Overview

The author presents a 12 page exploration of some misconceptions by briefly defining the scope of Structural Integration(SI) practice, and presenting a general outline of Dr. Rolf's central contribution, the multi-session protocol of the Structural Integration 'Recipe' and the somatic balance it is designed to evoke. The variations among various current Structural Integration programs is explored, and an alternate version of the SI protocol based on longitudinal myofascial continuities is also presented. This article is described as the first in a series about SI which will briefly review the Rolf recipe as a whole before examining variations among SI schools. It will also include a more extended explanation of the author's own attempt at a contribution, the 12-session recipe based on the Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians.

The article concludes: (1) the recipe protocol, not the techniques themselves, distinguishes SI from other forms of manual intervention/somatic education, and (2) this recipe is (at the very least) the major tool for inducting the beginning practitioner into a reasonable practice of SI in the short time currently practical for training, and (3) differing versions of the recipe are being taught, each as the 'true gospel'. Thus, it is time to put the recipe on the table and give it a good long look from various angles.