Structural Integration Private Sessions
Having founded Body Balance Yoga Functional & Structural Yoga Therapy in 2001, Jenny is a Certfied Structural Integrator who maintains an active practice offering private sessions in Structural Integration and therapeutic bodywork in the greater Annapolis, Maryland area.
As a manual and movement therapist, Jenny is a Certified ATSI Structural Integrator with specialties in visceral manipulation, visceral & peripheral nerve therapy and osteopathic listening. The Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (ATSI) method of Structural Integration, as developed by Thomas Myers (advanced Rolfer, anatomist and author of Anatomy Trains), is an evolved approach to Structural Integration which uses advanced myofascial techniques to remove restrictions in the fascial system and involves movement re-education to restore function and balance to our structure as a whole. Structural Integration is based on the pioneering work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf.
What is Structural Integration?
Structural Integration (SI) is a holistic system which works with the soft tissue and uses movement re-education. It was developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, a biochemist who found that she could achieve changes in posture and structure by manipulating the body's connective tissue. She called her work 'Structural Integration.'
What are the benefits of Structural Integration?
- Improves posture
- Improves flexibility
- Increases breath
- Healthier spine
- Better joint function
How is Structural Integration different from massage therapy, chiropractic or osteopathic techniques and other hands-on techinques?
Be aware that Structural Integration is not massage therapy or a deep tissue technique. Massage therapy focuses on muscle tissue. Chiropractic and osteopathic techniques use boney manipulations. Structural Integration is vastly different and is a more holistic approach to the body. Structural Integration works by releasing and reorganizing your body's fascia. Visceral manipulation assists functional and structural imbalances throughout the body in order to help relieve symptoms of pain, dysfunction and poor posture. Visceral and peripheral nerve therapy is a special listening technique that encourages normal mobility, tone, blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and neural regulation of internal organs and surrounding tissues. Osteopathic Listening is a powerful and highly specialized technique that listens to and understands the body's subtle messages through palpation. In comparison to other bodywork techniques, Structural Integration actually addresses the fundamental cause of the imbalance in the first place.
What is fascia?
Fascia is the connective tissue that forms a web-like network throughout your entire body. It surrounds your muscles, bones, organs and joints providing support, protection and structure. Problems arise when the fascia becomes too fibrous and hardened. Over time this creates restrictions that lead to strain and compensation patterns that affect entire muscle groups and, given enough time, your whole body. Fascia is truly the fascinating biological fabric and glue that holds us together. Long ignored, the fascial system is now getting its rightful due of attention, from both therapists and researchers.
What is a typical Structural Integration session like?
After the client intake process and an initial examination of your posture and movement, you will be asked to sit or lie on a massage table. During a session, you and Jenny will work on every part of your body. Just as no one part of the body functions in isolation, no part malfunctions in isolation. Structural Integration addresses the overall patterns of the body and the relationship of the parts to the whole - how they fit, work and function together. Each session is designed to meet your individual needs. With a series of treatments, each session focuses on certain areas of the body and each session builds on the other to reach the most therapeutically efficient treatment results.
What should I wear?
Underwear, two-piece swim suits, loose fitting shorts and sports bras are recommended to provide a comfortable level of modesty and access to all of the areas which may require therapeutic attention. Please avoid strong smelling perfumes or lotions.
