2024 is the year I made a deep commitment to myself—I signed up for a 300-hour course in Synergetic Structural Integration, a specialized form of myofascial therapy. If you're new to this type of work, it’s not your typical relaxation massage. Structural Integration involves active movement and works with the body’s fascial system to create lasting changes. While a single session can be beneficial, the real transformation happens in a recommended 10-session series. That's what I’m diving into now.
As part of my training, in the tradition of Ida Rolf, I’m required to receive the full 10-session series from a certified practitioner to fully understand and embody this work. That’s how I met Lew Braswell, who guided me through my first 10 sessions. After completing that series, I realized I was just scratching the surface. The progress was profound, but I knew I had so much more to uncover. And with my upcoming training, where I would both give and receive the 10-series with my class partner every weekend, I knew there was even more transformation ahead.
At the time of writing this, I’m 14 sessions deep into my journey with Structural Integration, and these sessions have been nothing short of transformative. One of the most surprising and powerful shifts has been reconnecting with my abdominal muscles. I hadn’t truly felt my abs in years, since becoming a mom years ago. I’d even go as far as to say I'd become numb to that part of my body, and long stopped hoping for any real change!
But through this work, I’m reconnecting with that part of me. I feel stronger, more integrated, and more at home in my body. It’s as though I’ve reclaimed this space within myself, and it feels incredible. My abdominals are finally supporting me in everything I do, even without any extra gym time or specific core workouts. It’s been the power of this Structural Integration, combined with intentional stretching and movements I weave into my daily life.
Another unexpected gift from this journey has been reconnecting with my pelvic floor. It’s been years since I’ve felt this level of strength and stability. My bladder, once a source of worry and discomfort, now feels strong and reliable. I don’t plan on jumping around all day (though it’s nice to know I could!), but the feeling of control and connection is empowering in ways I can hardly describe.
There are times now when I feel so aligned that I imagine myself as a balloon, floating effortlessly, with the string lightly dangling beneath. Here’s an example of what I mean: In the mornings, I like to wash my hair over the tub.. Lately, when I stand up afterward, I feel so aligned and weightless that it’s almost as if I could just keep floating up, up, up! The alignment I’m experiencing isn’t just physical; it’s mental and emotional, too. It’s a sense of balance that makes me feel like I can navigate life with a newfound grace and ease.
This journey isn’t just about physical transformation—it's about rediscovering my connection to myself. It feels like a homecoming, a profound reconnection with my body. I’m realizing that this body, my body, is a pretty cool place to hang out, and that realization alone is priceless.
Please stay tuned for the next two posts in this series, where I’ll continue to share my personal experience with Structural Integration. Namaste!
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