Shake Hands With Gravity

 Shake Hands With Gravity

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"Our Man In Gravity"

 "Our Man In Gravity"

What's going on here? Not what you may think. But, what is anything what anyone thinks, anyway. No, it's not a hair styling. It involves the hair though. But, not only.

Here's the skinny ...

It's a new twist — please enjoy the unfoldment of that pun — on the classic approach to Human healthy balance. That would be your Dr. Ida P. Rolf Structural Integration. You know, balancing the arrangement of the body with the Gravitational Field of the Earth. That one.

There are a few important aspects of understanding how in the heck you can even transform the arrangement of the body from one of random disorder to one of balanced order.

First, what kind of order are we after in the first place? The human body, like any friggin' structure on this planet lives under the influence of Gravity. Simply put, that means things have to be stacked up vertically, with symmetries side to side, and levels front to back. That's basic Anatomical Design. Well understood. That's basic Physics. Also, well understood. 

So there's Gravity. You're in it; but, are you with it? If you take a look around you'll see the answer for yourself ... not so much. A whole lot of folks live in default of their natural potential for upright bodily balance. Why? We grow bigger and stronger as we mature, structure — how things fit and work in relation to one another — that's learned. We're shaped by our experience. Bad habits, unresolved accidents and traumas, insufficient learning, modelling after significant others who may not manifest adequate balance themselves. All that ... we arrive in adulthood with random imbalances and their compensations welded into the fabric of our bodies. Ouch!

Good news! The human body is plastic. Just like it took shape, it can be reshaped. That's were Dr. Ida P. Rolf Method Structural Integration comes in. 

But, we're way past that folksy hand jive. Read on.

But first ... there's another important thing that relates directly to the case in hand. The soft connective Fascial tissue system. Fascia is the organ of structure. It keeps everything in its place. It maintains relationships. Fascia is a protien-rich, micro-fibrous tissue which is ubiquitous and continuous throughout the body. It goes from the outermost layer of the skin all the way fused to the bones. It wraps and interpenetrates everything ... muscles and organs. Your brain. It is the medium of transfer for nutrients and carries circulation and nervous function. It's everywhere, man! All the way down to the cell walls. Maybe even into the cells themselves.

The thing is to visualize this three dimensional Fascial matrix of support and communication. Think of the pulp and segments of Citrus. It's like that. It's what give your body its shape.

Ain't it something? Who knew? Until very recently the Fasciae were considered not much more that stuffing, filler. Now there's the field of Fascial Studies, and lots of research into it's properties and new understanding about its therapeutic significance.

So now for the big reveal. That photo at the head of this article is a new twist on the classic approach which uses guided movement and touch. Usually in a series of sessions, all pointed to transforming the arrangement of the body into that simple balance which Gravity requires.

Since the Fasciae are continuous and plastic, shouldn't it be possible to pull on one end and get a line of connection to respond all the way at the other end? You betcha! Head bone connected to the toe bone kind of thing.

The new, as yet unnamed approach is just as pictured above. The idea is that we pull the hair in a prescribed and very precise manner, and the body responds owing to the fascial lines of connections. Sort of like the guy during the Nixon era, Chuck Colson. He famously said, "If you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will surely follow". 

Early iterations of this technique looked like this:

Effective, but cumbersome. And, not so attractive. You had to leave those things on your head for the duration of the multi-week processing.

If you refer back to the image at the top you'll see the whole thing is revamped. There's still the hair rollers, albeit much smaller. The kicker is the gizmo. Who doesn't like a gizmo? In fact the gizmo is the selling point. Gotta have an appliance, don't we? 

That gizmo thingy is state of the art electronics driven by a proprietary algorithm that calculates and sets tensions hair stand, by hair strand. This thing is so precise, just for fun sometimes we crank it to the limit and marvel at how the toe curl. Toe by toe. This thing is granular plus, plus. Nose out of joint? You'll have that appendage front and center pronto. Men! A little short in the nether department? Give that little fellow some slack, be the stud you wanna be! 

Rolf Talks Golf

Rolf Talks Golf

I channeled Ida Rolf. What?...Who?...Whether or not you’re into such stuff or whether you give a hoot about the game of golf, please read on. Dr. Rolf says makes some sense. Even for the non-golfer.

Dr. Ida P. Rolf founded Structural Integration. She had solid scientific credentials in Bio-Chemistry. She researched the causes and cures of chronic disease. Out of her findings she developed and then taught a unique approach to human health and well being. Her teaching now lives on in several accredited schools. 

The main goal of Structural Integration is to restore and evolve the body to its natural balance along the lines of Gravity. It is possible to do this because the human body is plastic; it can change. And, just like any other structure on this earth, the human body is subject to the force of Gravity. So it makes sense that when the body is more symmetrical and stacked up vertically it should work better. Right?

As a long-time student of the work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf I think I may have imbibed at least a little of her essence. That’s where the channeling stuff comes in. Who knew? In the spot where I work her picture looms just over my shoulder. Listen to what she whispered into my ear. (Why golf? One of my friends who I’m inviting to come in for Structural Integration is a golfer. So relating the work to his interest was on my mind. Even if you’re not a golfer, see if what she says doesn’t also apply to you in some way.)

Ida was famously blunt in pointing out that most people live out of balance with respect to the demands of Gravity. In her words, “they are at war with Gravity.” (If you look at yourself and others you’ll see whether what she is saying is true.)

Ok, Dr. Rolf, what’s on your mind?

“I just don’t get it about those golfers. All that fuss about pushing a little ball around on the grass. To each his own. They spend so much time and so much money on what not and whatever. Lessons. Books. Equipment. Play, play, play. Practice, practice, practice. Well, I will concede all that gets some improvement by and by. Some, anyway. By … and … by.

The one thing that those … duffers … haven’t seemed to have stumbled upon is taking a good long look at the complete picture. The body itself and how it’s put together is a big part of what goes into the game. The human body in structural terms is supposed to work with the force of Gravity. That calls for architectural balance — symmetry and verticality. But, if you bother to look, you’ll see that the average person lives with the centers of Gravity of the major segments of the body slipped out from the central axis. As for symmetry…you may have an arm and a leg on each side, but how different they are! Goodness, gracious! A lot of energy, time, and expense is invested in lessons and equipment trying to compensate for some of those obvious but unrecognized physical imbalances. 

Why not do something to get the body itself into proper alignment in the first place! I didn’t make this stuff up, folks. I didn’t create a problem just so I would have something to fix. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. See for yourself what I’m talking about.

Your body is in balance or it isn’t. Usually a little of both. People at the top of their game in athletics and the arts already know how important cultivating physical balance is. How about the average Joe … And Joanne? If you were a putter, would anybody buy one? Would you? Are you hoping for yet another design gimmick so you can go get another big bucks driver?

So if I’ve offended your tender ego by suggesting that you take a firm grasp of the obvious, get over it. Suck it up and do something about it. You don’t have to go see David. He’s a nice boy, but he’s big bucks. Just think about what I’m telling you. You’ll know what to do. Your aunty Ida loves you. Now straighten up!”

Whew! Thank you Dr. Rolf, ma’am. You said what I was afraid to say myself. Thanks for the compliment too. I think.

 

"Gravity Ace" Q&A [3]

QUESTIONER [Q]: So let’s get into it some more. Tell me all about this Dr. Ida P. Rolf Method Structural Integration thing.

“GRAVITY ACE” [“GA”]: It’s an approach.

[Q]: Approach? To what?

[“GA”]: Toward true balance.

[Q]: Is it the only one?

[“GA”]: There's only one true balance. Gravity pretty much has spoken the last word on that point. As far as approaches go, it's the only one I know. To be sure, everything you do that's good for you goes toward balance. Indirectly. "An Apple a day." This approach is peerless and definitive. It deals directly with the issue of balance of the body as such. 

[Q]: Oh. I see. That business about Gravity, and living in alignment with its requirements. But what is the approach itself? How’s it work? What gives?

[“GA”]: It's 10 sessions. Which add up to a dozen.

[Q]: Huh? How do I get a dozen?

[“GA”]: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. See what I did right there? I got you engaged.

[Q]: Tricky, bugger!

[“GA”]: Actually, there are two sessions after the 10 series you do on your own. 

The first of of those is when you get home and go about doing what you do and you start to notice the changes resulting from your more in-balance body. First, you see what you got. Kind of like taking home the new car and digging it in the driveway. 

Second, you start to use your new skills. Not just that the body has become more efficient with fewer inner frictions, but also how you can literally choose moment to moment between balance and imbalance.

[Q]: On that second one. Choice?

[“GA”]: Presumably, now that you know the direction of balance you also now have the choice to go there. Or, not. The key is "loose and natural". Not rigid. If you wanna slouch, enjoy it. Just don't make it a habit. Actually, you should also be tuned in to the signals the body gives when it is out of balance. Just like that pang of conscience when you're a bad boy. Ouch!

[Q]: What if I don't get it?

[“GA”]: You might be one of those who drag around a long held position that nothing works. I don't work with people for whom nothing works. What's the point? Noting works. But, if you are open to that level of self-inquiry and discovery, then we can work together. You have to want to clean the plate I cook up for you. And, so you should know, as a cook, I'm not bad.

[Q]: So, those10 sessions. All the same?

[“GA”]: Yes, and no. 

The sessions are similar in the sense that each one focuses on that one main goal: inculcating what we respectfully refer to as The Line. An imaginary but real line where the center vertical axis of your body matches up with how Gravity acts; you guessed it ... in a line. Your body arrangement working constructively with Gravity ... that's “Structural Integration”.

[Q]: How do I know I can trust you?

[“GA”]: Trust yourself! From what I've already said, does it make sense to you? Do you want to look into it further? Try it?

One of the huge imbedded teachings in this Structural Integration of mine is honoring your innate intelligence and power of choice. If you like what you've heard so far, maybe give a first session a try. The results happen right away. If it doesn't click, you don't have to continue. And, if it doesn't click, actually I won't want to continue with you. In such an event, it could be that we don't click, the two of us. We work on that too in the first session. But, if at the end you are clueless, I'm not your boy. I do think the work would do you a world of good, but maybe with someone else. Not everybody is my customer.

[Q]: Well, how are the sessions different?

[“GA”]: Each session teaches you something. Not very much at all in realm of what we call “book learning”. Words and concepts. No. It's really more experiential. Like the simple recognition of what's so; like you know if you’re on the beach, or in the water. That kind of knowing. You feel it. Same way you know you exist.

[Q]: Again. What’s the difference one session to the other?

[“GA”]: Each session builds on the other. There’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. [Like a dinosaur. Ha, ha.] Each session has it's own goal(s). And, by the way, in light of the individual session goals, there are obvious territories in the body where the contact and coaching are focused. 

[Q]: Contact and coaching?

[“GA”]: I use my hands. Think of them as pointers. Like, "Feel that there?" "Let's move it there." "Now there." Maybe fingers as lights, revealing what's there. And, by "what's there" we're referring to how it feels. Your felt sense of things. The coaching is about suggesting a movement(s) which engage and leverage with my manual contact; or, sometimes just to have you notice what's what. It's really very simple. Touch your nose. Feel that? Like that.

You know how it's said that we only use a small percentage of our brain. I believe it's also true with the body. Think of the process as also getting to know the territory. New places to discover.

Here’s the progression and the themes/takeaways of the Sessions: Read each one as something you grock ...

[Q]: That's upside down!

["GA"]: The order is that way to indicate that the direction if "up". Just start at the beginning, and contemplate each of the themes. The images are there for what it's worth; my own doodles.

[Q]: One final question [for now]: Does it hurt?

["GA"]: It'll cost you everything you don't have. When do you want to start?

"Gravity Ace" Q&A [2]

QUESTIONER [Q]: So you do what? “Rolf Structural Integration” you call it? What’s it?



“GRAVITY ACE” [“GA”]: It’ll show you how to be yourself.


 [Q]: But I am myself!



[“GA”]: Indeed. Excuse me. My bad. So, let me ask you, how you doin’? How you likin’ it?



[Q]: You you’re gonna tell me how I should be?



[“GA”]: Yes. And, no.



[Q]: C’mon, man. Throw me a bone!



[“GA”]: I’m not going to tell how you should be, just give you a map for how you can get there, with a clear view of the road ahead. Well, not even "give". The map is already there, maybe let's say I encourage you to look at it.



[Q]: What in the Effen-Ef are you talking about?

[“GA”]: The work I do is typically formatted as a Ten-Session Series. In each session goal is the same: to spend that hour looking for a straight vertical line. Dr. Ida P. Rolf pointed to it as the central vertical axis of the human body. And, suggested that it is meant to match the simple Line of Gravity. Her approach basically nudges you toward that Universal standard. 



 [Q]: That’s it?

[“GA”]: Well, along with that verticality, there’s the necessary symmetries side to side; and corresponding levels front to back.



[Q]: Then what?

[“GA”]: You pay me. And, I say bye, bye. The light will be on if you want to return.

[Q]: So you want I should make an appointment?

["GA"]: I want you to decide for yourself. I have an opening tomorrow at 2 PM. Shall I book you in?

"Gravity Ace" Q&A [1]

QUESTIONER [Q]: Tell me, where does this Structural Integration you talk about fit into the grand scheme of things.

“GRAVITY ACE” [“GA”]: Right in the dead nuts middle. Between your knees, and between your eyes.


[Q]: What am I supposed to do with that!


[“GA”]: You can go and find yourself there. Living centered on the Line that is present right here, right now; that Line is anchored to the center of the Earth and reaches out to the limit of Cosmic Infinity, and back.


[Q]: Is this some kind of “spiritual” stuff?


[“GA”]: Of course. What’s not spiritual? If you want to talk “spiritual”, how about imagining living in true balance on Planet Earth. We can call it living the journey of Atonement.


[Q]: Atonement!


[“GA”]: I’m referring to The Atonement. The Path of healing the separation. Some might call it The Purification. The Great Rebalancing. The Tao. "Goin' with the flow".


[Q]: And Structural Integration comes in ... how?


[“GA”]: Living in simple “plumb and square” architectural body alignment. That puts you in right relationship to Mother Earth. Not separate. Get it? You walk the Earth kindly, as a steward of the great garden of nature and friend to all sentient beings. Really, it’s simply being yourself.


[G]: Myself? What else could I be?


[“GA”]: Indeed. Yes. How you likin' it? There may be those parts of yourself which may no longer be necessary, unhelpful, and inefficient, deficient. Old, unnecessary baggage. That past stuff needs to go for you to truly be yourself.


[G]: Okay, how do I do that?


[“GA”]: Spend some regular time sitting quietly. Just that. See what happens. As things may happen [thoughts, feelings], just sit in choiceless awareness. What should stay will stay, what will go will go. Automatic. Easy Peasy.


[Q]: Just like that?


[“GA”]: Bingo! Just try it. You’ll see.


[Q]: And, Structural Integration?


[“GA”]: It helps the process to be in balance.

[Q]: I get it. So now I should see someone like you to get into that process?


[“GA”]: Perish the thought! Sure, someone like me has skills to apply to assist you in finding your true balance. But, human beings have an innate capacity to heal. Including healing body imbalances. If you look at all those past conditionings that are not working from the point of view that they shape your experience, they shape you ... then do it yourself. Let go of past stuff that doesn’t work. The body goes along and will find its balance automatically.


If you want a hand, you know who to call.