Structural Integration is a practice aimed at transforming humans by systematically exploring the working relationships between segments of the body. Many of the workshops in our field consist of anatomy and techniques to be used in that anatomical territory. Practitioners accumulate techniques, and then are on their own in learning how to use them in the context of a session. At best, these techniques resolve some long standing issue that we’ve struggled with. At worst, they derail the session and breach trust with the client. In between, we experiment; we try techniques and wonder if they helped, or if there was something else going on. Structural Integration is not a science, but an art, which is reliant on some level of technique, but also something less quantifiable. The art of doing the work lies in the context and container of the methods we employ.

This workshop will require the participant to grapple with examining how we make decisions. We will explore this through the lens of Jeffery Maitland’s three questions: where do I start? what do I do next? and, how do I know when I’m done? We will explore ways in which the context and container of the session is built and maintained. Workshop participants will explore experiential practice from this perspective, and take some time to explore their own perspectives and biases. Participants will also have opportunities to trade short sessions as a component of this exploration.

Duffy Allen, MS has been practicing Rolfing structural integration and Rolf movement since 1995. She was a faculty member at DIRI for fifteen years. She particularly enjoys teaching from a place of curiosity and affirmation. Prior to embarking in the field, she was a scientist. Currently, she lives, practices, and teaches in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her favorite word is ineffable.