Touching Into Presence

It was a pleasure to be Conversation today with Dr. Mark Olson.   Mark holds an M.A. in Education and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois, specializing in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuropsychology and Neuroanatomy. His research focused on memory, attention, eye movements, and aesthetic preferences. Dr. Olson is also a NARM® practitioner, aquatic therapist, former massage school director, and published author on chronic pain and trauma-informed care. He offers a variety of courses at http://Dr-Olson.com that provide neuroscientific insights into the human experience and relational skills training for professionals and curious laypersons.   In today's conversation, we explored how Mark's path weaves together neuroscience, bodywork, and a deep inquiry into what it means to touch, heal, and relate. We discussed how his early fascination with human behavior led him to neuroscience, and how a later immersion into massage revealed dimensions of psychological and relational change that traditional explanations couldn't fully capture. Mark shared insights on interoception, the role of C-tactile fibers in creating felt safety through human touch, and how neuroscience reframes concepts of trauma, posture, and therapeutic presence. Together, we questioned common narratives around “deep pressure,” “releasing trauma,” and “letting go,” highlighting the need for more nuanced, embodied, and trauma-informed approaches. Mark's work offers a bridge between hard science and heartfelt presence—a call to understand the nervous system not as a mechanical system to be fixed, but as a dynamic expression of relationship, history, and possibility. A thoughtful and integrative teacher, he invites us to move beyond surface models and into a richer, more compassionate way of seeing and supporting human experience.   You can find out more about Mark at http://www.Dr-Olson.com   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

It was a pleasure to be Conversation today with Konrad Obermeier. Konrad is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™ and Rolf Movement™ Practitioner based in Munich, Germany, where he also teaches anatomy for the Rolf Institute and offers advanced training in visceral and neurovascular work. Deeply influenced by the developmental movement of the embryo, Konrad's approach blends structure, intuition, and a reverence for the body's formative intelligence. He has spent over 25 years immersed in the work of Erich Blechschmidt, including a decade-long friendship with Blechschmidt's widow, Traute, who entrusted him with access to the original scientific writings. In today's conversation, we explored how embryology has shaped Konrad's way of seeing—less as a set of techniques and more as a perspective on life, development, and relational presence. We discussed how environment—not just genes—guides growth, the philosophical roots of structural understanding, and how concepts like pressure, tension, and form help reframe what it means to touch another human being. Konrad shared his views on morphology, modern science, and the joy of being in lifelong study. A humble and passionate teacher, he offers a way of thinking about structure not as fixed anatomy, but as movement shaped by relationship.   You can find out more about Konrad at http://www.konradobermeier.de   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today, I'm very excited to share this talk with Jörg Ahrend-Löns. Jorg is a certified Rolfer with over three decades of experience, having trained under esteemed practitioners such as Peter Melchior and Robert Schleip. He earned his certification in 1991 under Bill Smythe and Pedro Prado and completed his Advanced Training in 2002 with Jan Sultan and Michael Salveson. With a professional background in physiotherapy since 1982, Jorg brings a deep understanding of movement and structural integration to his work. From 2012 to 2023, he served as a faculty member at DIRI Europe before stepping into his current role as international representative and secretary on the DIRI Board.   The week before this call, Jörg and I had a call, which unfortunately at the end I realized that it had not been recorded I was definitely bummed to have not recorded it, as it was such a great call, and I was really looking forward to sharing that call out to the public. However, that call is now lost to time. What you hear today is our second call, which was equally great or even better. You will hear us talking about our previous call as a reference point and also as a fulcrum for growth in quite a few dimension.   I was just so very grateful for Jörg's time and wisdom today and I am really excited to share this talk as there are so many wonderful nuggets of wisdom here which can really create a space for deeper embodied being.   In today's talk, Jörg and I dove into the art of presence, resonance, and adaptability in client interactions. We explored how staying attuned to our surroundings—and even knowing when to forget—allows for a more fluid, effective response to the moment. We also unpacked structural integration, not just as a bodywork practice, but as a framework for understanding how physical structure, movement, and perception intertwine. When these elements align, they create space to acknowledge and work with deeper emotions like fear and worry, rather than bypassing them. Our conversation wrapped up with a reflection on the value of collegial dialogue in professional growth—and an exciting possibility of collaborating on an article.   You can learn more about Jörg at http://www.rolfing-goettingen.de If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Alan Richardson Alan is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner with a private practice in London, UK since 1998. He is also qualified as a craniosacral therapist. Richardson is passionate about knowing other cultures and languages, having lived in Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and Brazil. He has just returned to London after practicing in the south of Brazil for one year. Find out more about Alan at http://www.rolfing-london.co.uk Today's conversation was incredibly enriching for me and marks another episode in the Colleague's Corner branch of our podcast. Alan and I delved into our shared interests in embodiment, phenomenology, and trauma work, exploring how these concepts shape our practices as Rolfers and movement therapists. We examined the importance of considering the whole person—integrating subjective experience and lifestyle—while recognizing the potential for self-healing. Additionally, we discussed the challenges of conveying the value of embodiment and the need to balance intellectual inquiry with physical activity and emotional regulation.   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Zohrab Ajani   Zo is a Certified Rolfer and Certified Ayurvedic Wellness Consultant, combining Rolfing with traditional Ayurveda therapies and protocols. He currently has a practice on the island of Kauai.   Find out more about Zo at http://AZtribe.com   In today's talk we engaged in a wide-ranging conversation covering personal experiences, professional challenges, and approaches to therapy and bodywork. We discussed balancing work and family life, the importance of continuous learning and exploration in their our, and the value of connecting with clients on a deeper level through various techniques. The conversation touched on different modalities, including craniosacral therapy, Rolf movement, and meditation, emphasizing the importance of understanding underlying principles and adapting approaches to meet individual client needs.   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com   Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

It's been a while since the last conversation, so I wanted to share a quick update about what's been happening behind the scenes and what may be on the way. With significant personal life changes and a full practice now established in Boston, time has become more limited, but this podcast remains close to my heart. I discuss some upcoming changes, including a broader range of topics, potential new formats like “Colleagues' Corner,” and even exploring respectful disagreements with guests. I also share plans for transitioning older episodes to Patreon to help support the podcast's sustainability. Thank you for being part of this journey—your support means the world!

Today's conversation is with Bonnie Gintis, DO Bonnie lives in in northern Vermont. She has taught worldwide, addressing physicians and all people interested in exploring embodiment. She retired from Osteopathic private practice in 2009 and now devotes herself to teaching, writing, and exploring new ways to foster health and wellbeing. She is the author of Engaging The Movement Of Life: Exploring Health And Embodiment Through Osteopathy And Continuum. She is a 1986 graduate of New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she has also taught Osteopathic Principles and Practice. She has been a faculty member with the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation, the American Academy of Osteopathy, the European School of Osteopathy, The German Academy for Osteopathic Medicine, and Jim Jealous, DO. Bonnie has been a board member, faculty member and Course Director for The Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and was honored with Fellowship in the Osteopathic Cranial Academy (FCA) in 2015. Bonnie studied Continuum extensively with Emilie Conrad and taught in collaboration with her from 1997 until the time of her death in 2014. She was authorized by Emilie to teach Continuum, and now teaches a synthesis of all her areas of exploration and expertise. She has had more than 50 years of meditation practice, trained to be a teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and has explored many approaches to mindfulness within and outside of Buddhist traditions. Bonnie's innovative approach combines Osteopathy, Continuum's fluid movement exploration, and mindfulness, expanding the possibilities for experiencing health and embodiment and allowing for the development of perceptual skills to more deeply care for ourselves and others. https://osteopathyunplugged.com/ https://bonniegintis.com/   In today's talk discussed about what Osteopathy and Continuum are. We shared perspective on the importance of natural movement, meditation, and a holistic approach in professional practices. We also discussed ways to connect with Bonnie's work, including her wonderful book and her upcoming teaching schedule including a retreat at Kripalu in October. There was really so much territory we could cover her and I felt Bonnie did a great job to just scratch the surface without opening up too many wormholes to go down, as the topics are rather vast topics as we explore them more. I would highly recommend her book and her podcast to get a deeper sense into what Osteopathy and Continuum can be. They are practices which I am personally still so green about but have touched and changed me in profound ways. I hope if they can be supportive for you that you too can get more information to explore your inner workings through these ways of being.   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Don St John. Dr. Don St John is a psychotherapist, Continuum Fluid Movement teacher, author of the award winning Healing the Wounds of Childhood, and the revised Healing the Wounds of Childhood and Culture. He has been immersed in the psychological, somatic, relational, and spiritual worlds for more than fifty years. Dr. St John has a unique perspective on healing and human potential, having constructed a view that includes four essential and interrelated components: the Somatic (Body), the Psycho-Emotional, the Relational, and the Spiritual. Don and I had a lovely discussion where we shared our backgrounds, interests, and personal journeys. We spoke about an underutilization of resources that could benefit people, such as clinical treatments and philosophical and psychological concepts, how Hellerwork began, Continnum, Hannah Somatics, the importance of Dr Rolf's work, and a little discussion about the usage of the trademark of Rolfing. You can learn more about Don at www.pathsofconnection.com And find him on social media at the following locales. LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-st-john-36636a55 Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/don.s.john.90 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drdonstjohn If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g  

Today's conversation is with Mike Williams. Since 2008 Mike has been honored to guide clients on their journey to becoming a Soma Sapien, a person living from the integrated wisdom of body, mind and spirit. Together he assists you to transform chronic pain into the doorway to the next emerging version of you. Through Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology, Rolfing and decades of experience teaching and practicing diverse somatic and movement arts, your work together will help you learn how you operate physically, mentally, and emotionally, create new pathways forward that leverage both your innate gifts and your growth edges, and empower you on your journey forward through life. In today's talk we discussed Mike's career journey, the concept of mind-body coaching, and the complexities of working with clients. We also explored the principles and practices of Hakomi, the importance of mindfulness, and the value of humor in therapy. Lastly, we discussed the challenges and rewards of our roles, the significance of emotional connections in business relationships, and our ongoing personal and professional development. Another really fun talk with a like-minded colleague. You can learn more about Mike at www.somamike.com You can find him on IG / FB / LI: @somamikewilliams and on Youtube: @somamike If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Will Johnson. Will received his B.A., magna cum laude, in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University in 1968. After graduation, he worked for several years as an art critic in New York before moving to the west coast of North America where he began actively exploring gazing, moving, and sitting meditations. He became a Buddhist practitioner in 1972 and was trained as a Rolfer™ in 1976. He began the formal sharing of the practices of Embodiment Training in 1995. he's the author of 15 books (two of which won awards as “Best Spiritual Book of the Year.”) on the role of the body in spiritual awakening which can be ordered through your local bookseller or online at Will Johnson's Books . He and his wife (and partner in the practices) Coco live in Delicias, Costa Rica, just outside the little bohemian town of Montezuma at the southern tip of the Nicoya peninsula where they have created Bambu Hueco, the Hollow Bamboo Retreat Center where they welcome serious meditation students to enter into intensive 7-21 day self retreat. During these retreats, people have the opportunity to work closely with Will in their meditation practices and receive deep bodywork and dream sessions as support for their intensive practice. In today's talk we talked about Will's view of the state of SI schools today and the losing of a piece of the mystery that Dr Rolf alluded to. We discussed various aspects of the body, breath, and consciousness, including the potential benefits of meditation and body awareness practices. They also explored the importance of maintaining a meditative aspect in their work, the potential for holding space for others, and the importance of ongoing dialogue and mutual learning. You can learn more about Will at https://www.embodiment.net/ If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Duffy Allen, MS. Duffy has been practicing Rolfing structural integration and Rolf movement since 1995. She was a faculty member at DIRI for fifteen years. She particularly enjoys teaching from a place of curiosity and affirmation. Prior to embarking in the field of structural integration, she was a scientist. Currently, she lives, practices, and teaches in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her favorite word is ineffable. In today's talk we had a comprehensive discussion about our personal and professional experiences, including teaching methods, the importance of relationship and connection in the practice of healing, and the evolution of their approach to client care. We also shared about the importance of integration in the work, emphasizing the need for a balance between reductionist and holistic approaches. You can learn more about Duffy at https://www.fifth-element.training/ If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Raja Selvam, PhD. Raja is a licensed clinical psychologist, is the developer of Integral Somatic Psychology™ (ISP™), an effective somatic therapy that helps clients achieve optimal mental health by fully embodying their emotions. His book The Practice of Embodying Emotions: A Guide for Improving Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes is currently being translated into several languages. Dr. Selvam is also a senior trainer at Dr. Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing® International. He has taught for twenty-five years in over twenty countries in North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Far East. Dr. Selvam's work is informed by older body psychotherapy systems of Reichian Therapy and Bioenergetic Analysis, newer body psychotherapy systems of Bodynamic Analysis and Somatic Experiencing, and bodywork systems of Postural Integration and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. His work is also inspired by Jungian and archetypal psychologies, Kleinian and intersubjective schools of psychoanalysis, affective neuroscience, quantum physics, yoga, Polarity Therapy, and Advaita Vedanta (a spiritual psychology from India). Dr. Selvam's work also draws upon his clinical psychology PhD dissertation on Advaita Vedanta and Jungian psychology, based on which he has published an article titled “Jung and Consciousness,” in the international analytical psychology journal Spring in 2013.   In today's talk we talked about what brought Raja to where he is today. We discussed topics from Raja's book “The Practice of Embodying Emotions,” the interconnection between the mind, body, and environment in the context of psychology. We explored the complex relationship between pain and pleasure in the human brain, the role of defenses in shaping emotional experiences, and the effectiveness of Somatic Experiencing as a trauma modality. We also discussed the importance of accepting and managing life's difficulties, the integration of Eastern psychology into our approaches You can learn more about Raja at https://integralsomaticpsychology.com/ If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

In today's conversation I am joined again by Ryan Hofer and Paul Wirth for a second round of a triad of introspection. We discuss and contemplate writings of the Osteopath Jim Jealous, the need for improved listening skills training, we also explored different pedagogical approaches, the role of the autonomic nervous system in manual therapy, and the concept of structural integration. We go into some really fun and exploratory spaces and I greatly enjoy being in conversation with these two. A note, this talk came at the end of a busy day for me and some of my cortical channels were not as up to snuff as they could have been. I lost my train of thought a few times and thankfully Paul and Ryan were right there with me to pick them up, expand or contrast them and continue the conversation forward. ‌ Ryan Hofer is fascinated by applications of body-based systems thinking and hands-on therapies. He graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute and was the chair of a Structural Integration certification exam program. He has completed a Masters of Teaching and a Masters of Communication, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Paul Wirth is a bodyworker and movement educator, a Certified Advanced Rolfer® and a student and teacher of Tai Chi Ch'uan. His practice integrates Structural Integration, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and various kinds of movement work. A guiding question for Paul is: “How does a person's innate capacity for healing make use of my presence and input, and what about that is up to me?” He endeavors to continually be surprised by the reality that each person he works with is a living, present being, and to undertake practices that remind him that he is, too. You can find out more about Paul at http://mosaicbodywork.com   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Pierpaola Volpones. Pierpaola graduated as Physical Educator (1976) and in Sociology (1982). She taught physical education in public schools and applied kinesis therapy in private centers for more than ten years. After having attended a Rolf Movement™ Workshop, she started Rolfing® education. She certified first as Rolf Movement™ Practitioner (1986) and then as Rolfer (1988). In 1996 she became a Certified Advanced Rolfer™. Since 1986 she runs her practice in Italy, as a full time profession. In 2006, the Rolf Institute certified Pierpaola as International Rolfing® and Rolf Movement™ Instructor. Outside of Rolfing, Pierpaola has continued to deepen her studies in Visceral Manipulation and Somatic Experiencing. In today's talk we discussed Pierpaola's journey through Rolf Movement, her teaching style, and the importance of cross-cultural communication. We also touched upon the challenges and responsibilities of teacher training, the significance of adaptability and finding alternative approaches, and the concept of tonic function. Our conversation emphasized the importance of self-awareness, understanding personal space and proximity in client interactions and much more. You can learn more about Pierpoala at http://www.volpones.it If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Leslie Kaminoff Leslie is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar. He is an internationally recognized specialist with five decades' experience in the fields of yoga and breath anatomy. He leads workshops for many of the leading yoga associations, schools and training programs in the world. Leslie's book Yoga Anatomy, (co-authored with Amy Matthews), sold out its first print run of 19,000 within one month of its June 2007 release, and has been a top-selling yoga book on Amazon ever since. The book went on to sell over a million copies in 23 languages by the time the third edition of Yoga Anatomy was released in the Fall of 2021. Leslie also helped to organize international yoga conferences while serving as Vice-President of Unity in Yoga, and was part of the ad-hoc committee that established national standards for yoga teacher training. Prior to the formation of The Yoga Alliance, Leslie was a strong voice in the ensuing national debate regarding the application of those certification standards. This dialogue resulted in the creation of e-Sutra, pioneering e-mail list and blog with a worldwide readership. Leslie is the founder of The Breathing Project, a New York City based non-profit educational corporation and studio which ran highly respected year-long courses in yoga anatomy from 2003 to 2017.  The courses taught at The Breathing Project in New York City have been available online to a worldwide audience at yogaanatomy.net since 2011, with thousands of students worldwide participating in this growing online community.  Leslie has also partnered with Lauri Nemetz and Lydia Mann as KNMLabs.com to produce week-long human dissection lab experiences for yoga and movement professionals. In our conversation today we had a wide-ranging discussion about our work, life experiences, and shared interests in yoga and bodywork. We discussed the importance of adapting to each individual's needs in teaching yoga, the core principles of yoga, the therapeutic effects, and the mind-body problem. Towards the end, we touched upon the importance of emotional regulation and the role of a yoga teacher. It was a very enjoyable conversation and I wish it could have gone on for hours more. Leslie is a seasoned veteran in both the bodywork and yoga world and his experience, wisdom and compassion help make him a top leader in the field. You can learn more about Leslie at https://yogaanatomy.org If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation marks a departure from our usual format. Today I am joined by Ryan Hofer and Paul Wirth. In mid 2023, Ryan organized a discussion among a small group of us on the topic of embodiment—a conversation I found particularly enriching, especially as it introduced me to Paul for the first time. The depth and content of that conversation seemed too valuable not to share on the podcast. The original call included four or five participants, which, while enjoyable, might not translate as well in an audio format for our listeners. A trio, however, makes for a more accessible listening experience. Paul, Ryan, and I share several overlapping interests, creating rich intersections of dialogue where two can engage deeply while the other listens in. My hope is to turn this into a semi-regular series with both of them, discussing various topics as they arise and providing value to our community. This episode is the first realization of that vision. Ryan Hofer is fascinated by applications of body-based systems thinking and hands-on therapies. He graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute and was the chair of a Structural Integration certification exam program. He has completed a Masters of Teaching and a Masters of Communication, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Paul Wirth is a bodyworker and movement educator, a Certified Advanced Rolfer® and a student and teacher of Tai Chi Ch'uan. His practice integrates Structural Integration, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and various kinds of movement work. A guiding question for Paul is: “How does a person's innate capacity for healing make use of my presence and input, and what about that is up to me?” He endeavors to continually be surprised by the reality that each person he works with is a living, present being, and to undertake practices that remind him that he is, too. You can find out more about Paul at http://mosaicbodywork.com   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.comand http://RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Pedro Prado. Pedro Prado, PhD, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been instructing Rolfing® SI for over 30 years. He is a member of the Advanced and Movement Faculties of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute®, as well as a Somatic Experiencing Instructor for the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. He is a clinical psychologist and a former professor of Somatic Psychology. His signature approach to the work, to which he has devoted his clinical practice and research, explores the bridges among the Structural, Functional and Psychobiological perspectives. Since having become a Rolfer in 1981, Pedro has introduced Rolfing® and nurtured practitioner communities in his native Brazil and elsewhere in the world. He has taught throughout the US, Latin America, Europe, Japan, South Africa and Australia.   In our conversation today we talked about Pedro's history and how he came to Rolfing, how Rolfing came to Brazil, his experiences and work in the academic and clinical world, the importance of collective inquiry, exploring new concepts and teaching strategies, the importance of philosophy and science in the field of embodiment and much more. This was another one of those talks that just flew by and it felt like we just barely scratched the surface. Hopefully we will be in more conversations together as Pedro is a beautiful soul with a wealth of information and lived experiences.   You can learn more about Pedro and his library at https://pedroprado.com.br/   If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.   You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and RolfingInBoston.com   Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Dr Joel Bennett Joel Bennett, Ph.D., is President and Founder of Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems (OWLS), a consulting firm specializing in evidence-based wellness technologies to promote organizational health and employee well-being. Dr. Bennett first delivered stress management programming in 1985, and OWLS programs have since reached nearly 250,000 workers across the United States and abroad, including training over 1,000 facilitators and coaches. He is a primary developer of “Team Awareness” and “Team Resilience,” evidence-based culture of health programs recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Surgeon General as effective in reducing employee behavioral risks. Team Awareness/Resilience have been adopted by the U.S. National Guard as one of their flagship prevention programs.  They have been used by municipalities, hospitals, restaurants, electrician training centers, small businesses, Native American tribal government, in rural settings, and in Italy and South Africa. In 2022, Dr. Bennett was acknowledged with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the National Wellness Institute and, internationally, with the "Positive Leadership Award" from the Positive Leadership Institute. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the State University of New York (Purchase) and his MA and PhD in Psychology from the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Bennett has authored/co-authored seven books, including "Raw Coping Power," "Heart-Centered Leadership," and "Your Best Self at Work," and his Google Scholar page provides links to over 30 peer-reviewed scientific studies. He was previously on the board of the Academy of Management's “Spirituality and Religion Interest Group (MSR)” and the Board of Directors for the National Wellness Institute. He provides keynote speaking and continues to train coaches and facilitators in team (culture of health) and resilience workshops. Continuing in the theme of our last episode, today's conversation is in a little different of a flow structure than the previous norm. Dr Joel and I just got off and running, as if we were two friends catching up. I originally had planned to talk more about him and his history but the conversation was just so smooth and in the flow that we didn't get time for that. I am hoping to have him on again for a prequel of sorts. In our conversation today we discussed different body therapeutic modalities, the nature of Andrew's practice, the importance of presence and mindfulness, the concept of safety in bodywork and massage, personal growth and self-awareness, and the concept of open-mindedness.   You can learn more about Dr Joel at presencequest.life and www.organizationalwellness.com If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and RolfingInBoston.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Serge Prengel Serge Prengel is a therapist who has been exploring creative approaches to mindfulness in therapy and in everyday life. He invites you to join his explorations at ActivePause.com Today's conversation is in a little different of a flow structure than usual. I have been wanting to try this style out for a while and will be giving it a shot here. I welcome your feedback about whether it's working for you or not and why so. In our conversation today Serge and I explored various topics such as mindfulness, the creative process, attunement, and the role of silence in our podcast. They stressed the importance of vulnerability, active pause, and the value of silence in connection. At the end of our talk we had a rather long pause of silence which I have edited it for your listening pleasure. You will hear us talk about the pause, you just won't have to have a few minutes of silence to sit through. You can learn more about Serge at ActivePause.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Alright Touching Into Presence listeners, today is a different kind of show. Today will be Andrew and Nikki in a conversation about Nikki's Closure of the show for now.  We talk about how our lives have changed since Nikki first came on as co-host and why the closure seems right for now.  We talk about what may be coming down the line for this show and more.  It was an emotional conversation for me as I've really enjoyed the dynamic the two of us have had over these 3 years and there is an unknown and different future on the horizon.  I am grateful for Nikki and how she has shown up over these 3 years and I am glad to have made a good friend in her from this.    I look forward to seeing where her path takes her.  I am also excited for some future plans of this show.  In some ways, this closure episode will lead beautifully into those.  So with that, let's have a listen to the talk.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's Conversation is with Carl Rabke Carl is a Somatic Naturalist, Embodiment teacher, and a tender of soul and living culture. For the last 25 years, he has practiced and taught where the streams of somatics,  soul-work, and a deep love of this living Earth meet. He is a Feldenkrais and Structural Integration practitioner, and loves to support people in returning to, and remembering our natural, inherent intelligence in movement, meditation, ritual, song, rhythm and community. He also hosts the Embodiment Matters Podcast with his beloved wife, Erin. You can find out more about him at https://embodimentmatters.com/about-carl/ In today's talk we speak about the importance of movement in structural integration, the role of somatics in releasing patterns of holding or trauma, the potential of technology to reduce our sensory experience, the impact of technology on society and human attention, the role of emotions in physical responses, animism and the potential of connecting with nature for personal growth and healing. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's Conversation is with Jeffrey Burch. A Certified Advanced Rolfer™, Jeffrey has extensively studied and integrated into his Hands-On Therapies both Cranial Manipulation and Visceral Manipulation. He has developed groundbreaking new joint mobilization methods.Jeffrey Burch received a BA in biology from the University of Oregon in 1975, after which he trained at The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® in Boulder, Colorado, receiving his Certification as a Rolfer in 1977.He first practiced Rolfing® Structural Integration in London, and later in Seattle and Honolulu before returning to his native Eugene, Oregon, in 1989. At the time he was in London there were only a half dozen Rolfers in Europe. He accepted invitations to Rolf groups of people in Oslo, Stockholm, Trondheim, and Tehran. He now lives in Eugene Oregon offers continuing education classes. Jeffrey Burch received his Rolfing Advanced Certification in 1990, after which he again began studying at the University of Oregon where he received a second BA in Psychology in 1993 and a Master of Science in Counseling in 1995. In today's conversation we spoke about some of the Rolfing 10 series history, its relevance today,  Jeff's development of assessment methods from Barral's to his own, the release of his new book, his upcoming classes, working with bone, working with different schools and in different cultures, a way of working with intuition and more..   We are pleased to be able to provide a discount voucher code valid for a 20% discount off a copy of Jeff's book. Assessment and Treatment Methods for Manual Therapists when ordered direct through the Singing Dragon/Handspring websites (www.singingdragon.com). The code is valid through the end of November 2023 and works on our US, AUS, and UK websites. The code is: BURCH20    Find out more about Jeff from his website http://www.jeffreyburch.com   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Don Hanlon Johnson Don is no stranger to the embodied and somatic work, he's been involved in this field since long before many of us have been born. Now in his 90's he has been involved with so many of the pioneers and lineage holders of this field. A blurp written by Don about himself reads, “As I move into my twilight years, I am aware that the seeds that brought forth my current work were planted over half a century ago when I had my first post in teaching philosophy at what is now Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles while participating with Carl Rogers in his research project on the efficacy of student-centered learning in the school system of the Immaculate Heart sisters from kindergarten through their university. That intersection of Rogerian humanistic psychology with the experiential tradition of Socratic and Husserlian philosophy, my long history of meditation, and my first visits to the newly born Esalen Institute, gradually shaped a comprehensive approach to the education of therapists and healers, bringing together the cutting-edge theoretical, with relevant experiential dimensions, and the intellectual aspects of developing an embodied consciousness. After studying and practicing the work of Ida Rolf, I founded the first masters degree program in Somatic Psychology and succeeded in having it authorized by license-granting state boards. I was a professor in that program for some 30 years. I am now teaching in newly launched Somatics emphasis in the doctoral program of Integral and Transpersonal Psychologies. My website has more detailed information."   This was really a dream come true for me. Don was one of the people I had in mind to talk with when I created this podcast. Further proof that with hard work and diligence, dreams can come true. And they can be even more rewarding than imagined.   Todays talk ran the gamut of Rolfing history, phenomenology and other topics of which Don is an experienced and knowledgeable sage of. Instead of my usual forewords, let's just hop into this exciting and informative talk.   To learn more about Don please visit https://donhanlonjohnson.com/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Michael Shea Michael is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. He leads seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Dr. Shea received his master's degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. In 1986, he was certified as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute. Dr. Shea has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and was an Advanced Rolfer for 20 years. He is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings and the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge task force (MTBOK). Dr. Shea brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to teaching health and healing, with a teaching style grounded in a spiritual practice of developing compassion with the use of manual therapy. He is a formal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and past apprentice with a medicine man on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Because of the influence of the Dalai Lama, Dr. Shea's clinical focus is on treating infants and children with neurological problems and developmental delays. This also includes teaching clinical skills for adults that carry pre and perinatal trauma. In today's conversation we spoke about body shame, myths and outdatedness of BMI, contemplative practice of eating, interoceptive awareness and it's importance, repairing relationships, sovereignty, and a ton more. It's always great to be in conversations with Michael and we hear from so many of you how much you enjoy these talks. You can find Michael's book The Biodynamics of the Immune System: Balancing the Energies of the Body with the Cosmos here https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamics-Immune-System-Balancing-Energies/dp/1644115255/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen08-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=2cdba1d04b455978d20c55c689844aa8&camp=1789&creative=9325%22 You can learn more about Michael at www.SheaHeart.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Suzanne Picard. Suzanne Picard is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolfing Movement Therapist, in practice since 1992. Over the past 30 years she has deepened her studies with several styles of movement modalities, cranial sacral therapies and osteopathic inspired trainings in the nuero, vascular and visceral systems. She has been a faculty member of the Rolf Institute since 1996, at various times being chair of the Rolfing Movement and the Foundations of Somatic Practice Departments. She is a practicing visual artist with an MFA is sculpture. Suzanne cultivates the technical and the art of her manual therapy. In today's conversation we spoke about a many topics related to Embodiment, Rolf Movement, Suzanne and her practice and a bunch more. This was one of those talks that was so easy and fun while also being incredibly informative. Like old friends catching up, we were bouncing around many interrelated topics and we are sure you will enjoy and get a lot out of this one. To learn more about Suzanne please visit http://www.suzannepicard.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Andrea Olsen. Andrea Olsen, performer, author, and educator, is a Professor Emerita of Dance at Middlebury College, and a certified instructor of Holden QiGong and Embodyoga. She is author of a quartet of books on embodiment: Bodystories: A Guide to Experiential Anatomy, Body and Earth: An Experiential Guide, The Place of Dance: A Somatic Guide to Dancing and Dance Making with colleague Caryn McHose, and Moving Between Worlds: A Guide to Embodied Living and Communicating, along with numerous articles and chapters in anthologies_._  Recent projects include continuing the Body and Earth: Seven Web-Based Somatic Excursions film project with Scotty Hardwig and Caryn McHose (http://body-earth.org) and performing “Awakening Grace: Six Somatic Tools”. In today's conversation we spoke about a wide gamut of topics including how Andrea came to be the powerhouse that she is, we discuss the creative and artistic processes, her books and the importance they have on a global spectrum, being an educator, embodiment, non-verbal communication, the release of her new book, and as always so much more. We hope to have her on again and explore even more topics along the spectrum of being a living, breathing embodied being. To learn more about Andrea please visit https://andrea-olsen.com/ You can find her books everywhere books can be found, be it your local independent bookstore or here on amazon https://amzn.to/3TWjN40 Andrea has some upcoming talks in the next few weeks and you can find out more when you see her schedule here: https://andrea-olsen.com/schedule/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Hiroyoshi Tahata. Hiro has worked as a Rolfer since 1998. He joined the Rolf Movement faculty of the Rolf Institute® in 2009. He brings to this work a depth of creativity and understanding that integrates the principles of structure and function through a gentle and non-invasive approach to transformation. His background in biochemistry clearly bridges the inquiry between science and art. From his experience with doctors, Hiro understood that it is possible to heal a living organism with very little stimulation. The essence of the Art of Yield came out of his collaboration with his mentor, Carol Agneessens. With the support of his mentor and much clinical research with clients, Hiro found a way to incorporate the Art of Yield into the 10 series of Rolfing. In collaboration with Yojiro Katayama, the originator of Migama Seitai, Hiro continues to explore the art of incorporating the Japanese concept of 'ma'. His latest work, uses 'ma' to promote a profound experience and physical geometric balance ; to find out more and see before and after photos from the work, visit https://yielding.work/  Hiro provides Rolf Movement® certification program and continues to study/teach  Spatial Somatics and the Art of Yield with his colleagues internationally. In today's conversation we spoke about Hiro's path to today, what yield is to Hiro (and me), safety and spatial awareness, I share a story of my experience of receiving Hiro's work, and a moment of closure in Hiro's mother tongue and the difference of embodied speech. This was a very enjoyable conversation to me as we were navigating language differences, language processing time relations and cultural relations towards speaking. I had to be in a different relation to how I spoke and listened with Hiro, and this was really a gift for me in a reminder of how to be in space with someone. Thank you for that Hiro! Because of the importance of space here I purposely left more of the space between speakers in than I usually do when I edit as it felt very important to me to also get a sense of Hiro and his approach. This episode will have a different tempo than others and we hope that this brings another type of experience for you as well. To learn more about Hiro please visit https://rolfinger.com/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today we are back in conversation with Ales about the documentary he recently released about Structural Integration, "Finding the Line - An Exploration of Structural Integration." This movie tells the story of an adventure that will take the viewer into Ida Rolf's world of Structural Integration. At the heart of the movie are 8 students and their quest to understand Ida Rolf's philosophy during their 3 year Basic Trainings in Milano, Prague and Warsaw. The movie also explains the basic ideas behind Structural Integration and discusses some recent research into connective tissue and fascia. You can find more about "Finding The Line" at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/structuralintegration You can also find more about the training Ales and the EGSI offer at  https://rolfguild.eu/BasicTrainingInternational.html   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Mark Johnson. Mark is the Philip H. Knight Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Emeritus, in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oregon. His research has focused on the philosophical implications of the role of human embodiment in meaning, conceptualization, reasoning, values, and knowing, especially from the perspective of embodied cognitive science and pragmatist philosophy. His recent work develops a naturalistic account of mind and knowing. He is co-author, with George Lakoff, of Metaphors We Live By (1980) and Philosophy in the Flesh (1999) and author of The Body in the Mind: The Bodily Basis of Meaning, Imagination, and Reason (1987), Moral Imagination: Implications of Cognitive Science for Ethics (1993), The Meaning of the Body: Aesthetics of Human Understanding (2007), Morality for Humans: Ethical Understanding from the Perspective of Cognitive Science (2014), Embodied Mind, Meaning, and Reason (2017), Aesthetics of Meaning and Thought (2018), and Out of the Cave: A Natural Philosophy of Mind and Knowing (2021). In today's conversation we spoke about what brought Professor Johnson to this field, Metaphors as a foundation of how people view their world and to find meaning, dualism of mind body, cultural ontologies, non-absolutism, embodiment and awareness, world structuring and so much more. I had some technical difficulties before we really got started and you'll hear me come into the conversation a bit abruptly because of that, I apologize for this.  To learn more about Mark please visit https://blogs.uoregon.edu/markj You can find his amazing and classic book "Metaphors We Live By" here https://www.amazon.com/Metaphors-We-Live-George-Lakoff/dp/0226468011?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen0b-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=d3680c932c70f6019f23413a09dc2720&camp=1789&creative=9325 If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with David Davis. David is a Rolf Structural Integration practitioner and instructor recently relocated to Tucson, Arizona where he continues to bring the beauty that is The Work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf to his new home.   During his first Structural Integration session he anticipated relief from chronic pain and disability due to sports injuries, physical labor, and an auto accident, but he was in awe with the new sense of comfort, relaxation, and natural mode that resulted. As his body, mind, and spirit were awakened through the holistic manipulation of fascia and alignment of the body structure, David was inspired to began a new life journey. He began his training at the Rolf Institute in 1976 – 1977, during the time when Dr. Ida P. Rolf was alive and Rolfing℠ and Structural Integration were synonymous.   That first session would lead him to becoming the seventh Rolfer℠ in the state of Colorado, practicing The Work for 45 years, and being an instructor for 33 years. David has been one the most well respected and sought-after teachers of SI nationally and internationally.  In today's conversation we spoke about David's experience as a Rolfer in the 1970's, how to build a practice as an SI practitioner, a lot of great stories and anecdotes from a practitioner with over 40 years of experience who studied with Dr Rolf, Emmett Hutchins, Peter Melchior and many other original Rolfers, technique vs process, PerSoma, "seeing" and bodyreading,  and a ton more. To learn more about David, please visit https://www.rolftucson.com/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g  

Today's conversation is with Michael Mathieu Michael started struggling with low back issues in the late 80s while working as an electrical engineer at Eastman Kodak Company. Two Rolfer‘s in Rochester, New York were able to help him. He quit his job to go west and do his Rolfing training which was completed in 1993. Visceral manipulation greatly elevated his work and he dived deeply into that field of study. In 2012 Michael crashed on his mountain bike and suffered massive damage to his neck and spinal cord creating quadriplegia. That injury opened a door to take to his work energetic and eventually long distance. Michael lives in Boulder, Colorado and is actively building his practice as both a long-distance manual therapist treating clients and mentoring practitioners seeking to build their skills with hands-on manual therapy or long distance manual therapy. He also offers his skills as a health coach supporting people with chronic health issues and especially oxalate toxicity. Oxalates are a plant poison that he believes every body workers should know about since they can create significant damage to connective tissues as well as many other maladies. Michael is currently three years into his own healing journey from oxalate toxicity, which has returned some almost normal sensation to parts of his paralyzed arms. In today's conversation we spoke about Michael's path to the world of wellness, his life altering bike accident, working from a place of quadriplegia, transition to hands-off work, about working hands off, dialoging, and where his practice is taking him and more.  You can learn more about Michael at michaelmathieu.com and on  Instagram at Carnivorequad If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and RolfingInBoston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Michael Shea Michael is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. He leads seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Dr. Shea received his master's degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. In 1986, he was certified as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute. Dr. Shea has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and was an Advanced Rolfer for 20 years. He is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings and the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge task force (MTBOK). Dr. Shea brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to teaching health and healing, with a teaching style grounded in a spiritual practice of developing compassion with the use of manual therapy. He is a formal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and past apprentice with a medicine man on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Because of the influence of the Dalai Lama, Dr. Shea's clinical focus is on treating infants and children with neurological problems and developmental delays. This also includes teaching clinical skills for adults that carry pre and perinatal trauma. In today's conversation we spoke about metabolic and vascular health, social media on our health and perceptual awareness, his new book, working with ancient cosmological systems in modern incorporations, intentionality and more.  You can find Michael's book Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy: The Heart of the Practice here https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Craniosacral-Therapy-Heart-Practice/dp/153008184X?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen07-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=38c74653c1d3f60476342547f35e523d&camp=1789&creative=9325 You can learn more about Michael at www.SheaHeart.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with our previous guest Liz Stewart. Liz has just started a non profit called "Postures for Peace" and asked us to have a short conversation to help get the word out as support is needed right now. To donate online please visit  https://givebutter.com/8MpvpG A proper website is being developed as I type this, details to come. From the givebutter site.  "This project will help a group of Healthcare practitioners,  Rolfers® and Structural Integration Practitioners (SIPs) in Central and Eastern Europe and their communities that are in need of more skills while living in a high stress region due to war in Ukraine. Resources will go towards providing self care skills for practitioners in this region and teaching them specific skills they need to treat their clients in these affected communities."    If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. To get the link, make a direct donation or find out more email Liz at:  Liz@lizstewartSI.com   You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g  

Today's conversation is with Kevin McCarthy. Kevin is a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, Advanced Rolfer™ and Rolf Movement Practitioner™ specializing in the effects of trauma and chronic pain on the body.  Fascinated with the interplay in the body between emotional patterns and physiological adaptations that commonly emerge in response to traumatic events, Kevin was led to study Somatic Experiencing after 10 years as a manual and movement therapist. He views the integration of somatic approaches into the wider field of trauma work as a crucial and necessary element in the healing process of those suffering from the effects of trauma. In 2017 Kevin co-founded Mend Therapy, a thriving private practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife Carrie Miller, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specifically to address this relationship between somatic and psychotherapeutic approaches to trauma. Mend Therapy offers an integrated model of care alongside a commitment to compassion and hope for all those who have been affected by trauma. He regularly consults with and educates health providers, manual therapists and psychotherapists on the importance and role of somatic intervention in the effective management of trauma.  In today's conversation we spoke about Kevin's experience as a Rolfer and Somatic Experience Practitioner, what we may be doing as Rolfers (and/or other bodywork modalities) outside of normative models of touch and manual manipulations, social media on the bodily experience, working with trauma, enhancing agency in clients, reframing, and much more. To learn more about Kevin, visit here: www.mendmn.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g  

Today's conversation is with Dr. Kirstie Segarra. Kirstie Segarra, PhD BCSI RMTI E-RYT C-IAYT is a Doctor of Integrative Medicine and Structural Integrator in Taos, New Mexico. She has been practicing in the healing arts since 1996. She began her inquiry to study of the integration of the arts and spiritual practice in her Master's degree in Whole System Design focusing on second order biological systems at Antioch University-Seattle in the mid 90's. In affect, how to create change in biological systems. She studied a traditional form of bodywork in Bali then went on to get her massage therapy license to practice, which led her to study Anatomy Trains Structural Integration with Peter Ehlers through KMI. She focused her doctorate thesis on structural integration series protocol in treatment of Fibromyalgia. She has been a full time faculty at the University of New Mexico-Taos since 2007 where she taught and served as Chair of Integrative Health and Medical Massage, Holistic Healing Arts, created the Medical Massage, Yoga Teacher Training and Structural Integration programs.  In today's conversation we spoke about the school of SI at Taos which Kirstie helped to start, Kirstie path to SI and starting this school,  bridging ideologies across SI schools, what her school is offering, being a university program and more. You can learn more about Kirstie at drkirstie.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g  

Today's conversation is with Caryn McHose. Caryn McHose has taught perceptual approaches to movement education for over 50 years. Caryn is a Movement Artist, a Certified Advanced Rolfer™ and Rolf Movement® Practitioner, as well as a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner and Certified Biodynamic Cranial Practitioner. She is the collaborator for Bodystories, A Guide to Experiential Anatomy and The Place of Dance, by Andrea Olsen, and is the co-author (with Kevin Frank) of How Life Moves, Explorations in Meaning and Body Awareness https://www.amazon.com/How-Life-Moves-Explorations-Awareness/dp/1556436181/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15GE0Z58UCOGH&keywords=kevin+frank+how+life+moves&qid=1659083300&sprefix=kevin+frank+how+life+move%252Caps%252C151&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen0b-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=ef094ff08e593f96eb64f68c00c7f67d&camp=1789&creative=9325.  In today's conversation we spoke about Caryn's origins into the world of dance, movement, somatics and eventually Structural Integration, we hear her views on perceptual awareness, different ways and styles of learning, evolutionary movements, meeting people where where we perceive them to be, a lived experience somaticly, being in safe and supported experiences which nourish our nervous systems, To learn more about Caryn McHose, visit here: https://resourcesinmovement.com/about-the-co-founders/ And you can sign up for her mailing list here https://resourcesinmovement.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8c0f0cc204442a9ca7f029353&id=fd04c87cdc If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g  

Today's conversation is with Ally Gonzalez Ally was born and raised in Colombia until the age of nine. As a result of the political climate of Colombia in the early 2000's, Ally and her family fled their homeland as a result of death threats and sought out political asylum in Canada. In middle school and high school Ally engaged in sports to balance her academic workload. At the age of 16, Ally began practicing track and field and discovered that she was a very talented runner. Her love for track and field paved a path to what is now her current life.  After graduating high school, influenced by the difficulty of overcoming sport injuries and her curiosity for movement, she went on to study an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology/human kinetics from the University of Western Ontario (London, Canada). she furthered her studies at the Guild for Structural Integration in Salt Lake City, after experiencing such profound transformation with her first Structural Integration Ten-series. Ally graduated as Structural Integration practitioner in 2018, and has been in practice since. She lives, trains and holds her practice in Bogota, Colombia serving her local community. Ally's continual education focuses on understanding movement through the experiential lens of renowned Structural Integration practitioners such as Mary Bond and Judith Aston, the marriage of connective tissue through the speckles of Gil Hedley, and the metaphysical exploration of herself in elite athletics. Her desire for the future is to continue expanding her knowledge of structural integration while acquiring knowledge and putting together the bits and pieces from the puzzle in her ample inquiry for life. One of Ally's ultimate life goals is to attend the Olympic games and to be an ambassador of the Structural Integration community as she gains recognition on track. This year she is training hard in hopes of qualifying for the World Championships that will take place in Oregon, USA in the month of July; making this World championship team is a stepping- stone for Ally to achieve her ultimate goal of making the 2024 Olympic games in Paris.     In today's conversation we spoke about the backstory of what brought Ally to track and field and then to Structural Integration, SI with psychology, being a professional athlete and how SI has kept her healthy in this field, being a younger practitioner in a field of many older practitioners and more.   You can learn more about Ally at the following links Her website: https://dynamicposturesi.com
 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Dk3uFaHGQ&t=3s Instagram: NATHIAAH
 GoFund me: https://gofund.me/59c43f26  If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Dr Stephen Porges. Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland.  He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™ , which currently is used by more than 1500 therapists to improve spontaneous social engagement, to reduce hearing sensitivities, and to improve language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement. In today's conversation we spoke about the description and the origins of PolyVagal Theory, why understanding PVT is imperative for bodyworkers, how PVT gives a language to embodiment, neuroception, where PVT is going and much much more. You can find Dr Porges's "The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe" at  https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Guide-Polyvagal-Theory-Transformative/dp/0393707873?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen07-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=f017041f95f6f8fe43c2198d144df908&camp=1789&creative=9325 You can learn more about Dr Porges and Polyvagal Theory at https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Michael Shea Michael is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. He leads seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Dr. Shea received his master's degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. In 1986, he was certified as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute. Dr. Shea has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and was an Advanced Rolfer for 20 years. He is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings and the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge task force (MTBOK). Dr. Shea brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to teaching health and healing, with a teaching style grounded in a spiritual practice of developing compassion with the use of manual therapy. He is a formal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and past apprentice with a medicine man on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Because of the influence of the Dalai Lama, Dr. Shea's clinical focus is on treating infants and children with neurological problems and developmental delays. This also includes teaching clinical skills for adults that carry pre and perinatal trauma. In today's conversation we spoke about what brought Michael into massage and bodywork, how he came to Rolfing, how that brought him to Cranio work, differences between biodynamic and biomechanic cranio, metabolic issues, and we leave room for a followup talk to emerge. You can find Michael's book Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy: The Heart of the Practice here https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Craniosacral-Therapy-Heart-Practice/dp/153008184X?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen07-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=38c74653c1d3f60476342547f35e523d&camp=1789&creative=9325 You can learn more about Michael at www.SheaHeart.com If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Tom Myers Thomas Myers studied with Drs. Ida Rolf, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Buckminster Fuller, and with a variety of movement and manual therapy pioneers. His work is influenced by cranial, visceral, and intrinsic movement studies he made with European schools of osteopathy. An inveterate traveler, Tom has practiced integrative manual therapy for over 40 years in a variety of clinical and cultural settings. Tom is the author of Anatomy Trains (2020, 4th ed),  co-author of Fascial Release for Structural Balance (North Atlantic, 2010, 2017), co-author of Anatomy Trains in Motion Study Guide (2019), author of Body3, The Anatomist's Corner, Structural Integration: Collected Articles, and BodyReading: Visual Assessment and The Anatomy Trains, and has also written extensively for Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (Elsevier). He has also produced over 20 online learning courses with Anatomy Trains, and others in collaboration with various body-oriented professional groups. Tom lives and sails on the coast of Maine in the USA. Tom and his faculty conduct professional development courses and certification in Structural Integration worldwide. In today's conversation we spoke about Tom's history with SI and what led to Anatomy Trains, what differentiates the AT 12 series from a traditional Rolf 10 series, possible pitfalls for early-on bodyworks to avoid, the principles of AT, his experience with Buckminster Fuller and the future of Structural Integration. You can learn more about Tom at https://www.anatomytrains.com/about-us/about-tom-myers/ You can find the most recent edition of his Anatomy Trains book,  Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual Therapists and Movement Professionals 4th Edition at https://amzn.to/3sVTuxV If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Bob Schrei. Bob has four decades of experience as a student, apprentice, practitioner and teacher of energy medicine. He is a Certified Advanced Rolfer, Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapist, and co-originator of SourcePoint Therapy®. This energetic and hands-on healing system evolved from his thirty-plus years experience in bodywork, as well as extensive personal study in vibrational medicine, sacred geometry, shamanic healing and Zen meditation. In addition to Bob's research and study, the essential principles of SourcePoint Therapy® were explored and formulated in intuitive readings with his wife and partner in healing work, Donna Thomson. With a B.A. in architecture and a Masters of Fine Arts, Bob also incorporated his lifelong interest in structure and pattern into SourcePoint Therapy®, which he developed, refined and tested for ten years before beginning to teach in the United States and Europe. This process of refinement and development continues as SourcePoint Therapy evolves. From 1970-1985 Bob was a student and teacher at the Rochester Zen Meditation Center. As a former Zen teacher Bob brings a unique perspective to the field of energetic healing and manual therapy, helping his students develop sensitivity to the subtleties of working with energy and bring a heightened awareness to their healing work. Bob currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he maintains an active private practice of SourcePoint Therapy® in addition to teaching it worldwide. In today's conversation we spoke about Bob's history with Zen, Esoterics and Rolfing, The 10 series as a ritual, how SourcePoint emerged, basics of SourcePoint, what is "presence," and "embodiment," his artistic painting endeavors related to sourcepoint and more.  You can learn more about Bob at https://sourcepointtherapy.com/ His book Sourcepoint Therapy, Exploring the Blueprint of Health can be found here https://amzn.to/3tB4ZwI In today's call again there was some internet issues and the occasional delay in audio. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Liz Stewart Liz Stewart, BCSI, draws from 30 years of experience as a highly accomplished Structural Integration (aka Rolfing®) practitioner, trainer and  somatic supervisor/consultant. Beyond her hands on work, she provides one to one and group educational support for bodyworkers, bodywork educators, mental health professionals and coaches. Liz supports and challenges her clients to understand and make full use of themselves in their work. Liz's approach to her work is engaging, connective and supportive, much like the fascial network that holds our bodies together, and includes a strong emphasis on body awareness. Her understanding of tensional forces, integration and connection sets Liz apart as a somatic supervisor and trainer. She aids her clients in learning their own body's cues and triggers that speak in mysterious ways. Liz has been working online for the past 8 years and  brings her experience in Structural Integration, movement awareness, Polyvagal Theory, neural vascular techniques, Modern Group Psychotherapy, TraumaDynamics®, decoding body language and DARe attachment therapy. Liz's work has been described as “comprehensive, deeply transformative, highly intuitive, observant, and fun.”   In today's conversation we spoke about Liz's history and what brought her to the SI world, what brought her to the Guild, where she has grown from and into, the importance of language and semantics to this field, why and how she developed her area of SI Supervision and the importance of supervision, networking and connection for practitioners.  You can learn more about Liz at www.lizstewartSI.com and contact her at  Liz@LizstewartSI.com On the day of the call there were outages on Zoom's side and you'll hear occasional delays and stutters from this, and we do apologize for that. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Mary Bond  Mary Bond studied with Ida Rolf from 1969 to 1972. Emeritus Movement Faculty of the Rolf Institute, she has been involved in the development of movement education for SI from the early days with Judith Aston to the current evolution through the work of Hubert Godard.  She is the author of Balancing Your Body, the New Rules of Posture, and Your Body Mandala: Posture and Presence. She has also produced a DVD: Heal Your Posture. Since 2020, Mary has been offering online workshops for SI practitioners and other somatic educators. It is her joy to share her perspective of movement education.  In today's conversation we spoke about Mary's background as a dancer and finding the work of Ida Rolf, Rolfing and Rolf Movement History, Tensegrity and Perceptual Tensegrity, Body Mandala, how to work with Mary, and more.  You can learn more about Mary and read her blog at www.healyourposture.com. Or reach her directly: mary@healyourposture.com Her Books can be found here  Your Body Mandala: Posture as a Path to Presence https://amzn.to/3FEis9u The New Rules of Posture: How to Sit, Stand, and Move in the Modern World https://amzn.to/3xqQdZ9 If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Todd Harrgrove Todd is a an author, blogger, and manual and movement therapist. He completed training programs in the Feldenkrais Method and Rolfing. He used to be an attorney.   In today's conversation we spoke about Todd's background as a Rolfer, Feldenkrais Practitioner, blogger and now podcaster. We discuss pain science, what rolfing is to him, how he got into this field, and more. You can find out more about Todd at toddhargrove.substack.com His Books can be found here  A Guide to Better Movement: The Science and Practice of Moving With More Skill And Less Pain  Playing With Movement: How to Explore the Many Dimensions of Physical Health and Performance If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's talk is a little different than our usual talks as we are in conversation about former Rolfer, Actor, and Artist John Lodge. We speak with his ex-wife Margaret VanderWaerden and EGSI Founder Ales Urbanczik about who he was, how he came to this work and what marvels he has left behind.   A new book has come out from the European Guild for Structural Integration about John and the work he was given from Dr Ida Rolf. They have pieced together parts of this work with additional sections by other Structural Integrators sharing their comments and stories.  It's truly a great book for the beginner and the advanced practitioner, I can't recommend enough.   We started with a little tech issues, and because of this our usual introduction has been cut off. We find our conversation beginning with Margaret talking about who John Lodge was and we just role on from there.  The book we speak about can be purchased here https://rolfguild.ch/JohnLodgeBook.html If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Scott Zamurut Scott RCST® is a student, practitioner, and teacher of somatic and energetic healing arts with over 30 years in the field. Scott's broad training background includes massage therapy, Polarity Therapy, private mentoring in structural integration, group leadership and dynamics, and ontological coaching. All of these studies support his primary focus in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), and Pre and Perinatal education and healing. As a student and teacher trainee in the first BCST training with Franklyn Sills in the US, Scott is among the longest tenured Biodynamics teachers in North America. He worked with Franklyn, and other senior British teachers for 12 years during his time as a student and teacher trainee. He was also fortunate to work extensively in the Pre and Perinatal field with Karlton Terry, who was mentored by and taught with William Emerson, Ph.D. These two streams of healing work are alive as the core focus of Scott's healing and teaching practice. Scott served as a founding board member of the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and is a past Vice President of the American Polarity Therapy Association. He lives and teaches s in Santa Fe, New Mexico.   In today's conversation we spoke about what exactly is pre and perinatal work, going into history and philosophy of this exciting realm, and honestly to try to describe what we talk about here just won't do it justice.  A really important and educational conversation and still Scott finds ways to make it amusing and enjoyable.  You can find out more about Scott at https://www.scottzamurut.com/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Maria Cristina Jimenez OTR. María Cristina, is an occupational therapist and a Certified Advanced Rolfer.  She has been a yoga teacher since 2001, a Rolfer® since 2012, and a Certified Advanced Rolfer® since 2016. In 2021 she became a registered and licensed OT, specializing in hand therapy. After surviving a horrific car accident and near-death experience at 15, she developed PTSD. Consequently, she's spent her entire life healing her body and helping to heal others. She brings decades of deep somatic studies as well as insights from living with PTSD. María Cristina holds a BA in Theatre and a minor in Women's Studies from Holy Cross in Worcester. She holds an MFA from The New School in Manhattan. Her second Master's is in occupational therapy from USC. She's also a Fulbright Scholar who researched murder of women by men motivated by sexism in Costa Rica. Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, she resides in Los Angeles. In today's conversation we speak all about Maria Cristina's life history that has brought her through to all the work which she now offers. A rich talk indeed. You can find out more about her at www.mariacristinarolfer.com,  on Instagram at @mcyogirolfer and the link to subscribe to her newsletter is: https://mailchi.mp/ed6088e6240b/mc If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Jane Harrington Jane is a graduate from the first Rolf Movement training in 1979.  She is Rolf Institute emeritus faculty having taught both the movement certificate and Basic Rolf Trainings. She graduated from the school of education at UNM, taught for a few years and moved to her passion - dance.  She received a masters in dance from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco which lead to her deepening understanding of  movement and movement analysis.  This was when the Rolf Institute  opened the movement training.  Jane had a practice doing rolf movement for almost ten years before being certified as a Rolfer. For close to 35 years she taught for the Rolf institute , much of that time was in developing the expansion of the work with her teaching partner, VivianJaye.   In today's conversation we spoke about Jane's history with Rolfing, Rolf Movement and Dance, the principles of Rolfing, on being in health, and much more. If you would like to connect with Jane her email is janech@mac.com She has returned to New Mexico and lives close to the Rio Grande and the beauty she loves. There seemed to be some internet issue on my side, causing audio issues during my speaking moments. I am greatly sorry for this and have done my best to edit it up as much as possible. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Dr Martha Eddy Martha a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist, Teacher of Body-Mind Centering® and Certified Movement Analyst with a doctorate in Movement Science, on the faculty at Empire State College, SUNY, and Princeton University. She is the founder of the non-profit organization Moving For Life as well as the somatic movement therapy training Dynamic Embodiment. Martha is a passionate advocate for health through somatic awareness and active embodiment, with a lifelong commitment to the art of dance. In today's conversation we spoke about Martha's rich and diverse history with the somatic arts, her chart mapping the history of the somatic field and it's history, principle based practices, and much more. You can find out more about Dr Eddy at  DrMarthaEddy.com  Please buy her amazing book Mindful Movement: The Evolution of the Somatic Arts and Conscious Action here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1783208430/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1783208430&linkCode=as2&tag=andrewrosenst-20&linkId=802e66d5bb339bd34994c4c4613f6e9b There seemed to be some internet issue on my side, causing audio issues during my speaking moments. I am greatly sorry for this and have done my best to edit it up as much as possible. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Scott Zamurut Scott RCST® is a student, practitioner, and teacher of somatic and energetic healing arts with over 30 years in the field. Scott's broad training background includes massage therapy, Polarity Therapy, private mentoring in structural integration, group leadership and dynamics, and ontological coaching. All of these studies support his primary focus in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), and Pre and Perinatal education and healing. As a student and teacher trainee in the first BCST training with Franklyn Sills in the US, Scott is among the longest tenured Biodynamics teachers in North America. He worked with Franklyn, and other senior British teachers for 12 years during his time as a student and teacher trainee. He was also fortunate to work extensively in the Pre and Perinatal field with Karlton Terry, who was mentored by and taught with William Emerson, Ph.D. These two streams of healing work are alive as the core focus of Scott's healing and teaching practice. Scott served as a founding board member of the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and is a past Vice President of the American Polarity Therapy Association. He lives and teaches s in Santa Fe, New Mexico.   In today's conversation we spoke about Scott's journey to finding this path, the importance of presence and cultivating it, what biodynamics is and some of the history, stories from the field, and some teasers for our next talk on pre and peri natal work.  You can find out more about Scott at https://www.scottzamurut.com/ If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support. You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g