THE TEN SERIES
WHAT TO EXPECT.
Health History: One of the most important parts of getting to know you and your body’s needs is to do a health intake form. In the first session we will cover your health history and overall intentions and expectations of receiving structural Integration. The more detailed you can be about your health history, the better understanding I will have as to where your pain, tension and restriction of movement stems from.
Dialogue: In achieving overall balance it is very important to understand how one’s emotional state is reflected through the physical body. The dialogue of each session relates an emotional theme to the physical terrain and will explore stored trauma, thoughts, beliefs, memories and self awareness.
Structural Assessment: In each session, before we begin the hands on body work we will review any current changes your body is experiencing so we can acknowledge what is shifting and improving. I then do a visual and palpation assessment of standing, walking and sometimes seated position. I look at the body’s alignment, range of motion, movement and holding patterns in relation to the physical terrain of the session you are scheduled for. This gives me a greater idea of where we can achieve balance. It also provides you, the client, to become more attune with your body.
Movement Education: In order for the work we do together to evolve outside of our sessions I teach movement education. We review the ways in which you use your body that cause misalignment. For example, someone who works on a computer for hours a day will have to break the "slouching" posture to prevent the body from reverting back to its old ways. You will learn to use your body in daily life actives the most optimal way possible.
Bodywork: The majority of the sessions are spent doing hands on bodywork. By physically manipulating the fascia layer by layer, we can work to uncover the body’s natural alignment. The intention is to manipulate, organize and integrate the body in order to achieve structural balance.
Yoga Asana: In order to create flexibility and strength in the body we will infuse the sessions with different yoga poses that are specific to a client's needs.
“I have known Emily for several years. I have always admired and trusted her judgment. This is not only a testament to her amazing bodywork, but also to the amazing person that she is. “
— Hunter M
Check out testimonial page for more client testimonials.
The Sleeve Sessions
These are the superficial sessions. The “sleeve” of your body is the outer fascial layer. This is the part of your body that does the “doing”, the fast movements. You can think of it as a thin wet-suit just underneath your skin. The goal for these sessions is to open, lengthen, and organize these extrinsic layers. This will create space for the deeper layers to unwind and release.
Session 1 - Opening the Sleeve You will get a sense of lift in your body. Your breathing pattern will be addressed by releasing the superficial fascia of the ribs and thorax.
Session 2 - Support for the Body By working the terrain from the foot up to the pelvis, this session will impart a stable foundation and a sense of grounding. Your feet will be more fluid and adaptable as they support the vertical dimension in your body.
Session 3 - Lateral Line You will experience the dimension of depth (front to back balance) and freedom of the arms and shoulder girdle from the spine. The goal of this session will be achieved by working the lateral side line of the body.
The Core Sessions
Now that we have prepared the surface layers of the body through session 1-3 we are ready to enter the core sessions. These are the “deep” sessions. The core of your body is the inner fascial layer. It is where movement is initiated from, comprised of the postural stabilizing muscles. The goal of these sessions is to open, lengthen, and organize these intrinsic layers.
Session 4 - Medial Line We are establishing a medial midline in the body in which we can open up the core of the leg. We would like to achieve a balanced and responsive floor to the pelvis. You will experience more core support and lift in your body and start to get a sense of “the Line.” The line refers to a vertical axis that we visualize running from in-between the feet, up the spine and through the crown of the head, this line lifts and supports us in gravity.
Session 5 - Anterior Line You will extend your line of support up to the head along the front of the spine. This will further your sense of front-to-back balance in your body. You will also get a sense of leg movement from the core, rather than from the hips.
Session 6 - Posterior Line Here we aim to create more extension and fluidity of the spine. You will feel a sense of length in the front and the back of the core. You will experience movement from your legs to your undulating spine, this will lubricate joints and increase space between the vertebrae.
Session 7 - Adaptability You will feel the relationship of your head and neck as a fluid extension of your spine. We work to release the top of the core and align the cranium so it can receive support from the pre-vertebral line.
The Integrative Sessions
The first seven sessions are about taking the body apart to improve the flexibility and length of singular parts. The last cycle of sessions is about putting those individual parts back together into a restored, functioning whole. This is the place where the sleeve and the core meet and interact. You will begin to experience motion, initiated by your core layer, smoothly and efficiently transmit out through the sleeve layer of your body.
Session 8 - Structural Integration You will experience a secure foundation in the pelvis and legs to support the upper body, neck and head. We will take care of whatever imbalances are left and achieve length by unwinding rotations. This creates a sense of stability and adaptability in your body.
Session 9 - Functional Integration You will experience contralateral movement in your body. You will feel the transfer of motion and energy from the core to the sleeve. All movement will start to initiate from the lumbodorsal hinge -the area in front of the vertebral column at the mid to lower back.
Session 10 - Integration In the tenth session we put the body back together. You will have a sense of “the Line” and of everything being connected. You will have a full sense of your body in three dimensions and moving in any direction with equal ease. We add span to the joints and distance to the bones.
I understand the 10 series is not always feasible or timely for everyone. I also offer an abbreviated series of sessions as well as post series tune ups. For more information about these options please inquire via in person, at our contact page, email or phone.