Technique

“There is no body that is not mind, and no mind that is not body.” – Gabor Mate

Ida Rolf the creator of the 10 series of Structural Integration, had a Ph.D. in biochemistry and physiology from Columbia University, received in 1920. In her pursuits to find a solution to family health problems she began to study the way that structure impacts function within the body. She was influenced initially by her practice of yoga, and later by Osteopathy, and the Alexander Technique. She found that rebalancing the body could relieve pain, improve general function, and improve psychological well-being. 

The Soma Institute of Structural Integration was created by Bill Williams in 1977, he trained with Ida Rolf and worked as a Rolfer and a Psychologist. Bill saw the importance of the mind to body connection in the healing process. He witnessed the increased potential for lasting change when the transformation of the bodymind was addressed. Additionally when the client was able to stay present with the experience, and wasn’t overwhelmed with pain, the work had more profound impacts. The work was further evolved my Marcia Nolte and Karen Bolesky as the movement work expanded, and the philosophy and methods of the work deepened. Today the school is in the skilled hands of Jesse Guerrero and Kelsi Giswold. Soma is in the lineage of Dr. Ida Rolf, and is certified by the International Association of Structural Integrators, IASI. There is a video about the program here