonhim.

DG:Didsheeverintegratecranialworkintohersessionsanddemosduringtrainings?


JA:Yes,sometimes.Irememberonce,whenwewere inVeroBeach,Florida,doingapublicdemonstration,andshepickedoutthis lady forademonstrationof theFirstHour.Shewasa localpolitician.Shehaddistinctive facial features;her facehadalittleasymmetrytoit.IdadidaFirstHourwheresheworkedonhershouldergirdleandgotthebreathingtoopenup.Idawouldalwaysgetthebreathingtoopensopeoplecouldseethat.Usually,she’ddoonesideandlet theperson feel into thatside.Shesaid,“Well,we’regoingtogetupintheheadforaminute,”andshedidalittleneckwork,andthendidafrontallift.Shethenhadherstandupanditwasamazingtoseenotonlythatherbreathingwasbetter,butalsothatherposturewasalittlebetter.Idawouldalwaysgetyour“Line”alittlebetter,sowhenyoustoodupyou just looked longer,moreopen.Withthislady,herfacechangedalot.Everybodywaslike,“Wow,lookatthat.”Soaftertheysawthat,everybodywantedafrontallift!It’slikeafrontal-ethmoidrelease.WhenshewasteachingaSeventhHour, she’d frequentlytalkabouttheethmoid.Oneclass,oh,in‘71,shehadusworkonthetemporalfascia.Shewouldsay,“Whenyougetinthere,justliftitlightly,likeyou’reliftingtheparietalbones.”Herwholeideawasthatwhenyou’reinthattemporalfascia,youweren’ttryingtocrushtheheadorworkasdeepasyoucoulddig.Shewantedyoutovisualizethatasyou’relifting that fascia theparietalbonewouldliftuptoo.Soshewouldhaveyouvisualizethefrontalandtheethmoidbonesreleasing.

DG:Whenshewasdoingademoinaclass,didshemakeadistinctionbetweencranialworkandRolfing[SI]?

JA:No.HerSeventh-HoursessionsfitintotheRecipe that shewas trying to teach.Shenevergotwayoffinthecranialworkbecauseshedidn’twanttopullawayfromthe Rolfingwork. Shewould do someneckworkand she’ddoa littleworkonthesternumandthemanubriumtogetthebreathingtoopen.Shefeltshejustwantedtomakesurethebreathingandthethoracicinletwereopen.Everysessionshedidwasalittledifferent,soeventhoughshehada“recipe,”hersessionsweren’tallthesame.Shehadasimilarrhythmtothem,though.LikeintheFourthHour,shewouldalwaysdosomeadductorwork–she’dtrytocreateamidline–butshedidn’tdoeachpersonthesameway.

ThenIstartedbringinginmyskull.Ihadahalf-skullwhen Ifirst startedwithher,andshesaid,“That’sreallynice!Where’d

yougetit?”ShetalkedabouttheBeaucheneskull,sothenexttimeIsawher,Ihadgottenone;alltheboneswillseparatebutareheldtogetherwithwires.TherewasawomannamedConnie,astudent,andherhusbandwas anosteopathwhodid cranialwork.Conniefreakedoutabitandsaid,“Oh,youcan’thavethatskull!Myhusband’swantedoneallhislife!That’sallhetalksaboutishavingoneofthese.”Ididn’trealizeitatthetime,butthere’sapictureofDr.Sutherlandinoneofthebooks,IbelievetheMagountext,where he is holding a Beaucheneskullinthephotograph.Connie’shusbandcouldn’t believe that amereRolfer hadthis skull andhedidn’t.Thewhole classwas trying to buy it fromme. IwounduporderingasecondoneandwhenIgotit,IsoldConnietheoneIhad.Anyway,Ibroughtittotheclassandpointedoutthesutures –Dr. Rolf thought it importantthateveryoneknowthesutures.Thenshediscussedhowtheduraltubeconnectedthecranialmembranestothesacrumandaboutthemovementofthecerebrospinalfluid.

WhenIdaworkedinthehead,shedidn’tusealotofpressure.Shedidnothavethesmallestlittlefingerintheworld,sowhenshe’dgointosomeone’snose, they’dfeelabig shift in there. Shedidn’tgoway in– she’dget in just enough to shift thingsa little bit.A lot of people can’t breathethroughthenose,soshe’dgoinalittleandmakesuretheycould.Hermouthworkwasveryprofound,she’dgetbigchanges.Sheworkedundermytongueonce–Icouldfeelitreleasedownthroughmythroatandintomylungs.Shedidn’twanttogetwayoffintosomethingelse,though.Shealsodidn’twant theosteopaths toperceive that shewasteachingcranialwork.She’dindicatethatosteopathsteachthis,andthatthatwasthebestplacetogolearnit.LikeIsaid,shekeptencouragingustomakefriendswithosteopaths.Perhapswecouldworkintheiroffices,orhaveanofficenexttotheirs.Shethoughtthatwouldmakeusgrow,andalsobringusinsidethemedicalumbrella.Shethoughtitwouldbeagoodfit.

DG:Youmentionedthatinhernosework,shedidn’tgoall thewayin.Didshetalkaboutgoingintothethreeconchae?

JA:Yes.She’dsaytherearethreeconchaein there, and that thegoal is toget themopen. She’d say, “Youdowhat you cando.” Sometimes shewould just get intothebottomone,whichisthelargest.She’dhaveyoulookatyouranatomybook,andshewantedyou to visualize those three

conchaeopening. Idawas abigbelieverin visualization. You visualizedwhat’sunderneath the skinand the connections[while youwereworking on it].Whenyou’redoingthesacrum,you’revisualizingtheduraltubeandallthewayup,feelingupthroughthebody.

DG:Did she evermention any esotericreasonsfordoingthenosework,likedoingaRolfingsessiononthebrainoropeningthethirdeye,oranythinglikethat?

JA: Yes. Shewouldhave youvisualizethepituitarygland, say“You’reaffectingthepituitary gland.” Shewas especiallyinterestedinthepituitary.Sometimesshewouldtalkaboutthethirdventricleaswell.

DG: So, I have another question aboutthe seventh hour.Many Rolfers haveabandonedthenoseworkthesedays.I’veheard them say that they use a frontalandethmoid lift, cranial techniques, andthatthissomehowaccomplishesthesameresultsasthenosework.HowdoyouthinkDr.Rolfwouldrespondtothisassertion?

JA: I thinkshewouldsaythattheybothgetaresult,buttheywouldn’tbethesameresult. Idanever felt like shewasdoingtheonlything.Sheknewtherewereotherwaystogoaboutgettingthingsdone.Shehadgoodfriendswhowerechiropractorsandosteopathsandshe felt like theydidgreatwork.Shewouldreferyoutocertain[ones].Sheknewhowtoworkthevomerandtheethmoidandthefrontal–I’veseenherdoafrontal-ethmoidrelease.Whenshewasinside,youcouldfeelhermovingyourvomerormaxilla.Orthehyoid–youcanmovethehyoidfromtheoutside,butifyougetthatbottompartofthetonguetoletgo,ifit’stight,thehyoidmovesinamuchfreerwaythanifyoujustwiggleitbackandforthorevenunwindit.So,Idafeltliketheybothgotaresult,buttheygotdifferentresults.Idadidn’tspendmuchtimeinthenose–itwasn’talongthing.Shewouldgoinbothsidesandgetout,thenbalancearoundit.

DG: Do you think there is somethingmissing fromaRolfing [SI] standpoint ifthenoseworkgoesawayandisreplacedbymoregentlecranialtechniques?

JA:Yeah,Ithinkso.I’vehadpeoplecomeinwhohavehadthisorthatdoneandtheysay,“Ijustneedagood,old-fashionedfingerinmynose.”I’vehadpeoplecomeinandrequest it – thosewhohavehad thenoseworkandhavehadreallygoodcranialwork.Ihaveoneclientwhosegrandmotherdoescranialwork,andhehasanumberofreally

NOSE AND MOUTH CONSIDERATIONS


goodcranialpeoplehegoestoandhefeelsthatsometimeshisnoseisjustnotopeningproperly. Ihada couplecome in recentlywiththeirsonandtheysaidthathewasn’tbreathingthroughhisnoseandtheywerethinking about an operation. So, duringthefirst sessionall threeof themwere intheroomandIpulledoutaskullandwasexplainingtothemwhatIwasgoingtodo.IdidtheouterworkandthentoldtheboyIwasgoingintohismouthandwigglethisboneinthere.Whenwefinishedthemomaskedme,“Well,canyoufixhimandinhowmanysessions?”ItoldherthatIdidn’tknowandshesays,“Well, thesurgeonwantstodoasurgeryandyoudidn’tdothenose!”Isaid,“Well,no,IjustmetyoursonandI’mnotgoingintohisnosetwentyminutesaftermeetinghim.”Hewasjustaneightyearoldkid.Isaid,“Wedon’tgorightintothenose–wegointhenoseifit’sappropriate.”Theyhadbeengoingaroundgettingopinions,sofinallyIgaveherthenamesofthreedifferentosteopathsbecauseIcouldn’ttellthemhowmany sessions itwould take to get himbreathingproperly. I felt like they reallywantedsomeonewithmedicalcredentials.Idon’tknowhowtheygot the ideathat Iwasgoingintoherson’snose.Ineverevenbroughtitup.Wemightdothat,buthereitwasnotappropriate.Theirsonwasamouthbreatherandtheywereworriedaboutit.

DG:Canyou talka littlemoreabout thetonguework?Goingunderthetongueandhowitaffectsthehyoid?

JA:Sometimesyougoinandworkunderthe tongue and sometimesyouworkonthetopofthetonguebecauseitispushinguptoomuch–somepeopleare“pushers,”theirtonguesarealwayspushingupagainstthepalate,andtheycan’trelaxthem.Evenin their sleep, their tonguesarepushing.Theywinduphavingvariousmouthissues–thattensioninthethroatcancausevarioushealthissues.Ihaveworkedthetongueinverysmallbabiesandtheydon’tcryorgetupset, because you’re not hurting themwhendoneproperly.Ifyoufeelthetongueis pushingup toomuchyou just gentlypushitdown.Someadultscan’trelaxtheirtongues.It’snotabigmusclesoitdoesn’ttakemuch–you’retryingtogetittorelaxanddropdown.Usuallyit’spushingupandsometimes it’spushing forward. I’vealsoworkedonpeoplewho, literally,couldn’tswallowatall–theywerebeingfedwithatube.Bydoingsomecranialwork,somemouthwork,andsometonguework,youcan reactivate the swallowing reflex. Iwouldalsodosomeworkintheirthroats.

DG:Throughtheanteriorcompartmentoftheneckorthroughthemouth?

JA: Youwork around the tongue andthenyouworkthesuprahyoidswithyourthumbandforefinger–it’salmostlikeyouaretranslating,movingleftandrightalittlebit.Sometimesyouwill see thevoiceboxpulledofftotheleftortheright.Withsomeofthesepeopleyouworkdownwardonthethroatwhilewithothersyougo real lowandgrabthecartilageandworkup.Theyarenotchokingbecauseyouarebeingrealcareful.Youcanfeelthatitisstuckdownintheswallowposition.Dr.Rolfwouldteachthis–gointhereandgrabthelarynx,butonlywhensomeoneneededit–youdidn’tdoitineverySeventhHour.Apersonwillnotpassoutorgagwhendoing this.Youhavetohaveyourbodyintherightpositionandyourhandsarebeingrealspecific.Youslowlytakeoutthatwrinkle.Therearelotsofwaystoworkinthethroatbutwedon’tteachthemallintheSeventhHour.Intheearlydays,Idawouldshowthisworkonlyonpeoplewhoneededit.Ifsomeonehadaproblem,shewouldshowyouhowtosolvethatproblem.Oneofthereasonswedon’tteachitisbecausewehavestudentswhosehandsaren’trelaxedenoughtodothiswork.Someonewasworkingonmeonceand Ihadtotellhimtorelaxhishandsbecausehewasgrippingmyheadtootightly.Hereallyneededsomearmandhandworkbecausehis hands just couldn’t relax. Idadidn’talwayshaveeveryonepracticeeveryoneofthesetechniquesoneachother.Youwouldseeitdoneandunderstandwhentouseit.

DG:Howwould you say your cranialbackgroundinfluenceshowyouapproachthe Seventh Hour, since you have astrongRolfingbackgroundanda cranialbackground?Howdoesthatguideyouinadifferentwaythansomeonewhomightnothavethatcranialbackground?

JA:Hmm.That’s an interestingquestionthat I oftenaskmyself. I think that theybothhelpme.Witha childorababy,byunderstanding themechanisms, I’mabletogointhereandworkatareal,reallightlevel.IthinkI’mmuchmoreprecisenow.Ifsomeonecomesinwithtrigeminalneuralgia,IpulloutthetechniquesofRolfing[SI]andthetechniquesofcranialworkthataregoingtohelp specifically. Ihaveawomanwithtinnitus. I startedworkingonher tinnitusinthefirstsession.IdoneckworkbecauseIknowitisgoingtohelphertinnitus,aswellasworkingonhertemporalsandherA/Ojoint.IfyougettheA/Ojointbalanced,you’re

takingpressureoff thevertebral arteriesandthelittlearteriesthatrundowninsidetheduraltube.IfyouaddinsomeRolfingwork,youaregoing tohelp the tinnitusmuchmorequickly than ifyouwere justdoingcranialwork.Frequently,ifsomeonehastinnitus,theneckisreallytightononesideaswell.Theotherdayaclientsaidtome,“That’sinterestingcranialwork,doyoueverdoRolfing[SI]?”IhadbeendoingRolfingworkmostly–I’ddosomeRolfingworkonherthenI’ddoatemporaltechnique,thenI’ddosomeRolfingworkonherandthenI’ddoa tentorium technique, then I’ddosomeRolfingworkonherandthenI’ddoafluidtechnique.Idakindofdidthis,butIactuallylearnedmorefromDr.Greenman,anosteopath fromMichiganwho taughtosteopathyandwrotePrinciples of Manual Medicine.3Hewas likeDr.Rolf in thathehad thesameexactpatternas tohowthebodyshouldbe.Hewanted togetall thespinalcurvesbalanced.Iwouldwatchhimdocranialworkinsomeclasses,eventhoughhewasteachinghowtotranslateandhowtogetavertebraandallthejointstomoveproperly.Butsometimeshewouldsaythatthispersonneedscranialworkandhewouldstopwhathewasdoinganddosomecranialwork.Ionceaskedhimifhewasdoinglongtideorshorttide,andthatwastheonlytimeIeversawhimgetaggravated.Hesaid,“Ijustdowhattheclientneeds.”Hefeltthatthisclient’sneckwastooshortononesideandheadjusted it, and thenhedidsometranslation; thenhedida little soft-tissueworkononeside,thenhewentupanddidsomecranialwork.

Backtomyclientwithtinnitus:Iranintoherdowntowntheotherdayandshesaid,“IhavetotellyouthatallthatnoiseIhearday and nightwas gone for about twoweeks. It tookmeawhile to realizewhyIwasfeelingsomuchbetter.Butnowit’scomingback.”Well,Ihadonlytreatedheronceortwice.ShedidcomeinagainandIwouldworkbackandforthbetweenRolfing[SI]andcranialwork.ShecouldreallyuseaTenSeriesandsomecranialwork,butshehaslimitedresources,soI’mjustgoingtotryandgetrightatthetinnitusbyusingamixtureofwhatIknow.[Herbackgroundwasthat]shehadsteppedintoahole,likeanopenmanholecover.Shewentstraightdownonone leg, andwhen shehit, shelanded on her ischial tuberosity.Afterthatshewouldgetthesespasmsrunningthrough her body aswell as energeticproblems.Ihadn’tevengonedowntoworkonher sacrum. I gotherbalancedwhile



sittingonthebench–gotherlumbarcurveinandgothersacrumtomovealittlebit.

DG:Doyou followyour intuition,whatwith the constraintsofherbudget?Howdoyoustrategize?

JA:Forherit’smorethesymptoms–shehasmajorbodysymptoms,soIknowIcoulddosomeRolfingworktohelpher.IcheckedhertwoiliaandshehadaposterioriliumthatIwasabletobringforward.Imadesureherlumbarsweremovingalittleandtherewasno serious sacral compression. I toldher,“Youhave to tellme the three things thatarethemostimportanttoyou.”Shehasalotgoingonandsheknowsit.Shefeltthatifshedidn’thavethisnoiseringinginherearsthenshecouldsleepbetterandworkbetter.So,addressingthetinnituswasgoingtohelpherthemost.

DG:I’mcuriousastowhenthecranialworkbecameastapleinaRolfer’stoolbelt.Whenwouldyousaythatthetidebegantoturn?

JA: In theearlydayswewouldall sharebooks.ChuckSiemersgot a cranialbookfromhisdentist.Inthosedaysitwashardtogetanosteopathicbookwithoutgoingthroughanosteopath.Whensomeonegotabookwewouldpassitbackandforth.IrememberthatPeterMelchiorhadacranialbookandhehadloanedittoanotherteacherandlatertherewasadiscussionaboutwhosebookitactuallywas.Youwouldfindpeoplewhowereinterestedandyouwouldsharewhatyouweredoing.Theideawastogetoutofthewayandtryandtakeinwhatotherswere doing. In Florida, RonThompsonwasdoing someof thiswork. JanDavis,anM.D.,wasabletogetintomoreclassesthanwewereableto.Shereallyhelpedmyperceptiontremendouslybecausemycranialworkwas tooheavyand Iwasn’t feelingcertainthings.Theybothhelpedmeworklighter.ThenDr.Daviswouldworkonmeand I could tell thatherworkwas reallydifferent.Shehadmeworkononeofherfriendsandshowedmehowshewoulddoit.

DG:Sothiswasbefore[John]Upledger?

JA: Yeah, beforeUpledger, though shehadmethimbeforehestartedhisInstitute.I hadalreadyhada sessionor twowithDr. Core inDallas. I had already readOsteopathy in the Cranial Field.UpledgerdidshifttheperceptionoftheworkattheRolfInstitute. Therewas awonderfulRolfer,Charles Swensen,whowas an anatomyteacher at the Institute and he becamefriendswithUpledgerbeforeheevenhadaschool.Upledgerwasjusttravelingaround

doingclasses.Hewas still affiliatedwithMichigan State.Hedid a class in SantaFeandmostalltheRolfingteacherswerethere–Emmett[Hutchins]wasn’ttherebutPeter [Melchior], Jan [Sultan],and Iwerethere.HedidacombinedLevelI/LevelIIclasswithalotofunwindingtechniques.ItwasopenmostlytoRolfers,notthatitwasclosedtootherpeople,buttherewasjustsomuchroomin theclass. In thosedayshewouldhavealimitoffourteentosixteenpeople.Thenallofasuddenhisclassesgotrealbigandherealizedhecouldhavefortypeopleintheroom.HeranitthroughtheUnity church inFlorida– these littleoldladieswhoworkedfor thechurchwouldsend out flyers and theywould answerthephone.

DG:Doyou think that itwasUpledgerteachingthefacultythatmadetheshift?

JA:Ithinkthathelped.Wewereallthereandrealizedthatthiswasgoodstuff.Mostofthepeopletherealreadyhadsomewhatofahandleonit.TheyhadreadMagounorSutherlandandhadtheirowntakeonit.ThegoodthingaboutUpledgerwasthathegaveyouhisrecipe.

DG:Aprotocol?

JA:Yeah.Youhadaprotocolandmaybeyouwere good in one area but not inanotherarea.Maybeyoureallyunderstoodthesphenoid,butyoucouldn’tliftit.Hehadabiggervision.Hehadamazinghands.Hewouldcomeoveranddoavisceralreleaseonyou.Hewasfriendswith[Jean-Pierre]Barral.IrememberIwasinaclasswithhim[Upledger]onceandmygallbladderwasspasming.Hecameoverandputhishandsonmyliverandsaid,“yourgallbladderisspasming.”HesaidhecouldcalmitdownbuthestillsentmetothisotherosteopathoverinClearwater,Floridaandthisguydidsomething formygallbladder.Upledgerwas able todiagnose it on the spot, butbecause itwasabig classhedidn’thavetimetoresolve it.Hedidn’twant tostopthe class andhave everyone come overand show them this great gall bladdertechnique.Hewantedtoshowtheclasshisrecipe.Hefeltthatthatwastheeasiestwaytogetyoustarted. I justwant to sayonething forUpledger.People tended to actlikehewasthisnarrow-mindedguywhohadthisrecipe,buthehadthehandstodoitall.Hecouldscanyourenergyfield.Butbecausehewantedtoteachlargergroups,hecameupwithaformula.

DG:KindoflikeDr.Rolf?

JA: Yeah, sort of. If youwent andhada private session with him, it wasn’tanythinglikehisformula.Hewascreativeandintuitive.

DG: So,whendid cranialworkbecomepartoftheprerequisitesfortheadvanced[Rolfing] training? And what wasbehindthat?

JA:Wehadalwaysencouragedpeopletoreadbookstounderstandit,butweneverreallypushedit.Thenwerealizedthatweweregettingstudentsinherewhohadnoideaabouttheheadorthesacrum.Wetaughtagreatpelvic liftandwewouldpull thesacrumdownandopenupthelumbarsandgetthesacrumbalancedwiththelumbars.Idawouldteachyoutodo itbothways–physicallyandenergetically. Ifyou tookacranial classyoucould feel theenergeticsofthesacrumaswellasthephysicalpart.Werealizedthatitwouldhelpusworkatbothends.Itwouldhelpusattheheadendbecausewewere too roughon theheadfrequently.Somepeoplewereputtingwaytoomuchpressureonthefasciawhentheyweretryingtogettheparietalfasciatoopen,orstickingtheirfingerwaytoofarbackonthepterygoids. So, theprimary reasonswewanted them to have some cranialexperiencewas1)tobroadentheirspectrumoftouch,sotheyhadbettertouchskillswhentheycame to theadvanced training;2) sothatpeoplewerenotputtingpressureonthesphenoid;and3)theyhadthecranialskillstogiveaclientreliefwhenneeded,likedoingafrontalliftorethmoidrelease,etc.

DG:Well,Jim,weareoutoftime.Thankyoufordoingthisinterview.

JA:You’rewelcome.

Bibliography1.Sutherland,WilliamG.,The Cranial Bowl.Mankato,MN:FreePressCo.,1939.

2.Magoun,Harold I., (ed.),Osteopathy in the Cranial Field,1stEdition.Clarkston,WA:SoutherlandCranialTeachingFoundation,1976.

3.Greenman,D.O.,PhillipE.,Principles of Manual Medicine,3rdedition.Philadelphia,PA:Lippincott,Williams&Wilkins,2003.

Jim Asher trained with Dr. Rolf in 1971. In 1973 he was invited by Rolf to become a Rolfing instructor and to assist her in training basic and advanced classes. He assisted her until her death in 1979. He has been a Rolfing Instructor since 1974 and was one of the first advanced teachers.



On the NoseBy Dan Somers, Certified Advanced Rolfer™

In Rolfing® Structural Integration (SI)practice and lore, intra-nasalwork hasdistinguishedusfromotherpractitioners.Popcultureseizedthisaspectofourwork,prompting individuals (who likelyhavea limited familiaritywith ourwork) tolinkintra-nasalworkandRolfingSIwithquestionslike,“Isn’tthattheonewheretheysticktheirfingersupyournose?”

Remarksposted(circaDecember23,2011)on the Rolf Forum LISTSERV indicateRolfersemployawidevarietyofintra-nasalpracticeoptions. Somedo the intra-nasalworkreligiously,asamatterofcourse,ineverySeventhHour.Othersdoverylittleornointra-nasalworkintheentiretyoftheirclienttreatment,andothersemployitonlyonan“asneeded, requested,or refused”basis.Questionsregardingintra-nasalworkcomeup in theRolf Forumperiodically,indicatingmoreinformationonthissubjectwouldbehelpfulforourcommunity.

This author completed thebasicRolfingtrainingwith a good bit of uncertaintyregarding intra-nasal work; it was aprofound yet odd entryway into thefabulousmysteryof thebody.AlthoughI could competentlydeliver a “paint bynumbers” variation of thework, I feltmy understanding was theoreticallyand technically incomplete. Subsequenttrainings,especiallyincraniosacraltherapy,havehelpedmetogainamorethoroughunderstanding.Inresearchingthisarticle,Iwasagainremindedjusthowimportantthenoseistoouroptimalfunctioning,andIalsoamremindedwhyIlovethisworksomuch:withthenose,aswitheveryaspectofourbodies,themoreyouknow,themorethereistoknow.

Thenose isvital– it is thebody’sairwaythat warms,moistens, and calms ourbreathas it cycles through its rhythmofbeingdrawn inandreleased.Manyofusexperiencedourearliesthumancontactasababenuzzlingatthebreast;itisherethatwewerefirstinvitedintoaworldofsmellandintimateconnectionthroughthenose.Oursenseofsmelliscrucialtooursurvivalandwell-being.Itiscentraltoourawarenessofoursurroundingsandkeepsussafefromthedangers of poison, rotten food, andfire. Jean-PierreBarral states: “Olfactorystimulationgenerates visceral responses

suchas salivation in response topleasantsmells,nauseainresponsetodisagreeableodorsandeventheaccelerationofperistalsisandincreasesingastricsecretions.”1

Our nose literally projects to theworldinformationaboutwhoandwhatweare.Ournosemaysuggestweare:masculine,feminine,sexy,attractive,artistic,alcoholic,healthy,or sick.People spend significantsums ofmoney on drugs and cosmeticsurgerytoalteritsfunctionandappearance.Forsome,thenoseisabothersome“leakyfaucet,” or a locus of embarrassment,infection, irritation, andpain.Forothers,their nose is a calling card, passport, abadgeofhonor,andasymbolofprestige.

Clients receiving intra-nasal worksometimes experienceprofound somatic,psychological,andspiritualchange.IrecallasessionwhereIwasproceedingcarefullyandslowlywiththeintra-nasalwork.Thesupineclient’seyesocketslookedliketwopools ofwater runningdownhis face. Iwasalertandtheclientappearedengagedbutnotalarmed.Therewasaneasing,anallowing,anda trustingaswecontinuedourwork.Upon completion, the clientremarked: “Thatwas themost amazingexperienceIhaveeverhad.”Yearslater,theclientstillreflectsontheimportanceoftheshiftthatoccurredasaresultofthatsession.

Michael Salveson claims: “When youhaveyourhandson thebody, youhaveyour hands on thewhole self”2 [italicsadded].Thenoseisaparticularandliteralpassagewayintothewholeself.Duetoitsdirectconnectionbetweentheoutsideandtheinside,intra-nasalworkisaparticularlypotentmeans of accessing some of thetransformationalpromiseofRolfingSI.

The cultural context for doing intra-nasalwork isworth noting – the noseis stigmatized; dust, blood, and driedmucusform“boogers,”andareviewedasbodilywaste. Sensorynerves in thenoseand nasal cavity continue, however, tocaptivatenose-pickers.Toddlersnaturallyexperiencetheintra-nasalspaceasalocusofsensationandbanishtheirinvestigationfrompublicobservationonlyafterrepeatedadmonishment. (Intra-nasal investigationandpleasurearen’taltogetherabandoned,however, as occasional observation of

oblivious adultswaiting at traffic lightswill validate.) There is a distinguishingboundarybetweenhands“on”thebodyandhands“in”thebody.Whenweliterallyenterthebody,awholenewlevelofinvasivenessoccursrequiringakeenlevelofsensitivity,awareness,skill,andresponsibilityonthepartofthepractitioner.Bodyworkisatwo-waystreet;practitionerstoo,aresubjecttothe samecultural stigma regarding intra-nasalorotherinvasivebodyworkandmustconfrontandresolve,tothegreatestdegreepossible, their own squeamishness anduncertaintyaboutwhereandwhytheyaredoingthework.

Thisworkrequiresnotonlykeenanatomicalknowledge,butalsocourageand,perhapsmost importantly, clarity of intent.Aclear intentionwill answer the followingquestions:WhatamIdoing?WhyamIdoingit?Whatoutcomewillbestservetheclient?

“Fix-it” vs. Holistic ApproachSimilartootherhealingprofessions,therehas been a long-running debate in theRolfingcommunityregardingdoing“fix-it”-typework andhonoring the holisticintentionsofthe“traditional”RolfingTenSeries. Intra-nasalwork is included aspartoftheSeventhHourinthetraditionalRolfing“Recipe.”Broadlystated,thegoalsofthissessionincludefreeingthethoracicoutletandbalancingtheheadandneckonthetorso.Inmytraining,practitionerswereadvised that intra-nasalwork shouldnotoccurpriortotheSeventhHoursincethebodyhadnotbeenproperlyprepared toacceptsuchworkpriortothen.Asourworkhas evolved, someRolfers havemovedaway from the orthodoxy of reservingmouthorintra-nasalworkuntiltheSeventhHour,andtherearevariedopinionsinourcommunity regarding this. Interestingly,in her classic text, IdaRolf states: “. . .myofascialstructuresinsideoralandnasalcavitiesmustbebroughttowardequipoisebefore[italicsadded]thecervicalspinecantakeitsappropriateposition.”3

Rolfadmonishedpractitionersto“notchasesymptoms”butinsteadto“getthewholebodyalignedandthesymptomswilltakecareofthemselves.”JeffreyMaitlandandSalvesonrecommendthatthepractitionerfullyconsidertheprinciplesofadaptabilityand supportprior to treatment.4 Inotherwords,with specific applicationof intra-nasalwork, the practitionermaywantto evaluate the following:Can the rest



of the body allow for the effect of theintervention?Have limiting tensionalpatternsbeenreleased? Is thereadequatebalanceinsurroundingtissues?Istheheadbalanced,andarethemajorsegmentsbelowtheheadable to support the changeyouareinducing?

Brief Anatomical ReviewAbriefanatomyreviewmayprovehelpfulby reacquainting the reader with theterritory (seeFigure1).Amoreextensiveand detailed study of the anatomy isadvisedtoensurecompetentunderstandingand treatmentof thenasal compartment.The Emory Anatomy Manualstates:

Thenasal cavityopens anteriorlyat the nostrils. It is divided bya septum into left and righthalves. The septum is formedbythe perpendicular plate of theethmoid bone above, the vomerboneposteriorlyandbyextensivecartilage anteriorly. Each nasalcavityhasaroofandalateralwall.Theroofisformedbythecribriforrnplate of the ethmoid bone. Onthe roof of thenasal cavity is theolfactory epithelium containingmorethan10millionsmellreceptorssensitivetospecificodormoleculestravellingthroughtheair.

Theposterior lateralwalls of thenasalcavityfeaturethreeconchaeorturbinatesthatareformedprimarilyfrom the ethmoid bone and theinferiornasalconcha.Theturbinatesare large,mediallydirectedbonyelements that are coveredwithhighlyvascularmucousmembranes.Thenasalturbinatesarestructureswithin the nose thatmoisturizeandwarmtheairbeforeitreachesthelungs.5

Ourbasicjobistoopenthenasalairwaysfor breathing; this also allows odorparticles to reach theolfactorysensors inthe upper nasal cavity.We also releasestrainand tension in thenasal structuresto positively affect fluid exchange andneuraltransmissionthroughoutthecavityandbeyond.

Much,andperhapsenough,isaccomplishedinestablishingthebasicfunctioningofthenose,butperhapsasubtleyetprofoundgiftofRolfingSIcanberealizedwhenaholisticintegrationofthe“neural”and“visceral”cranium is obtained through intra-nasal

manipulation. Jan Sultan describes thisopportunityforintra-segmentalintegrationasfollows:

The cranium is truly ameetingplace of systems. The cranium isembryologicallymadeupofneuraland visceral components. Theneural is the vault, spine, brain,and spinal cord systems, and thevisceral is the face, jaw, gut, andtheassociated soft tissues therein.Inthisviewthevisceralcraniumistheupperendoftheventralviscerallayer....Hereiswherenoseworkreally comes together, as it is thebridge between the visceral andneuralaspectsofthehead.”7

The readermay assert: “I’ve never hada client come in complaining of lackof integration between his/her neuroandvisceral cranium.”MichaelWaeflercontends“...thepowerofworkingwiththenosehasasmuchtodowithperceptionandfillinginamorecompletebodyimageas[it]does[with]anystructuralrelationship....”8This sense of completeness, unity andpresencemaylikelybewhatRolforiginallydeemedsovaluable.Ina[Steve]Jobsiansortofway,wemaybefulfillinganeedoftheclientthatheorshedidnotknowexisted.

SultanalsobrilliantlysuggeststhatthegoalsoftheclassicFourthHouroftheRolfingTenSeries include freeing theventralviscerallayerfromthepelvisallthewaytothefloorofthemouththerebyallowingthegoalsofRolf’s SeventhHour to be accomplished“freeofventralvisceraldrag.”

JohnUpledgerdescribeshow this intra-segmental integration ismade possibleby inviting the reader to consider thatthe olfactory nerves arise from sensoryreceptors in the mucous membranesof the superior nasal cavities and, asthese sensory fibers bundle togetherand ascend from the nasal cavity, theirperineurium becomes continuouswiththepiamatermembranesurroundingthebrain.Meanwhile, theperiosteumof thenasalbonesbecomescontinuouswiththeduramatermembranealsosurroundingthebrain,therebyestablishingdirectlinkageofthevisceralandneuralcranium.9

Pragmatic ConcernsAsproperlytrainedSIpractitionersknow,thetissuesandbonystructuresofthenosearedelicateandmustbetreatedwithcare.Manypathologies(e.g.,deviatedseptum,eithercongenitallyorfrominjury;enlargedturbinates; allergies;non-allergic rhinitis;sinus infections) can cause difficultybreathing. If your client has chronicbreathingproblemsandhasn’t consultedanear,noseandthroatspecialist,youmightadvisetheclienttodosobeforeproceedingwithnosework.

In nose work, the client is especiallyvulnerable.Therefore,theclient’strustandacceptanceareessential.

Presenting ComplaintsApractitionermaywant to observe andquestion the client regarding the basicfunctionsofthenose.Cantheclientbreathe,smell, taste, andhear adequately?Does

Figure 1: Lateral wall of the nasal cavity.6


Cushion

Spheno-ethmoidal recess

Pharyngeal recessPharyngeal orifice of auditory tube

Soft palate

Vestibule

Atrium

Inferior meatus

Concha inferiorMiddle meatus

Concha media

Superior meatus

Concha superior Sphenoidal sinus

Frontal sinus

Hard palate

Cushion


the client havedifficulty swallowing orsleeping?Does theclient reporta chronicdryorwetnose?Doess/hecomplainoffacialorheadpain,sinusitisorsinuscongestion?

Nasal congestion occurs when themembranes lining the nose becomeinflamedandswollen.Rolfstates:“Sinusesareair cavities in theskull that serve thepurposetoreducetheweightofthehead.The sinuses thatdrain into thenose arelinedwithmucusmembranesthatsecreteamucoid fluid. In its normal flow thismucusmoistensthepassagesofthenose,lubricates thenasal structures, picksupdust andwashes it to the surface.Thesesinusesbecomea focus for infectionandinflammation. Sinus congestion, genesisofthechronicsinusheadache,isoftentheresultofblockedducts”10

Thefoursinusesofthenasalcavity(frontal,sphenoidal, ethmoidal andmaxillary)open into thenasal cavity on the lateralwallbetweenthesuperiorandthemiddleconchae. The sinus openings aremostlycovered by the conchaemaking themdifficult to access. Rolf contends: “Itis noteworthy that when the head isappropriatelypoisedonitsatlanto-occipitalarticulation,drainageoftheblockedductsoftenstartsspontaneouslyandthechronicsinus problem, even though of yearsstanding,maydisappear.”11Althoughnotalwaysreliable,thisauthorhasfoundthatreleaseof suboccipital tissuedoes relievesinuscongestion.

Priortodoinganyintra-nasalmanipulations,itmaybevaluabletoattendtoanysignificant“outside”strainsaffectingthenasalcavity.Suchstrainsmayinvolvethebonesofthenose or those directly articulatingwiththem(e.g.,frontalbonearticulatingwiththeethmoidbone).Releaseofcontractureandstraininfacialmusclesaffectingthenose’sfunctioningisalsorecommended.

Inside: The Three Roads to a Happy NoseInthebasicRolfingtraining,theauthorwasinstructed that therewerebasically threepathsofaccesswhenworkingintra-nasally:first, the “upper” or cephaladdirectionparalleltothebridgeofthenose;second,a “middle” entry aimedposteriorly intothe regionof the turbinates; and thirdly,a lowerdirectlyposterior entryover theroof of themouth.This author suggeststhat,inadditiontothesignificantbenefitsgainedbyaddressing tissueobstructions

ineachofthesedirections,therearespecialstructures located in these directionsthatprovide significantopportunities forimprovedneurological,vascular,andevenpsychologicalhealth.

Employingtheupperaccessroute,BarralandCroibierrecommendcarefulbutdirectmanipulationoftheuppernasalepitheliumto affect the olfactory nerves.Althoughtheysuggestusingalong-handledcottonswab rather thana sheathed littlefinger,thedirection, intention, and applicationofBarralandCroibier’stechniquecloselyalignswithwhatthisauthorwasintroducedto in the basic Rolfing training. Thepractitionerisinstructedtoenterthenostrilparalleltothebridgeofthenoseand,whileremaininganteriortotheturbinates,directitcephaladtowardtheinnercorneroftheeye (Barralwarns that encountering anobstaclelikelyconstitutesacontraindicationandadvisesdiscontinuingthetechnique).The practitioner is instructed to drawslightlyandverygentlytheepitheliumoftheuppernasal cavityback towardhim-or herself, thereby creatingmechanicaltensionontheolfactorynervesandbraintissue.Thepractitioneristheninstructedto“listen”tothetissueandfollowittoreleaseandbalance.12

Themiddle access route is perhaps thetrickiest sinceextremecaremustbeusedwhendealingwith the turbinate bones.At times the turbinates seemquite sturdyand capable of accommodating directmanipulation, and at other times theyseem to quiver nervously like paperbutterflywings and are best left alone.However,ifapractitionercansafelyproceedposteriorally between the turbinates tothe rearof thenasal cavity,heor shecanapproachthesphenopalatineforamen.Thesphenopalatineforamenliesposteriorlyinthelateralwallofthenasalcavityatthelevelofthemiddleconcha.Throughthisforemenpassbranchesofthetrigerninalnerveandbranchesofautonomicnervesthatinnervatemuchofthenasalandoralcavitiesandthepalate.Theterminalbranchofthemaxillaryartery,thesphenopalatineartery,alsopassesthroughthesphenopalatineforemenanditsbranchesprovidethebloodsupplytomuchof this region.Thepractitionermayaffectthisstructurebymanipulatingthegreaterwingsofthesphenoidexternallyinconcertwiththepalatinesintra-orally,ors/hemayenterthenoseandtravelposteriorlybetweentheinferiorandmiddleconchaetodirectlyrelievetissuestrainaffectingtheforamen.

Along the lower intra-nasal access route,Barraldescribesa“vomeronasalorgan...locatedashortdistancefromtheopeningofthenostrilsontheanterocaudalaspectof the septum.”This organ is describedasa“diverticulumof theolfactoryorganand is recognized as a small circular oroval depression on the septum. It playsa vasomotor and vasosensory role andparticipatesinoursenseofsmell.”Barralidentifies the vomeronasal organ as a“vestigeofouranimallifewhenthesenseof smellwas essential in the detectionof both enemies and sexual partners”and contends that stored psychologicaltensionsmayberelievedthroughitscarefulmanipulation.13 Further posterior alongtheloweraccessroute,thepractitionercanaffectwhatMichaelMurphydescribesasa “mucosal bag”14 containingnot only aplethoraofnerve,muscle,andvesselbutalso thepharyngobasilarmembrane thatattachestoatubercleonthebasilarportionof the occiput, therebyproviding a richopportunityforneural/visceralintegration.

Thisauthorrecommendsthatthereaderself-experimentwithintra-nasalwork.Agreatdealcanbelearnedbyexploringone’sownnasalcavity,notonlyaboutthesensationandtopographyofthenasalcavitybutalsohowthetissuesrespondandtheslowrateofentrythatisrequiredtoaffectchange.

Functional IntegrationIwillleavethereaderwithasimplebreathingmeditation.Thepractitionermayuseittoguidetheclient,viabreathingthroughthenose,togreaternasalawarenessaswellasawarenessofhisorherrelationshiptothegravitationalfield.

Inhale through nose and pay attention to the breath as it enters this passageway. Notice the air as it passes over and is moistened by the inner nose, slow down and notice any stories in the tissues, that may or may not have any narrative attached. Notice your breath as it flows into and through the nasal cavity – is it sharp, sweet, irritating, expansive? Close your mouth and nose and suck the roof of your mouth upward, allow this upward sensation to extend through the crown of your head toward the heavens. Breathe. Swallow and follow your awareness downward through your throat, chest, abdominal space, and pelvic bowl. Breathe. Continue this awareness though your legs and feet,



extend it deep into the earth. Now, from your nose, allow your breath to connect heaven and earth.

Rolfissaidtohaveexpressedconcernthatintra-nasalworkwouldbethefirsttechniqueRolferswoulddropafterherdemise.15Thisauthorishopefulthatpractitionerswillre-evaluatethepotencyandappropriatenessofintra-nasalworkforinclusionaspartoftheirintegrativepractice.

Dan Somers is a Certified Advanced Rolfer, a Certified Cranio-Sacral Therapist, a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), a Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC), and a Hakomi Graduate. He would like to extend sincere gratitude to Dan Dyer, Jazmine Fox-Stern, Greg Perry, Jane Meyer, Michael Murphy, Jan Sultan, and Mike Waefler for their knowledge, expertise, and assistance with this article.

Endnotes1.Barral, J.P., andAlainCroibier,Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves.NewYork,NY:Elsevier,2009,pg.62.

2.Personalcommunications,August1995.

3.Rolf,I.P.,Rolfing: The Integration of Human Structures.NewYork,NY:Harper&Row,1977,pg.272.

4.Personalcommunications,August1995.

5.Emory Anatomy Manual.RetrievedMay25, 2012 from http://www.emory.edu/ANATOMY/AnatomyManual/nose.html

6.Gray,Henry,Anatomy of the Human Body.Editionfrom1918.RetrievedonJune12,2012from http://www.bartleby.com/107/223.htmlandusedwithpermission.

7. Personal communication,October 17,2011.

8.Personalcommunication,June5,2012.

9.Upledger, J.E.,Craniosacral Therapy II: Beyond the Dura. Seattle: EastlandPress,1987,pg.11.

10.Rolf,op.cit.,pg.257.

11.Ibid.,pg.257.

12.BarralandCroibier,op.cit.,pg.69.

13.Ibid.,pg.65.

14.Personalcommunications,June7,2012.

1 5 . M i c h a e l Wa e f l e r , p e r s o n a lcommunications,June5,2012.

Craniofascial Structure In Osteopathy, Dentistry, and Rolfing® SIBy Olixn Adams, D.O., former Certified Advanced Rolfer™, Rebecca Griffiths D.M.D., and Anne Hoff, Certified Advanced Rolfer

Anne Hoff:ThisintervieworiginatedfromacommentthatOlixnmadequiteawhileagoon theRolfForumaboutAlternativeLightForce®(ALF)dentalappliances.Olixn,howdidyoumeetRebecca?

Olixn Adams: Iwasnoticing thata lotof peoplewho had received traditionalorthodontictreatment,particularlyintheirteens,wereexhibitingalotofsideeffectsthatIbelievedwererelatedtothecompressiveforcesoftraditionalorthodonticmechanics– symptoms like headaches, scoliosis,sinusitis,allergies.So,Ibeganexploringiftherewasanotheroption fororthodontiaandIcameacrossliteratureabouttheALFwire.IfoundRebeccainPhoenix,Arizona,whereIwaslivingandcompletingmedicalschoolatthetime.Istartedtheworkonmyownbodytoexperience itandwestartedreferringpatientsandworkingtogether.

AH:Rebecca,tellusalittleaboutyourself.

Rebecca Griffiths: I’vebeenadentistsince1982andI’vepracticednon-extractionorthodontia since 1985. I’dhad constantheadachesmyself formany years andTMJproblemsaftermythirdmolarswereextractedwhenIwaseighteen.Ihadgonetoseveraldifferentpractitionersovertheyearswithnogoodresults.IstartedtreatingTMD[temporomandibulardysfunction]patientsafter Iwas treatedby, and subsequentlytrainedby,BrendanStack,D.D.S.,M.S.,arenownedorthodontist inVirginia,whohas treated TMD for about forty years.His treatment resolvedmy headachesandTMJdisc displacement in less thantwodays.Heand Iwere trying to effectpositive cranial changes forourpatients,likelevelingtheocclusalplanewithmouthsplints, butweweren’t having a lot ofsuccesswiththecranialaspects.WeknewDarickNordstrom,D.D.S.,who inventedtheALFappliances,andwereceivedALFtrainingintheearly‘90s.By‘93IwasusingthisapplianceprettymuchexclusivelyformyTMD and orthodontic patients andachieving excellent and stable results. Itreallyrockedmyworld.

AH: Were you familiar with cranialosteopathybeforeyouandOlixnmet?

RG:AftertheALFtraining,IsignedupfortheBasicCranialOsteopathycourseattheCranialAcademybecause Iperceived thepowerthattheALFhadandIwasafraidthatImightactuallyhurtsomeoneinadvertentlywiththeappliance.Itookthecourse,butitwastaughtusingadisease-basedparadigm,and Iwasn’thappywith that. It involvedlookingforaproblemandthensettingtheintention to correct it.Oneday, I simplyaskedmyself,“WhoamItodecidewhatgetsfixedinthisbody,inwhatorder,andwhen?”Idecidedthat itwasnotmyrighttotreatthisway,bytryingtoovercometheprioritiesandmethodsofthepatient’sbodywithmyown.IcontinuedtousetheALF,butIfoundmyselfduringpalpationjustwatchingandwaitingtobeshownwhateverthepatient’sbodywantedmetoseeorfeel.Ialwaysfeltthatmyintentionsweregood;IwasworkingfrommyheartinapurebeliefthatIcouldhelp thesepeople,or Iwouldn’t take thecase.After ImetOlixn,hepushedme totakeclassesinbiodynamicswithJimJealous,D.O.IoweOlixnadebtofgratitudeforthatbecauseitsupportedwhatIhadfeltaboutmyrolepreviouslyandexpandedwhat Iknew,orthoughtthatIknew,intuitively.Youdoneedtobeabletopalpateandtoknowwhatchangesyou’regoingtoeffectbeforeyouput theALF in thepatient’smouthand lethimwalkout thedoor.Even thentherecanbe surprises sometimes. I reallyfeelthereisaprerequisiteneedforastrongbackgroundinosteopathy,neurology,andphysiology inorder touse thisapplianceproperly,successfully,andwithouthazardforpatients.Thereisasteeplearningcurveinvolved,youhavetospendanappropriateamountof timewitheachpatientat eachappointment,andyoucannotdelegatetheadjustmentstoassistants.So,you’regoingtohavefewpractitionersthatarewillingtospendthatkindoftimedoingthis.

AH:ALFstandsforAlternativeLightForceappliance?

RG:DarickcalleditAlternativeLightwireFunctional® therapy initially. To myknowledge, he never trademarked itformally,soI’msuretherearepeoplethatmightbecallingitotherthings.

AH:WasDarickawareofcranialmovement?



RG:Ohyes,most certainly.Hewaswayaheadofhistime.He’sbrilliant.

OA:TellusthedifferencebetweentheALFandtheotherpalateexpanders.

RG: I usedmost of the existingpalatalexpanders for almost ten years before Ifound theALF. Iused cemented-inonesandremovableones.Thecemented-inRapidPalatalExpanders(RPE)haveascrewinthemiddleneartheroofofthemouthwhichisadjustedwithakeybypatientsabouthalfamillimeter in themorningandahalf amillimeteratnight.Generallyyou’llhearacrackwhenthemid-palatinesutureopens,andthere’llbebruisingfrombleedingundertheskinintheroofofthemouth.It’sprettydramatic.Youcouldleaveitinforretentionas long as a year after youhad finishedadjustingit,butIfoundwhenyoutookitoutyougotcollapse.Inessence,thisapplianceforcesthejointopen,butitwillnotstaytheresupportedbyscartissue.TheotherproblemwiththeRPEandtheremovablefunctionalappliancesisthatyougeta50%shiftineitherdirection,butmostpatientsarenarrowerononesidethantheother.Youmightwant60:40or70:30,ormaybesomebodyisexternallyrotatedononesideandyoudon’twanttopushthatsideoutanyfurther.That’swheretheALF is superiorbecauseyou cangetasymmetricalchangesandit’sachievedwithverylightforcesandworks24/7.Ithinkofahigh,arched,narrowpalateasafoldingtablewherethelegs(alveolarbonewiththeteeth)arefoldedmediallyandthetabletop(hardpalate) is arched superiorly.Otherappliancesdon’tcorrectthatarch;theyjustpushthetwohalvesapartfromeachother.TheALFwill upright those bones veryslowlysothatyougetaloweringofthehardpalate, anopeningof thenasalfloor,andwideningofthedentalarches.

OA:You’retalkingaboutade-rotationofaninternalrotationofthemaxillae,right?

RG:Yes.You’reachievingalevelmaxillaryplane,which is very stable. The forcesofocclusion,or chewing,bangup intoalevelplane insteadofacantedplane.TheALFassists thebody touprightand levelthebones. I thinkourbodieshave innateknowledge of how close bones (joints)should be to each other. Studying thesuturesandtheirdifferenttypesofdesignsshows you that the body has inherentintelligence,and it’snotgoingtopreservesomething that isn’t functional.Thebodywillmakecompensationsandadaptationstodysfunction,butit’snotgoingtopreservedysfunctionasastablesituation.Oneofthe

first thingsDaricksaid tomewas thathenevergavepatientsorthodontic retainersfollowingtheirorthodontia.Hetaughtthatifyouhelpputthingsinstablepositionsthatarehighlyfunctional,thebodywillmaintainthat.Itwon’thavetoworktomaintainthat,itwilljustbemaintained.Itismuchmoreworkfor theautonomicnervous system (ANS)tocreateandmaintaincompensationsandadaptationstodysfunction.

Maintainingafunctionalairwayisthemostimportantbodyfunction.TheALFopensthenasalairway.Whenitde-rotatestheproblemsin themaxillaeandpremaxillae, thehardpalatewill leveloutandmove inferiorly.Thefloorofthenoselowersandthatopensupspacefortheethmoidandvomer(nasalseptum)tomakesomecorrectionontheirown.Thisalsodecompressesthevenousandlymphaticdrainageinthemid-facesothatsinusescandrainproperly–anotherairwayconsideration.Anumberof corrections inthemid-faceareprecipitatedbytheALF;itunleashestheunusedgeneticpotentialfordevelopment.OneofthemostdifficultcasestotreatistheClassIIIpatientwhosemid-face isunderdevelopedand themandiblelooksprognathic.Fewpatientstrulyhaveamandiblethat’stoolongortoobig.It’sthemid-face insufficiency thatmakes it lookoutofbalance.

OA: Themid-face fluid fields didn’tdevelop.

RG:TheALFworkswiththatquitewell.

AH: WhatdoesanALFappliancelooklike?

OA: It’s a thinwire that goes on theinside of the teeth. She makes somebuildupsontheinsideforthewiretosecureinto, and thewire’s like a gentle spring.She adjusts tension into the appropriatelocations so she can create a diagonaltension, an ipsilateral tension, like shewas describing earlier, and then sheinserts that into the inner-upper palateandyouhaveamild tension in thatareaexpandingoutwards.

AH:Doyouadjustitperiodically,andhowlongdoestheprocessgoon?

RG:Iadjusttheyoungerpatientsacoupletimes perweek, but just really subtlechanges. The children canmove veryquickly,althoughItreatedaladywhowasseventy-fiveand shemovedquickly too.Myout-of-statepatientsdon’tcomeeverytwoweeks.Ihavesomewhocomeabouteverytwomonths,andDarickhadapatientfromGermanywhocameonceayear.

In my practice the activeALF phasegenerally is threemonths for someonewho’sveryyoung,sayunderten.Anadultcan takeanywhere fromsixmonths to ayear. Somepatientsmay needmultipleappliancesbecauseafterI’veadjustedthemsomanytimesIcantellbythefeelofitthatit’slostitsresilience.Oncethewirehaslostitsresilience,Idon’twanttouseitanymore.

AH:Olixn,youwentthroughthisyourself?What’syourexperiencebeen?

OA:Yeah,wehaven’tquitefinishedyet.We startedwhen itwasmy last year inPhoenix,andwedidaboutayearwiththeALFwireupperandlower,andthenIhadtomove.We’retryingtofigureouthowtogettogethertofinishthelastphaseofthework.Iexperiencedveryrapidandgentlechange in the entiremouth,which hadeffects through thewholebody.Openingof thepalateandmid-face.Oftenafteranadjustment Iwould feelaprocesswecall“ignition,”whichwelookforinosteopathictreatments sometimes. Sometimeswe’dspontaneouslyget aprocess thatwe call“automaticshifting,”whichisatherapeuticfluid-fluctuation, that I could feel goingon for several days to aweek ormore,whereby the fluid fieldswere correctingthroughout thewhole body. Themostprofoundeffectswouldbenoticed in themouth,face,andcervicalregion,butIcouldfeelthemdownintothepelvis,knees,andfeet sometimes. I experienced improvedbreathingthroughthenose–that’spartofwhatIwaslookingfor.Ifeltthetraditionalorthodontia that Ihadwasnotverygoodandnotverygoodformybody,andIfeltlike Ihadhadsomesideeffects from it: Isuddenlydevelopedallergies,headaches,ADD-type symptoms from the time thatIwasfifteen, sixteen.Once Iactuallyputitall together, itwasrightat the timethatIwasgetting traditional orthodontia.AsRebeccacorrectedsomeofthatwiththeALFwire, someof thosebodymemorieswerere-experienced–Icouldremembertheoraltraumawiththetighteningofthewires,theangstmybodywouldfeel,andtheheadachesand symptoms that went along withthatapproach.

AH: People going through traditionalorthodontia oftenhavepain, headaches,discomfortfromtheappliances.IsthatatalltruewithALF?

RG:Peoplewillgetslightlysore,butwhentheymove into thefinal tooth-alignmentphasewith thebraces,handsdown theyallask“can’twejusthavetheALFs?”The



bracescausesomuchmoresorenessanddiscomfortbecauseofeach toothbeingajointuntoitselfwithasystemofligamentsandsensorynervesthatdon’trespondwellto inflammation and themovement thatcauses it.With theALF, the forcesare sogentleandyou’reworkingwithbone.Ofcourse the teetharemoving justbecausethey’rewithin the bones that are beingmoved,butyou’renotdoingthesametypeofmovement.

OA:We’ve foundosteopathic treatmentsoftenminimizethoseeffectsquiteabittoo,people aremuchmore comfortable andtheytendtochangemorequickly.It’ssortof reciprocal. Sometimeswe’vehadcaseswewere treating straightwithhands-onosteopathythatforsomereasonwewereatastickingpointornotmakingprogress;we’llsendthemtoRebeccaandallofasuddenhugechangesstart.Andwe’veseen it theotherwayaroundwherewe’reatastickingpointwiththeALF,andafewosteopathictreatmentsandthey’reofftotheracesagain.

AH:SoyoufollowuptheALFwithbracesforstraighteningtheteeth?

RG:InmostcasesI’vehadtodothatbecausetooth positions are compensated to therelationship theyhadwithpreviousbonepositions, andchanging thebonedoesn’tmean that the teeth aregoing to resolvespontaneously into theirnewandproperpositions. I leaveALFwires inplaceasastabilizingforceandasacounteractiveforcetothetraditionalbraces.Itappearsthatnomatterwhattypeofbracesyouuse,orhowwidethearchwireforthetoothmovementis, theorthodontia seems to collapse thearches. I’m trying todomore casesnowwithoutgettinginvolvedwiththebracesforalongperiodoftime[e.g.,twoyears].Adultsalwayswant Invisalign®,whichworks tomovethingsintheoppositedirectionfromwhichtheALFworks,anditdoessoverypotently.SotouseaconventionalInvisalignafterusinganALF is round-tripping thepatient;basicallyyouaretakingthembackfromwheretheycame.Invisalignasitstandsdoesnotworktofinishthosecases.Atoothpositionerhand-madebya labtechnician,andnotmadeonacomputerlikeInvisalignis,couldwork.

AH: So there’s ways you can still dotooth straighteningwithout putting thecompressiveforcesbackin?

RG:Yes, but it’s verydifficult and takesmoretime.Youuseextremelylightwires,ifyouareusingbraces,withverywidearch

formsandthoseitemsarebecomingmoredifficult topurchase.There arevery fewcompaniesthatmakearchwiresforbracesthataren’tshapedlikedog(canine)arches–that’shownarrowtheyare.

AH:Howdoyoufindagoodpractitioner?

RG:Itisn’teasy.Thismaybecomeadyingartbecauseoftheamountofeducationthatitrequiresandthetimethatitrequiresyoutospendwitheachandeverypatient fortheadjustments.Ican’tevenfindanybodytotrain.Iwouldlovetohavesomeonetomentorandteach,becauseIthinkIcouldteach them in a relatively quick periodof time – I could prettymuch put in anutshellwhatittookmeyearstouncover.Thewebsitewww.alforthodontics.comhas a directory listing of practitionersfor anybodywhowants toworkwith adoctorwhoworkswith theALF. It listsdentists,osteopaths,SOT[SacroOccipitalTechnique] chiropractors, and labs. Theproblemwith just picking somebody isyouneedtoknowhowlongthey’vebeendoingit,becausethelearningcurveisnotquickwiththisappliance.Therearesomebastardizationsout there,people thatarecallingtheseheavy-wireappliancesALFs,andtheyarenot.Soyouhavetobecareful.There’s a similar problem finding TMJpractitioners;thereareweekendseminarsthatprovideacertificatestatingattendeescan treatTMJproblemsafteronly a fewhoursoftraininganddentistsjustputthemupontheirwebsitesasoneofmanyservicesthattheyoffer.

AH:Rebecca,howdoyouknowwhentosendapatienttosomeonelikeOlixn?

RG:Icanfeelit.Ihavehadmanypatientsthat I send for other bodyworkprior tobeginningwithme.WhenIexaminethem,whenIspeaktothem,whenIputmyhandson them, I get the sense there’s anotherprimaryatplay.WhatIwouldbedoingforthemcertainlywouldbebeneficial,butnotaddressingtheprimaryproblem.Sinceourbodiesprioritizeissues,andIrespectthat,that’swhenImakethatdecision.

AH:WhenwouldyourefertoaRolfer?

RG:IhavehadpatientscomeintomethatgotoaRolfer,butIhavenotworkeddirectlywithoneoncases.I’mopentoworkingwithRolfers;Iwanttodowhateverisgoingtogetthatpatientbetter.ItrytotriagemypatientsintermsofwhoIfeeltheyshouldsee.Idon’tknowmanyRolfers.[IcontactedDarickafterthisinterview,andhesaid:“IthinkRolfersmightbe interested inALFpractitioners’

experience with spontaneous traumareleasing as theALF is properlyplacedand adjusted (not necessarily activated,since the tonguewill often activate bynatureof its attraction to thepre-maxillaby theALF). This release phenomenon,which complementsRolfing® StructuralIntegration, is thought to be initiatedthrough proprioceptive and primitivereflex triggers in theheadandneck thatareaccessedbytheALF.AnotherreasontoworkinateamwithapractitionertrainedintreatingoldtraumaisthatthereseemstobeawindowofopportunityoftencreatedwhentheALFisplacedorduringanadjustmentvisit,whenitactivatesaninternalconnectiontoanoldsomato-emotionaltrauma.Whenthis feels like amiraculous uplift, it isimportant that thepatientnot just ‘bask’in thegood feeling, butbe supported inrecognizingandfullyreleasingandworkingthrough theassociated trauma(s) that thebodywouldpreviouslynotallowoutduetoitsself-preservation.Itcanalsofeellikeanunexplainedresistanceorreactivitytowhatshouldbe an acceptableALF activation;in this case, theALF could be bringingattentiontoormagnifyinganold trauma,anditisimportanttotrytounderstandthattrauma,andtreat/supportthewholebodyinworkingthroughit.Inthissecondcase,thebodyhascometothepointwhereitisalmostreadytoworkthroughthetrauma,butcan’tfindenough ‘health’ toget throughon itsown(like thepreviousuplift-typehealingopportunity). If it isgivenunderstanding(ofwhereitiswiththeoldtrauma,andthehealth that it canmove into)andsupport(physical/emotional),tolowerthethreshold,itwillbeabletomovethroughthehealingprocesssuccessfully.]

AH: Olixn, when do you know thatsomebodyneedstheALFwork?

OA: If Iwas living in the same city asRebeccawewouldprobablymeetateachothers’officeonceamonthandcross-workwiththemoredifficultpatients.Therearesomeosteopaths in bigger cities thatdoworkwithadentistdirectly.

RG:IwishOlixnwasnearby.Wecoulddosomeexcellentwork together again. I’vebeen able to get an SOT chiropractor tocome intomyofficeandwedouble-teama fewpatients. Ithas shavedasmuchasninemonthsoffthetreatmenttimeofafewpatientsintheirfiftiesandsixties.

OA:RebeccaandIhaveseenthepotencywhensheadjuststhewire,andwedoanosteopathic treatment right thereor soon



after.Webalanceoutthefluidfluctuationsthatmaybegoingonfromtheadjustment.Thepatientfeelsalotbetterandthechangeshappenmuchmorequickly.

OA: I think there’s anotheraspect to theALFthatmightbeinterestingforRolfers.Forward-head posture (FHP) can be areallydifficultstructuralimbalancetohelpcorrect.Rebecca,youseethatprimarilyasanadaptationtoairway.Isthatcorrect?

RG: Yes.Whenwemove themandibledownandforwardasaresultofwhatwearedoingwiththeALFandthecranium,the airwayopens.Time and time again,whenwe takeourprogressphotographsofpatientsinprofile,whichisdoneaboutevery twomonths atmy office,we seethemstraighteningupandtheFHPgoingaway.FHPisacompensatorymechanismtoairwayproblems.

OA:That’sareallyimportantconsiderationinRolfingwork.They’retryingtogettheheadupovertheshoulders,alignedonthegravitationalline.Iftheyarehavingtrouble,theALFmight really change that casequicklyoncetheairwaystartstochange.

AH:Doesitrelatetothemaxillaeissueyoutalkedabout?

RG:Ifthemandibleispositionedposteriorlyandsuperiorly,it’sbecauseofwhat’sgoingon in the cranial basewith themaxillae.There are alwaysmaxillary reasons thatwillexplainmandibularposition.Whentheteetharetogetherandifthemandibleisbackandup, the tonguewillobstruct theoral-pharyngealairway.Thereareother thingsthathappencervicallyandthebiomechanicsareexplainedinCaseyGuzay’s“QuadrantTheorem.”There’sadirectandmathematicalrelationshipbetweenmandibularpositionand theupper cervical spine.When themandible is posterior and superior, thecervicalspinewillcompress,theatlaswillbeoutofpositionandasitmovesanteriorly,itdecreasestheA-Pairwayinthepharyngealportion,andFHPresults.Also,thepersonisconstantlydroppingthemandibledownandforwardtogetthetongueoutoftheairwayandwillusetheinsidesofthecheeksandthesidesofthetonguetobracethemandiblein thatmore open-airwayposition.Thisproducesridgingonthelateralbordersofthetongueandmucosaofthecheeks.TheANSdrivesthosemuscles intoperforming24/7functioninordertomaintainabetterairway.Neurologicaldisarrayresultsbecausetherearenorestperiodsfor thesemusclesnowandyougetmusclesplinting.Youcansee

what’shappeningtotheairwayifyoutakea lateralskullfilmwith thepatient’s teethtogether and lookat theA-Ppharyngealairway.Thenyoucompareittoafilmtakenwiththepatientopenorbitingonablockthat brings the jawdown and forward.There’sanimmediatechangeintheairway.TheALFactsalsoonthepterygoidplatesandthat’swheretheposteriornasalairwaycanbeimprovedaswell.Youcanreallyseethatyouaregettingtheairwayopenwith3DCTscansofpatients.

OA:Themandibleisgenerallygoingtogowhereitcangetthebestocclusionwiththeuppermolars,isthatcorrect?

RG:True,buttheanteriorteethalsoguideitonitsclosingtrajectory,soifthepre-maxillaisdetorquedorinternallyrotated,thentheteetharetippedinwardtowardsthetongue,whichforcesthemandibletoretrudeuponclosure.Typically,thosepatientshavethegummy smile;when they smilewidelyyouseealotofgumtissuealongwiththeteeth.Thepre-maxillaisrotatedinwardly,soitdistortsthetrajectoryofthemandibleonclosure.Thepre-maxillaiswhereyourincisors are and there’s a suture therecalled thepremaxillary suture that runstransversely.Thissutureallowsinternalorexternalrotationofthepremaxillae.

AH:WhataboutTMJanddopatternsyouseethererelatetoFHP?

RG:Theremayormaynotbearelationship.Ithinkthatinthevastmajorityofpatientsyouprobablywillseesomesortofinternalderangement.But if youhaveaClass IIIpatient,with the prognathic lower jaw,theremaynotbeaTMJproblembutyoucouldstillhaveanairwayrestrictionthatencouragestheFHP.

OA:Wheredoes forward tongue thrustplayintothat?

RG:Wellthetonguethrustisacompensationforairwayobstruction.Themyofunctionaltherapists I’veheardsay thatsomewherearoundage four thepatient shouldhaveconverted to an adult swallow, duringwhichthetonguegoesupintotheroofofthemouth,andnottowardsthefrontoftheteethorbetweentheteeth.Theconversiondoesn’thappenin tongue-thrustpatients.Supposedly,weswallow2,000timesadaywhileawakeand1,000timeswhileasleep.That’sa lotof repetitionsand the tonguehasbeenmeasuredatbeingabletoproduce500gramsofforce.Ittakesabout2gramsofforcetomoveatooth,soyouhavethisbalancingactbetweenthetongueandthe

orofacialmusculature,whichIbelievecanexert250gramsofforceinwardwhilethetongueisexertingitoutwardorforward.Ifyouhavea tonguethat isshootingoutbetweenthefrontteethinsteadofupintotheroofofthemoutheverytimeaswallowoccurs,it’snotgoingtotakeverylongforthemaxillatomanifesttheresultsofthat,which isnarrownessbilaterallyand thenthatbucktoothappearance.Or,acompleteopen bite can result from the tongueshooting between the upper and lowerfrontteethforsolongthatitdepressesthedevelopmentoftheboneandtheteethinthat area.When thispatientbiteson thebackteeththere’sanopeninginthefrontwhere the teethcan’t touch.He isunabletobiteoff food.Traditionalorthodontistshaveattempted to correct tongue thrustsbyusingapplianceswith“tonguerakes.”They’rebandedinthemouthandcementedto themolars.There’s awire that comesupbehindtheupperfrontteethandsharpvertical spikes extendoff thatwire. Thegoalisthatthetonguewilllearnbygettingraked, every time it goes through thatopening,nottogothere.Well,thatdoesn’tworkbecause thepatient is thrusting thetonguetokeepitoutoftheairwayduringtheswallow;yetiftheairwayhasnotbeentreated appropriately, the patientwillsimply convert from the anterior tonguethrusttoalateraltonguethrust.

OA:What’syourapproachtothisforwardtonguethrust?

RG:You treat the airway to get it openenoughsoit’shighlyfunctional.Thenyouneed to retrain the tonguebecause it’s alearnedpatternand I’venot found that itwill retrainon itsown.So,myofunctionaltherapy comes into play; there’s anexcellent seven-week programby JanetBennett that you can buy fromwww.ijustwanttocorrectmytonguethrust.com.One ofmy patients found it. Shewascompletely open in the anterior. I hadcorrectedher airwayandorthodonticallyIcouldnotgetheranterior teethto touchbecause she stillhada tongue thrust thatcompletelycounteractedeverything Idid.Themyofunctional therapist told her itwouldbea two-and-a-half yearprogramandacoupleof thousanddollars,but thepatient’smotherresearchedontheinternetandfoundJanetBennett’sprogram.Icouldtellafteronlyhersecondweekofusingitthatherdictionhadchanged,herenunciationhadchanged,andherlispwasgoingaway.Ittookaboutsixmoremonthstoclosetheopenbiteandduringthatperiodshehadto



redotheprogrambecauseshehadrelapsed.We’retalkingaboutatwenty-one-year-oldgirl here and themuscle patternswereprettywell-established,soshehadtorepeattheprogramacoupleoftimes.However,Idon’tbelieveIwouldhavebeenabletogettheopenbite closed inher casewithouttheretraining.

OA: Interesting.WithTMJdysfunction,somedentists have a “recipe” [ofwhatthey do]. You areworkingmorewitheachindividualpatientandhowtheyareexpressing,butthere’sprobablygoingtobesomeprinciplesthatyouworkwith?

RG: Ihavea specificdiagnosticprotocolthat I do on every single patient, andthat’s theonlyplace that I come close to“cookbooking”them.Most“TMJdoctors”don’t botherwith imagingprotocol thatincludesMRIs of the joints. They’ll dothe 3DCT scans because they own themachine.Theonlywaytoseethediscsandtodiagnoseproperlywhat’sgoingoninthejointsistoobtaintheMRIs.MRIsgiveyoumoreinformationaboutthejointsthantheCTscan–withnoradiation.

Patientsaretreateddifferentlyandaccordingto the derangement that’s present –is it a closed lock? Is it reducing?What’sgoingon?And thenyouhave to lookatthe causes –why is this functioning likethis?Youjustkeepaskingwhy,why,whyuntilyoucan’taskitanymore,untilyou’vegotwhat you think are all the answers.Andthenofcourseyouhavetotriagethepatient too,because the lateralpterygoidmuscle is totally capable of pulling thedisk out of place in the joint evenwithsomeonewhodoesn’thaveabadocclusion.Internalderangements canbe causedbythemouthbeingopen too longwithoutrestperiodsduringadentalprocedure.Ormaybe thepatienthadgeneralanesthesiafor thirdmolar extractions and therewas skeletalmuscle relaxant in themix,allowinghyperextensionoftheTMJs,andsubluxationocurredthatway.Becauseit’sattachedtothedisc,spasmsinthepterygoidmusclecancertainlypullitoutofplace.Youneedtoknowwhatitisyou’retreating,andto justputagenericsplint ineverybody’smouth isn’t the answer.Most times thesplint isn’tdesignedappropriatelyfortheconditionthatexists.I’veevenseensplintsthatactuallyhelpedtopushthemandibleposteriorlyandsuperiorly ina joint case,which is theworst thing you coulddo.Youwanttocreatejointspaceandyoudothatbymoving themandibledownward

andforward,notshoving itupandback.Idon’tagreewithuppersplints.Fromanosteopathicstandpoint,they’redetrimentalfortheskullandforcranialmotion.

OA:Yeah, I’m treating a lady rightnowwhohashadchronicmigrainesandshewaswearinganuppersplintforseveralyears.Wefinallygotitoutofhermouthandshe’sdoingalotbetter.

RG:Alowersplint,notdesignedproperly(sothatwhenthepatientclosesintoittheacrylicwrapsupandoverthecheek-sidecuspsoftheupperteeth),willhavethesameeffectoflockingupthecranium.ThereareotherthingsthatcancauseTMJproblems.Maybeapatient’sTMJfunctionisnotideal,butthebody’sworkingwithit,andthey’redoingokay.Thentheygoandhavesomeveneers or cosmetic dentistrydone andthedentalrestorationsaremadealittletoothickoralittletoolong.Nowwehavethesameeffect that thepatientwith thede-torquedpremaxillahas;when themouthcloses themandible is forcedposteriorlyand superiorly up into the temporalbones.Fixedbridgework that crosses themidpalatine suture can be a problem. Idon’tbelievethataclickingjointorlimitedoralopeningareever“okay.”Although,ifapatient is asymptomaticother than theclickingandthechoiceismadenottotreat,that’s thepatient’s business.However, IthinkIhavestilltheprofessionalobligationto inform these patients that theymay,ordo,havean internalderangementandthingsarenotwhattheyshouldbe.

OA:What other kinds of physiologicderangementshaveyou seen as a resultofeitherpoorocclusionorpooralignmentwithintheoralregion?

RG: There are a lot of things that canhappen.Whenyouimpactthetrigeminalnerve,you’realsoimpactingothercranialnerves.Drs. StackandSimswrote aboutephaptic transmission in thebrain in anarticle in theAcademy of Craniofacial Pain Journal.Theystatethatnoxiousinputintothe trigeminalnerve (CNV) canactivatenoxious input into thevagus (CNX), thefacial(CNVII),andtheglossopharyngeal(CN IX)nerves.That’spretty substantialnerve stimulation.We see peoplewithsympatheticoverloadquiteabit,andthosepatientsIreferoutfirstforosteopathicorSOTworktotrytogetthemquieteddownbeforeIstartdoingwhatIdo.WhatIdocanhavesuchanimpactonthem,andifthey’retoofargonealready,Idon’twanttopushthemovertheedge.

OA: You’ve seen profound changesjust bymaking a few buildups on thelower teeth and changing the occlusionwith the mandible. Could you talkaboutthat?

RG:A couple of pediatric cases cometomind. I had a four-year-old girlwithconstant headaches.Children generallywon’t complainofheadaches; they’re justmiserableall thetimeandcrankybecausetheyhurtand theydon’tunderstand thattheyaresupposed to feelanydifferent. Ifthey’ve hadheadaches since birth, theyacceptthatasanormalday-to-daything.Thepainthresholdelevatessotheycantakemoreandtheydon’tcomplain.Thischildhadhadahistoryofalotofearinfectionstoo,anddrainagetubesplacedinherears.Shehadaverydeepbiteandnospacingbetweentheprimaryincisors,whichiscommonbutabnormal.Weputsomeresinbuild-upsonherprimarymolarsandopenedherbiteuptowhere shewasalmost inanopenbite,where themandible is positioneddownandforwardsotheremightbeaslightgapbetweenthelowerfrontteethandtheupperfrontteeth;thelowerfrontteethwouldbedownandforwardtowheretheyareprettymuch evenwith the upper front teeth,insteadofbehindthem.So,weopenedherbiteupthiswayandacoupleofdayslaterhermothercalledand toldme thatgreenstuffwas coming out of her ears, eyes,andnoseandthechildwashappy;allthisdrainage thatwasbackedupwascomingout.Anothercasewasthesonofoneofmyassistants.Hefailedhishearingtestinthirdgrade,andhehadaverydeepoverbite.Weputa removablesplint inhismouth.Thiswas before Iwasdoing resin build-ups.Wedidn’teventhinkhe’dwearthisthing.Themothercalledmeuptosay“Ican’tgethimtotakeitoutofhismouthtobrushhisteeth!Hedoesnotwanttobewithoutthisappliance.”Whenshetookhimbacktohavehishearingrecheckedafteramonth,hewas50%better,andat threemonths theysaidtoher,“Whydidyoubringhimhere?”Hisconductivehearinghadbeenaffectedbythemandibularcondyleseatingtoofarupintothe temporalbone.Pinto’s ligament runsbetweenthemiddleearandthediscoftheTMJ. If thedisc isdisplaced, then itpullsonPinto’sligamentandyoucanexperienceconductivehearingloss.Itcanbereversedbygettingthediscbackinplace.

OA:DidstudyingthebiodynamicapproachtoosteopathyhaveanimpactonhowyouworkedwiththeALF?



RG: It really did.My palpatory skillsjust went skyward. It really helpedme in the sequencing of things. NowI had palpatory skills to back upwhatIwas feeling intuitively. Thatmade ahugedifference.

OA:Soyouhaveabettersenseofwhatthebodyistryingtoprioritizeinthetreatmentplan?

RG:Yes. I re-diagnose at everyvisit.Atthe endof thevisit I’llmake somenotesonwhatIthinkIwanttodothenexttimearound,butoftenwhenyoure-diagnoseatthesubsequentvisit,youfindthat“Well,whatIwasgoingtodotodayisn’twhatIshoulddotoday.”SoI’mnotgoingtodowhatIhadplannedearlier;I’mgoingtodowhatIshoulddo,notwhatIthoughtIwasgoingtobedoing.

OA: Letting themechanism guide thetreatment.

AH:Olixn,howdoyouviewtheRolfingSeventh Hour now after all of yourosteopathicstudies?Havinggonetosucha subtle approachwith thebiodynamics,howdoyoufeelaboutsomethinglikedirectfascialworkwiththepterygoidsorinthenose?Doyou think there’s a timeandaplaceforit?

OA:That’sabigquestion,whichwecoulddedicateanentirearticle to.First, Idon’tconsider osteopathy or biodynamics tobe subtle;when the long tide comes insometimesitfeelslikeatsunami,thepotency. . .allIcandoisbowtoit.Butgenerallyspeaking,inanosteopathictreatmentmanyofusaretaughttolistentothemechanismand the tide, andwebecomemore of aservanttothetide.LikeRebeccawassaying,in osteopathywe can’t come inwith anagendalike“I’mgoingtodoaSeventhHour,I’mgonnadothis,I’mgonnadothat.”Wehavetolisteneachmomentalongthewayandseewhatthetideistryingtodo,howthe tide is trying to treat thepatient,healthepatient,bringthepatienttowholeness,and how canwe support that process.That’salittledifferentthancominginwithaplanthatI’mgoingtodoaSeventhHourtoday;it’sfinetohaveaplan,butasacranialosteopath,Icouldn’treallystartthatwayandfollowthetideasaprincipleoftreatment.

Asfarasyourquestionaboutdirectfascial[work],yesthere’sdefinitelyaplaceforit.There’s direct-action technique – thingslikedirectmyofascialrelease,high-velocitylow-amplitudeadjustment,muscleenergy–

andthenthere’sindirectactionwhereyoustayoutofthebarrierandallowapotencytobuildandmakethecorrection.There’saplaceforbothofthoseapproaches.Onethingiscertain–ifyoueffectabigstructuralchangefromfoottoneck,youhavetohaveawayofeffectingthesamelevelofchangeinthecraniumorproblemsaregoingtoarise.Dr.IdaRolfenvisionedthelevelofchangeshe thoughtwasrequired in thecraniuminpart through intra-oraland intra-nasalwork.Osteopathyhas a longhistory ofintra-oraland intra-nasalworkandquitea few conversations aboutbalancing thesideeffectsofthiswork.Someosteopathsfindtheygetbettertreatmentsandresultsby avoiding intra-oral and intra-nasalworkandworkingwiththeembryoligicalfulcrumsforgrowthanddevelopmentoftheheadandneck.There is aparticularfulcrum that organizes the growth anddevelopmentforeverythingfrombregmatoxyphoid.Wewillsometimesworkwiththat fulcrum for ulcers, GERD, hiatalhernias, tonsillitis, and sinusitis, but it isalotofyearsofstudytoworkthatway.Inthebiodynamiccurriculum,thatistaughtataboutyearsixorseven–that’ssixyearsofpost-graduatestudyandpractice,somaybetenor twelveyears into our osteopathicstudyandpractice.Rolferscertainlyneedsomemeanstoeffectchangeorcreatethepotential for changewithin the craniumthatmatcheswhatisgoingonintherestofthebody. Intra-oral and intra-nasalworkis themeans that is traditionally taught.I thinkweneed toproceedwithcaution,reallyknowouranatomy,studytheeffects,andstudywithamentor,becauseit’sveryeasy to lockup themechanismwith thattype ofwork, particularly themid-facefluidfieldsthatRebeccawastalkingaboutearlier.What looks likeanunderbiteandaprotrusionofthemandibleissometimesactuallya lossofpotencyinthemid-facefluidfields–ithasn’tfullydeveloped,itisn’tfullyexpressing.Isourdirectactionwithnasalworkgoingtosupportanopeningofthatorisitgoingtocreateafurtherlesion?This, I think, isaquestionweneedtobeaskingourselves.Whatamountofpressureisright,howdoweevaluate?

PartofwhatIdaRolfwasafter,Iimagine–shemaynothavehadthistypeoflanguage–wascreatingthespaceandfreedomforlifetoexpressthroughthemidfaceandlowerface,butwhatwasthequalityofhertouchwhenshewentintothenose,wherewasthefulcrumofher intention? Inevermether,soIdon’tknow;werelyontheeldersofthe

professiontopassthatkindofknowledgealong.Embryologicallythere’sthreedistinctregionsintheface–upper,mid,andlower.Themidand lowercanoften losevitalityorexperienceacompressiveforce,eitherinchildbirthortraumaduringlife.You’llseelackofgrowthanddevelopmentand lossoffunctionandphysiology,itcanlooklikeandunderbitewhen inactuality it is lackofexpressionandcompressioninthemidface.There’sfluidfieldsalloverthebody;theseinthefacearethreeverydynamicandimportantones.Theupperonewouldbebasicallyinthefrontalregionofthehead,themid-facefieldwouldbealongthezygomaticarchregion,andthe lower facefluidfieldwouldbe in to themandible andhyoidregion.Theseareapproximate,notexact.

RG: It’s the distribution of the threetrigeminalbranches;V1,V2,V3.

OA: Embryologically they are, you cantraceitback.Andthentheykindofcometogether as a singlefluidfield that goesdownintothebrainstemandthecervicalspine.SowebegintoseeembryologicallytheeffectsthatRebeccawasspeakingaboutearlier,whereachangeinthemandibleorinthemaxillaryregionhasaprofoundeffectonthecervicalspine,brainstem,andANS.It’sabigdeal,verypowerful,verybeautiful.

AH:Rebecca,canpeoplecontactyouiftheyareinterestedinALFwork?

RG: I encourage that. I have peopleemailingmefromallovertheworldthatgo tomywebsite and I try togive themanswers,evenifIdon’tseethemaspatients.

OA:Rebecca’sagreatresource,she’sreallypassionateaboutthiswork,andextremelyknowledgeable. I thinkwe just scratchedthesurface.

RG:Thankyou,Olixn.

AH:Thankstobothofyouforyourtime.

Olixn Adams is a Certified Advanced Rolfer who went on to become an osteopath. He practices full-spectrum family medicine and traditional osteopathic medicine at Spanish Peaks Regional Health Centers in La Veta, Colorado, and Walsenberg, Colorado. (The hospital will soon be the first in the state to have a full homeopathic pharmacy.) Rebecca Griffiths has been a practicing dentist for thirty years, has treated TMD patients successfully for twenty-seven years, and has been an ALF specialist for twenty years. She is located currently in Phoenix, Arizona and her website is www.tmjarizona.com. Anne Hoff is a Certified Advanced Rolfer in Seattle.



THOUGHTS ON BREATHING

Breathing Through the Whole Body: Toward a New Functional Definition of The LineBy Will Johnson, Certified Rolfer™ © 2012

Editor’s Note: Will Johnson will be teaching the concepts of this article through a sitting meditation retreat next spring. A unique feature of the retreat is that practice will be enhanced by each participant receiving sessions of structural integration (SI) during the retreat. (More information can be found at the end of this article.) We plan to publish an article evaluating the impact this has on the overall retreat experience for both participants and practitioners.

Even though IdaRolf alwayspresented“TheLine”as thehighestvaluetowhichthework canaspire, it remains themostneglected, andunexplored, aspectof theteachingaswehavecontinuedmostly tofocus on the therapeutic applications ofRolfing® SI, rather than its evolutionaryimplications.Inhermorelyricalmoments,Dr.RolfwouldspeakofRolfingSIasakindofhandmaidentotheforceofevolutionthat,ifDarwiniscorrect,haskeptpropellingourspeciesallthesemillenniatoanevermoreuprightposture.MyprimaryattractiontoRolfingSIwas always as an experimentintheevolutionofconsciousness,andtheunderstandingthatIgotfromRolfwasthatthetwoprimaryforumsinwhichevolutioncan be observed to occur – body andconsciousness–weredeeply intertwinedandappearedeithertogetherornotatall.The image that sheused to express thispotential for evolutionary growth in ahumanbeingwasTheLine.

Themain problemwith The Line, ofcourse, is that no onewas ever able tocraft aworkable definition ofwhat itactuallymightbeorwhat constituted itsembodiment.As structural integrators,we understandably approached anydiscussionsorexplorationofTheLineasa structural issue,but this single-mindedinsistencethatTheLinebeexplainedandapproachedinpurelystructuraltermshasnever proved satisfactory and, Iwouldsuggest,hasevenprovedtobesomethingof a redherring.Becauseno twobodiesare identical, it simply isn’t possible tocraft a structural definition of TheLinethatisapplicabletoeveryone.ForTheLineto indicate,as Ibelieve itdoes,apathof

transformationalpracticethatanybody–tallorshort,stoutorslender,youngorold–canexploreandpursue,thereneedstobea commondenominator to its expressionthatappliestoallbodies.

Iwould like to suggest thatTheLine iswhat happenswhen every joint of thebodycanremaininconstant,subtlemotionin resilient response to the force of thebreath.TheevolutionarypracticesofTheLine,then,worktoletgoofrestrictionstoawhole-bodied breath throughplayingwithbalance.

NoticethatIdidn’tsayathingaboutverticalalignment.Verticalalignment,thekeystoneof apurely structuralperspective, isnotalone sufficient to embodyTheLine.Wecan standupquite straight and tall butstillrestrainthebreath.Wecan’t,however,experiencebreathmovingthroughabodythat isgrosslyoutof alignment. Inotherwords,bypayingattentiontothepossibilityofabreaththatcanmovethroughmoreandmoreofthebody,wehavenochoicebuttobecomemorestructurallyaligned.

TheLine can never appear through thestatic. It’s not like becoming a perfectlypositioned fencepost,butmore likewhathappenswhenwe ride a bicycle. It canonly be approached through allowingconstant, natural movement to keepoccurring throughout the entire body,and the natural source of this constantmovementinarelaxedbodyisthebreath.Surrenderingtotheconstantmotionofthebreathtakesthebody,andtheconsciousness

that it expresses,outof thestatic into theecstatic(ex-static).

My continued inspiration for thisunderstanding is Rolf herself. Duringmy auditing class she responded to thequestion “how should a ‘Rolfed’ bodybreathe?” by suggesting that, in a trulybalancedbody,movementwouldbefelttooccurateveryjointofthebodyinnatural,resilientresponsetotheforceofthebreath(andsheevenwentontosuggestthatthismovement could be experienced in thejointsbetweenallthesmallbonesinthefeetaswellasinthesuturesinthecranium!).I increasinglybelieve that this functionalimageofTheLineworks extremelywellasacommondenominatorthatappliestoeverybody.

The contraction and relaxation of thediaphragm create a force that can betransmittedthrougheveryjointofarelaxedbody, just as the force that createsoceanwavescausesmotiontoappearthroughouttheentirebodyofwaterthroughwhichthewave ispassing.Asweallknow,abodywhose structure is grosslymisalignedcannotrelaxitstensionsbecause,ifitdid,itwouldsimplytoppleover.Bringthebodytogreateralignment,andthebodycanstarttorelaxandletgo.Forrelaxationtocontinue,though,motionneeds tokeepoccurringthroughout its entire length in resilientresponsetothebreath.Ifthatmotionceases,weforfeitourrelaxationandthemyofasciagraduallyhardens.Fromthisperspective,whatthehands-onsessionsofRolfingSIcanbeviewedasactuallyworkingonarethefleshyholdingpatternsand tensions thataretheresultofresistancetothefreeflowofbreaththroughthebody.

Resistance to the transmittedmotionsofthe breath appears as a purelyphysicalphenomenonthroughfreezingthetissuesofthebodyatitsjoints.Italsoappearsasaphenomenonofconsciousnessthroughitsroleincreatingthequalityofconsciousnessthatpassesasnormalintheworldatlarge,aqualityinwhichthereisoftenagreatdealofsemi-consciousthinkinggoingonandverylittleawarenessofbodilysensation.Withinthisessentiallydisembodiedconsciousnessweidentifywiththespeakeroftheinternalmonologue(whomwename“I”),andthemanifestationandnurturanceofthis“I”isbest conducted throughholdingvarious


THOUGHTS ON BREATHINGparts of thebody still (thehead freezes,the belly grabs, the legs become frozenstilts,andonandonwithinfinite,highlypersonalvariations).

Wheneverythinginthebodycanstarttomoveagain,it’snotjustthefrozenstillnessinthesofttissuesandenergeticpatternsofthebodythatstartsmelting.The internalmonologueofthemind(thatmanifestsasalitanyofunbrokenandunbiddenthoughts)andthecondensedandhighlycompactedsenseof“I” thataccompanies it canstartmelting away aswell, revealing in theirplaceadramaticallydifferentperspectiveof consciousness –what the Buddhistsdescribe as sunyata (opendimension ofbeing) or rigpa (our natural state), andwhat the Sufis call fana (melting away).My strong sense is that the evolutionaryeffecton consciousness thatRolf seemedtoimplymightoccurtosomeoneexploring“Lined”states iswhollyconcordantwiththesedescriptions.

When asked about his viewofWesterncivilization, thewell-knownVietnameseBuddhistteacherThichNhatHahnsimplyresponded “lost in thought.”Check thisoutforyourself:whenyoubecomelostinthought(which,let’sbehonest,wealldoonamaddeninglyregularbasis),doesn’tthebodybecome still and frozenandbreathbecomerestrictedandlimited?

Alignment allows thebody to relax, andresilientmotion throughout the body inresponsetotheforceofthebreathallowsrelaxation to continue over time. If thisconstantmotionceases,thebodyforfeitsitsrelaxation,andtheconsciousness-shiftingeffectsofanexplorationofTheLinewillalsoequallycometoastop.

ToexploreTheLineand its evolutionarypotential, I don’t really see any otheralternative tobringingperiodsof formalpractice intoourdaily lives.Weallneedtofindthepracticesthatworkbestforus,but inmy experience this has beenbestexplored throughmeditating ina seated,buthighlymotileandresilient,postureandthroughspontaneousmovementanddance.Ultimately,RolfspokeofRolfingSIasa“wayoflife,” justasBuddhistteachersspeakofmindfulnesspracticeasa24/7occupation.

Thesearethequestionsthatinterestme:

• Whereinthebodydoyouholdyourselfstillwhenyoubreathe?

• Whereandhowdoyouinhibitandholdbackthebreath?

• Whathappenstoyou,atboththelevelofbodyandmind,whenyouletgoandstartallowingmoremovementtooccurinresponsetothebreath?

• Thejointsbetweenthevertebraeofthespinearenotunlikejointsanywhereelseinthebody:they’redesignedsolelyforthepurposeofmovement.Whathappenswhenyoupayattentiontoyourspine,relax as completely as possible, andallowmovementtooccurbetweeneveryvertebraasyoubreathe?

• By surrendering to thepossibility thatresilientmotionsnaturallywanttooccurthroughouttheentirebodyinresponsetothebreath,alignmentandrelaxationhaveno choicebut tomanifest.Whathappenstoyoursenseofselfwhenyouletbreathpassfreelythroughyou?

Rolfing SI has always had a shadowycorner ofwhisperedmurmurings andhalf-veiledsuggestionsthattheworkwasnot just aboutphysiotherapy, but that asincerelyembodiedexplorationofitstenetsamountedtoenteringintoasortofmystery-school(andindeedthehumanbodyisthemystery school campuspar excellence).From amore purely physiotherapeuticperspectiveofthework,anythingbutthemost casualdiscussionofTheLinewithourclientsmaycomeacrossasirrelevant,toomuchinformation,waytooesoteric,orsimplydistracting,butfromthemystery-schoolperspectiveofRolfingSI,exploringTheLinewouldbecentraltotheintentionsof the teaching.TheLine tellsus toplaywith balance and allow breath to passthroughmore andmore of the body.Exploring this as conscious, intentionalpractice has a profound effect on bothbodyandmindandleadsuseverdeeperintowhathasalwaysstruckmeastheverystrangeandmysteriouswhatever-it-isatthecoreofembodiedexistence.

Let’sheadoffsomepossiblemisconceptionsabout this functional approach to TheLine.TheLine is not somekindof goaltobeattainedandthenmaintained.Eventodefineit,asIearlierdid,asaconditionin which every joint in the body canmove in response to the passage of thebreath ismisleading. It doesn’t point

to a consummated condition.What itpointstoisapath(notagoal)ofmystery-schoolpractices,anattitude toembodiedexploration inwhichweplaywith andexploreconditionsofuprightbalancewhilerelaxingand lettinggoof the restrictionstoabreaththatwantstobreathethroughmore andmoreof thebody.Thegoal isnot to embody some kind of perfectedpatternofbreath.Thegoalisjusttodothepractices, breathbybreath, and seehowtheyaffectyou.

The samecanbe saidofbalanceaswell.Balance isnotagoal.We’renot trying toarriveatsomekindofconsummateplaceof balance and hold ourselves there toexperience the evolutionary shifts thatRolf intimatedwould occur.We’re justplayingwith balance, one breath at atime, notunlikehowa childplayswithbalancing anupside-downbroomon anoutstretchedhand.Playingwithbalanceinthecontextofsurrenderingtoabreaththatwantstobreathethroughmoreandmoreofthebodyisjustthat:it’swhatyouplaywith,momenttomoment,whileexploringpracticesoflettinggo.Or,inthemannerofasayingbyYoda,thesagefromStar Wars,wemightsay:“thereisnoBalance;there’sonlybalancing.”

RolfingSIasphysiotherapyhelps relievetheresidualpainthathasaccumulatedinabody’stissues,andthereliefthatweofferis,formostofourgratefulclients,rewardenough.ThepathofTheLineisforpeoplewhowanttofurtherexplorehowplayingwithbalanceandrelaxingtherestrictionsto the freeflowofbreathaffectandaltertheirsenseofembodiedconsciousness.Weknowthattheforceofevolution(whichcanbefeltpalpablyasadeepenergeticcurrent)wants tokeeppropellingus to standupever straighter.Mycontinued fascinationin exploringwhat I’ve come to considerthe practices of The Line is in how it’sgoingtoaffectandinfluencewhoorwhatIexperiencemyselftobe,rightnow,inthismoment.That’sthemystery-schoolpractice.

IntheSatipatthana Sutta,oneofBuddhism’smost seminal texts, whosewords areascribedtothehistoricalBuddhahimself,theinstructionsontheawarenessofbreathculminateinthesuggestion“asyoubreathein,breatheinthroughyourwholebody;asyoubreatheout,breatheoutthroughyourwholebody.”WhydoyouthinktheBuddhawantsustodoexactlywhatDr.Rolfwasalsosuggestingispossible?


Will Johnson is a Certified Rolfer and the author of a number of books about the role of the body in spiritual practices, including ThePostureofMeditationandBreathingThrough theWholeBody:TheBuddha’sInstructionsonIntegratingMind,Body,andBreath. He will be teaching a sitting-meditation retreat in the

Buddhist tradition, focusing on the deeply body-oriented practices and perspective of this article, April 26 - May 3, 2013 in Crestone, Colorado. As an integral component of this retreat, and as direct support for the practice, he has assembled a team of structural integrators to participate, so that each retreatant will receive four SI sessions

during the retreat. Contact Will for more information, or register at www.dharmaocean.org. Also, anybody wishing to communicate with him about the functional exploration of The Line and its effect on consciousness may do so through emailing [email protected].

Rolfing® SI and the Buteyko Breathing MethodBy Robert Litman, Buteyko Breathing Association Educator & Trainer, and Helen Luce, Certified Advanced Rolfer™

Thepremiseofthisarticleistodemonstratethat true respiratory health facilitatesstructural change.Asbreathing rhythmsreturntotheiradaptablenature,structuralchangesoftheconnectivetissueareeasiertoaffect,reducingeffortonthepartoftheRolfer.Adaptable,fluidbreathingrhythmsfacilitatebothabalanceoftherespiratorygasesandaresponsive,relaxedbody.

The ButeykoMethod evolved from thescientificprinciplediscovered in1904byChristianBohr that subsequentlybecameknownas theBohrEffect.Thisprinciplestates thatwhen levelsof carbondioxideinthebloodbecometoolowduetochronicover-breathing, blood pH becomes tooalkaline(knownas“respiratoryalkalosis”)causing the distribution of oxygen from the hemoglobin in the red blood cells to the tissue cells to slow down.Asaresult, thecellsofthetissueswitchfromaerobicrespirationto anaerobic respiration and lactic acidbuild-upbegins, causing tissue acidity –also known as “metabolic acidosis.”Asrespiratorygasesbecomeunbalanced,ourorganismoperatesonsurvivalcircuitsduetoadecreaseintheflowofoxygenfromthebloodtothecells.Thisresponsecausesdeeporgandistressanddeterioration.

Let’s take a lookathow thisworks.Thethreeprimaryrespiratorygasesthatneedbalancedproportionswithintheorganismarenitrogen,oxygen,andcarbondioxide.Most people assume that the need foroxygen drives the breathing rate andthatwhenwe feelwecannotget enoughairwe need to breathemore deeply. Inactuality, carbondioxidedrivesboth therateanddepthofbreathing.Carbondioxide(CO2),oftenreferred toasawastegas, isactually a hormone, performingmany

regulatoryprocessesinthebody.Inthe“oldparadigm”thinkingthatCO2isawastegas,itisthenmistakenlyperceivedassomethingtogetridof–hencethefrequentlyheardexhortations, “Inwith thegoodandoutwiththebad!”and,“Takeabigbreathinthroughthenoseandthenblowitalloutyourmouth!”

Theseinstructionsareactuallydangerous.TheyinvitepeopletoreleasemoreCO2thanthebodyintended.Thinkaboutsomeoneterrifiedofpublic speaking ashe standsbehindapodium.Youmightseethepersonhyperventilatingtothepointthathebeginstofeelasifhemightfaint.Ifyouknowtheoldfolkremedy,youwillrushupwithapaperbagand instructhim tobreathe inandout into it, and soonhewill start tofeel better.Whatdo you suppose reallyhappens?Thisperson,breathinginhisownCO2, regains consciousnessasCO2 levelsreturn tonormal, causing an increase inoxygendistributionintothebrain,clearlydemonstratingtheBohrEffect.

CO2 is also a poison, however. Therespiratory center of the brain alwaysmonitorsCO2tokeeplevelssteady.Itdoesthis by setting the respiratory set point(rateanddepthofbreathing)inthebrainstem.WhenmoreCO2 is needed to bereleaseditincreasestherateofbreathing,when lessCO2 is needed to be releasedour breathing slows down.Our bodiesself-regulate these amounts properly ifour breathing habits do not interruptthis process.Unfortunately,we all havedeveloped survival skills that can limitthe rangeof responsiveness inbreathing,leading to a compression of structure.Sincethetissueswillnotmove,thebrainaccommodatesbylimitingrespiration.Here

weare able to see thenegative feedbackloop: compressed structure = reducedrespiratory adaptability = less breath =reducedrequirementforadaptabletissue.Thebreathingratelocksintoaveryspecificandnon-variablefrequency.

Thisperspectivealterstheparadigmfrom“symptoms cause breathingdifficulties”to“stressdisruptsbreathingandproducessymptoms.” Dr. Konstantin Buteykorevealed over 150 diseases that arebreathing-related.His scientific researchvalidatedthishypothesisandhismethodwas accepted into theRussianmedicalsystem,becomingpartofhospitalprotocols.In this scientifically-based paradigm,shiftingaperson’sbreathingpatternscanamelioratesymptomsandalleviatetheneedformedications.

Themost essential point that Buteykomakes regarding learning to breathe foroptimal health is that only the nose isused, both in inhalation and exhalation,whenever possible – including duringexercise.We also stress the importanceofpacingyourdaily activity so thatyoucan breathe through your nosemost ofthe time. “Fight orflight” circumstancesandmoments of sudden excitement areexceptionstothisrule.

Mouth-breathingtriggersthesympatheticresponseforfightandflight.Nose-breathingregulatesthenervoussystemtobalancetheparasympathetic(“restandsettle”)withthesympathetic so that theorganismspendsmoretimesettledandrested.Thisallowsmoresustainableresourcesinhandlingthestressesofeverydaylife.Wedevelopamoreresponsive attitude to stress rather thana reactive one.Mouth-breathing,whichkeeps thenervous system inahigh stateofactivation,thentranslatesintoastateofanxiety inourorganism.Weare capablethen,ofinducingourownanxietysimplyby thewaywebreathe! There are someformsof exercise, i.e. yoga, Pilates, etc.,thatusemouthbreathingtocreatespecificresults, and these are also exceptions tothenose-breathingrule.Neitheryogicnor



Reasons to Nose-Breathe© 2012 Robert Litman

Breathing through your nose:

• Warms the incoming air to body temperature, theoptimaltemperatureforthelungs.

• Moisturizestheincomingair,providingthelungswithapproximatelyaliterofmoistureperday.

• Filterstheincomingairthroughthehairsandmucousmembranesthatlinethenosetoremoveparticles.

• Stimulatessecretionofhealthymucoustohelpkeeptheairwaysmoist,preventingcoughingandthroat-clearing.

• Regulatesthedirectionandvelocityoftheairstreamtomaximizeexposuretotheprotectivenasalmucosa,whoseblanketof ciliaprovidesaprotectivebarrieragainstbacteria,chemical,orgaseousstimuli.

• Keeps your sinus membranes lubricated andfunctioningwell, lesseningthechanceofstagnationthatcanleadtosinusinfections.

• Facilitatestheproductionofnitricoxide,anessentialbronchodilator that also sterilizes the air in yoursinusesonthewaytoyourlungs.

• Triggersthereleaseofimmunoglobulins(anti-bacterialmolecules) thathelp to clean the incomingair andincreasethefunctioningofyourimmunesystem.

• Createspressuredifferencesbetweenyourlungsandnose,assuringtheflowofairandoxygentotheheartandlungs.

• Imposesaresistancetotheflowofairthatresultsin10%–20%moreoxygenuptake,helpingtomaintainelasticityofthelungsandultimatelytheeffectivenessoftheheart.

• Minimizes loss ofCO2during exhalation, therebyallowingCO2 todo its jobof reducing constrictionin your airways andbloodvessels, facilitating therelease of oxygen fromyour red blood cells, andthusmaximizingoxygendeliverytotheothercellsofyourbody.

In addition, breathing through your nose

• Heightensyoursenseofsmell,linkingittothelimbicsystem–theseatofyouremotionalbody–toallowyoutomakemorechoicesabouthowyoufeelaboutthingsyouencounterinyourimmediateenvironment.

• Maintains your sense of hearing by cleaning theenvironment around the inner auditory tube atthe back of theupper throat, to keep it free fromstagnatingdebris.

Regular nasal breathing helps keep the nasal passages open for all the benefits on this list. It also:

• Brings air into your sphenoid sinuses to coolyourpituitarygland andhelp regulate yourbodytemperature.

• RegulatessleepbyreducingCO2emissions,helpingto keepyournervous and cardiovascular systems’chemistryinbalance.

• Activatesturningoftheheadandbodyfromonesidetotheotherduringsleep,ensuringmaximumrestandpossiblyreducingsymptomsofbackache,numbness,cramps,andcirculatorydeficitsthatcanoccurfromsleepinginonlyoneposition.

• Activateshealthymovementatseveralheadandneckjoints:theatlanto-occipitaljoint,theatlanto-axialjoint,thesphenobasilarjoint,andsuturesofthefacialandheadbones–nourishingyourcentralnervoussystemandhelpingtorelaxyourneckandshoulders.

• Moves theairpastyournasal septum, slowing themovement of air and facilitating amore completeintegrationof theprocessofventilationwithotherbiologicalprocesses.

• Provides any excess tears a clear passageway fordrainage.

• Channels the airpast the structures thatmark thecenterofyourhead,helping tokeepyoubalancedandcentered.

• Reducessnoring.

• Stimulates formationof sinusgrowth in childhoodthroughthemovementofair.

And lastly – and maybe most importantly – breathing through your nose:

• Reducesanxietybyregulatingthespeedofrespirationandencouragingmaximuminflationofyour lungs,producingacalmingeffect.

• Deepensyourconnectiontoyourselfandhelpsbringyourattentiontothepresentmoment.

• Facilitatesmeditationandallowsyoutotapintoyourinnatesenseofwell-being.



Pilates breath techniqueswere intendedtobeusedinnormal,everydaysituations.Nose-breathing during other forms ofexerciseincreasesperformanceduetotheabove-mentionedincreaseinoxygenation.Nose-breathing,withitsnumerouspositivephysiological benefits thereforebecomesamandate for everyday living (see thesidebarReasonstoNose-Breatheonp.23.)

By teaching clients to understand thescienceandartofbreathing,weempowerthem to permanently self-correct theirbreathing style.As blood chemistry isbalanced,mutability and adaptabilityreturn, oxygenationof thebody’s tissuesreturns, andfluidity ofmovement onceagainbecomespossible.ThisistheinterfaceofRolfingStructural Integration (SI) andtheButeykoMethod.RolfingSIpreparesthe body to accommodate the variouschanges in air volume that representhealthybreathing,whichinturnfacilitatesdeeperstructuralchangeduetotheincreasein tissueoxygenation thatpracticing theprinciplesofButeykomakesavailable.

TheimplicationforRolfingSIgoesdeeper.CO2 in its role as ahormone (regulatingoxygendistributionfromtheredbloodcellstotissuecellsandmitochondria)alsodilatessmoothmuscle. It relaxes the breathingairwaysandthevesselsofthecirculatorysystem, aswell as the connective tissue.Therecentdiscoveriesthatsmoothmusclecellspopulatewithintheconnectivetissuehas implications for thepliability of theconnective tissueaswell as theabilityofRolfingSItoeffectchange.

As connective tissuemoves into amorereceptive and relaxed state due to thedilatingeffectofCO2,theRolferfindsthetissuemore responsive and capable ofsustainingthechangesthatagoodRolfingseries can produce. Teaching clients totrack their own breath during sessionscanbringanenormoussenseofalivenessandexcitementtothework.Rolfershaveagreatopportunitytoeducateclientsinthesinglemostpowerful resource theyhaveavailable to them: their own respiration,anditsabilitytoheal,inform,release,andenergize every cell of thebody. I (HelenLuce)haveexperiencednumerouscasesofclientswhoare,intheirownwords,terriblyanxiety-ridden,nervous,or in a constantstate of ill health reportwithin a session or two that theyalready feel like a “newperson”–noticinga substantialdecreasein theirnervous symptoms, better sleep,sharperthinking,etc.Thankstomystudyof

theButeykoMethodIhavebeenabletohelpclientsstopanasthmaattack in less thantwominutes–withoutuseofaninhaler!

TheRolfer’sworkis lesseffortfuloverall,as both the client and practitioner arebreathing in a healthy, sustainablemannerduring thesessions.Thepositiveentrainment thatoccurswhen theRolferher/himselfdemonstratesineverymomentwhathealthybreathinglooks–andmoreimportantly feels – like, is a beautifulexperience.Understanding respiratoryphysiology enhances every aspect of aRolfer’sworkand,Ibelieve,madeahugedifferenceinthewell-beingofallmyclients.

If this brief article has sparked yourcuriosity and youwould like to learnmore about the ButeykoMethod, youcan contact Robert Litman andHelenLuce at their respective email addresses:[email protected]@thebreathablebody.com. You can alsotakea lookat theButeykoorganization’swebsite,www.buteykoeducators.org orthe followingbooks:The Carbon Dioxide Syndrome byRussell and Jennifer Stark(Australia: ButeykoWorks, 2002) andBreathing FreebyTheresaHale(NewYork:ThreeRiversPress,2000).

Robert and Helen teach many Buteyko Method classes each year, both in Tucson, Arizona and around the world. They are also available for

private sessions, Skype sessions, and classes for other types of educators interested in learning these techniques.

Robert Litman is a Buteyko Breathing Association Educator and Trainer, Authorized Continuum Movement Teacher, and Duggan/French Approach to Somatic Pattern Recognition Practitioner. For the past twenty-five years, he has been teaching people about the connections between breathing, movement, and health while maintaining a private practice in Tucson, Arizona. His websites are www.asthmafreearizona.com and www.thebreathablebody.com.

Helen Luce was trained twenty-nine years ago as a Rolfer and got her advanced certification six years later. She has been practicing primarily in Tucson, Arizona. Helen has been a student of Angwyn St. Just in Trauma Energetics, and has studied extensively with Emilie Conrad, Susan Harper, and Hubert Godard. She has also studied craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, the Buteyko Method, homeopathy, and herbal medicine. Her Rolfing SI is deeply informed by all the influences of her years of passionate study, but most especially by the sensitive and fluid touch of Continuum and craniosacral work. Her sessions always include much attention to the client’s perceptual field and breathing patterns, in addition to structural and movement patterns.

Middendorf Breathexperience WorkBy Judith Mayanja, Certified Advanced Rolfer™ and Middendorf Breathexperience Practitioner

I remained ambivalent formonths as towhether I should contribute an articleaboutMiddendorfBreathexperienceWork(MBW)toStructural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®. Then I readaquoteattributedtotheDalaiLama.Itissaidthatwhenhewas askedwhat surprisedhimmostabouthumanity,heanswered,“Man.Becausehesacrificeshishealthinordertomakemoney.Thenhesacrificesmoneytorecuperatehishealth.And thenhe is soanxiousaboutthefuturethathedoesnotenjoythepresent;theresultbeingthathedoesnotliveinthepresentorthefuture;helivesasifheisnevergoingtodie,andthen

dieshavingneverreallylived.”Theimpactfromhislastsentencecatapultedmeoutofmyambivalence.“...and then dies having never really lived.”Ifonecouldthwartsuchapitiableend,itwouldbeofinfinitevalue.

Isentthisquotationtoabreathcolleagueofmine,inspiredbytheDalaiLama’sinsight.Herreply to itwas,“Wonderful!At leastwehavebreathandknowledgeofhowtobeinthemoment.I’mlearningmoreandmoreaboutthat.”Living,breath,andthepresentareinextricablyconnected,andifIcouldcontributetoevenonemorepersonlearningaboutand/orpossiblytryingthissomaticallyorientedstyleofbreathingwork



knownasMiddendorfBreathexperienceWork,itwouldbeworthit.

Onemight say, “In regard to thebreath,what issooriginalaboutbreathbringingpeopletothepresentmoment?”Genericallyspeaking, this is not a unique attributeof breath work. No one breath styleholds a monopoly on this attribute.Meditationhasutilized this vehicle as aguide for eons. So,whyMBW?What isitsdistinction in the familyof breathingpractices?Whywould it be of interesttoRolfers?

Before launching intowhatdistinguishesMBWfromothertypesofbreathwork,I’dliketotakeamomenttodescribetheoriginandbackgroundofthework.Germanyhasbeengiftedwithaparticular,abidingcuriosityandsustainedinterestinthenaturalbreath,whichhas existed forover twohundredyears. Professor IlseMiddendorf wasgracedtohavebeenbornGerman,therebyallowing her to take advantage of thisrichenvironment.

Her interest in the breath came from achildhoodexperienceattheageofeleven.Shehadbeen lookingupat the skywithraised arms, as if to fly away into theethereal blue, and on one particularoccasion,whilemaking this gesture, sheheard a voice from insideher say, “Youmustbreathe.”Thisearlyintuitioninspiredhertofollowthepathofbreathandwhatithadtoteachher.

Themeaningand remembranceof thosewords echoed throughheradult life andprofessionaldevelopment. Shebecameateacher of gymnastics (in the Europeansense),whichexploredbodyconsciousnessthroughvariousschoolsofmovementandexercise. (Oneof the schools Ilse studiedfromwastheMensendieckSchoolwhich,by theway, also had an influenceuponDr.Rolf and thevalue she later came toplace onmovement work.)Althoughaccomplished as a gymnastic teacher,dissatisfactionremainedwiththedepthofthesemethods–thewaytheyemphasizedwill power, leaving little room for thedirect essence of breath involvedwithhuman reality.Around this period shefoundamaturedanceteacher,EweWarren,withwhom she learned about theunityof expression bymeans ofmovement,breathing,andmeditation.

Ilse’s breath exploration took its finalthrust toward its full creativebloomandindependence fromCornelis Veening,

amember of Carl Jung’s circle and apractitioner of breath-therapy. Sheeventually gained a professorship atthe BerlinMusic andDramaAcademy,a college for higher education ofmusicand theperformingarts. Shewenton toestablishherownschool,TheInstituteforBreath-therapy,inBerlin.Itwasthroughthehandof friendshipfromtheFeldenkrais®communityofSanFranciscothatherworkcametobeembracedinthiscountry.

Ilse passed away recently at the age ofninety-eight.Withwell over sixty yearsofbreathexperienceshehadtheabilitytosenseanimbalanceofbreathsignalingtheonsetofillness.Shecouldthengowithintorestoreherbreathbalance.Ithinkitwasnotanaccidentthatshewaslong-lived.Itwasnot thenumberofyearsalone thatmadeher life impressive,butthequalityofherlife,which came fromher explorationofthebreath.Herworkiscarriedonbyherformerstudent,andconsummatedisciple/teacher in his own right, JuergRoffler,director of theMiddendorf Institute forBreathexperience (MIBE) of Berkeley,California.Hestates:

Throughtheallowingofthebreathto come and go on its own, thesource thatholds essenceand theknowledgeaboutonenessbecomesaccessible. The sensation of themovementofbreathidentifiesthissource,thiswayitbecomesarealityinourbodyandwecanexperience,senseour truth.Ourparticipationpresence in this, integrates thisprocess.1

So,whywouldMBWbe of interest toRolfers? Inaword, thebody – somethingboth schools holdwith highest regard.MBWmagnifiedmy experience ofmybodybeyondameremechanisticsensetoinclude thegreater sensitivities of beinghuman.HereiswhereitismoreusefultogodirectlytothewordsofIlsefromherbookThe Perceptible Breath: a Breathing Science.Shearticulates,farbetterthanI,withwordsthathavebeeninformedbyyearsofexperiencewiththebreath:

The human body i s o f t en“discovered” by subjecting it tospecificphysical exertions, in thehopeofrevealingitssecretsbytheseclumsyexternalmeans.Thebodyissoughtbysupposed“methodsofresearch”thatintheenddonottakethebodyintoconsiderationatall.2

Thereasonwhytherearesomanydifferent keys to corporality arebecausethebody“carrieseverythinginitself,”sincelifeandsoul,mindandbodyformawhole.Howstronghasourdiscernmenttogrow,untilwe are able to realize,what thismarvel,“thebody”is,andjudgeitin termsof itsoverall importance!Howoften,eveninourowntimes,isthebodylookeduponandjudgedasanobject.Buthowcouldrealitydevelopinhumanlife,intheNow,withouttherealityofthebody?3

IamnottheonlyRolferorRolfMovement®Practitioner to embraceMBW; I am inthe company of several others in thebreath community,bothRolfers andRolfMovementPractitionersalike.Manytimes,Iwouldfindmyselfexplodingwithjoyandexcitement at the revelation that certainRolfingSIprinciplesandgoalswerebeingachievedwithoutanyexternalinfluence–mostoftentherevelationcomingduringabreathandmovementclass.“Look,Ma,nohands!”RolfingSIresultscouldbeachievedthrough the breath, results associatedbeyondmeditativeawareness.

Interactionandexplorationwiththebreathtakeplace in threedynamicmodes andthis, too,maybeof interest toRolfers (Iuse the term inclusiveofRolfMovementPractitionersaswell).Theyare:1)breathandmovementexploration;2)vowelspaceexploration; and3)hands-onexplorationof thebreathaddressedto the individualthroughabreath-dialoguewiththehandsoftheMiddendorfteacherandthebreathandbodyoftheclientlyingonamassagetable.

MBWisworkforthematureadult.ListentothewordsofIlsethathelpusunderstandthenatureof theunconsciousbreathandtheimportanceofgettingtoknowitinanunforcedway:

Thenatural breathingmovementthat you can see in very smallchildren has been reduced to aminimum. Because unconsciousbreathing isunconsciousandalsoreacts unconsciously, we mustconsider this function as one ofthemostprecise instruments thatnature has givenuswhich couldbringour life toflower, if itwerenotfoughtagainstthroughoutourlives,byourthinkingconsciousness,



movements, and many otherinfluences.4

. . . the unconscious function of breathing reactsmost sensitivelyto any influence. By supportingall theother functions, it balancesall thefluctuations inone’s life,aslongas“tensions,”“limpness,”and“congestions”donotpredominate.5

However stronglywemaywantto,thereisnowaytoimprove(the)unconsciousmodeofbreathingaslongaswedonotgettoknowourbreathing.Butifweemployourwillthebreathbecomesconsciousanddoesnotreachtheprofoundlayerswhere an effective change in themodeofbreathinghastostart,andsotostartandchangebadmentalandphysicalpostureatitsroot.6

Voluntary breath is ruled by themind. It is directed to a specialpurposeanddependson thewayyou lookat it. . . . thesewaysofbreathing always serve one goaland theymake an impressiononme,mysoulandmyspiritfrom the outside inward, theyare impressedon,puton,forcedon....thisdoingandmaking enablesyou to reachonlycertainpartsofyourcomplexbody structures and you cannotjudgewhere,orhowthisdeliberate,chosenbreathingisgoodorbadforyou,sinceyour“innervoice,”whichis amostparticular bodily sense,is rooted in body-soul-and-spiritand is eliminatedoratbest, staysunconscious[italicsadded].7

Examples of voluntary breath include:deliberate deep breathing, professionaltechniquesandmethodsusedbysingers,narrators,andnewscasters,aswellasitsuseinallkindsofsports,guidedmovement,andyoga.So,themovementworkofMBWisanunfamiliarapproachtomovement,whichdiffers from the customarygoal-orientedmodeofourconditioning,particularly inWestern culture. It is not uncommon tograpplewithperiods of frustration, butwith patience one eventually comes tobefriendthisunconsciousbreath.InIlse’swords, this “perceptible breathing is acentre-core happening, concerning thebody-soul-spiritunityofthehumanbeing.Oncedevelopedandmatureditmovesfromtheinsideoutward,pervadingtheSelfaswellasthebodyandawakensitspower.It

clears,orders,harmonizes,healsandfinallybecomesaprofound joy[italicsadded].8

Breath andmovement work help thebreatherbecomeawareofthethreemajorbreathing spaces, the inner and outerbreath,andalsotobecomeacquaintedwiththeuprising,descending, andhorizontalpowers of breath. The three breathingspaces refer to three bodilydistinctionsanddonotrefermerelytotherespiratoryapparatus in isolation.According to Ilse,“the breath opens up three importantspacesinus,correspondingtosuchlayers:thelowerspaceconsistingofthepelvisandthelegs,themiddlespacefromthenaveltoaboutthe8thrib(middleofthethorax),including thediaphragm, and theupperspace consisting of the shoulders, neck,head,andarms.”9

Ilse developed the vowel spaceworkby following thedevelopment of breaththrough breath andmovementwork. Itsprang fromwanting to help a studentrecognizethesensitivemomentinbreath-therapybyseeingifhecould“participateinthemomentofhisinhalingbreathwithoutreflectinguponitrationallyorinterferingwithit.”10Again,backtoIlse:

Thismoment is of extraordinarysignificancefortheentirebreathingtherapy.Nevertheless, there aremanydifficultiesarising,especiallywhenyou try tobecomeawareofyour breathing,while it flows inwithoutusingyourwill,butwhenwe succeed in becoming part ofthiseventweshallbeawareofourbreathingcomingofitsownaccord.Webecomeconsciousofourbodily,aswell as spiritual (psychic)wayofBeing,which is crucial: we have learned to wait.[italicsadded]11

Thevowelspaceworkislessactivebodilythan thebreathandmovementmodalityanddemandsmoreofus emotionally tobewith thebreathmovement and space.Differentvowelshavetheirbreathspaces,orhome(whenbreathprocessbecomesmoretransparentorunhinderedthroughoutthebody),indifferentbodilyspaces.

Thevowel spacework is an example ofhow the breath “not only reaches ourinnerworldandmovesus,itconnectsusto theworldoutside. It bringsus closertoeachotherandbreaksdownoursenseofisolation.”12Languageisthevehicleweordinarilyassociateasbeingthebridgetooneanother,lesseningisolation.Yet,how

oftendoweconsiderthebreaththatpowersthatspeech?Thevowelspaceworkdissectslanguage, in away, into its incrementalcomponents of vowels and consonantsuntilwecanbuildbackuptowordsandfull-sentenceusewiththebodilyawarenessofbreath,whichislargelyunconsciousinnormallanguageusage.Thisisasensitiveandwonderfulexplorationofourhumanity.

Hands-on breath treatment is the thirdmodalityofMBW.Generally, breathandmovementworkandvowelspaceworktakeplaceinagroupclasssetting.Ahands-onbreath treatment addressesbreath to theparticularindividual.Anindividualbreathtreatmentaugmentsthegrouplearning.

One of the reasons I enjoy receiving ahands-on session, even though Imaybeeducatedtothesamelessonofbreathfromclass, is theway itaffordsme the luxuryofgreater receptivity tomybreath.Evenwith thebest of intentions, in the sittingstoolworkorstandingwork,my“doing”unknowinglyhas crept intoplay.At thesame time, the receiver comes to learnthatitisnotthehandsofthepractitionerthatmake something happen. Rather,there is an independent responsivenessof readiness by the breath in hands-ondialogueeitherbyactiveofferorbybeingfromthepractitioner’shandsthatcanbestbedescribedasthewisdomofthebreath.

Apersonwishingtoreapthefullrewardofthisself-healingartformmustcometotakeresponsibilityforhisbreath.Eachofushasawaythatourbreathisdevelopingtowardsbalance,particulartotheindividual’sbodyand being. The nature of the breath istrustworthy;breathissomethingthatcanbe relieduponnot only by the breatherbutalsobythepractitioner.Thismakesfora levelofhonesty that is refreshing, andat times challenging anddemanding ofrespect.Thebreathsimplywillnotrespondto forcebecauseof its inherentknowing.Thisdialogueiscomposedofaverysimple,yet not to beunderestimated, profoundconversation between the practitioner’shandsandthereceiver’sbreathof“yes, Iwilldevelop”or“no,notinthisway”–or“no,notnow.”

The intrigue and appeal that this aspectofMBWmay have for theRolfer, as itdid forme, is to be relieved of a touchthat is communicating the unwantedintention of agenda. The education thatcomeswith the use of the hands fromMBWwill unequivocally convince the



Rolfer that effectiveness canbe achievedthroughgentleness.Theremaybeperiodsoffrustrationthatonegoesthroughfromthehabituateduseofthewillthroughthehands,butjustasoneeventuallyopenstoconsciouslysensetheunconscious,naturalbreathwithouttheuseofthewill,soonecan learn, in time, the samewith theuseofthehands.Thisisagreatliberationforourselvesandakindnesstoourclients.

Breath, ultimately, remains amysterybeyondour comprehension. I feel quitecertaininsayingIdidnotmakemybreath;breathisagiftbeyondmyunderstanding.Thereisascripturalreferencewiththemostpassionate theology that articulatesmysentimentaboutbreath.ThisisexpressedbyaJewishmotherwhohasjustwitnessedthedeathbytortureofhersevensons.Toremaintruetotheirfaiththeyacceptdeathrather thanbreak the lawbyeatingporkunder duress. I regard this as a properperspectiveof thehierarchyandorder indistinctionbetweentheGiverofbreathandbreath in the creature. She exhorts themwith thesewords to encourage them inacceptingtheirnobledeaths.“Idonotknowhowyoucameintoexistenceinmywomb;itwasnotIwhogaveyouthebreathoflife,norwasitIwhosetinordertheelementsofwhicheachofyouiscomposed.Therefore,sinceitistheCreatoroftheuniversewhoshapeseachman’sbeginning,ashebringsabout theoriginof everything,he, inhismercy,will give you back both breathandlife.”13

To further investigate MiddendorfBreathexperience Work, please visithttp://breathexperience.com. To view ashortvideoofIlseMiddendorfpleasevisitwww.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Ys151xqhg.

Author’s Note: The use of italics in Ilse’s quotations was added by me and was not in her original text. If Ilse’s words seem cumbersome it is due to the translation from the original German. This article came about from a lengthy paper I wrote entitled “My Work Philosophy.” If anyone is interested in reading this lengthier version where I refer to the influence of Middendorf Breathexperience Work on myself, I would be happy to send you a copy; contact me at [email protected].

Endnotes1. Personal communication from JuergRoffler.

2.Middendorf,Ilse,The Perceptible Breath: A Breathing Science. Paderborn,West

Germany: Junefermann-Verlag, 1990,(translationbyGudulaFloerenandDieterEule),pg.9.

3.Ibid.,pg.10.

4.Ibid.,pg.24.

5.Ibid.,pg.25.

6.Ibid.,pg.26.

7.Ibid.,pg.25.

8.Ibid.,pg.29.

9.Ibid.,pg.33.

10.Ibid.,pg.60.

11.Ibid.,pg.60.

12.Middendorf, Ilse and JuergRoffler,“The Breathing Self: The Experience ofBreathasanArttoHealingYourself.”TheMiddendorfInstituteforBreathexperienceofSanFrancisco,December1994.

13.2Maccabees,7:22-23.

The Breath That Breathes UsBy Carol A. Agneessens, M.S., Certified Advanced Rolfer,™ Rolf Movement® Instructor

Listen – Are you breathing just a little and calling it a life?1

MaryOliver

Breathing: life’s most vital function.Countlesswritings and techniques, fromancientSanskrit textsandyogicpracticestoinnovativeholistictherapiesandmedicalinterventionsaredevotedtothecultivation,understanding, and repair of respiratoryphysiology.Everyphysical,psychological,andemotionalproblemistosomedegreeconnected to a lack of oxygen and theinterruptionof full breathing cycles.Yethowmany individuals pay attentionto their personal respiratory habits?Ornoticehow respiratoryhealth affects thedepthandfullnessoftheirbreathandlife?Whathappenstothebreathingcyclewhenstressfuleventsoccur?

Toooftenbreathing is taken forgranted.Mistakenly,weassume that this functionwill always beworking.Developing akinestheticawarenessofbreathbroadensandexpandsourconsciousparticipationinliving.Tobreatheistolive,andrespiratoryfreedom is ameasure of life’s potency.Maternalwaves of breath transport thegrowingembryofromitsminisculegenesisatfertilizationthroughthebirthingprocess.Thefirst inhalation ignites a continuumof breaths; the last exhalationdissolvesindividualityinto“theeternalmystery”atlife’send.

Atone timeor another, you’veprobablyexperienced the sudden and shockingrealization that you’ve been holdingyourbreathduringa stressful encounter,high-action thriller, orwhilewaiting oranticipating news. Once you feel you

haven’tbeenbreathing,doyouravenouslygrab for oxygen?Howmany remindershavedecoratedyourdesktop,refrigerator,bathroommirror,orthedashboardofyourcarremindingyouto“breathe”?Recalltheclientswho describe their breathing asshallowor thosewhoexperience limitedsensory awareness of themovement oftheirdiaphragmandribcage.Withpatienceand guided kinesthetic directives, theymayquickly begin experiencing greaterexcursionoftheirribsandtheimpactthateasierandfullerbreathingeffectsintheirlives.Throughanatomicalillustrationsanddirectedtouch,practitionersigniteaclients’felt sense of the expandingdimensionsof their thorax, the depth and reach oftheir lungs, and the ease beneath theirexhalation.Wemayworkwith athletesor singerswhose beliefs about “how tobreathe”actuallycomplicatetheirquestforafullerinhalationandpassiveexhalation.Or perhaps it is the child, teenager, oradultwhosenervoussystemandbreathingpatternscarrythefight/flight/freezeimprintofbirthtraumaorthehypervigilantattitudeof an early home environment lackingpredictabilityandsafety.

The respiratory control centerwithin thebrainstemdemandsoxygen,andrespirationistriggered.However,bracing,slumping,accidents, injury, faulty education, orlongstanding beliefs can underminethe ongoing and involuntary nature ofbreathing.As a longtime swimmer, Iusedto think thatgettingto theendofa



twenty-five-meter lap on one inhalationwas success. I hadno idea thegoalwasto breathe while swimming and thatbreathing rhythmicallywould increasebothenduranceandspeed.Abalonediversknowthe riskofdivingdeepwithoutanairsupply.Thebodycommandsinhalationevenwhendeepbeneath thewaters. Tobreatheistolive.

This articleweaves together four areascurrently ignitingmy interest in themovementofbreath:

• The embryological underpinnings ofrespiration.

• The interrelationship of perception,vision,andbreath.

• Carl Stough andhis innovativeworkcalledBreathingCoordination™.

• Aninquiryintothefield(breath)thatisbreathingus.

Inaddition,therearesomaticexplorationstodeepenthereader’ssensoryexperienceofthefourareasofinquiry.

The Diaphragm: The Embryological Seed of LifeAll mammals emerge from a singlefertilizedegg cell orovum.Wholeness isourunderlyingnatureand is thegroundof health, adaptability and connectivityto self, other, and the environment. Thevaryingphysiologicalsystemsanddensitiesofourbodiesarisefromthisbeginningof“one-thing-ness.”Dr.ErichBlechschmidt,embryologist, introducedanovelwayofviewingembryonicdevelopment.He feltthat at everymoment of differentiation,theembryois functioningfromastateofwholeness.Theembryo is in relationshiptoitssurroundinguterineenvironmentandthefluidfieldsmetabolizinganddirectingitsgrowth.Alltissuesandfunctionsarisefromanoriginofperfectwholeness.Theembryo does not become human; it ishumanfromtheverybeginning.

“Embryology does not stop at birth;we have the potential for change allalong.Inasenseweareembryosthroughourlifetime.”2

The embryo grows through a processof in-folding and unfolding, rhythmicoscillations, centralizing fulcrums, andlengtheningmidlines.These expressionsof formareshapedanddirectedbyfluidgradients andmetabolic forces inwhichtheembryoisembedded.Thesesuctioning,

compressing, stretching, separating,dissolving,andgerminalfluidforcesshapebothfunctionandstructure.

In the embryo, what emerges as therespiratorydiaphragmbeginsdevelopmentbythethirdpost-fertilizationweek.Initially,the diaphragm arises as a tissue calledtheseptumtransversum.Theseedsofthediaphragmare carried bymesenchyme,undifferentiated mesodermal tissue,spreading through the entire embryo.Mesenchyme is embryonic inner tissuederivedmainly frommesoderm (whicheventually forms connective tissue andblood). The embryonic mesenchymereaches andmergeswith the potentialcoccyx.Take amoment and imagine thefertilizedovumasasphereofdiaphragmsbreathinginsynchronywitheachotherandrespondingtothebellows-likepressuresofasuctioningfield.Theactionofthesuctionfieldisthemajormetabolicprocessshapingthe fertilized egg.Thekineticmotionoftheembryonic suctionfieldunderlies thebellows-likemovementsofrespiration.

Anunderstandingofmetabolicfields,andspecifically the suction field, arises outofBlechschmidt’s extensive anddetailedresearch. Blechschmidt identified epi-genetic forces,which he understood toshapeanddirectembryonicdevelopment.He called this epi-geneticmovement:the biodynamic and biokinetic forcesof embryonic development.He states,“Biodynamicreferstothedynamicfeaturesofdevelopmentoftheorganismmanifestedin submicroscopic developmentalmovements.Biokineticreferstothekinetic(spatiotemporal) forces acting on thedevelopingorganism.”3

Thesemetabolicforcesoffluidintelligencepermeate and direct the developmentand differentiation of the embryo.Anunderstandingofmetabolicfieldsarisesoutofaquantumapproachtounderstandingtheinterrelationshipandpenetrationofforcesof consciousnessdirectingdevelopmentratherthanaNewtoniancause-and-effectuniverseholdinggeneticdeterminismastheoverridingrule.

Suction is one of theprimarymetabolicmovementsorfieldsdirectingembryonicformation. In the development of thediaphragm, the ascent of the brain andthe descent of the viscera ignite two-directional lengthening. The rapidlyenlarging brain demands nourishment(oxygen andnutrition), carried through

the emerging bloodvessels of the aortaand itsbranches.Thesearterialbranchesreachposteriorlyandintertwinewiththebuddingspinalnervestetheringtheheartinplaceasthebraincontinuestogrow.Theconnectingstalkanchorstheembryototheuterinewallatitscaudalend.

Emergingbetweenthepolarityofarapidlyenlargingbrain, lengthening spinal cord,anddescendingvisceraisthediaphragm.As theneural tube grows, ascends, andbeginstofoldduetothemassivegrowthofthebrain,thefuturediaphragmbecomesfoldedunderneath thedevelopingheartat the level of the cervical vertebrae.Innervations from the adjacent spinalnervesofC3,C4,andC5aredrawnintothismovingpotential, forming theprecursorof the phrenic nerve. You’ve probablyheard this sing-song rhyme repeatedin anatomy classes: “C-3-4-5 keep thediaphragm alive.” Blechschmidtwrites,“thedescentofthevisceraiscloselycoupledtothedevelopmentofthediaphragm.Thediaphragmisattachedtotheliverposterior(and)totheheartandarcheshighintothethorax.Theinferiorendofthediaphragmextendsalmost to the inferior endof thevertebral column.The segment betweenthegrowingheartandtheenlargingliverbecomescompressedandtaut,sothathereitwillbethinandtendonlike”.4(Thisreferstothecentraltendonofthediaphragm.)

Somatic Inquiry: The Body As a Continuing Diaphragm

Part I:

Sit in a comfortable and upright position, with your feet on the floor. Ask yourself, “Is my breathing supporting me in sitting and exploring? . . . What body-centered information emerges in response to this question?

Notice your breath. Sense the excursion of your thorax on inhalation and the passive release on exhalation. Imagine your lungs extending beyond your back. Notice the movement of your whole body in response to breathing.

For the next few minutes just breathe, sensing the dimensions of your breath without control, effort or intention to change anything.

Part II:

Sit with your feet on the floor or stand in a comfortable position. Inquire: Is my breathing supporting the opening of the diaphragm of my feet to the life and breath of the ground?

Sense the arches of your feet opening to the living planet and soils of “earth.” Allow a softening through your feet, as your awareness



of the connection to earth touches the soles of your feet.

Become aware of your contact with the breathing, living ground in relationship to your breathing body. Earth’s field does not stop at our feet but rises up around the body. Notice: how far around and through your body space do you sense earth’s field?

Inquire: Does my breath support this relationship to earth?

Withanyactivityyouareengagedin,feeland listen to the support your breath isgiving you. The simple question can berepeated:IsmybreathsupportingmeasIwork,sit,walk,orstudy?

Perception, Vision, and Breath Imagineforamomentwalkingamiles-longocean shoreline, hearing the thunderingwaves and sensing thepull of powerfulcurrents. Thismeditationhasnourishedmany twilight reveries.Walkingbarefooton tide-washedsandsoffersakinestheticunderstanding of both theweight andgroundofexhalationandthespaciousliftofinhalation.Thespectrumofbreathingisfortifiedasvisual sensesopen to includethe vast horizon. The expanse of thesea, possessing unobstructed vistas, isnourishment, feeding sensibilities andimagination. The visual continuum ofspaciousnessbirthsthephysiologicalhealthofbalance,adaptability,andgravitationalsecurity.Sensingandknowingthehorizonisattherootofvestibularacuity.Thesecretisthatyoudonothaveto“goout”tomeetthehorizon;thehorizonisalwaystheretomeetyou.

Imagine thehorizon is like adiaphragm– extending its horizontal reach in 360°around you. Imagine yourself as thecentraltendon!Sensethevestibularshiftsaffectingyourmovement,rhythm,balance,andalignmentasneurologicalintelligenceattunes to the expansive environmentenwrappingyou.Formomentsata time,depth perception can shift – the near,far, andwideof the surroundingwatersandsandembrace thebody inmotion.Adynamic coreof awareness is enlivened.Becomeawareofthephysicalshiftswithinyourbodyasyour“central core” relaxesandyoubegintobreatheintheopennessofthisvista.Thehorizontouchesyouasyourestintothisawareness.Seaairresuscitatesavitalbreath;asvisionexpands,auditorysensesbecomeheightenedtothelanguage

ofthewaves;balanceshiftsasthedynamicrelationship with gravity alters withevery step on the uneven shore. Thesensorialmemory of our deeply rootedindigenousnature–alive,breathing,vital,andperceptuallyaware–rejuvenatesblood,breath,andbody.Sensingthehorizoniskeytoarespiratoryandspaciousrejuvenationofthepsyche.

ThephilosopherBaruchSpinoza realizedthat “the humanmind could never bereconciledwith thehumanbodyunlessintelligencewasrecognizedasanattributeof nature in its entirety.”5Whole-bodyperception of the horizon broadens akinesthetic vocabulary,whetherwe areviewingtheocean’sdistantedge,admiringamountain-topvista,orperceivingthehorizonenclosedinthefourwallsofanoffice.Ourvestibularsystemisconstantlyseekingthehorizonwhetherweareawareofitornot.Yetbecauseofthecontext,psychologically,emotionally,or environmentally,we limitour senses, impeding the expansivenessof our perception aswell as becomingmore focused inone-pointedattention. Inanoverly focused state, it is easy to losetouchwith the presence of the horizonandthebreathingexpanseinwhichweareintimatelyembedded.

Our industrialwestern culturepromotesthe supremacyof the rationalmindandan emphasis on the intellectual processassociatedwith the physicality of thematerialworld.Very little attentionnoworients to the invisible dimensions ofintuition, spirit, instinct, andperceptionswhichcannotbequantifiedyetareinherentin the make-up of the human being.LaurensVanderPost, author, educator,explorer, and observer of theAfricanbushman,wrote about anthropologicalconceptsthathaveplayedanimportantroleinourunderstandingofhealthanddiseaseinsociety.Heunderstoodthateveryhumanbeinghasanancestralandinstinctualspiritwithinhimself.Ifthismillion-year-oldspiritislost,modernmanloseshisrealroots,andthesourceofhealthandwholeness.

Awhole-body senseof thehorizonwenthand-in-handwith the evolution of theupright stature.Theabilityof earlymanto turn his head in a 180° radius, freedfromlimitingmusculature,allowedhimtoscanthehorizonforfood,prey,orenemy.The function of the vestibular systemwas ignited. Imagine the“aha”momentswhenprimitiveman saw the expanseoflandbeforehim,informinghisactionsfor

huntingorrunningtowardsafety.Walkingupright in gravitymarked a bifurcationplace in humanhistory – fromarborealclamoring to the evolutionofvisual andlanguageskills.

Cultivating perception of the horizonsupportsabalancingsenseofgroundforourexhalation inrelation to thespaciousvastnessof inhalation.Even ifwecannotseethehorizon,thedeeplyprimalnatureofourorganism’svestibularsystemsensesitaswecultivateitspresenceasaresourceinourlives.

Somatic Inquiry: Breath and the Horizon

Part I:

Sitting comfortably upright, notice your breath; the rhythm and ease of your diaphragmatic movement on inhalation and the ease of exhalation. Yield into the support of your chair, and the support of your feet on the floor. Follow your breath through a deeper, longer exhalation – pausing for the automatic triggering of inhalation.

Place your focus on something in your very near field of vision. Let your vision narrowly focus, seeing only this object. Notice any changes in your breathing, its ease or excursion.

Now, imagine the 360° expanse of the horizon around you. Let the focus you are holding soften as you sense the walls to either side of you and behind you. Does your breathing change?

Part II:

Repeat this exercise as you are moving about somewhere in nature. Notice your breathing ease or tension as you focus on an endpoint or goal (what you are moving toward).

Now allow the inclusion of a whole body sensing of the horizon, trees and nature around you. Does your breathing change as you include the support of the horizon and its impact on your vestibular system?

Breathingchangeswithwhateveractivitywearedoing.Ifwearehiking,biking,orclimbing,breathresponds.Ifwearehurriedorconfrontingadifficulttask,ourbreathingresponds to accommodate.Breath is ourally;ourbreathisalwaysthere.Thecycleof ourbreath isnurturedby sensing theexpansiveness of the horizon and thegroundbeneathourfeet.

”The clouds overhead are notplungingwestward as theplanetrolls beneath them . . . theythemselves arepart of the rollingEairth....Andwe,imbibingand



strollingthroughthatsameair...areenfoldedwithinit,permeated,carnallyimmersedinthedepthsofthisbreathingplanet.”6

Breathing Coordination: The Work of Carl Stough

Life begins and ends with the exhale.7

A cold stethoscope on the flesh of my rib cage signals “take a deep breath.” I inhale, noting the effort involved in following this directive as quickly as I can. Breathing on command is never easy.Directinga client toquicklytake a breath usually does not supportthefullexcursionofinhalationorpassiveexpanse of an exhalation. Breathing ismostly an involuntary action –wedon’thave to thinkourway intobreath.Beingdirected to breathe fully often interfereswitharelaxedcycle.However,inordertogainaccessto“fullandeasybreathing,”amultitudeofbreath-relatedtherapieshavecometothefore.Allofthesefocusonbreathastheprimarymoveroflife–fromCarolaSpead’sstrawtechniquetosoftentheexhaletoCharlotteSelver’spowerfulmeditationsinsensoryawarenesstoButeykoBreathingTherapy (among others). Innovativetechniquesforresuscitatingthebreathingcycle have exploded in the alternativehealthfield.However,itistheworkofthelateCarlStoughandhisemphasisonthephrenicnerveandarelaxedandeffortlessexhalationthatpiquedmyinterest.

Stoughwasasingingteacher,yetbecauseofhisgiftasabreathingcoachinthemid1960shewasgivenaccesstothepulmonarywardofamilitaryhospital,workingwithterminally-illmendyingfromemphysema.Usinganewtechniquecalledcinefluograpy,hewasabletorecordtheriseandthefallof thediaphragmand thechanges to theexcursionof thediaphragm throughhiscompassionateandgentletechniquecalledBreathingCoordination.8Hisworkat anEastCoasthospitalwas thebasis for thefirstmajorclinicalstudyofdiaphragmaticdevelopmentinhistory.TogetherwithhiswifeReese,Stoughcultivatedanapproachthat restores diaphragmatic action andfullnessofbreathbyskillfullyencouraginga fuller and effortless exhalation andconsequent toned stretching of thephrenicnerve.

Refining Respiratory UnderstandingBreath underlies full-body awareness,orgasmic sensation, and living with

consciouspresenceinthisthree-dimensionalbodyofflesh andblood.A fundamentalknowledgeofthephysiologyofbreathingispartof abodyworker’s education.Theactiveandpassivenatureofthebreathingcycle,aswellasanunderstandingofbloodchemistryandcirculation,isessential.

Ourbreathing,aswellasthequalityofairthatwearebreathing, effects changes inourrespiratoryrhythm’sdepthandactivity.Duringnormal breathing, inspiration isanactivemuscularprocess.Expiration ispassiveandreliesonthenaturalelasticityofthetissuestodeflatethelung.Themostimportantmuscle for inspiration is thediaphragm. Thediaphragm is suppliedby thephrenicnerve,which is formedinthe neck from the spinal nerves exitingthe cervicalvertebrae atC3,C4, andC5.The intercostalmuscles are suppliedbythesegmentalintercostalnervesthatleavethespinalcordbetweenT1andT12.Anydisease that affects the efferentormotorpathwaysfromtherespiratorycenterinthebrainstemtoC3,C4,andC5andthepathofthephrenicnervetothediaphragminflictsdifficultyinbreathing.TraumatothespinalcordaboveC3isnormallyfatal.

The diaphragmdescends on inhalationandascendswith thepassivemovementof exhalation. The heart sitting abovethe diaphragm and the liver below itare intricatelywoven into the tissues ofthediaphragm.With each inhalation orexhalation,theseorgansaremassaged.OneoftheprinciplestheStoughselaboratedwasthatallrespiratoryproblemsweretheresultofhighresidualvolume.(Residualvolumeis theamountof carbondioxide-ladenairleft in the lungsat theendofexhalation.)Withskillandattention,CarlStoughwouldhavehis patients count fromone to tenrepeatedly,increasingthedurationoftheirexhalewitheachsuccessiveout-breathwhile not engaging any muscular force.Oftentimes,theemphysemaorasthmaticpatientwouldonlybeable tovocally count to two.Yetgradually,with the strengtheningof thediaphragmviathisexercise,thecountwouldincrease.Hispatientsatthemilitaryhospitalshowed improvements including vocalstrength,gainingmusclemassandweight,andtheabilitytoliftthemselvesoutoftheirwheelchairs.Allthiswasaccomplishedwithanemphasisontheexhalation,vocalization,andgentlestretchingofthephrenicnervebygainingafullerdiaphragmaticexcursionandtherestorationoftonusandstrengthinthismuscle.

AnotherprincipletheStoughshighlightedis the diaphragm as themainmuscle-organof thebody.Theheart’smovementis secondary. The heart beats via itsneurologicalpacemakerandiscarriedonthewaveofthediaphragmaticmovement.Bystrengtheningthismuscle,supportingafullerexhalationandinhalation,thereisaboomerang-likeactionthatoccursthroughthesemuscular fibers; the tonus of thephrenicnerveisrepairedasitstretcheswithdiaphragmaticmovement, and effortlessbreathingemerges.

Somatic Inquiry: Breathing Coordination9

Lie on your back with pillows beneath your knees and under your head. Realize that breath is an involuntary action and that you do not need to effort while inhaling or exhaling. Let your jaw and throat be relaxed.

As you begin to exhale make an audible sound (ah . . . ) or begin to count 1-2-3-4 . . . Allow your exhale to be easy as you count quietly until your inhale becomes a reflex.

The point is to extend your exhale as long as possible with sound but without effort. This should become a relaxing exploration.

InthewordsofCharlotteSelver,“thetotalperson is involved in thenewair beingwelcomed,penetrating,doingitsjob,andthen lettingoutwhathasbeenused.Theexhalation is one of themost importantthingstohave...tofeelthegoingouttotheverylast.”10

The Breath Breathing UsWith adiscussionof breath,wehave toacknowledgedeath.Deathistheuninvitedguest shadowing every breathwe take.According to someascetic yogis,we aregiven an exact number of breaths – nomoreandnoless.Howmanybreathsarewegiveninalifetime?Haveyoueverlainwithanillpartner,parent,orbelovedpet,waitingwith vigilant attention for thesoundofhisorherbreathtoresumeafteralonger-than-usualpause?Breathisthesignthatlifecontinues.

Ourcultureshiesawayfromacknowledgingthe inevitabilityof extinction.But as JimMorrison said, “no one gets out alive.”Anditistherealitythatsomeday,wetoo,willdie,whichiseasilyyetboldlydenied.Our culturehasmadedying into a tidyexperience.We remove ourselves fromdeath’s smells, sounds, and visuals.Adeathmaskappearsonalovedone’sface–showingavisageofpeaceorfearasthe



“border-crossing”nears.Onabreath,heorsheisliftedawayfromearthlyendeavors,sufferings, and joys, dissolving foreverintospaciousblue.Weenteronthewingsof a life-givingbreath, andwearebornefrom this life onour last breath.Duringthebedsidevigil formymother, I foundmybreathingsynchronizingwithhers.Myexhalation lingered in thepausebetweenbreaths.Myheartbeatandherstill-beatingheart becameone. I experienced a kindof electromagneticfield of pulsation, anancientandarchetypalumbilicalconnectionbetweenus.Ididnotknowifthiswasthegravityofourbeatinghearts,strengthenedthroughthelovingfieldweshared,ortheunfathomableintensityoftheweeks’longvigilnearingitsend,orthestateofmindrequiredforsittingquietlyinthepresenceofdeath.

We shared a womb of passage, thetimelessness of the in-between pauses,andthebeautyofdeliveryintothemysterybeyond.Foronelasttreasuredmoment,shewashere;yetasherexhalationlingeredandmergedwiththevastnessofdissolution,Irealized shehadpassed throughdeath’sportalandwasgone.Theslower-than-slowprimordial breath carried her throughthe sheermembranebetween living andwhatever themystery holds. Silently,peacefully, the cyclewas complete.Mymotherwitnessedmyfirst breath and Iwitnessedherlast.Shebirthedmethroughstruggleandpain.Ibecameamidwifeforherdying.

Beingimmersedinthiscyclehasdeepenedmy personal inquiry and process,reorientingmyownexpansion,curiosities,andcreativemomentum.Thespectrumoflife,imprintedwithitsheartbreakinglosses,findssolaceinthemanygiftsandblessingsfiltering through the ethers, beyond theearthlybreath,showeringjoyandlaughterinthehallowsoflife.Duringthisbedsidevigil, Ibeganappreciatingmorefullythegravitationalweightofgriefsuctioningmyexhalation, aswell asmomentsof risingjoywithinmy inhalation. Both ends ofthis emotional spectrumflowed throughmysenses.

A deeper exhalat ion supports thespontaneity of a fuller breath.As I fellinto the sorrowof loss, “sensing-feeling”the fathomsbeneath thedepths, Iwouldjustassuddenlybe“spitout”intoastateofexpansionandlight.Breathmovesandguidesmethroughajungleofintertwinedemotional,physical, spiritual, andother-

dimensionalrealitiespermeatingmylivingbreathingexistence.

Our life is a faint tracing on the surface of mystery.11

The Breath of LifeWilliamSutherlandiscreditedwithusingatermfromGenesis“TheBreathofLife,”in describing the primary ignition thatsparksthemotoroflife.Heexplainedthisbreath as something that is notmaterialand that cannot be seen.12 In applyingthisscripturalphrase,Sutherlandthoughtbeyondcurrentunderstandingsinphysicsand chemistry and pioneered a novelapproachtounderstandingthecraniosacralsystem. This phrase underscores thegeniusofDavidBohmandhis theoryofthe“implicate”and“explicate”orderandalignswithRupert Sheldrake’s theoryofmorphogenetic resonance inwhichfieldsof information are transmitted throughtime and space. Sheldrake’s holographicunderstandingofresonantfields,carryingbothpotential andmemory, corroborateswith the understanding Blechschmidtbrought to the fore regardingmetabolicfields and rhythms that are shapingtheembryo.

Intelligent and dynamic forces breatheshape,position, and form intoall of life.Thesebiodynamicfieldscarrytheblueprintfordevelopmentandareanundiminishedmatrixofinformation.Theyarenotenergyfields. This is the quantum fabric ofwholeness, the implicatemovement thatBohmdescribed as the implicate order,andpossiblythespace-timedimensionthatEinsteinimagined.Thetherapeuticforcesofnature,shapingtheembryo,continuetoshapeandsustainthehealth,adaptability,andwholenessoftheadult.

Wearenotonlyintimatelyimmersedwithintheintelligentwholenessofnature,buttheelements,minerals,andmolecularbindingsmakeuswhoweare.Skin ismore likeamembrane thananarmoredbarrier.Ourbodies, embedded in thenaturalworld,share the intimatedance of breathwithall living things.We are beingbreathedby the function of life infusingwhole-body sensingandperception.Possessingandevolvingasensoryknowledgeofthisimplicitandnaturalconnectivitytoallthatsurroundsussustainsandevolvesthespaceof“being”withinthehuman“be-ing.”

Thebreathingsensingbodydrawsits sustenanceandvery substance

fromthesoilsplantsandelementsthatsurroundit...sothatitisverydifficulttodiscern,atanymoment,preciselywhere this living bodybeginsandwhereitends.13

Carol Ann Agneessens, M.S., has been practicing the art of Rolfing® Structural Integration and Rolf Movement Integration for over thirty years. She serves on the faculty of the Rolf Institute®. Her passions include the study of embryology and a biodynamic approach to craniosacral therapy, painting, and walking the shores of Monterey Bay. She is the author of TheFabricofWholeness (Quantum Institute Inc., 2001). This article is written in loving memory of her mother, Dorothy Agneessens, who passed away on May 28, 2012.

Endnotes1.Takenfromhttp://www.goodreads.com/quotes/3241-listen--are-you-breathing-just-a-lit.

2.Shultz,Louis,Ph.D.andRosemaryFeitis,D.O.,The Endless Web.Berkeley,CA:NorthAtlanticBooks,1996,pg.3.

3. Blechschmidt, Erich and RaymondGasser,Biokinetics and Biodynamics of Human Differentiation. Springfield, IL: CharlesThomasPublisher,1978,pg.270.

4. Blechschmidt, Erich,The Ontogenetic Basis of Human Development. Edited andtranslatedbyBrianFreeman.Berkeley,CA:NorthAtlanticBooks,2004,pp.176-178.

5. Quoted in DavidAbram,Becoming Animal.NewYork,NY:PantheonBooks,2010,pg.109.

6.Ibid.,pg.101.Abramaddstheletter‘i’toourplanet’snameinordertoremindusthat“air”isentirelyapartoftheeairth,andthe‘i’,theIorselfiswhollyimmersedinthatfluidelement.

7. Stough,Carl,Dr. Breath: The Story of Breathing Coordination.NewYork,NY:TheStoughInstitute,1981,pg.172.

8.A Guide to Breathing Coordination (CD).NewYork,NY:TheStoughInstitute,2001.

9.Adapted from the Stough approachto strengthen the diaphragm andresponsivenessofthephrenicnerve.SeeA Guide to Breathing Coordination,opcit.

10. Selver, Charlotte,Breathing and Full Reactivity.Exceptfromaudiotape,SensoryAwarenessclass,July28,1992.



11.AnnieDillardquoted inA Caregiver’s Guide.ManualfromHospiceofSantaCruzCounty,CA,1998.

12.Sutherland,William,D.O.,Contributions of Thought, second edition. FortWorth,Texas: The SutherlandCranial TeachingFoundation,1998,pg.147.

Mental Health Is in the BodyBy Karl E. Humiston, M.D., Certified Rolfer™

Have you everwonderedwhether, asa trained and experienced Rolfer, youcan properly deliver a normalRolfing®StructuralIntegration(SI)seriestoaclientwhoappearstohavementaloremotionalproblems?Theanswerisyes,especiallyifyouunderstand the truebasis ofmentalhealth,which is in the body – a realminwhich you havemuch to offer thatclient.Isaythatfrommybackgroundasapracticingclinicalpsychiatrist.

Sincefinishingmedical school in 1955, Iknewmy life’scallingwas tohelpotherstomentalhealth.In1959,attheUniversityofWashingtoninSeattle,Icompletedthetraining required for board certificationinpsychiatry.Eventhen, I sawthat IdidnotyethavewhatwasneededtohelpmypatientsasIwishedto;andtwoyearslaterIwentofftoScotland,totheUniversityofGlasgow, for anotheryear ofpsychiatrictraining.My eyeswere opened further,as I saw that the interestingly differentBritish approach to psychiatry camenoclosertomydreamthandidtheAmerican.Asvaluableacredentialasmy1964boardcertificationwas, Iknewbythenthat theorthodoxpracticewhichitrepresentedwaslikeaslowinnerdeathforme.

Nolongerwillingtofollowthecrowdanddowhatmost other psychiatrists did, Itrustedtheadage“Seekandyeshallfind.”I kept seeking, and foundpart ofwhatI sought in family therapy andGestalttherapy.Thatexcitedmetofindmore.In1968,IwenttoEsalenInstitute,whereItooka “BodyAwareness”workshopwithEdMaupin.HehadrecentlytrainedwithIdaRolf,andeachtimehementionedRolfingSI,Ifeltaninexplicableexcitement.WhenIwentthroughtheRolfingserieswithEd,itchangedmesomuchthatIknewIhadtobecomeaRolfer.In1971,Iresignedmycareerposition as thedirector of a statehospitalpsychiatric residency training tobetrainedmyselfbyDr.Rolf.

Perhaps the highest compliment ofmylifewasIdatellingme,“Karl,youareoneof the seeingones.” I guess Imusthavebeen;that’showIgotthere,tohertraining.Iwas able to see instead of to explain,diagnose, analyze, andmedicatepeople.Unfortunately,most practitioners in thementalhealthfieldmisperceivethenatureofmentalillness.Asaresult,mostmentalhealthtreatmentisinadequate.

Over theyears, Ihavebecomeconvincedthat the essential cause ofmental andemotionaldifficulty isdisconnection fromourconscioussensing.Wehavesensesthatshouldconnectus toexternalphenomena(e.g.,vision,hearing,touch);butespeciallyimportantformentalandemotionalhealthistoconnecttovisceralandotherinternalphenomena.Inthementallyillperson,themovementandflowof sensoryenergy isblockedfromhisconsciousness.“Chemicalimbalance,”whileitdoesattimesaccompanysomementalillnesses,mostcertainlyisnotthecauseofanyofthem,andinterminabletreatment ofmentalpatientswithdrugsprofitseveryonebutthepatient.Similarly,psychotherapyissomuchlesseffectivethanwewish it couldbe is simplybecauseofwhatitis–amethodtobetterorganizetheclient’sthoughts,whenwhatisneededistobetterorganizetheclient’sbodilystructure,energyflow, andawareness.While therearemany treatments formental healthproblems, inmyexperience theonlyonesthat lead tohealingare those that restorelostawarenessoftheseconnections.Keepinmindthatapoorlyconnectedclient’sbodilyawarenessmightbeblockedbytoxins,suchasdrugs,ambientchemicals,orevenyeast1metabolites.Thepresenceoftoxinswilllimitclients’abilitytoconnectwiththeirsenses–andwithyourabilitytoworkwiththem.

Whatcanyoudo,duringaregularRolfingsession, to support your client’s healthyinnersensoryconnectedness?First,whenitfeelsrighttoyoutodoso,suggestthat

theclientnoticewhereinthebodyhefeelssomething–where,notwhat–andsimplyallow the feeling to continue.This alonewilldomoregoodthanonemightexpect,asmost people automatically (withoutreallypayingattention)trytoescapemuchofwhat they start to feel in theirbodies.Second,dothesameyourself.It’scatching.Yourclients(likeyourchildren)aremorelikely to dowhat youdo thandowhatyousay.

As F.M.Alexander said, “You can dowhat I do if youdowhat I did.”2Afterforty-fiveyears’practiceonmyself,morehappenswhenIinstructotherstolocateandallow their bodily sensations thanwhenan inexperiencedpersonoffers the sameinstructions. Inotherwords, the essenceofhelping in thisdimension iswordless;aswithRolfing SI, our bestwork is theresultofsilentlycommunicatingpatternsofenergeticandstructuralorganizationfromwithinourownbodies.3

Ofcourse,ourworkiseffectiveonlytotheextentthattheclientisavailable.Ifaclientexpressesgreatinterestinthework,butfailstofinishabasicseriesfornoobviousreason,lethimbe.Often, theseclientsdesire thebenefitsofRolfingSIbutarenotreadytoreceivethefullinflowofenergyandfeelingthatcanandshouldcomewithit.Justasnoclientcanberequiredtoyieldtoyourtouchandfollowtheleadofyourfingers,noonecanberequiredtolookforhisowninternalfeelingsandchoosetoendurethemtotheend – theway that someof thegreatestblessingscome.Yet,asmanyofyoualreadyknow,thereisnosatisfactiongreaterthanhelpingasufferingpersontohealing,usingyourhandsandconsciousnesstoleadthemtowardthatbodilyblueprintofperfection–includingmentalhealth–wherehewasalwaysintendedtobe.

Karl Humiston is and has been for eight years the chairman of the Rolf Institute’s Ethics and Business Practices Committee. This article is based on his presentation at the Rolf Institute®’s October 2011 Membership Conference.

PERSPECTIVES13.Abram,David,The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-than-Human World.NewYork,NY:PantheonBooks,1996,pg.47.


Endnotes1. The best information source I havefound regarding the effective clearingofyeast toxicity iswww.candidamd.com.(Disclosure: this ismy son’swebsite, butit is not out of family allegiance that Irecommendit.)

The Case Study Method: Year Two of the ABR/Uniitalo SI Postgraduate ProgramScientific Exploration of Rolfing® SI in the Holistic ParadigmBy Pedro Prado, Ph.D., Advanced Rolfing and Rolf Movement® Instructor

Perhaps the greatest challenge for thescientific investigationof ourwork is itsessential holism: themulti-dimensionalandholisticattributesthatgivestructuralintegration (SI) its conceptual richnessalso complicate the scientific assessmentof its results. Segmentation of realityand isolation of phenomena, oftenusedfor controllingmultiplevariables, inourcontextposetheriskoflosingthewhole,ofoverlookingtheessenceofthework.Whatweneedisascientificapproachconsistentwithourparadigm.

Tomeetthischallenge,theABR(BrazilianRolfingAssociation), inpartnershipwithCentro Universitatio Italo Brasileiro(Uniitalo), São Paulo, Brazil, created apostgraduateprogramforRolfingSI.Thisprogram is open to students in the laststage of their professional certificationtraining(UnitIII),aswellastopracticingprofessionals. Programparticipants takeuniversitycoursesinscientificmethodologyandpedagogyandapplywhattheylearnintheexecutionofformalcasestudiesontheprocessof a class clientor client inapractitioner’sclinicalpractice.Thosewhocompleteitareawardedtheequivalentofamaster’sdegree.

Thethirteenparticipantsinourfirstclass,whichbegan in 2010, investigated topicsrunningthegamutfromtheeffectofRolfingSIonlowbackpainoradhesivecapsulitis(frozenshoulder);tohowRolfingtreatmentsmight contribute to themanagement of

chronicdiseases suchasbipolardisorderandmultiple sclerosis; to the nature oftheRolfingprocessasatherapeuticeventwhich, like psychoanalysis, requirescooperationandparticipationbetweentheclient andpractitioner as co-responsibleagents.The 2010 studieswerediscussedindetailpreviously.1Here,wepresenttheabstractsofthecasestudiesfromthesecondclass,whichbeganin2011.

The case studies for our postgraduateprogram are farmore extensive thanthose of the basic certification trainingat the Rolf Institute®.At Uniitalo, thestudent researches a specificproblembyengagingpotentiallyusefultheories,raisingquestions, developing hypotheses, andseekingmethodstoinvestigatethem.Thestudent thenpresents anddiscusses theoutcomesaccordingtoacceptedscientificparameters.Thecasestudyisbothamethodofinvestigationandtheinvestigationitself.Inbothscopeandlevelofeffortrequired,thepost-graduateprogramcasestudiesarecomparabletoanyothermaster’sthesis.

As the case studies show, their authorshaveacceptedthechallengeofemployinga scientific approach consistent withour holistic paradigm. Each found afocus,defineda theme, and investigatedaproblem;andfromthisfocus,observedcorrelationsamongthemultipledimensionsofRolfingSIanditstaxomoniesofaccess(structural, functional, psychobiological,and energetic). Even as they employed

impeccable scientificmethodology, theydisplayed an embodiedholistic attitude,one congruentwith the philosophicalstanceandconceptionofthehumanbeingthatarefundamentaltoRolfingSI.Theseresearcherswalked their talk, showingby example that science andholism cancoexist, and that there can indeed be ascienceregardingaholisticactivity.

The2011programparticipantsandabstractsoftheirinquiriesaresetforthbelow.Thefullcase studies are available inPortuguese(withabstractsinEnglish)attheIdaP.RolfVirtualLibrary forStructural Integration(www.iprlibrary.comorwww.pedroprado.com.br);attheABR’slibrary;andatUniitaloLibrary’sspecialcollectionofpostgraduateprogrampapers.

The contribution of Rolfing SI toward postural equilibrium, ease of locomotion, and quality of life in an adult with cerebral palsy

Investigated by Rosângela Maria Baía, Certified Rolfer™, Rolf Movement Practitioner

ThiscasestudyinvestigatedhowRolfingSI, a holistic approach of reorganizinghuman structure in the field of gravity,mighthelp functionaladultswithspasticcerebralpalsy (CP).Ourhypothesiswasthat by organizingmuscular tonus,wecould improve the subject’s balance andlocomotion, therebyallowing the subjectthepossibilityof a revisedperceptionofher ownmovement –whichmight, inturn,enablebettermovement.CPpatientshaveoftencarriedsincechildhoodabodyimageconstrainedbytheirdiagnosis,andevenbytheverynameoftheirdisorder.Weexpectedthatarevisedbodyimagewouldallow the possibility of better posturalhabits,refinedanticipatorymotoractivity,and improvedmotor skills – aswell asproduceanoverallbetterqualityoflife.

The subject, an activefifty-two-year-oldwoman, received twenty-two sessionsofcombinedmyofascialmanipulation(lighttomoderatetouch)andmovementeducation.

PERSPECTIVES2.QuotedinThe Resurrection of the Body:The Writings of F. Matthias Alexander by Edward Maisel.NewYork:UniversityBooks,1969,pagexxix.

3.Anyonewhowishesmyhelptoimprovehisskillsinthisareaiswelcometojoinmyonline coaching classes.Nopayment isrequiredforparticipation.Registeratwww.HumistonWellness.com.


Ineachsession,thepractitionersoughttoobserveandtrack,andultimatelytoguide,the subject’smovements in such awayas to redistributebody tonus.Withmorebalanced tonus, the subject experiencedless tension, spasticity, andmovementinhibition, and seemed less susceptibleto injury. She also reported an overallimprovementinherqualityoflife.

Wemeasuredtheoutcomeofthetreatmentswith the questionnaires developed attheCenter for Treatment,Research andEducationinRolfingSI(NAPER,SãoPaulo,Brazil)2; theWHO-QOL survey (shortform inPortuguese)3; observationof thesubject in routineactivities; andanalysisofstillphotosandvideos.Thefindingsofthis studyandothers like itmight allowthose treating functionalCPpatients tointegrateRolfingSIintoamultidisciplinaryprotocoltoimprovebothmotoractivityandemotionalhealth.

The contribution of Rolfing SI to the treatment of chronic pain associated with non-structural scoliosis

Investigated by Adriana Toyoko Higa, Certified Rolfer, Rolf Movement Practitioner

This case study examined the effect ofRolfingstructuralandfunctionalintegrationona subjectwithnon-structural scoliosis(i.e.,non-ideopathicscoliosisattributabletopatternsofbodyuse)totestthehypothesisthat the treatmentswould reduce thedegreeofscoliosis,mitigatetheassociatedchronic pain, and enhance the subject’soverallqualityoflife.Thesubjectreceivedboth Rolfing SI (systematicmyofascialrelease) andRolfMovement functionalintegration (in this case, to enhance thesubject’sattunementtosensoryperceptionsfromsight,hearing,touch,smell,taste,andproprioception).Thesubjectwastaughttousethesensesbothtofindsupportfortheheadandtoperceiveopposingforcesbothupward (lift) and downward (support)actingonthebody.Whilethissensoryandkinestheticawarenessgavethesubjectanenhancedsenseofverticality,whichhelpedhertomaintainanuprightposture,boththesubjectivediscomfortandobjectivedegreeofthescoliosisdiminished.

Following a series of ten structural andfivefunctionaltreatmentsdeliveredoveraperiodofthreemonths,bothquantitativeandqualitativedataweregathered.Thequantitativedata,consistingofradiographicassessmentoftheCOOBanglesbeforeandafter theprocess, revealeda reduction in

thedegreeofscoliosis.Beforetheprocess,the scoliosiswasmeasuredas a leftwarddorsal (thoracic) convexity of 12° and arightward lumbar convexityof 17°.Aftertheprocess, the scoliosiswasmeasuredas a leftwarddorsal (thoracic) convexityof 5° and a rightward lumbar convexityof 7°. The qualitative data confirm lesssubjectivepain,withthereportedpainlevelreducedfrom‘10’to‘3’ontheVisualAnalogScale.The subject experienced improvedqualityof lifeasmeasuredby theWHO-QOL questionnaire. Finally, the subjectreportedgainingasenseofverticality.Thedata support thehypothesis thatRolfingstructural andmovement integration caneffectpositivechangesinpersonswithnon-structuralscoliosis,andfurtherstudiesofadditionalsubjectsshouldbemadeinordertovalidatethehypothesismoregenerally.

Rolfing SI in the treatment of limited range of motion in the shoulder following radical mastectomy for breast cancer

Investigated by Maria Ayako Sakuraba, Certified Rolfer, Rolf Movement Practitioner

Manymastectomypatientssufferdiminishedrangeofmotionattheshoulderonthesideof the surgery,which leads to functionallimitationsanddiminishedqualityoflife.Inthiscasestudy,wetestedthehypothesisthatRolfingSImightrestorerangeofshouldermotiontosuchapatient,andtherebyreversethe functional limitations and improvethepatient’squalityof life.The subject, afifty-sixyear-oldwoman,sufferedpainanddysfunctioninherleftshoulderfollowingaradicalmastectomy(leftbreast) forductalbreastcancer.

The subject received a ten-session seriesof Rolfing SI according to the protocolcommonlyknownastheRolfing“Recipe.”Data regarding the subject’s shoulderpainanddysfunctionbeforeandaftertheseries consistedof still photographs, thesubject’s reports of pain on a numericalscaleof1-10,andgoniometrytoassesstheamplitudeofjointmotion.Dataregardingthe subject’s quality of life before andaftertheseriesweregatheredthroughtheEORTC-QLQ-C30/BR23, a questionnairedesigned specifically for breast cancerpatients.

The data indicated improved range ofleftshouldermotioninflexion,extension,and abduction, better overall posturalalignment, reducedpain, and significantimprovement in quality of life. Thissupports the hypothesis thatRolfing SI

can be a valuable therapeutic techniqueto restore range of shouldermotion tomastectomypatients,andtherebyreversetheir functional limitations and improvetheir quality of life. Thepositive resultspresented here suggest that this studyshouldbeexpandedtoalargerandmoremeaningfulsample.

The benefits of Rolfing SI for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse

Investigated by Rúbia Sayuri Takashima, Certified Rolfer, Rolf Movement Practitioner

Thesexualabuseofchildrenisincreasinglyrecognizedasanimportantsocialproblem.Recentstudieshavereportedthatperhaps20%ofwomenand10%ofmen sufferedat least one episode of sexual abuseas children. This case study describesthe discomfort and dysfunction of onechildhoodincestvictim,whosesymptomsincludedmuscle pain, difficulties inrelationships, low self-esteem, feelingsof guilt and anger, and distorted bodyimage.Thestudydocumentstheeffectsofthirteen sessionsofRolfingSI, consistingofsystematicmyofascialreleasecombinedwithmovementeducationemphasizingthesubject’ssensoryperceptions.

DuringtheRolfingseries,thesubjectgainedaccess tomemories of the sexual abuse,whichmemories allowed the subject tobetter understand current relationshipswithothersandwiththeenvironment,andto recognize that current bodily tension,fear, and insecuritywere related to thepastabuse.BecauseattentiontoperceptionaboutthebodywasakeycomponentoftheRolfingwork,thiscasestudysuggeststhatitmighthavebeenthesubject’sheightenedandacknowledgedperceptionthatallowedthe subject access to thememories ofchildhoodabuseandindicatesthepotentialbenefits of further research to isolate asa variable this particular component ofRolfingSI.

Rolfing SI and the concept of “singular experience”

Investigated by Maria Lucia Moreira Merlino, Certified Advanced Rolfer, Rolf Movement Practitioner

RolfingSIintegratesthehumanstructureandretrainstheproprioceptionthroughasystemofconnective-tissuemanipulationand somatic andmovement reeducation.Persons who experience Rolfing SIcommonly report heightened physical

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and emotional sensations, and also thatthey sensepossibilities for newways ofusing,moving,andbeingintheirbodies.This study investigates the relevanceof singular experience, as a pedagogicalconcept, to the Rolfing process. Thisconcept was developed byAmericanphilosopherandeducator JohnDewey. Itishis termfor thepersonalexperienceofsatisfactorycompletionofaprocess,suchthat thepersonrecognizes theprocessasa contained andunique event amenableto acknowledgement, description, andreflection. The pedagogy of Rolfing SIisunlike that of other formsof training,the former beingmore of an art than atechnique. Integration of the structuralchangesrequiressometimeforrelearning,asthesensorimotorsystemadjusts.

However,wehypothesizethatforthesubjectto retain andnotdiscard the insights ofa singular experience, both the insightsand the sensations that facilitated themmustbe recognizedand their importanceacknowledged. The two case studiesdocument the occurrence of singularexperience andhow itwas addressed inorder to advance the subjects’ processesduring theirRolfing series. Each subjectreceived fifteen sessions of Rolfing SI.Outcomeswereevaluatedbasedonbefore-and-afterquestionnaires, the researcher’snotesduring the series, and the subjects’ownsummaryaccountsoftheirexperiences.Thedata indicate thatRolfingSIcanhelpsubjectstobuild,recognize,andappropriatenewinternalbodilycoherences,aswelltoobserveandacknowledge the importanceofbodily sensationsasguides foractionsandphysicalattitudes.Inaddition,thedatasubstantiatetheimportanceofthesingularexperience in self-recognition.Finally, theresearcher identifies someapproaches forfacilitatingtheemergenceofthisqualityofsingularexperienceduringRolfingsessions.

Author’s Note: Special thanks to Heidi Massa, Certified Advanced Rolfer, for her collaboration on the conception and preparation of this piece.

Endnotes1. The case studies of the firstUniitaloclassweredescribed in an earlier articleentitled“TheCaseStudyMethod:ScientificExplorationofRolfing®SI in theHolisticParadigm” inStructural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®,December2011(Vol.39,No.2),pp.33-35.

2.DevelopmentoftheNAPERquestionnaireswasatentativeopeningofthefieldofinquiry

andthestartofanarduoustaskofcreatingdocumentation tools for our empiricalstudies.The continueddevelopmentandrefinementof thequestionnairesbecamea collective task spanning several years,inwhichtheNAPERpractitionerscreatedthedocumentationprotocolswenowuseinclinicalpractice.Foradiscussionofhowtheseprotocolsweredeveloped,seePrado,P.,“TheMakingofaScienceofRolfing:FromanIndividualPathtoaCollectiveActivity,”Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®,December2007(Vol.35,No.4),pp. 22-25. Theprotocols themselves areavailable as,Prado,P.,Documentation for

Clinical Practice and Research,publishedatwww.iprlibrary.comorpedroprado.com.br.

3.InadditiontotheNAPERquestionnaires,some years ago we began using theWHOQOL-BREF ques t ionnai re , apsychometricallyvalidtoolforassessmentof the subjective experienceofqualityoflife acrossmultipledimensionsofbeing.For adiscussionof theWHOQOL-BREFasaresearchtoolforstructuralintegration,seePrado,P., “DoesRolfing®SIEnhanceQualityofLife?–APilotStudy,”Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®,December2010(Vol.38,No.2),pp.43-47.

Rolfing® SI and the BrainAn Interview with Kevin FrankBy Sabine Weis, Certified Rolfer™

IntroductionI interviewed Rolf Movement® Instructor Kevin Frank to discuss a working model from neuroscience that supports Rolfing Structural Integration (SI) with a credible explanation and story – why it works.

As background, let me share a part of my story. The Rolf Movement aspects of my basic Rolfing training completely changed my way of perceiving and using my body. As a teen-aged athlete it had seemed to me that the most effective thing was to “work harder” in order to get stronger, faster, and fitter through weightlifting and countless repetitions of the same kinds of exercise. In Rolf Movement, I was faced with very different concepts that I could not wholly grasp, but started playing with. For example, at thirty I started dancing salsa. After very few months, I stopped taking lessons and instead applied ideas like changing my space and ground capacity, developing a better sense for my inner line during spins and turns. Also, I experimented with inherent movements during freestyle and connection to my partner with orientation exercises. My dancing improved dramatically.

Despite the improvement, I never really managed to articulate what I was doing. In my Rolfing practice, I also find it quite challenging to speak about the work other than through personal experience or case studies, and I see this issue troubles some of my SI colleagues as well. I believe it is our job to communicate clearly to

support our credibility. Outside of Munich and Boulder, we face a public unaware of Rolfing SI. A market survey in Germany (commissioned by the European Rolfing Association to develop our PR strategy) showed that “the man on the street” does not know anything about what we do or how it can be of benefit. Even people who have experienced Rolfing sessions make vague statements – “esoteric,” “very painful,” or “strange but helpful bodywork.” We know that Rolfing SI is not just another bodywork method, but do we manage to convey this? Yes, the gravity story does make sense to many people, but dealing with posture does not generate much excitement. We might want to consider finding another story to reinvent ourselves.

During a Rolf Movement workshop with Kevin in 2010, I felt a “click” in my mind about how body movement affects the brain. That inspired a year of self-study and application. There might be potential to explain our work anew – and more accurately – through neuroscience. In this light, I interviewed Kevin, who has taken ideas from scientific studies, especially from neuroscience, and connected the findings to what we do as Rolfers. In my interview with Kevin, I was particularly interested in how to translate these conclusions for other medical professionals and for laypeople.

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Sabine Weis: Over several years,RolfersandtheRolfInstitute®ofStructuralIntegration(RISI)havebecomemoreandmoreinterestedinscience.SomepossibleexplanationsofhowandwhytheRolfingprocessworks have been found.Kevin,why are Rolfing SI and neuroscience agoodteam?

Kevin Frank: Luckily for us, science,especially neuroscience/brain science,seemstosuggestthatthebrainisformedon an ongoing basis. Researchers keepfindingmore evidence supporting thisview.Structuralintegrationislikelytobeanexampleofthisongoingformation.

SW:Butsciencetakestime,andifwewaituntilourconceptissupportedweallmightbeveryold.Sowhatcanwedountilthen?

KF:Wecanpointtoanalogousprocessesthat are well-studied, ones in whichbehavioralchangesandbrainchangesarecorrelated.Wehitchhikeonthesestudies.It’snowquiteplausible.

SW:Theconceptseemscomplicated,evenforhealthexpertsanddoctors.Howdidyoubecomeinterestedinneuroscience?

KF: First, I agree thatweneedways toground theabstractionofbrainplasticityandposturalplasticityinsimpleexamples;otherwise the “new explanation”willnot help. To answer your question, itwas a natural progression that startedwith satisfactionabout the experienceofreceiving,observing,andbeginningtodothework, but great dissatisfactionwiththestoryweweretoldaboutwhatwearedoingandwhyitworked.Ida[Rolf]saidthat fascia is plastic and therefore bodyposture is plastic.Attractive notion.Assowell summarized inRobert Schleip’swriting [see bibliography], the fascia ismuchmorelikelyaconduitofinformationtothebrainaboutmovementandpositionthanitisasetofguywiresthatholditinacertainposition.HubertGodard’sworkdemonstratedthatwhatwecall“structure”can change in a few secondsorminutesbeforeoureyesandthenoftenchangebackagain.Heshowedhowthefaultisoftennotthetissuebutthewaytissueisorchestrated.Suddenlyweareleftwithagreatnewidea:postureandcoordinationaretheproductofourwayofperceivingandmakingtheworldupinourimagination.Wow.

SW:Doyouever exposeyour clients tothis insight –wemake theworldup inourimagination?

KF:Wemust first re-define theword“imagination.”We thinkof imagination,generally, as justmaking things up orpretendingsomethingthatisnotreal.Thatisimaginationthatbelongstothethinkingprocess. Imagination is the foundationofmuchmore than thought. In fact theworldissomethingwe“imagine”inordertoperceive it.That’s awayofdescribingthe mechanism behind what we callexperiencing theworld.And thewayweperceive theworld shapes our bodyandourmovement.Conversely,howweimagineourbodyaffectshowweseetheworldandhowwemoveaswell.Weareusually somewhat stuck in ourways ofimaginingtheworldandourbody.BecauseourperceptiontendstowardwhatGibsoncalls“invariant”versionsofwhatwesee,even if theworldarounduschanges,wetendtofeel theworldisconstant,but it’sourperceptionthatis.Ourimaginationcanbeplastic.Ideasabouttheworld,aboutourbody,arebasedonwhatwehavebeentoldorwhatwelearnfromourfamily,school,and training.Someof these ideas lead tobody dysfunction.And ourwork is aneffectiveapproachtoevokingplasticityinthewaysweimagineourbody.

What I amdescribing are the layers of“body image” that are associatedwithrestriction. If aperson is told toposition[his]pelvis ina certainway, forexample,this isawayof imagining thebody–weare steered by automatic imageswithinour subconscious.Whatwearedoing instructural integration is helping peoplefeelhowimaginationcanliberateusfromunhelpfulimages.Forexample,learningtoarouseapalpablefeelingofomnidirectionalspace surrounding thehead is awayofusing conscious imagination to supportorientation to space. The latter form ofimaginationusesanimagetoarousenativemotorintelligence.Idescribethistoclientsbydistinguishing imagination thatspeaksto the thinkingbrainversus imaginationthat speaks to the “movement brain”orthesensorimotorsystem,[which]isaplacewhereourconsciousawarenesscanaffectthepartsofusbeyondourconsciousawareness.

SW:Howdoyouraisethetopicfornewclients?

KF: Beginning with the first phoneconversation, I introducewhat Iwouldcallthe“newstory.”That’swhat’sexciting:wehave anew story that is going tobequitedifferentfromtheP.T.,theD.C.,theM.D.,themassageperson,orthetraditional

structural integration story. The story isabouthowcoordinationgetsshaped,howit isn’tmeant to change casually butwehaveacombinationof things thathelp ithappen.According towhat the personcanunderstand the explanationdiffers.And I offer concrete examples of howcoordination becomes corrupted, overtime, or during some incident, howwe(appropriately) need to resort to effort,andhowcompensatorypatternsofmotorcontrolcanoftenfail toreset, leavingthebodyfunctioninginaneffortedstate.Whatdoesaneffortedstatelooklike?Itisthebodyworkingagainstitsowninhibition.It’sthebodyusinglast-line-of-defensemusclesfirstandfirst-line-of-defensemuscleslast.It’sastateofmotor-controlconfusionandweseeiteveryday.Thefasciastorywasconvincinguntilitbecameobsolete.Nowthefascia-as-plastictheoryisbothincomplete–becauseit really doesn’t describewhy posturechanges–andunfortunatelyitisalsomoreandmorephysicallyimprobable.

SW: Probably not all Rolfers think thefascia story is obsolete.Whatmadeyoustopusingit?Doyouthinkbothfieldscouldcomplementsomehow?

KF:Wereallydon’tknowifsomeaspectsof the fascia-as-plastic story are true ornot. I keepwaiting to hear somethingdefinitivebutIdon’thearityet.Schleip’swritingisprettyconvincing.Idon’tknowhowmanymembers of our communityhavenecessarily read it or integratedhisthinkingintotheteaching.MostSIpeopleusuallytalkaboutfasciabeingplastic.Myofficialposition is that Iwill not say it’sfalseuntilprovenonewayoranother,butin themeantime it’s not a smartway totalkaboutourwork.Whatsoursmeisthefollowing:First,itlumpsusintothebasketwith allmyofascial therapies,which areproliferating,andIthinkSIisnotmyofascialtherapy.Second, it letsourclientsoff thehookbeforeweevenstart.Thefasciastorysaysallwehavetodoisungluethetanglesandstuckplacesinthefasciaandlifewillbejustfine.Ithinkfascialmobilizationwillhaveamuchgreatereffectwhenweenrollclients in theprocess, inparticipating inlasting coordinative change.Posture is acoordination.While fascialmobilizationis a great input to changemotor-controlpatterns–coordination–wewantclientstounderstandthatwhattheydowiththeirmindsandhowtheyapproachmovementiseverybitasimportant.

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SW:What is thepossible connectionofneurosciencetoourwork?

KF: It’snot thatneuroscience explains itdirectly,but it’snowveryclose.Youtakewhatweknowaboutfascia,motorcontrol,perception, andpre-movement andyouobserve changes in coordination beforeyour eyes anddraw the conclusion thatfasciamustbeagreatway to inform themotor-controlsystemaboutbetterchoices.

Thismeansthatwhatwecallthefunctionalandstructuraltaxonomiescollapseasbeingoneandthesamething.Wecancontinuetoargue for teaching fascialmobilizationskills,ataxonomyofmanipulationperhaps,andataxonomyofcoordinativeeducation,but really fascialwork isprobablygoingto turn out to bemore about educationandlessaboutrepairingfibrousfixations.Schleip’swriting isquite effective in thisregard. Thenwe laboriously read aboutperceptionandmotorcontrolinthearticlesthatGodard seems to effortlesslydigest.Theyallpointedtothisnewideabeingaverysmartidea,butthepicturedidn’tcometogether as neatly until functionalMRI(fMRI)workpropelledneuroscience intoanewfieldinwhichthebrain’splasticitycouldbeobserveddirectly.

Blakeslee andDoidge, andmanyothers,sawthisasahuge journalisticmoment tosummarize.Now,it’squiteeasytoputthepiecestogether.Ratherthanresearcharticleswithoftendifficult-to-discernimplicationsfor ourwork,wehave story after storydescribing amazing tales from clinicalpractice,thatarethenrelatedtohowbrainchanges accompany the improvement infunction.It’seasytogetcarriedawaywith“brainplasticity” as the explanation foreverything.Ithasbecomeabitofafad.Still,thebasicmessagehasbeenrevolutionary:behaviorchangesthebrain,ifthebehaviorissustained.Andwehavethetoolsandtheunderstandingtomakethiskindoflastingchangeinthebrainmappingofourclients.Wehavewaysthatpeoplecanfeelhowthebodybehavessuddenlyinwaysofgreaterease,greaterlength,greaterspaciousnessinthefaceofdemand.

SW:Whatdoesaperson“on the street”knowaboutneuroscience?Whywouldhebeinterested?WhatdoyousaytodescribeRolfingSIandwhatyoudo?

KF: It dependson thepersonbut someversion of: “Theprograms that run ourmovementarefullofcorruptedcode,likecomputerviruses.We cleanup the code

with twopowerful forms of education:fascial mobilization and perceptualand coordinative guidance. Ourworksystematically and comprehensivelyrestores the body’s nativemovementintelligence.” People need some simpleexamples to explainmotor control, orcoordination. They want to make aconnectiontowhatyouknowisgreatstuffbuttotheirearssoundsabitabstractanddifferentfromwhatanyoneelseistellingthem–thereforesuspect.Ourtrumpcardis thatwe knowa lot about orientationanda lot about foundational orienation,whichisorientationtogravity.Thisistheplacewherebiology,physics,andexistencecome together.Whenweenroll a systeminworkingwith this level of responsewefindgreaterplasticity toposture andcoordination.We candemonstrate howweight and space orientation changeseverything, and makes it fun at thesametime.

SW:And imagine youonlyhave thirtyseconds....

KF:Igivethemthebrake-and-gas-pedal-glued-togetherstory.It’sclearandanyonecan imagine it.Unglue the two and lifeis better. If they giveme fiveminutes,I give them somemore based onwhattheyalreadywant in their life. I take thepredicamenttheyoffermeandexplainhowitcouldchangebasedonthingslikehowoneprepares tomove,orbasedonhabitpatternsbasedondealingwithoverloadat somepoint in life.Or I tell them thattheymay be using secondary stabilitymusclesbeforetheyuseprimary–that’sanexpensivechoicetheyaremakingeverydaywithoutknowingit.Iusedifferentstories,allbasedonmotor-controlmodelsthatarecorroboratedbyvariouspiecesofresearch.

SW:Whatdophysiciansandpsychologistsknowabout neuroscience?Howdoyouconnecttothemaboutwhatwedo?

KF:Iamlikelytotalkaboutpostureandlasting changes inposturederived frombettermappingatthesensorimotorlevel.Ialsowouldaddthebusinessaboutprimary,secondary,andtertiarystabilization.Ialsomight speak aboutpreparation tomoveand themanner inwhich this relates tostability.Weare alwayswise tofindoutwhatintereststhembeforelaunchingintoalecture,andtogivethemaveryspecificconcreteexample.Inperson,IhavethempushonmeandIrespondwithadefensivestrategy and contrast itwith a strategy

builtonperceptionandorientation.That’sthebestillustration–whatyoucanshowtheminyourmovement.Peoplecanseeitrightaway.Withpsychologists,it’susefultomakethebridgebetweenpsychologicalsecurity and subcortical security basedon gravity orientation and orientationto “where” as opposed to “what.” The“whereandwhatmodel,”welldescribedinPailliard’swritingforexample,showsthatoursensorimotorbrainismostlyconcernedwith“where”questionswhileourcognitivebrainisconcernedwith“what”questions.“Where” informationmakes the bodyand sensorimotor system happier than“what” information – it provides thesecurityatadeeperlevel,belowthought.The “where” and “what”model does agood joboffleshingoutRolf’s claim thatstructuralintegrationgetsbelowthelevelofconventionalpsychology.

SW:Whichmodels are your favoriteswhen referring to the bodymap andrelatedsubjects?

KF:Nooneinthefieldofneurophysiologyisgoingtohandusanewmodelonaplate.Whatwecando,however,islookatmodelsofbrainmapsofthebody–sensorymaps,motormaps, even languagemaps – andsee thatmuch ofwhatwe are doing isaboutrefreshingorrevivingorenhancingmapssothebraincanmakebetterchoices.Further,wecan lookat thevariouswaysthatthebrainhasbeendividedintocorticaland subcortical processes, or “where”and “what” processes, and see that isvery attractive to speak about structuralintegrationasbeingawayofspeakingtosubcortical processes, the sensorimotorsideof the equation.Nowwearedoingwhat Pailliardwas advocating:we arebridgingthechasmbetweenpsychologicalapproaches tohuman improvement andneuroscience. Further,we have authorssuchasDanielSiegelwhotellstoriesabouthowheandhis colleaguesworked for alongtimetofindacceptanceinthemedicalworldfortheideathatbehaviorchangesthebrain.Sohehelpedtoconvincedoctorsthathowwemeditate,howweprocess(thingslikeSomaticExperiencing® for example),leadtointegrationofexperienceandthenchangesinbrainactivity.Whatweaddasstructuralintegratorsisapackageoftoolsthatspeaktothesensorimotorbrain,tothesubcorticalprocesses that lead to lastingshifts inpostureandmovement strategy.Bodies behave as if “hungry” for betterinformationatthislevel.

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SW:Howwouldyouexplaintheconceptof“bodymaps”?

KF:Youstartbyhelpingpeoplerealizethattheirbrainmapof thebodyhasgottenabitgeneralizedandvague.Youbringalivea sensorydistinction andyou tell them,“Nowyourmaphasaclearerdistinction,aclearerlocationofthispartofthebody.Thatleadstobettermovementchoicesthanbefore.” Themap story can accompanythe visual anatomymodel and skillfulfascialtouch.Alsousefularestoriesabout“where”and“what”–thestoryaboutIanWatermanwholosthisproprioception(nowhereandsubstituteofwhattomakeupforit),andtheblindsightphenomenon(all“where”andno“what”)inwhichapersoncannotconsciouslyseeanobjectbutwalkaroundittoavoidwalkingintoit;thesearedramaticillustrationsthatgroundthetopicverysuccinctly.Agreatbookthatillustrates“where”and“what”differentiationisVision and Art: The Biology of SeeingbyMargaretLivingstone.Sheshows,forexample,howskillful artists build codedmessages toour“where”brain.Thisgivesthepaintingimpact inwayswefeelwithoutknowingwhyataconsciouslevel.

SW: Terms like “sensorimotor control”and“secondarystabilization”soundquitetheoretical.Which concrete examples orstoriesdoyouuse?

KF:“Sensorimotor”meansthe[“movementbrain,” the]partof thebrain thatdoesn’trequire conscious thinking, that actsautomatically, faster thanwe can think.Youfeel[its]intelligencewhenyoutieyourshoes in aflash.But there ismuchmoreto the sensorimotor brain than just littlecoordinativepatterns.Itisthesubcorticalpartoftheequationforkeepingusuprightandforperceivingwhatourbodyneedstoknow,butwedon’tnotice it consciously.“Secondarystabilization”isaboutisusingthe auxiliarymuscles beforeweuse theonesthatarefornormallevelsofstability.It’svery“expensive”forclients–theyliftajugofmilk[and]squeezetheabdomenandclenchthepelvicfloor,eitherbecausesomewell-intentionedbutmisinformedexerciseteachertoldthemto,orbecausetheyhadanaccidentandneverstoppedbracing,orbecause theyare in some stateof fearordefensiveness all the time. Forwhateverreason,theyareusingamotorpatternthatshould be saved for loads that are verylargeandinwhichtheprimarystabilizersturnonfirst.

SW: Does neuroscience offer anyexplanationabouttherelevanceofinstinctsorautomatisms?AndhowwouldyoulinkthistoRolfingSI?

KF:Ithinkneuroscienceanddevelopmentalpsychologistshavebeentryingtofigureoutwhatis“hardwired”andwhatislearnedforalongtime.Thecurrentthinking,asIunderstand it, is an exampleofdynamicsystems process.Anatomypredisposesus tomovement thatwe learnmore orlessinevitablyifgiventheopportunitytoplayandexploreaschildren.Wedevelopautomaticsubroutinesthatsavethebrainthetroubleofmakingitallupfromscratcheachtimeasimilarmovementiscalledfor.Peopleoftenlivewiththeassumptionthatyou can train to learn anewmovement.ButRolfershelppeopleasmuchtounlearnexpensive automatic routines, learnedduringmomentsofpressureoroverwhelm,orjustplainunhelpfulguidancefromwell-meaningeducators.

SW:Howdoyouguide clients to easilyfollowyoursuggestions?

KF:Howdowehelppeoplefindeaseinlearningnew simple things that, atfirst,makethemfeelstupid?Youwanttostartwith slowingdown the learningprocess;figureout the learningstyleof theclient,make success easy at thebeginning andreferbacktothatbaseline.Teachtheskillsthatprecede learningmovement suchassensory awareness, conscious awarenessoforientation,consciousawarenessoffeltsense.Youwanttomaketheprocessfun.Welearnmostwhenwearehavingfun.

SW:Howwouldyouguideclientswhentheyask“WhatamIsupposedtofeel?”or“Whatdoesthishavetodowithmypain?”

KF:Startearlywithteachingtheclienttheauthorityofhis experienceand [noticingthe]contrastbetweendoingsomesimplemovement from effort and from ease.Makeitverysimplesothereisnoquestionofskill.Forexample,“pushmyhandlikeyouwanttodoagoodjobofpushing;nowletgoofthegoodjob,andfeelyourskinasyoupush.”[Look]for,[coach]for,responsesthatinvolvelengthratherthancontraction,thecapacitytogrowmorespaciousintheface of demand. Learnwhat the clientlikes. Help clients build a vocabularyof experience and remember thatwhatresourcesthemisthepathtofindingeaseandflowandoftenrelieffrompain.

The body learns new coordination byrepetition. It’s thatsimple.Wearemostlyhelping the person to interrupt the oldpattern, by stopping, by slowingdown,by inhibiting theoldone,with sufficientsupportandsafetysoit’snotoverwhelming.Thenweteachwhattopayattentiontoastheinitiationofthemovementbegins.Eachtimetheoldpatternshowsup,westopandgoslowerandfindbetterresource.Intheabsenceoftheeffortpattern,theautomaticsystemcanhaveachancetomanifestease.Thebodyautomaticallyrepeatswhatitlikesandlikeswhatfeelseasier,allotherthingsbeingequal.Butweoftenneedtosupportpeopletodothatbecauseallthingsaren’tequal.Peoplehavebeentaughttostruggleandworkharder,right?

SW: Sure.That iswhatmostofus learnatschool,fromourparents,andwhatweassume is expected by bosses atwork.Onequestion[clientshave]aboutwhatisachievedduringRolfing sessions is “willitlast?”

KF:Newpostureandnewmovementslastwhentheclientlikesitandonreflectioncanallowit,meaningitisnotinconflictwithsomeaspectof thepsyche.Oneneeds tohelptheclientfindthesecondarybenefitoftheformerpattern;thatisquiteimportantandpartoftheecologyofchange.Thentheclientneedstofindthenewcoordination,usinghisowncue,notyoursnecessarily.Andthentheclientneedstofindwaystointegrate thenewmovement into life attimesandplacesthatfeelsafeandeasiest.Andclientsneedtotalktousaboutallofthis,tohaveuslistentowhathasworkedandwhathasn’tsotheycanorganizetheirexperience.And self-care exercises areimportant,onesdone in smalldoses thatfeelgoodtodo.Ifwechangecoordination,weassumethiswillbelasting.

SW:Themodel,here,isaboutcoordinationand communicationworking together,insteadofinconflict.Ittakestimetogrowinto thinking thatway; creating stabilityconstantlyandspeakingaboutactualbodyexperience. Going into the experiencecan also be tricky.What do you say toguide[that]?

KF: I attempt to get people used totrackingandbeingtrackedintheirsensoryexperience.Thisisnotuniquetomyworkofcourse.Butit’sahugewayto“guide”eitherverballyornonverballyby following therhythm,sensoryexperience,andmeaningimpulsesoftheclient.Oftenjustlistening

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isthebestguidancebecauseitsupportstheself-regulatoryandself-discoveryprocessoftheclient.Asonetrackstheclient,onetracks one’s ownbody experience. Thisdevelopsaco-resonantstateinwhichthepatternsthatarenolongerneededtendtobethemostwillingtorelease.Ithinkthisreinforcesthemappingprocessinthebrain,bytheway.

SW:Thankyouverymuch,Kevin. I feelexcited that abit of your experience canbepresentedhere tomake sense of thisfascinating field of neuroscience. I seethisasgreatopportunitytokeepupwithacademicdevelopments,aswellasvaluingevenmoretheRolfingwork.

Sabine Weis is a Rolfer in Frankfurt, Germany. Kevin Frank is a Rolf Movement Instructor with a practice in Holderness, New Hampshire.

Bibliography Blakeslee, S. andM.Blakeslee,The Body Has a Mind of Its Own.NewYork:RandomHouse,2007.

Doidge,N.,The Brain that Changes Itself.NewYork:Penguin,2007.

Gibson,J.,The Senses Considered as Perceptual Systems.Westport,CT:GreenwoodPress,1966.

Livingstone,M.,Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing.NewYork:HarryN.Abrams,2002.

Paill iard, J . , “Sensorimotor versusRepresentationalFramingofBodySpace,ANeuralBasisfortheDistinctionBetweenBody Schema and Body Image.” InH.dePreester,Body Image and Body Schema: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Body.(Amsterdam:JohnBenjamins,2005).

Siegel,D.,The Neurobiology of “We” (audiorecordings).Louisville,CO:SoundsTrue,2008.

Schleip, R., “Fascial plasticity – a newneurobiological explanation.”Part I andPart II. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, April 2003, pp. 11-19 and104-116.

Conceptual HousekeepingBy Jeffrey Maitland, Ph.D., Rolfing® Instructor

In a complex and evolving inquirystandpoint such as Rolfing StructuralIntegration (SI), it is sometimesuseful toperformwhatcouldbecalled“conceptualhousekeeping.”Itspurposeistoexaminethe fundamental concepts that defineourwork inorder todeterminewhetherthey are still viable in light of newdevelopments. Interestingly, two recentarticles,written independently of eachotherandappearingintheJune2012issueofStructural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®, attempt to perform justthiskindofhousekeeping.ChrisHaydenwantstoaddmoreparadigmsandKevinFrankwantstogetridofsometaxonomies.Whenyouconsiderhowwelltheconceptsin questionhave continued to serveus,we shouldbe careful aboutprematurelyrefurbishing, adding to,or retiring them.Tomake sure that these suggestions arenot leading us in thewrong direction,this articlewill bedevoted to examiningthe merits of these two attempts atconceptualhousekeeping.

Adding ParadigmsLet’s beginwithChrisHayden’smodestproposal.He says, “students ofRolfingSImightbeservedbyanadditionalsetofparadigms,whichwouldmentallyorganizethevarietyoffunctionalapproachesusedduring sessions . . . . Itwouldhelp thebeginnertounderstandthearrayofoptionsavailable in the serviceof ourRolfingSIwork.”1Haydendividestheseapproachesinto three groups, which he calls thethree functional paradigms: the fixingparadigm,theexerciseparadigm,andtheexploratoryparadigm.

If his proposal couldmake it easier forthe beginning student to grasp andusethemany functional approaches at hisdisposal,itisworthlookinginto.ThemajorproblemwithHayden’swayofgroupingthesefunctionalapproachesisthathesenthis housekeepers to organize thewrongroom.Hesentthemtotheparadigmroomwhen he should have sent them to thetaxonomyroom.Ingeneral,thetaxonomieshelporganizeourthinkingaroundvariousaspects of ourwork. Relevant to thisdiscussion is how they organize ourthinkingaround thekindof approaches,interventions, or techniques that are

availabletous.Butisn’tthisfeatureexactlywhatHaydenistryingtoaccomplishwithhisthree“functionalparadigms”?

We already have a way to categorizeinterventionsandtechniquesbymeansofthe structural, functional, energetic, andpsychobiological taxonomies.Hayden’sthree functional paradigms are notparadigms.Rather,theyaresubcategoriesof the functional taxonomy.Calling histripartite categories “paradigms” onlyaddsconfusiontothemix.Also,whathecalls“fixingparadigm”soundstoomuchlikeavariationonthecorrectiveparadigmandonlyobscures further thedifferencebetweenparadigmsand taxonomies.Butwhenwemake it clear thatHayden’sprojectisaimedatorganizingaspectsofthefunctionaltaxonomy,theremaybemerittohisproposal.

New MessageFrankbeginshishousekeepingproposalwith an observation. Since so manypractitioners these days practice someformof fascialmobilization,we can nolonger claim this approach as uniquelyours. It also turnsout thatourgel to solexplanationoffascialplasticityissuspect.Healsowarnsusthatourholisticapproachmaynotsurviveunlessweimproveonhowwedescribeourwork.TodealwiththesedifficultiesFrankrecommendsthatwetellamorecomplicatedstoryabouthowRolfingSIworks,onethatisnotlimitedtofascialmanipulationbutacknowledgesthemanynewwayswehavedevelopedforachievingthegoalsofRolfingSI.Frankisespeciallyinterested inaddingand integrating intoour thinking the theory andpractice ofrestoringnormalmotorcoordination.

AsHansFluryoftenremindedus,thegoalofSIandfascialmanipulationisfunctionaleconomy.Clearly, Frank’s suggestion isa variation on the theme of functionaleconomyandcompletelyinkeepingwithDr.Rolf’suseoftheterm.SincethepointofSIisnormalfunction,normalcoordinationcaneasily,andprobablyshould,beaddedto the functional taxonomy in order tobroadenourinheritedconceptoffunctionaleconomy.Butevenmoreintriguingishissuggestion thatwe represent ourworknotjustasfascialmanipulation,but“asa

PERSPECTIVES


PERSPECTIVESpackageofeducational interventionsthatspanmultipledimensionsofperson’sbeing...”2Thispointhasmeritanddeservestobeconsidered.

B u t wh e n we t u r n t o F r a n k ’srecommendations for retooling ourtaxonomies of assessment and retiringanumberof them,his logic is less clear.Withoutdoingviolence tohismeaning, Ihopetobringhisargumentintobetterfocusbysummarizingitsbarebonesandfillinginthedetailslater.Butfirst,inpreparationfortheensuingdiscussion,Iwanttomakeafewremarksaboutthelogicofidentity.

If you hear someone say that X is notidentical toY, you likely assume thatheis talkingabout twoseparateobjects.Butthat isnot always the case.For example,althoughawoolensweaterisnotidenticalto thewoolofwhich it ismade, it isnotother thanor separate from thewool.Toseewhy,imaginethatyoupickthesweaterapartandmakeapairofpantsoutofthewool.Ifyouaretemptedtothinkthatthesweaterisidenticaltothewool,youwouldhave to conclude that thepants are alsoidenticaltothesamewool.Andbythelawofidentity,youwouldalsohavetoconcludethatthesweaterisidenticaltothepants.Butclearly, thesweaterandthepantsarenotidentical.Wecanexpressthisrelationshipbysayingthatthesweaterisnotidenticaltothewool,butthesweaterisnototherthanorseparatefromthewool.Sweaterandwoolaredistinct(i.e.theycanbedistinguishedfromeachother),butnotseparate.

The Retirement ArgumentHereisadistillationofFrank’srationaleforretiring the“functional”and“structural”taxonomies:

1.Depending upon whether you aredealingwithlivingbodiesormechanicalthings, there are at least twoways tounderstandstructure.

a.Withrespecttolivingbodies,structureandfunctionaretwosidesofthesamecoin–distinctbutneverseparate.

b.With respect tomechanical things,structuremeansanassemblyofparts(Implied in themechanicalmeaningofstructureis theideathatstructureand function are both distinct andseparate).

2.Sincethesetwousesareoftenconflated,themechanical version of structureinsidiouslyseepsintoourthinkingand

significantlyobscuresandundermineshowweunderstandandcommunicateourwork.

3.When structure and function areelevated to the level of taxonomiesof assessment, they are (necessarily?)conceptualized as separate therebyimplyingthemechanicalperspective.

4.Therefore, s ince the mechanicalunderstanding of structure as anassembly of parts undermines andobscuresourwork,thesetwotaxonomiesneedtoberetired.

Filling in the Details

Inordertofullyappreciatethisargument,wemust lookmore closely at Frank’streatment of structure.Hedistinguishesbetween two concepts of structure:structure as an assembly of parts (whatI am callingmechanical structure) andstructureasabiologicalactivity.Insupportof his view, Frank quotes Bertalanffy’swell-knowndefinition, “What are calledstructures are slow patterns of longduration, functions are quickprocess ofshort duration.” But notice how Frankchanges themeaning slightlywhen herefers to the distinction.He introducesBertalanffy’sdefinitionwiththestatementthat structuremeans a “function thatpersistsovertime.”3TobeconsistentwithBertalanffy’s characterization, shouldn’the say that structuremeans the activityof aprocessorpattern thatpersistsovertime? Frank continues by saying that“themeasureofthestructuralchangesarereliable change of function over time,”4andthat“structuremeanssomethingthatfunctionsinacertainpattern.”5Again,isn’tthepoint that structure is apattern thatendures–notsomesortoffunction?Also,structure isnot something that functionsin a certain pattern, it is a pattern. Incontrast to the above characterizations,Frank correctly says that structure andfunction are two sides of one coin6 andthatmostinterventionsarebothstructuralandfunctionalatthesametime.7ButwhatarewetomakeofFrank’stendencytousethewordfunctionwhereBertalanffyusesthewordpattern?Isitjustaloosewayoftalkingordoes it imply that structure isreducibletofunction?Wewillreturntothisquestionbelow.

The core of his argument seems to besomething like this:when structure andfunction are made taxonomies, theirinseparability gets lost.As a result, a

false separation infects us our thinkingwithaviewofmechanical structure thatobscureshowweunderstand, teach, andcommunicate our work. It especiallyobscureshowweunderstandrestorationofnormalmotorcoordination.Themechanicalview of structure is inappropriate forunderstanding the living body, and isantitheticaltotheholisticcharacterofourwork,becauseitfalselyenvisionsthebodyasanassemblageofparts.Whenthebodyisconceivedasakindofmachine,itmakesourworkseemlikerepairingabridgeora car, insteadof restoringnormalmotorcoordination.Therefore,weneedretire(orretool)thesetwotaxonomies.

Must We Mean What We Say?

This argument is just a little bit off-center. It rests on the assumption thatonce the distinction between structureand function becomes enshrined in thetaxonomies,thedistinctionalsobecomesaseparationinwhichstructureisconceivedasanassemblyofparts.But,surelynosuchgrammaticaltransformationandseparationis necessitatedbymaking structure andfunctiontaxonomies.

Imagineyouarepartialtoawordthathastwomeanings.Thefirstfitsyourintentionsand the other ismisleading.When youusethiswordyouwillmeanitinthefirstsense, not the second, and youwill letpeople know that you are using it thatway.Youwillnotretiretheword.Thesameapplies to theword structure. Structurehasatleasttwomeanings,asFrankpointsout.Onemeaning applies to ourwork(enduringpattern)andtheother(assemblyofparts)obscuresit.Aswithmanytechnicalconcepts,wemust specifyprecisely themeaningwe intend.Thus,whenwe saystructurewemustmeanitinthesensethatappliestoourworkandinformourlistenersaboutwhichmeaningweintend.

When I formulated the taxonomies ofassessment I did not think of them asseparate. I understood verywell thatstructure and functionwere implicatedeachintheother.Inotherwords,theyaredistinct,butnotseparate.Ialsounderstoodthatastructuralinterventionhasfunctionalramificationsandafunctionalinterventionhas structural ramifications. I tried tocapturetheirinseparabilitybysayingthatSI and functional economyare logicallyequivalent,which is just a fancywayofsaying a change in one shows up as achangeintheother.TodayIwouldtemper


PERSPECTIVESthatclaimabitbysayingthatachangeinonetaxonomyoftenshowsupasachangeineverytaxonomy–butnotalways.

OnceyourealizethatFrank’sargumentrestsontheassumptionthatthereissomethinginherent in the idea of a functional andstructural taxonomy that necessitatesconceiving of them as separate (hence,conceiving structure asmechanical, thatis,asanassemblyofparts),yourealizetheanswer tohis argument is simple. Sincethereisnoinherentnecessitytothinkaboutthestructuralandfunctionaltaxonomiesasseparate,don’tthinkthatway.Justthinkofthetaxonomiesasdistinct,butnotseparate.Thereisnoneedtoretiretwotaxonomieswhensimplydefiningyourtermswilldothejob.

But Is It Meaningful?

Afterallhiseffortstoreformandexpandhowwetalkaboutourworkbyprovidinganewway to think about structure andfunction,Frankmakesaclaimthatthreatenstoundercuthisentireproject.Heclaims“thedomainscanbedistinguishedbutthereisnomeaningfuldivisionbetweenstructuralandfunctional instylesof intervention.”8Helimitshisclaimtostylesofintervention.But if thedistinction ismeaninglesswithrespect to styles of intervention, then itwould have to bemeaningless in anycontextrelevanttoourdiscussion.Aswehavealreadyseen,hegatheredsupportforhisviewaboutstructurefromBertalanffy.Surely,hemusthavethoughtthedistinctionwasmeaningful at the time – otherwisewhyappeal to it?But,almost in thenextbreath,he says that thedistinction isnotmeaningful.WhydoesFranknowbelievethatthedistinctionbetween“slowpatternsof longduration” and “quickprocessesof short duration” is not ameaningfuldistinction?Clearly,thedistinctioncannotbothbemeaninglessandmeaningful.

Hereisthecruxofthedifficulty.MuchofFrank’sproject is a critiqueaccompaniedby recommendations, both of whichdepend upon reforming howwe talkabout structure. If the distinction ismeaningful, then the valid aspects ofFrank’sprojectcanandshouldbeembracedand pursued. If it turns out that thedistinctionismeaningless,Frank’sprojectisself-defeating.Whatwouldbethepointof refurbishing ameaningless concept?Letmespeculateabitaboutwhatmightbegoingonhere.RecallthatwhereBertalanffyusesthewords“slowpatterns”Frankuses

thewords“slowfunction.”PerhapsFrankisjustspeakingloosely.Orperhapsinhiszealtoestablishtheimportanceofnormalmotorcoordination and the “newmessage”hewenttoofarandconcludedthatstructureisjustavariationoffunction.Buttheideathatstructureisnothingmorethanavariationoffunctionissimplyincoherent.Youcannothavefunctionunlessthereissomekindofstructure.Structureand functionare twosidesof the same coin, as Frankhimselfcorrectlynoted.

It is important to realize that reducingstructuretofunctionwouldmakeabsolutelynosensetoBertalanffy.Asoneoftheseminalthinkers responsible for the creation ofgeneralsystemstheory,hewasconcernedwith articulating a holistic inquirystandpoint capable of understandingboundary-maintaining, organized, livingwholes in relation to their embeddingwhole or environment.Thus, oneof thekeys to his approach is an emphasis onstructureandfunction,whichheinterpretsholisticallywithintheholisticframeworkofgeneralsystemtheory.Hedoesnottrytogetridofstructurebyreducingittofunction,asFrankseemstodo.Reducingstructureandfunction,besidesbeingincoherent,wouldsystematicallyunderminehisapproach.ToappreciateBertalanffy’swayofdrawingthedistinction,youmustrecognizethatheisaholisticthinker.Assuch,hemarksoffthedifferencebetweenstructureandfunctionin termsof theactivitiesofslowpatternsandquickprocesses,ratherthanintermsofisolatedthings.

Given the progress that Frankmade inclarifyingtheseissues,itisoddthathewouldflirtwith reducing structure to functionandendup saying that thedistinction ismeaningless.Washepredisposedallalongtoward seeing structure as avariationoffunction? In any case, it is clear that thedistinctionisnotmeaningless.

To carry our speculations aboutwhatis behind this claim one step further,perhaps Frank is thinking that becausestructure and function are inseparableand because it is not possible to drivea hard and fast line between them, nomeaningful distinction can be drawn.Remember, structure and function areinseparable, butdistinguishable.Becausetheyareinseparable,nohardandfastlinecanbedrawnbetween them.Yetwe cananddomeaningfullydistinguishbetweenthemallthetime.Thinkoftheanalogousdifficultyof trying tomarkout aprecise

divisionbetweenbaldandnon-baldmen.Howmanyhairsmustbemissinginordertoqualifyasbeingbald?It’saridiculousquestion, tobe sure.But it illustrates thepoint thatmeaningfuldistinctionscanbemadeeven though thedividing linewillnever be clear. The same is true for thedistinctionbetweenstructureandfunction–thedividinglinewillneverbeclearbutthedistinction ismeaningful.PerhapsFrankshouldhavesaidthereisnocleardivisionbetween structure and function,not thatthereisnomeaningfuldivision.

Frankgoes on to assert, “the taxonomiclabels give the impression that the ‘real’eventismobilizationoftissueratherthanrevival of nativemovement intelligence. . . because the assumed definition of‘structure’or‘structural’revertsto‘body-as-soft-machine-thinking’which leadsto education that fragments the holisticnature of SI.”9 Thisway of thinking iscertainly problematic. But the solutionto thedifficulty is not found in retiringtaxonomies.Thesolutionisactuallyquitesimple andmuchmore straightforward:don’tdefinestructuremechanically.

Consideringthisoften-posedquestion,“DoIseeastructuralissueorafunctionalone...?’”Frank says, “The question behind thequestionisreally,‘WillIgetbetterchangefrommobilizationoftissue,ormobilizationof otherdimensionsof the client’s being(such as perception, coordination ormeaning)?’Thesecondquestionhasmerit.Thefirstquestionisafaultychoice.”10

Thefirstquestion is a faulty choiceonlyifyouassumethatstructureandfunctionare separate. If you assume they areseparate, then you are forced to chooseone or the other. But thanks to Frank’sanalysisweknowtheyarenotseparate.Asaresult,whenweaskwhetheranissueisstructuralorfunctional,itbecomesamatterof emphasis.You could say thatwe areaskingwhethertheissueisweightedmoretowardthestructuralormoretowardthefunctional.Ifweaskwhetheritisstructuralasopposedtoorversusafunctionalissue,thenwearemorethanlikelyassumingthatstructure and functionare separate.But,as longasweare clearofwhatmeaningofstructureisinplayandthatthereisnohardand fastdivisionbetween structureand function in livingbeings, there isnoproblemwhatsoeverinaskingwhetheranissueis(weightedtowardthe)structuralor(emphasizesthe)functional.


PERSPECTIVESContinuinghisreformation,Franksuggeststhatwesubstitutea“manual-mobilization”taxonomy for the structural taxonomyandaperceptual/coordinative-educationtaxonomy for the functional taxonomy.He also suggests the same substitutionswhenwe talk about faculty. “To talkaboutastructural(Rolfing)facultyversusfunctional (movement) is a bad use oflanguage.Would it be better to speakaboutfascial-ortissue-mobilizationfacultyand perceptive/coordinative faculty?”11In response to the observation that themajority of what we do belongs to afunctional taxonomy, Frank says “it’s aninteresting observation, but perhaps aninevitableresultofaflawedpremise,thatstructural and functional are separatetaxonomies...”12

But aswe have just seen, at both theordinaryandtaxonomiclevels,thestructureofalivingbeingisnotnecessarilyopposedtoornecessarilyseparatefromitsfunction.IfwewanttoavoidthepitfallsthatFrankdelineates,thenallweneedtodoisclarifyour terms. Ifwe specify thatwemeanstructure as it applies to living beings,where structure and function are neverseparate, then therewill beno cause foramusementoraccusationsofbadlanguageusagementionedabove.Notice, thebadusageof languageFrank refers tohingeson just one littleword, “versus.” Ifwewatchourlanguageusageandavoidsayingphrases that imply that structure andfunctionareseparate(suchasstructure“asopposedto”functionor“versus”function),thenwewillnotbe forced tochooseoneover the other.As a result,we can restsecure in theknowledge thatourchoicesandpremisesarenotfaultyafterall.Andbest of all, aswedoourwork, it is stillperfectlylegitimateandcorrecttoexplorewhetherwearedealingwithastructuralor functional issue. Thus,we can easilyseethatnoretirementofthestructuralandfunctionaltaxonomiesisrequired.

Beforewe leave the discussion of thetaxonomies, Iwant tomake sure that itisclearwhatthetaxonomiesare,becauseFrank somewhatmisstated them. Theyare Structural/Geometric, Functional,Energetic,andPsychobiologicalOrientation(Intentionality). The biomechanicaldesignation isa taxonthatfinds itsplaceunderthestructuraltaxonomy.Itisataxonnot a taxonomy.Dependingonwhetheryoucountthestructural/geometricasoneortwo,therearefourorfivetaxonomies.

Develop or Retire?The issues surrounding Rolfing SIand energywork are complicated andimportant.OneresponsetoFrank’sdesiretoretiretheenergetictaxonomymightbea rather longarticle. Iwould like tosavethatpossibility for another timeand justmake a few comments about this issue.LetmeremindusofwhateveryRolfer™knows:Dr.Rolfwaspassionatelyinterestedin coming to termswith the energeticdimensionsofherwork.Asa result, thepursuitofenergyisrooteddeeply inourtradition.Therehave alwaysbeen thosecolleaguesamonguswhohadbeenquietlyexploringwhatenergyisandhowtouseitasatoolforassessmentandintervention.Today,theirnumbersareincreasingasmoreandmore practitioners find themselvesnaturallydrawntoenergymanipulation.

After years of investigation,manyofusarenow in aposition to coherently talkaboutenergy,createwaysformostpeopletoperceiveit,anduseitasaconsistenttoolofinterventionintheserviceofRolfingSI.ContrarytoFrank’ssensethattheenergetictaxonomy spawns confusion,wearenotconfused.Weareactuallymoreconfidentthan ever about our understanding ofenergyandhowtouse itasa tool in theserviceofRolfingSI.

Theenergetictaxonomyexistsbecauseitisalegitimatepartofourtradition,becausethereisgrowinginterestinit,andbecausehaving a taxonomyhelps organize ourthinkingaboutwhichareasneedordonotneedfurtherdevelopment.Ifwerecognizethatataxonomyoroneofitssubcategoriesisimportanttoourworkanditismuddledand confused,we do not retire it.Weinvestigate,clarify,anddevelopit.Retiringconcepts does not advance ourwork.Developingthemdoes.Theexistenceofanenergy taxonomyhasgreatly stimulatedthedevelopmentofourunderstandingofenergytowheresomeofusareteachingitinourclasses.Parenthetically,IshouldaddthatteachingRolfingenergyworkprobablyshould be reserved for the advancedstudent,notthebeginner.

Retirement is not an answer to theadvancement andevolutionof thework.Retire the energetic taxonomy and youstifle the development of somethingimportant.Retiringtheenergetictaxonomyis tantamount to burying our creativityand the further development of ourunderstandingofenergyanditsroleinour

work.Inlightofgreatprogresswemade,weneedtoembracetheenergetictaxonomy.Nowisnotthetimetoburyorsetitasideleavingittootherstodoourjob.Ifyouwanttoreadmoreonthenatureofhealingandtheplaceofenergy,seemylatestbook,Mind Body Zen,13especiallythelasttwochapters.

ConclusionAlthoughtheenergetictaxonomyrequiresmore work and exploration, we canconcludethatnoadditionstotheparadigmsorretirementoftaxonomiesarenecessaryat this time.Even thoughbothproposalshadproblems,bothalsohadmerits.Aboveall,weshouldnotlosesightofFrank’scalltoreformandexpandhowwetalkaboutourworkbyconceivingofitasa“packageof educational interventions that spanmultipledimensionsofaperson’sbeing.”In order to carry out this project, Frankandhis colleagues need to articulate indetailthetheoryandpracticeofrestoringnormalmotor coordination. Fortunately,it looks as though that is exactlywhatthey aredoing. Since the structural andfunctional taxonomiesdonotneed toberetired, normalmotor coordination canbe considered a taxon fallingunder thefunctionaltaxonomy.

I agreewithFrank’s commentsabout theimportance of examiningword usage.Concepts are critically important to ourwork.Why? Because the clearer ourconcepts become, the better ourworkbecomes.BydistortingthewordsofKantabittomakeapoint,wecansaythatconceptswithoutintuitionsareemptyandintuitionswithoutconceptsareblind.Knowingwhatyouaredoingiseverybitasimportantasfeeling/intuitingwhat you aredoing. Inordertoseewhythisisso,letmegiveyouone rather remarkable example frommybook,Spinal Manipulation Made Simple.ItiscalledtheRumpelstiltskineffect.

Knowingwhatyouarereleasinginaclient’sbodyaddstoyourclarityofpurposeandactuallymakesyouamoreeffectivetherapist.Ifyouknowwhatitisthatneedstochange,thenthe techniques you applywill bemoreeffectivethanifyoudon’tknowpreciselywhat you are releasing.This characteristic of the somaticmanualarts remindedmywifeofthepsychotherapeuticsettingwhere,metaphorically, youmust nameyourdemonsifyouwanttogetrid


PERSPECTIVESofthem.Shecallsthisphenomenon,“TheRumpelstiltskinEffect.”

As strangeas itmay sound, I amconvinced that your recognitionof the fixation ismore than justan intellectual accomplishmentthat happens to accompanyyourapplication of a technique – it isactually an importantpart of thetechnique itself. Before I knewhowtotell thedifferencebetween[sacral] shear and torsion, I haddeveloped the techniques . . . forreleasing torsion.During the timeIwas readingaboutand trying tounderstand shear, Iwasworkingwith a client who had what Ibelievedwasaposteriortorsioninwhichtherightbasewasposteriorlyfixed.ForanumberofsessionsIhadappliedmytechniqueforposteriortorsion.Iwasabletogivehimsomerelief fromhispain,butIcouldn’tget rid of all of it.My client toldme at the beginning and end ofeverysessionthateventhoughtheother pains aroundhis lowbackareahadgoneaway,thepaininhisbuttneverwentaway . . .When Ifinallygot clear abouthow to tellthedifference between shear andtorsion,I...discoveredthathehadarightposteriorsacralshear.Addingthis recognition– thathis sacrumwas actually in posterior shear,notposterior torsion– to theverysametechniqueIhadusedwhenIbelievedhissacrumwasposteriorlytorsionedfullyreleasedhissacrumfor thefirst time.Andfor thefirsttimethepainintherightsideofhisbuttocksdisappeared.14

Whenallissaidanddone,clearconceptsmakeforbetterRolfingSI.

Endnotes1. Hayden, Chris, “Three FunctionalParadigms.”Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®,June2012,pg.20.

2. Frank,Kevin, “Body as aMovementSystem–Part2.”Structural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute®,June2012,pg.7.

3.Ibid.,pg.7.

4.Ibid.,pg.7.

5.Ibid.,pg.8.

6.Ibid.,pg.8.

7.Ibid.,pg.9.

8.Ibid.,pg.8.

9.Ibid.,pg.8.

10.Ibid.,pg.8.

11.Ibid.,pg.8.

12.Ibid.,pg.7.

13.Maitland, Jeffrey,Mjnd Body Zen.Berkeley,CA:NorthAtlanticBooks,2011.

14.Maitland, Jeffrey,Spinal Manipulation Made Simple.Berkeley,CA:NorthAtlanticBooks,2001,pp.88-89.

An Excellent Adventure: Poster Presenting at the Fascia Research CongressBy Karen Sallovitz, Certified Advanced Rolfer™

Everyonce in awhile something comesalong that changes the parameters ofwhatweimaginetobepossible.Rolfing®Structural Integrationdid that; it foreverchangedtheprevailingnotionthatbodiesfollow anuninterrupted spiral towardsdecrepitude. It introduced the conceptof connective tissueas amutable,plasticmedium,andwe,asRolfers,haveenjoyedsixty years of exploring thepossibilitiesofplasticity.

But then there is that point, that hardedge one runs intowhere the questionarises:what to dowhen plasticity hasfledthescene,wheninspiteofyourbesteffortstheconnectivetissueisunyieldingand intractable?We all push that edgein differentways.Our research groupexperimentedwithpushingitbydirectlyaltering the biochemistry of connectivetissue. (Puristsavertyoureyes.)Weusedan infusionof glutathionedeliveredviaI.V.push syringeduring the connective-tissuemanipulations.Wepresented ourfindingsat theThird InternationalFasciaResearch Congress inMarch 2012 inVancouver,Canada.

Glutathione is a substance that can befound in every cell of the body but ismanufactured primarily by the liver. Itis found in great abundance in healthybodies, and in diminished amounts inchallenged organisms. It is a powerfulantioxidant composed of three aminoacids:cysteine,glycineandglutamicacid.Inspiteof thefact thatpeoplehavebeenstudyingglutathione since 1921, no oneknows precisely how itworks –whichmadethisprojectallthemorecompelling

and challenging. But, unquestionably, itdoeswork.Wewereabletoproduceresultsin seemingly intractable situations;mostnotablywefoundthatwecouldthawfrozenshoulderandproducesignificantchangesinpost-surgicalscartissue.Theeffectsweresometimesjaw-dropping.

Wepresentedattheconference,notbecausewehadcompiledsuchconvincingstatisticaldata–wehadn’t;weweretherebecausewehadhappenedontosomethingthatwastoogoodtokeepunderwraps.Wepresentedinitialfindingslaiditoutquitesimply:whatwedid,howwedidit,whoitworkedfor,andhowtoduplicatetheresults.Wewentto theconferencewiththeclear intentionofconnectingwithotherpeoplewhowereusing glutathione for similar purposes,to connectwith peoplewho knewhowto gather data and assess findings.Wehoped to find someonewho had a labandlotsofmiceandtestingequipment,tofindsomeonewhoknewhowglutathioneactuallyworks.Thatdidn’texactlyhappen,butwedidmakevaluablecontacts.

The conference provides a crucible, aplace to collidewith people on similaror opposing trajectories. One fellowwalked into our booth and said, “I dothis same thing inmyclinic inScotland”and then he told us about amyometercalledaMyotonPro forcapturingpreciseconnective-tissuemeasurements.He ispartofthesameresearchgroupasRobertSchleip andwas at the conference topromotethisnewdevice.Anotherexcitingconnectionwas a conversationwith amolecularpharmacologist.Iinquiredaboutthepossibility of a transdermal formof


PERSPECTIVESglutathione(usinganI.V.isveryeffectivebut inconvenient andexpensive), andhethoughthemighthaveabasestableenoughtosuspendthefragileglutathionemolecule.

I estimate that 400-500 people saw ourpresentation,andwhilewedidn’tgettheresponseweimagined,wedidpiquequiteabitofinterest.Welostcountofhowmanypeoplewalkedupandasked,“CanIcometo SantaCruz to try this – I’ve got thisshoulderproblem....”

This project was started in 2010 by aFeldenkraisMethod®practitioner,NancyMacAllister, and a naturopathic doctor,TonyaFleck-D’Andrea, as a cooperativeapproachtofrozenshoulder.Earlyontheprojecthit a snag, and Iwas called in toassistwiththetissuemobilization.Lefttomyowndevices I suspect Iwouldhaveneverfoundmywayintoaresearchproject,but things take a course and suddenlyI was deeply captured.A year later Iwaswriting an abstract anddesigningaposter presentation. This project is anongoinginquiry.Currentlytherearethreenaturopathicdoctors,twoRolfers,andoneFeldenkrais practitioner in the researchgroup.Wewelcome comments, clues,connections;anythingtospeedtheglacialpaceofresearch.

In MemoriamStructural Integration: The Journal of the Rolf Institute® notes the passing of the following members of our community (in alphabetical order):

Jim Fiorino, Certified Advanced Rolfer™

Ed Jeheber, former Rolfer

Steve Moore, Certified Rolfer

Ida’s Imprint Holds for LifeThe Passing of Ed JehebarBy Anne F. Hoff, Certified Advanced Rolfer™

Backinthespring,myfriendUrsulatoldme that one of her hospice patients onMaui, Ed Jeheber,wanted tomeetme.Edwasdyingof cancer.Edhad studiedRolfing®StructuralIntegration(SI)withIdaRolf,andheknewmynamefromwhenIusedtoliveonMaui.Ursulatoldmethathe’dbeenhomeless formanyyears, butthroughoutthattimehadbeenpracticingmindfulnessandawarenessandpresence.

ThenexttimeIwasheadingtoMaui,Ed’srequest tomeetme cameagain, throughmyfriendWayne,whohadknowhimfortwenty-someyears.He saidEdwanteda Rolfing session,wanted to talk; forwhateverreason,thatwasveryimportanttohimaspartofhisprocess.Heapparentlyhadbeenthinkingaboutthisforyears,andnowaslifewascomingtoanend,therewastheurgencytoreachout.Iarrangedtovisithimat thehouseof the familywhohadtakenhiminfortheperiodoftimehehadleft.ThehousewasdecoratedwithmanyofEd’svividpaintingsofMaui.

Edwasmostly bedridden at this point.We talked.He spoke slowly,butburnedwithan intensity, struggling toarticulatequestionsthatwereattheforefrontofhismind.TherewasastoryabouttimeinIndia,whereitsoundslikehehadbeenpracticingRolfingSIuntil something really intensehappened thatmadehimstop thework,butnotforgetaboutit.HewantedtoknowwhatwasupwithourRolfingcommunity,wastheconversationasithadbeenbackwhenhewas involved?Didwe still talkabout“theLine”?HewantedtoknowwasEmmettstillaround,wasMaryBondstillaround?....ItwasveryimportantforhimtoknowthattheideasofRolfingSIwerestillaliveandwell.IwasverytouchedtoseehowprofoundlytheRolfingworldviewhadimprintedhisbeing,andhowmuchitwasinthisthoughtsandwishesatthisendstageoflife.Ididmybesttoensurehimthat,yes,westillcaredaboutthesamethings.

His bodywas frail, but his handswerebigandstilllookedstrong.Hetoldmehehadgiven a session to thewomanwhohadtakenhimin–hewantedtoseeifhecouldstilldoit.HeconfidedthathehaddoneaSecondHourwithoutdoingaFirst,

andwondered if itwere a heresy. (WasIhis confessor?) I toldhim that thiswasoccasionallydone,incaseswheresupportwasneededbefore openingbreath, thatI’ddone itmyselfanditwaswellwithinourpurview.

Edwantedasession;hereallywantedtoexperienceRolfingtouchagainandtobringmoreuprightnesstoabodythatwasbeingtorndown.Isensedtoreinforcewhatwasknownandfamiliartohim,soIhadhimstandbrieflyforanassessment.Idecidedtodosomeworkonhislegstoenhanceasenseofground(inhishomelessyears,hewasafamiliarfigurewalkingupanddownthehighway,andhadoncebeenstruckbya car andbadly injured; I could see thedamageandscartissue),andthentocreateabitof lengthup the front. Iworkedonhimcarefully–therewasnottoomuchofhimleft–andwithakeenawarenesstonottaxinghisresources.Alittleinputwouldbeenough forhim toget the familiar touchandgivehisbodysomethingtoworkwith.AsWaynehadtoldmetoexpect (andtoaccept),Edinsistedonpayingmefromhismeagerresources.HeaskedmetofindhimanotherRolferonMauiincasehewantedmoreworkwhenIwasn’tthere.Notlongafter, a couple ofweeksmaybe, I heardfromUrsulaandWaynethathehadpassed.

I wanted to include Ed in our “InMemoriam”sectionofthisJournal.Someearly records had gone to the Guildfor Structural Integration,where SusanMelchior confirmed that “Eddy” hadtrainedwithDr.Rolfin1969.Iwashappyshe remembered him. Recently, I gotanotherphonecallfromWayneonMaui:couldIassistwithEd’sfinalwishthathisashesbescattered inScotland. (Wedon’tknowwhy;EdwasAmerican,buthehadhis eccentricities.) Perhaps therewas aScottishRolferwho couldhelp? Indeed,I found JamesHoward through theERAwebsite,andhearingEd’sstoryandthisunusual request,hewasalso touchedbythismemberofourtribe,andwillhappilytakehisashestoaplaceofrest.Waynesaiditwasperfect,thataRolferfulfillEd’swish.

Ed’sstoryspeaksof justhowpowerfulatransmissionhereceived.Hewasnotoneof


ReviewsFrom Manual Evaluation to General Diagnosis by Alain Croibier D.O. (NorthAtlanticBooks,2012)

Reviewed by Allan Kaplan Certified Advanced Rolfer™

For thosewhodon’tknowofhim,AlainCroibierisaprotégéofJean-PierreBarral,D.O., thepopularizerofmodernvisceralmanipulation;heco-teacheswithBarralandhascoauthoredmanyofBarral’sbooksonthesubject.Inperson,heisaverypleasant,quietfellow.Asthisbookdemonstrates,heisalsoverythoughtfulandhasalottosay.Itisclearthatheisasconscientiousabouthisbookasheiswithhiswork:itiswell-organized,well-presented,comprehensive,and abundantly illustratedwithfigures,charts,diagrams,andphotographs.

As the book’s subtitle emphasizes, itis concerned with “assessing patientinformationbeforehands-ontreatment”andisverythoroughinpursuingthisgoal.In its four-hundred-or-sopages,Croibierinvestigates and outlines a thoroughassessmentof the client, notonlyon thephysical level,butalso (unexpectedly forme) onmany others; there are chaptersontheintakeinterview,physiopathology,posture andmorphology, “biotypology,”andpsychology,tonameonlysomeofthesubjects.Really,thisbookispackedwitha tremendousarrayof things toconsiderin termsofgetting toknow the clientonmultiple levels, aswell as the expectedphysical evaluation. Someof the text onphysicalexaminationincorporatesBarral’sgeneral and local listeningmethods, butthere aremanymore toolsdescribed forthejoints,tissues,andcranium.

While Croibier ’s background is as anosteopath, it’s important to note thatEuropean osteopaths are notmedicaldoctors and are not licensed topracticemedicine–unlikeosteopaths in theU.S.,theyarestrictlymanualtherapistsandworkwithtissue. It’s thisbias,similartoours,thatmakesthemajorityoftheinformation

I’vebeenwaiting for a bookonmanualevaluation from the French osteopathicperspectiveforquitesometime,sowhenIheardthatAlainCroibierD.O.hadproducedsuchabook, Iwasquite intrigued.AndwhileFrom Manual Evaluation to General Diagnosis: Assessing Patient Information before Hands-On Treatment isnotaconcentrationon themanual and listening techniquesused in this tradition, it is a formidablebook,nonetheless.

ourcelebratedmembers–hedidnotteachorwriteaboutRolfingSI,orevenhardlypractice–buthecarriedtheRolfinglineageinhisbeing.Despitebeingincommunicadofromour institutionsandcommunity foryears,what hewanted to embody andrememberastheendapproachedwasthewonderofthiswork.Iimaginethatmanyofuscarryasimilarimprint.

SI Articles Published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary MedicineTheRolfInstitute®ispleasedtoannouncethatCertifiedAdvancedRolfer™EricJacobsonPh.D.had twoarticleson structural integration (SI)published inThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine lastyear.Thefirst,“StructuralIntegration:OriginsandDevelopment,” appeared in theSeptember2011 issue(Volume17,Issue9,pp.775-580).Thesecond,“StructuralIntegration,anAlternativeMethodofManualTherapyandSensorimotorEducation,”appearedintheOctober2011issue(Volume17,Issue10,pp.891-899).AbstractscanbeviewedandfulltextdownloadedattheJournal’swebsitehttp://online.liebertpub.com/loi/ACM.

contained in hismanual applicable forRolfers.ThereisactuallyremarkablylittleinthebookthatisnotwithinthescopeofthingsthattheaverageRolfermightutilizeinpractice,andwhatisleftisinformative,andhopefullyenlightening.

Croibier sets the stage by defining anddescribingosteopathyandtheosteopathicparadigm,andthingsdon’tsoundthatalien:structure,function,superficial,deep–it’snotunfamiliarterrain.Hesetsthestagebypresentingabroadpictureofwhatshapeshealth,andwhatcanknockitoutofbalance.I find this refreshing for two reasons:for one, I find it very rare for someoneto present such a broad perspective ofinfluencesonus,asorganisms,withinourlives,andtheweighttheseinfluencescanplaceuponourselves;second,itcausesmetopause and considerhoweasy it is forpractitionerstolapseintovaryingdegreesof complacence andmyopia and lose aquestioning, inquiringpresence for theirclientele. Forme,Croibier presents theopportunitytodoaself-checktoseebothhow I’mperforming, andonwhat otherdimensionsImightexpandmyperceptionsandexpertise.

WhileCroibier approacheshisdiagnosesfromtheperspectiveofamanualtherapist,manualevaluationistrulyonlyoneaspectof his inquiry. He begins his generaldiagnosiswith an extensive interview,andhis outline of questions, goals, andguidelinesforhowtoquestionincorporatesthirtypages, and is something thatwillbenefit anypractitioner. Following is thegeneral evaluation, concerning signsandsymptoms (sixty pages), posture andbalance(thirtypages),individual“nature”(bodytypesandpsychology,anothersixty-fivepages),andthenthemanualdiagnosis

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(another sixtypages).Even though thesesectionsmaysoundlengthy,theyareveryapproachable and really only startingpointsforthededicatedsleuth.Again,theauthorhaspresentedawide-rangingarrayofapproachesandtechniquestocreateascompleteapictureoftheclientaspossible;onlyoncehehasaccumulatedinformationthroughsuchabroad investigationcanaprocessofdifferentialdiagnosisfinallybeattemptedtodistilltheinformationthroughamore detailed sequence, leading to aspecificdiagnosis.

Croibier’s conclusion sums it up: “Thedifferent themesdeveloped in this bookshould nevermake you forget that anosteopathicdiagnosis isnot intellectuallycontrived...itisestablishedfromperceptionandbecomesknown,notthereverse.Innosituation can speculationand intellectualconstruction augment deficiencies inperception . . . It is in this sense that thediagnosisconstitutestrueknowledge.”From Manual Evaluation to General Diagnosishas awealthofvaluable information forany practitioner, and is a particularlyvaluablehandbook forRolfers andothermanualpractitioners.

The Roots and Philosophy of Dynamic Manual Interface by Frank Lowen (NorthAtlanticBooks,2011)

Reviewed by Allan Kaplan Certified Advanced Rolfer

Frank Lowen haswritten a book of asomewhatdifferentsortthanCroibierwithThe Roots and Philosophy of Dynamic Manual Interface,titledafteramethodhehascreatedfromhisstudiesandexperience.WhereasCroibier hasproduced a comprehensivemanual,Lowen’sbookpresentshis ideaswithinthecontextofanautobiographytolayoutthedevelopmentofhissystem.

Lowen has a solid background, havingstudiedcraniosacralworkextensivelywithandbecomeaninstructorforJohnUpledger,D.O.,andlaterdoingthesamewithJean-PierreBarral.Thiswasafterhavingtraveledtheworldand spending timewithmanyother teachers. Itwasduringhis tenurewithBarralthatLowenfinallydecidedheneeded to separate andpursue conceptsthat hehadbeen formulating, based onobservationsandexperiencesfromhisownpractice.Throughhisclinicalexperienceshedeveloped“maps” thatheuses todohisassessment–whathecallshis“cranialmap,”whichresemblesafootreflexologycharttransposedontothecranium,andafewother similarmaps that overlay thespine, sacrum, and ribcage. Lowen alsoexploresrelationshipswithinthebody,anddevelopsvarious techniques thatheusesintreatment.

Onetrapofwritinganautobiographyisthatanauthorcangetquitewrappedupinhisownstoryandself-worth; Iamhappy tosaythatLowenhasbeenprettysuccessfulat avoiding thatpitfall.Whilenavigatinghislife’sstory,hehasdoneaverygoodjobofkeeping thenarrativepertinent,whileinterspersing anddescribing concepts ofanatomyandphysiology, the cranial andvisceralsystems,andwaysofworkingwiththemalongtheway.Hiswritingisfriendly,andhisdiscussionsare clearandeasy tofollow.On thewhole, I found Lowen’sbook interestingand thought-provoking,yet the sectionwhere he speaks to hisownsystemseemedlikeitsweakestpart.Inaneffort todescribeDynamicManualInterface,hegetsabitboggeddownanddistractedby thehistoryof its genesis. Ithinkhewantstogivethereaderanideaof the systemwithout turning the bookintoatext,butindoingso,thingsgetabitvague formy taste.Lowenalso includessomeofhisanatomicaldrawings,buteventhough they’reverynicelydrafted, somedon’tseemrelevanttothetext,andothersarereproducedpartlyoutoffocus,whichisashame.However,thisshouldn’tdissuadeonefrompurchasingthebook,asit isanilluminatingread.

Visceral Vascular Manipulations by Jean-Pierre Barral D.O and Alain Croibier D.O. (ChurchillLivingstoneElsevier,2011)

Reviewed by Jim Allbaugh Certified Rolfer

Visceral Vascular Manipulations by Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O andAlain Croibier,D.O. [his colleague in the developmentof visceralmanipulation (VM), neuralmanipulationandglobaljointtreatment]isawelcomeadditiontothelibraryofthoseRolferswhopracticevisceralmanipulation.Itisboththoroughbothinitsdescriptionofanatomyandphysiologyanditsexplorationof various techniques andmethodology.Visceral vascularmanipulation is stillconsidered visceralmanipulation, justexpanded.Barralcontinuestoincorporateother systemsof thebody intohiswork;not too longago itwasnerves, andwithvisceral vascularmanipulation, it is thecardiovascular system.General listeningand local listening still apply. Now,however,youmightbedrawntoanarteryorvein rather thananorgan,membrane,orsuspensoryligament.Acommonthreadthroughoutvisceralvascularmanipulationistheimportanceofproperbloodflowtotheinternalorgans.

Thebook startswith ageneral overviewof the cardiovascular system, beginningfromthemacro–theheart–andthentheyendtheirexplorationwiththemicrolevelofarterioles,venules,andcapillaries.AsaRolfer,Iamalwaysantsytogettothemeat

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ofthematter,thetechniquesorthe“how”ofeffectingchange.Thatsaid,Iappreciatedtherichexplorationof thecardiovascularsystem’sanatomyandwhatitisexactlyweareworkingon,andhowitworks.Nottomentionthatitiswonderfultosimplybeinaweof thebody’s inherent complexityandbeauty.

Next, Barral and Croibier discuss thephysiology,homeostasis,andpathologiesof the cardiovascular system.All threechaptershelpde-mystifythehealthyinnerworkingsofthecardiovascularsystemaswell as its commonpathologies. In theirdescriptions of physiology, Barral andCroibierlayoutineasy-to-understandtermsboththesympatheticandparasympatheticregulationofthecardiovascularsystem.Itdoesn’ttakelongtograspthetollahighlychargedsympatheticnervoussystemwillhave on both the heart and circulationin general. Their chapter on pathologyisparticularlyhelpful to identifydeeperproblems beyond our scope of practiceandalsowhenmanual therapymightbecontraindicated.

FinallywegettotheprinciplesandpracticeofVM.Here,onceagain,I tipmyhattoBarral andCroibier for creating a bookwith such splendid and easy-to-readillustrationsthatmakelifemucheasierforpractitioners.Thereisplentytoexploreandlearn, andnothaving todecipherblack-and-white scribbles for illustrations is agreathelp.Theauthorsdiscuss avarietyof techniques that address amyriad ofdifferent anatomical landmarks: on oneendof the spectrumwe learn techniquesthataffectthesizableaorticarch,andattheotherendtheyteachtreatmentofthepetiteposteriorauriculararteryoftheear.Barralseemstogetmoreandmorecreativewithhis techniques,which invites us to beinnovative and efficient in ourpracticesaswell.

Insomeways,IwishBarralandCroibierwould go into even greater anatomicaldetail, yet, it’s important to rememberthatVisceral Vascular Manipulationsisbutaspringboardforustoexploreandco-createthisfascinatingmodality.

Manual Therapy for the Prostate by Jean-Pierre Barral (NorthAtlanticBooks,2010)

Reviewed by Jim Allbaugh Certified Rolfer

aboutneighboringstructures,whethertheyarearteries,nerves,orotherorgans.ThosefamiliarwithBarral’sworkwillunderstandthe importance of an organ’s neighborsand their functional and dysfunctionalrelationships.Barralmakesitclearinthisbook and others that he is not a fan ofpractitionersspecializinginoneareaofthebodyover another.WithManual Therapy for the Prostate,Ionceagainappreciatehisholisticapproachtomanualtherapy.EventhoughBarrallooksatvariouspathologiesof theprostate, hismain focus is on theenlargementoftheprostateitself,andthesomatic symptoms thatmay follow. Intreatingtheprostate,Barraldoesnotclaimthatthesizeoftheadenomacanbereversed,butnotesthatthedysfunctionaleffectsofanenlargedprostatepossiblycanbe.Hisgoalsandintentionsarenoble.Howcantheenlargementoftheprostatebeaddressedwithoutnecessarilyutilizing surgery? Itturnsoutthataddressingthepathologiesof theprostatecanbe . . . tricky.MostofthetechniquesdescribedinManual Therapy of the Prostateutilizetherectumforaccess,andasRolfersweareethicallyandlegallyboundnottoutilizesuchtechniques.

That said, Barral does provide somemethodsthatarewellwithinourscopeofpracticeasstructuralintegrators.Externaltechniques are discussed that addressotherstructuresaroundtheprostate,thusindirectlyaffectingtheprostateitself.Thesestructures include thekidneys, obturatorand gemellus muscles, sacrosciaticligaments, the bladder, and the lumbarspine. Inunderstanding these structuresandtheirrelationshipwiththeprostate,wecanperhapsuse“long-lever”techniquestoaffecttheprostateitself.Utilizingmotilityoftheprostateisalsodiscussed.

Near the end of the book, Barral alsodiscusseshowemotionsaffectorgansandviceversa,which Igreatlyappreciated. Ihopehedoesthismoreoftenwithfuturepublications.

PerhapsBarralwillwritemorebooksthatfocusprimarilyonotherparticularorgans–liver,kidneys,lungs,heart,etc.?Thatwouldbewonderful.

ManyRolfersuse visceralmanipulation(VM) asdevelopedbyFrenchosteopathJean-PierreBarraltohelptheirclientsfindstructural integrity.VMhelps the bodyfindfunctionalandstructuralhomeostasisbyaddressingdysfunctions in thebody’svisceral, nervous, vascular, urogenital,digestive and respiratory systems. InManual Therapy for the Prostate,Barrallaysoutaveryconciseandthoroughdescriptionoftheprostate–itsanatomy,pathology,andpossible treatment.Hisviewpoint is thatof an osteopath.He considers structure,buthis emphasis in thisparticular bookisprimarilywiththerenewedhealthandvitalityoftheprostate,andnotnecessarilystructural integrityper se.Nevertheless,therearethingsIfoundtobeofvalue.

First off, the illustrations aredescriptive,accessible,andcontainagreatamountofdetail.(ForreaderswhoarefamiliarwithearliereditionsofBarral’sVMbooks,sayThe Thorax orUrogenital Manipulation, Iwant tonote that the illustrations inhismore recent publications are far better.)Besides describing the anatomy of theprostate,Barralalsogoesintogreatdetail

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