The Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (ATSI) “brand” of Structural Integration is different from other comparable trainings such as those offered by the Rolf Institute, Hellerwork, or the Guild for Structural Integration.
ATSI uses a wide “vocabulary” of touch, not just deep work, to evoke lasting and progressive change in body pattern. ATSI’s method of “bodyreading” (visual analysis) is logical and coherent, unfolding the skill step-by-step.
ATSI’s “recipe” for the unfolding of the sessions is based around the Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians. ATSI proceeds from a deep understanding of “issues in tissues” (the emotional underpinnings of patterns in body carriage and tension), hence our tagline, “Map the pattern, shape the change”.
Basing the sessions around the body’s myofascial continuities ensures that
- The entire body is covered through the series.
- Clear session strategies allow for individual patterns and preferences.
- Our work is easily explainable to other health professionals. The ATSI training has the same “open inquiry” ambience that characterizes the Anatomy Trains weekends and unfolds as a “relaxed intensive.”
Especially for chronic and long-held patterns, it is not enough to release the muscular holding, though that is definitely a good start. Freeing and repositioning the fascial fabric, along with re-integrating the movement patterns so that they stay easily in their proper positioning, is the job of ATSI.
In this sense, ATSI could be seen as a companion to osteopathic or chiropractic care, but instead of thrusting the bones back into place, we adjust the fascial ‘guy-wires’ so that they stay in place – the new alignment simply becomes part of who you are, not something you have to work at or repeatedly see a practitioner to maintain.