Rolfing and Structural Integration in Columbus Ohio

by SharonHartnett | Nov 4, 2013 | better posture, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration

Lately I have been getting calls asking if Structural Integration (SI) work is the same thing as Rolfing®.

So in order to clarify this, I have decided to write a short post on the subject. I hope this helps.

The Rolf Institute for Structural Integration

The Rolf Institute® blossomed as Dr. Rolf’s students began to branch out her work into the community and eventually throughout world. The original pioneers of this work called themselves, “Rolfers®”. The school and all its teachers did a great thing in expanding her education and healing work outward.

As with most types of bodywork however, the work began to evolve and different practitioners created their own new approaches to her foundational template. The next generation of Structural Integration Therapist. Thus, the spread of this craft based on fascial work sprouted new wings and took off in different directions.

Currently, there are many schools, some who keep with the original 10 series as Dr. Ida Rolf taught, and others with different formulas. These new practitioners call themselves “Structural Integration” Therapists because they attended the newer schools Also, the “Rolf®” name belongs to the Institute. But- what is similar is that all Structural Integration is originated from the original 10 series. The goal is to create better structural alignment and functioning and ease of movement for the clients.

Ida Rolf’s teaching

She found much success in this Structural Integration work because of the its wonderful ability to re-organize the connective tissues in the body which envelopes and contains all the working muscles, organs and just about everything within. Dr. Rolf established her 10 series “recipe” to be the foundation of this work to address the body from a superficial level to down deep in the core of the body. By focusing on a certain area of the body each session, the body learned how to let go of certain dysfunctional patterns from one week to the other, until they whole body began to relate to itself in a very new way without the habitual stresses from before. This is the whole of integration.

At Lighten Up Therapies in Columbus Ohio and Johnstown, Sharon Hartnett practices Structural Alignment with the basic 10 series as originally taught by Dr. Ida Rolf. She works with the same idea of moving from superficial to deeper, but now with a lighter touch. Communication is key with an ongoing dialogue to make sure the client is comfortable and able to move through the changes well. Connective Tissue massage (fascial work) is beneficial too and may be requested also in hourly sessions. It’s also helpful for people who want to continue their manual therapy on a regular basis.

There are different schools out there and “fascial” work seems to have taken root and is now being taught in regular massage schools. If you are interested though in the “original” series, make sure you ask to see if the work is the same. There are many Structural Integration Practitioners such as Sharon who have not veered off the original intent and have helped clients discover positive change. Dr. Ida Rolf created her work a certain way based on years of experience with great results. The recipe works!

Wishing you the best of finding the best Structural Integration Therapist for you in your area

* This is based on my opinion after conversations with other Structural Integrations who have studied at a variety of schools. If there are other opinions, please add to my blog.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Worthington, Ohio|Serving the Columbus Area

614 653-8111

To find out more about Structural Integration or Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Worthington, Ohio|Serving the Columbus Area

614 653-8111

To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.

Massage with a Hakomi Approach to Healing

by SharonHartnett | Nov 2, 2013 | Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, thought for the day

Hakomi is a holistic approach to massage and bodywork:

Typically, a person comes into a Massage Establishment looking for a nice soothing and relaxing massage.The muscles are tight… they feel tense and are looking for some type of relief.

A Swedish massage may feel great and may be exactly what you need to relief your daily stresses, but when you find yourself feeling tight again in a day or two, why not decide to try a different method of bodywork: A Deeper and longer lasting Hakomi massage healing may be more helpful with its gentle intention of mindful touch and self-awareness.Hakomi methods may be helpful in helping you to find self-understanding and in letting go of past traumas.

Hakomi Massage

People who receive massage regularly realize that they feel much better after being touched and contacted on a physical level by a professional with caring and experienced hands.More than 34 million people have discussed massage therapy with their doctors according to the AMTA as a means to relief pain and feel healthier.Often Massage and bodywork helps people feel more balanced, relaxed and closer to their health and wellness goals.A good professional partnership between therapist and client can do wonders.

However, consider that massage can also benefit you on much deeper level if you are willing to try some self-reflective techniques to the arisings of your consciousness. It’s interesting to realize that the mind body & spirit connection acts as a whole.Have you ever noticed when you lie on the table that all your thoughts of the day keep your mind active and and how your feelings are attached to the beliefs? Have you wondered about why your thoughts go outward rather than nourishing the “Self”? These different flows of energy are creatively looking for expressing and integration. When a connection through bodywork touch happens, cells begin to respond in a whole new way. Cellular memory sends this new information to the brain and not only is the body processing, but the whole way in which we relate internally and externally begins to shift into a more open way of living. Hidden memories and beliefs may begin to surface. With Hakomi, this is done in a safe and confidential environment. Our intention is to help the client to build a strong foundation and then to observe and feel as all these things move through “the self” in a soft and meaningful session. Hakomi brings the client into a more unitive state of being with its mirroring and compassionate support.

As a Massage Therapist for 15 years, Sharon has mindfully worked with clients to help restore alignment, balance and structural integrity back to her clients. With respect, she meets her clients where they are and with whatever goals they agree upon. If you are looking for a basic massage, that is welcomed. However, if trauma has existed in your life and has not been released. It may be in your interest during your healing journey to receive mindful sensory input to help you move along on your path to wholeness.

*Hakomi in this setting is not replacing psychotherapy, but it is helpful in conjunction with talk therapy and will support you in your healing in any case.

If you have any questions please contact Sharon Hartnett LMT:

Call: 740 966-5153

Serving the Columbus, Ohio Area

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

Hakomi Therapy is a a system of body centered therapy developed by Ron Kurtz in the 1970s an which has evolved through the years through the work of the Hakomi Institute. It uses mindfulness, unity, and organicity to explore awareness and the core material that organizes our belief systems. Hakomi can be very helpful for massage and bodywork clients who have experienced past traumas and have not been able to process through the sensations and feelings with typical therapy alone.

Equine Therapy

by SharonHartnett | Oct 30, 2013 | animal therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K

Getting Ready for my Fourth Training in Coaching with Equine Therapy

It’s been an exciting journey learning how to work as a Coach for people interested in learning leadership skills by sharing space with horses. At the Spirit of Leadership https://www.spirit-of-leadership.com program, I have had the opportunity to find new ways to help shape my program that will be starting in Columbus Ohio in the summer of 2014 to support people wanting to move in the direction of self-discovery, deepening into healthier relationships, walking a spiritual path and wanting to integrate all of this into their daily lives. By experiencing and observing the “way of the horse”, we can be taught so much on how to embody our strengths and live by our values in a meaningful way.

In our last module we set up an obstacle course with the intention of finding a way to move through our own personal and group blocks in order to release whatever stood in our way. Each group set up their unique configuration and we all worked together to find a way to creatively use all of our qualities and efforts to transverse what was set in front of us. It was fun, spontaneous, and effortless when we dropped our judgments and learned to move together as a cohesive unit. Not only did we grow in our human relationships, but the wisdom of the horses mirrored back to us where we needed to go to make our objectives become real. We were able to gain insight in our minds, as well as with a full body inter-related sense of the movement.

As a licensed Massage Therapist, a dedicated healer facilitator and educator, and a Hakomi Practitioner, it has been wonderful to bring the aspect of Nature and Horses into the Healership. I have found that by working with either one horse or many, that a certain magic takes place in how healing information is brought into our full bodied consciousness. Nothing brings me more pleasure than to be in service to the evolution of each person, sentient being and every aspect of Nature. It is with the Sacred movement between earth and spirit that we find truth and meaning in our lives.

I am looking forward to the next summer to coach with some of the Tellington Touch work I have learned, and in helping individuals, and groups to trust and grow from the deeper intelligence of life through contact with the horses and their herd.

Wisdom of the Horse

Warmly,

Sharon Hartnett LMT

Johnstown and Worthington, Ohio

Nourish the Mind Body & Spirit

by SharonHartnett | Oct 12, 2013 | Massage, mind body & spirit

Massage Therapy can nourish the soul down to the Core.

When you take the time for self-care, think about calling Lighten Up Therapies to set up your ongoing sessions.

Read the following AMTA article for more information.

https://www.amtamassage.org/uploads/cms/documents/client_page_web.pdf

Whether you come in for a session to relax, to explore, or to find deeper peace, Massage can make all the difference!

Sharon Hartnett LMT

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

Commitment to Relieve Pain

by SharonHartnett | Oct 12, 2013 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K

Often people find themselves feeling tense and in pain.

The interesting thing about pain is that because it is a teacher, it tells us not to overdo it or to pay attention to our experience. However, once the initial message is sent to the brain, it is important to remember not to store away that pain for good. Once it makes its home in the body, it decides to live there in the cells, often creating more pain or perhaps even illness. So after some rest for a day or two, it’s time to bring your awareness back to the injury. Hold the intention to “be” with and relieve your pain. Keep the body subtle and restful with motion and harmony

I like to encourage my clients to feel into the discomfort and pain in a way that they can trust their own body’s reactions. It’s one small step at a time. This is called, “engaging the soft pain.” This should be an experience where you feel deeply with release but not enough that it puts you back into a defensive mode. This is not an exercise to test your limits, but rather a place to explore your sensations and feelings in a safe and healing way.

Each person if different. Some people heal better with light touch, and others with deeper contact. Communication and boundaries must be respected and appreciated for the body to unravel the layers of protection and pain. Dialoguing throughout a session is important at first to learn to understand what helps and what does not.

It also takes commitment to stay with your process as you work with a therapist. Whether physically, emotionally or spiritually, layers will reveal themselves that may be uncomfortable. But it is with perseverance and resiliency that you will pass through the temporary pain until the deeper wound is unlatched. Allow your healing process to help you to grow as a whole person. It is in allowing all of our experience to open that we find true meaning in life.

Remember: Pain does not need to run your life. It is only meant to be an indicator to bring mindfulness to the Self. If you want more freedom, vitality and joy, it is necessary to stand in your strengths and feel into all that you are.

Moving through the soft pain…

Nobody says that it is an easy to relieve pain and walk upon the road to wellness. But it is worth the journey. Give yourself commitment, patience, the room to have fallbacks as well as advancements, and the care that you deserve.

Sharon Hartnett LMT

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

(614) 372-6598

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