Structural Integration is a type of bodywork that focuses on the connective tissue, or fascia, of the body. Fascia surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, organs, and nerves, binding some structures together while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other.
Fascia is designed to be elastic and move freely with muscles and bones. Injury, stress, work-related repetitive movements and the effects of ageing can cause fascia to lose its elasticity and become shorter, tighter, and more dense. Tightened fascia pulls our muscles and skeleton out of proper alignment and posture, which can cause pain, discomfort, and fatigue.
Structural Integration works to lengthen, stretch, and soften this tissue to restore postural balance, ease of movement, and a feeling of being more at home in your own body. It is practised in an organised series of sessions or individual sessions within a framework that is designed to restore postural balance by aligning and integrating the body in gravity.
Click here to learn the benefits of Structural Integration.
Structural Integration is based on the work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf. It is practised by persons trained in Structural Integration at schools and institutions in accordance with the standards established by the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI).
Click here to read an article written by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine on the Origins of Structural Integration
Click here to view some of the Pioneers of Structural Integration teaching the generations who follow them.
There are a number of Schools Worldwide who train people to become Structural Integration Practitioners. Listed below are the schools and the qualification students carry after graduation.
Anatomy Trains Structural Integration - Anatomy Trains Structural Integration Practitioner
Australian School of Applied Structural Integration & Somatic Studies - Structural Integration & Somatic Studies Practitioner
European Guild For Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner - EGSI
Hellerwork Structural Integration® - Hellerwork Structural Integration Practitioner aka Hellerworker
Institut fur Strukturelle Korpertherapie - Structural Integration Practitioner
Institute of Structural Medicine™ - ISM Structural Medicine Specialist™
Institute for Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner
International School of Structural Integration - Basic Training of Rolf’s Method of Structural Integration
Japanese Institute of Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner - JISI
Morales Method® Academy of Structural Integration - Morales Method® Structural Integration Practitioner
Neuro Movement Integration® - NMI Structural Integration Practitioner
New School of Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner
Soma Institute of Neuronal Integration® - Certified Soma Practitioner® / Advanced Soma Practitioner®
The Rolf Institute - Certified Rolfer™/ Advanced Rolfer™ / Rolf Movement Practitioner™
The Guild For Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner - GSI
CLOSED
Crestone College of Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner
Northwest Center for Structural Integration - Structural Integration Practitioner
The International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI) is the professional membership organisation for Structural Integration. Founded in 2002, IASI sprang up as a grassroots organisation from within the profession to set standards, move towards certification, insure continuation of a professional identity, and promote Structural Integration’s continued growth as a respected profession in the healthcare field.
All Structural Integration Practitioners listed on this site have been trained by one of the IASI recognised training schools who have met IASI accreditation standards.
Click here to view all the Training schools and their lineage from Dr. Ida Rolf.
Browse through profiles of those significant in developing our knowledge of fascia. If you would like to nominate a Pioneer of Fascia Research, please email angela@si-directory.com.
If you would like to learn more about Fascia Research click here to visit the Fascia Research Society
Thank you to source IASI.
