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Structural Integration is a wholistic approach to somatic education involving manual therapy, that

explores the possibility of change in how you use and experience your body. Through education, awareness, and therapeutic touch, you can release painful, stressful patterns of tension. Effortful habits are replaced with feelings of comfort, ease of movement and posture, and a sense of whole-body coherence.

Using manual techniques practitioners mold the human structure by lengthening, broadening, differentiating, lifting, opening or even awakening connective tissue that is short, stuck, positioned long, asleep or ‘glued’ onto other tissue or bone. We user fingers, hands or forearms to gently sculpt your body around a vertical line of gravity. We use movement reeducation and language that encourages awareness to help you find the best place for you to be in gravity.

As we work to differentiate, broaden or lengthen poorly organized connective tissue planes (also called myofascial meridians) we help your body make sense of this new organization, working broadly across your pelvic and shoulder girdles. Then we gently drape your arms over your more integrated structure. The work is applied sensitively and with full client participation. Each session ends with gentle balancing work and includes some movement reeducation.

Skillful touch brings relief from pain and discomfort, and awareness of how you’re holding and using your body. As I help you inquire into how you relate with your body and environment, you may come to recognize patterns of tension that no longer serve you, and discover new options for movement, posture, self-care, and your overall physical experience. Rather than treating symptoms, I work to help your body integrate internally between systems, and externally toward your life’s challenges.

You will be encouraged to fully participate in the work.  So I will cue you to move in subtle ways to draw connective tissue through my shaping pressure. During the work you may be lying on a therapy table with your knees up or just flat, seated on a bench, standing or walking.

Benefits of Structural Bodywork Reasons for:

Increased flexibility Poor posture

Increased range of motion Chronic pain issue

Increased athletic performance Movement/Mobility Restrictions

Improved body awareness

3-Series Structural Bodywork

The intention of a 3 session series is to initiate change for the better in your posture, movement, your energy, and knowledge of how the body works. The 3-Series is a great introduction to structural bodywork. Maybe you have postural issues related to sitting at a computer or from past injuries; it’s also great for those who would like to fine tune, or have better mobility in their already athletic body; yoga practitioners who can’t quite get into that twist on one side or need a further range for your arms. Hockey or golf players who want to improve on their swing/shots; or you just want more ease in your own body in general. These sessions endeavor to illuminate possible causes of difficulties in troubles area which may have been previously overlooked or discounted.

They are a collaborative process between myself (the practitioner) and you (the client). It’s a conversation. Let’s be curious and together find more options for movement. We work on improvements in body awareness, alignment, soft tissue organization, tissue hydration and homeostatic balance. The goal is integration.

The 3 series uses the principles of Structural Integration to integrate the pelvic girdle, shoulder girdle and spine. Each session ends with gentle balancing work. Clients often leave each treatment feeling lighter or more grounded. 

What to expect for each session:

Session 1:

Balance the lower body-foot, knee, hip alignment and function-

Territory-Foot to 12th rib

Session 2:

Balance the upper body-

Rib cage & shoulder girdle relationship

Territory-Lesser trochanter to hands

Session 3:

Primary and secondary curves-

Flexion/extension

Sidebends and Rotations

Territory-Spine and it’s guy wires

How to prepare for a session:

You will want to come to each session completely fragrance free and with absolutely no moisturizers, lotions, creams or oils recently applied to your skin. Integration and corrective bodywork is best received when wearing underwear. While every effort is made to make you feel comfortable and warm, there will be times during a session you will be asked to stand and notice the pleasant changes occurring in your body. This is part of the therapy. Most women wear a bra or sports bra, that gives access to the back, and underwear. A 2 piece bathing suit or yoga shorts is also appropriate. Men receive the work in boxers or briefs. Lori’s techniques help engage the nervous system and the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to encourage lasting change. Sessions will be 75-90 minutes long.