What is Structural Integration

Structural Integration. is a science, an art and a discipline of self-development created by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Because of the vastness, breadth of its potential and its uniqueness for each practitioner and recipient, it can be a challenge to articulate. It is truly an experiential process. In its broadest sense, Structural Integration is the objective process by which one comes to balance with the earth's gravitational field along a vertical axis or line. Subjectively it is a process of awareness.

Dr. Rolf chose the name for her system of transformation ingeniously. All organisms have components that exhibit spatial relationships. It is through organizing and enhancing the efficiency of the components' relationships and interactions that the structure becomes integrated into an organic whole. As with a family, all of the members need to be strong and responsible individuals that are willing to contribute their unique gifts to allow the family as a whole to not only survive, but also thrive. Likewise, it is through evoking the strength and potential of the body's separate entities while enhancing their communications and relationships that the full potential of the body is unfolded. Structural Integration is a process of differentiation and integration. Although Dr. Rolf named her system of body transformation Structural Integration, she did lend her last name to her method, thereby allowing Rolfing and Structural Integration to be one and the same.