=
Aolfing Movement Integration
by Mary Bond
Review by Michael Murphy
wo aspects of this un | Bondhas completely avoided | relationto the pull of gravity. | to review the author’s ideas
usual book help to make | this difficulty by weaving an Finally, she concludes | She makes subtle concepts
itone of the most inter- | elaborate, three-part braid. each chapter witha narrative, | seem simple to the novice
esting and useful self Each chapter fistdefines | This fictional story describes | reader. She presents prin-
help books available. First, | concepts and principles of | four friends, referred to as_| ciples that are familiar to
it de-emphasizes the role of | your body's relationship to | “the Gravity Gang”, each of | many practicing Rolfers in
thebodyworkerwhileempha- | gravity. Bond outlines the | whom bas been reading a | such an open way that an
Siting the role ofthe client. | theoretical and conceptual | self-help book about move- | Alexander® teacher or @
This gives the book a popu- | ideas which would undertie | menteducation. As aveader | Feldenkrais® practitioner
list tone, while empowering an actual session, She de- | you identify with them be- | would easily recognize these
the client to be more in- | seribesthe principles in broad | cause you yourself are read- | ideas
formed when she does seek | terms which could apply to | ing the very samme book. As ‘This book isa wonderful
out professional assistance. | any movement education | each one of these characters | companion for anyone who is
Second, it suggests ways to | modality, such as Felden- | uses the guided visualization | undergoing a series of Rolf-
explore the principles by pro- | krais® Method or the | scripts to explore his or her | ing@sessions Itisalso.ause-
viding scripts for guided vi | Alexander® technique. The | own body, we get to vicari- ful introductory guide to the
sualizations and by providing | ideas aresoapproachable that | ously observe the range of range of possibilities of Rolf
narrative examples of how | any reader could use the con- | possible reactions. Thechar- ing Movemment®. Therefore,
some fictional characters | cepts personally without the | acters’ strengths, weaknesses, it serves as a helpful referral
right use the book. aidan RolferorRolt- | wilingnessandresitance are path o any tiem who ire
Typically, a self-help | ing Movement® teacher. all laid out forus to see. Be- | luctanttobegina professional
book dealing with an educa- ‘Then she provides the | fore long we are actually cat- relationship, but still want to
sonal moddiy set move. | texofameiadeninzn, ing about he savin and | ow moe att the Rol
‘ment education will address tion which a friend can read | their unfolding. We can be | ing® movement
the reader atthe moment of wyouasyoufocusinwardon | inspired by their courage and
‘reading, usually with some | your own personal process. | touched by their struggles. Reprinted with permission
words such as “notice how | You can also read this script | Most delightfully, the thera- | from Massage Magazine,
youhold this book..how your | onto an audio tape to play | peuticsupportinthisfictional | P.O. Box 1500, Davis, CA
weight restson the seatof the | back for yourself later, so that | tales provided by the friends 95617, Issue Number 50,
chair underneath you", Even | you become your own guide | themselves, rather than by a | July/August 1994,
with the best of intentions, | on your inner journey, ‘This | Rolfer.
this construction can easily visualization incorporates the ‘The variety of this ap-
become preachy and rather ideas and principles into an | proach—conceptual, experi- | Available through the Rolf
awkward (0 read. In Rolfing | exploration of your own body | ential, fictional—provides Institue for $14.95
Movement integration, Mary | andhow youhold yourselfin | three different opportunities |
arch Bl Lins 41