GSI Administrative Staff

Richard Stenstadvold, President of the Guild

Richard was Director of the “original” Guild for Structural Integration (which became the Rolf Institute) for eighteen years; 1971 – 1989. Prior to that, he worked for Adolph’s in Los Angeles, as General Manager from 1958 – 1971. His generosity, personal management style, commitment to and close relationship with Dr. Rolf, all went toward shepherding the young organization through the seventies and eighties… until it became a thriving entity.

Richard reorganized the Guild for Structural Integration in 1989. His plan was designed to preserve Dr. Rolf’s traditional teachings while developing her dream of “satellite schools.”

Richard’s commitment to Dr. Rolf’s vision and his personal promises to her inspires us all as we witness the results of his “labor of love”; a high quality school and an exceptional, talented community of people, dedicated to the traditional teachings of Dr. Ida P. Rolf.

Susan Melchior, School Director

Susan met and served Dr. Rolf in the late sixties at Kairos Institute where Dr. Rolf conducted classes. Susan owned and operated a successful catering service at that time. She was inspired and transformed by Dr. Rolf’s work, and in the early seventies moved to Colorado with her husband, Peter, to raise a family and help with the new organization. She was the School Director for the Rolf Institute from 1983–1990.

In 1991, Susan joined her longtime friend and co-worker, Richard Stenstadvold, as School Director for the Guild where she continues to be inspired and transformed by the work of Structural Integration.

Her organizational, business and counseling skills, combined with genuine good will and easy laughter, make Susan the central figure at the Guild’s home office.

GSI Faculty

Emmett Hutchins

Emmett began his studies with Dr. Rolf in 1965. Her influence, both personally and professionally have made a profound impact in his life…which he shares so beautifully with students and colleagues alike. Dr. Rolf and Emmett had a close relationship until her death in 1979.

In 1971, Emmett co-taught his first class in Structural Integration with Peter Melchior. They were Dr. Rolf’s first appointed Instructors and both have been integral in developing and teaching her work ever since.

Emmett’s talented hands and unique mastery of the work combined with his theoretical abilities, metaphysical studies and exceptional dedication puts him in a class of his own. His particular style in his practice and in the classroom is famous worldwide.

Neal Powers

Neal began his studies with Dr. Rolf in 1971. He was president of the Rolf Institute for six years as well as being on the faculty. He has been teaching Structural Integration since 1981. Neal has maintained a private practice in San Francisco for many years.

Neal has a great ability to clearly deliver the principles and theories of the SI work and with his amazing sense of humor, strong spiritual and family base, he has become a guiding light for many practitioners.

Neal’s uniqueness is his greatest gift and his commitment and dedication to training students in Dr. Rolf’s work continues to be demonstrated over and over again.

Jeff Linn

Jeff is an Advanced Certified Structural Integration Practitioner, somatic practitioner and Massage Therapy Instructor who has practiced Structural Integration and bodywork for over 25 years. He began his studies in SI at the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) in San Diego, with Dr. Edward Maupin, author of the widely used and respected text on structural integration, ‘A Dynamic Relation to Gravity.’ Jeff studied and taught with Dr Maupin from 1987 to 1994, and maintains a close friendship with his mentor. In 1994 he moved to Boulder to deepen his studies in Structural Integration and complete Advanced Training at the Guild. His 19 years of affiliation with the Guild have included extensive time studying and teaching with both Peter Melchior and Emmett Hutchins, and he has taught at several other bodywork schools as well. He also holds a certificate in Advanced Structural Integration from the Rolf Institute. A computer hobbyist, Jeff developed and supports the unique computerized structural assessment system used in our classrooms in Boulder and Kauai.

Jeff maintains a private practice in structural integration in Boulder, where he also enjoys walking, reading, yoga, meditation, and tai chi. As well as his numerous bodywork certifications, he holds certificates as a teacher of Hatha Yoga and Meditation from the Integral Yoga Institute. Jeff teaches the Guild’s pre-requisite course, and both basic and advanced trainings. His teaching and practice are informed by his wide background in bodywork, his long-standing contemplative practice, and his extensive study of the original classroom recordings of Dr. Rolf’s teachings.

Amber Leigh Burnham

Amber has been practicing therapeutic bodywork since 1995 after graduating from the Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT) Professional Program. In 1999, she also completed the Clinical Career Track and the Structural Integration Track at UCMT. She was fortunate to work with UCMT founder Norm Cohn, and Steven Padgen for her initial training in the 10 sessions of Structural Integration, and later with Andy Crow. In 1999, Cohn asked her to revise and teach UCMT’s movement class. Thus began her love of teaching – a love that has continued to the present.

Norm and Andy, both trained by Ida Rolf in the 1970’s, instilled in Amber a respect for the Guild for Structural Integration (GSI). She completed her Advanced Five Series training with Emmett Hutchins. In addition to her teaching at UCMT, she has gained extensive experience serving on the GSI faculty in Kawai, Hawaii, and Boulder Colorado.

Amber’s approach to Structural Integration comes from the basic principle that the human body is a self-healing organism.  When all the parts of the body fit together, move freely and are functioning properly, then health and well being become our natural state instead of pain and discomfort.

Whether she is helping someone with chronic pain or helping athletes increase their performance, this basic principle is the underlying foundation for all of her work.
Amber continually enjoys working the intelligence of Ida’s ten session system while keeping each individual’s goals and concerns in hand to create a unique experience.
When she is not practicing bodywork Amber enjoys laughing with family and friends, traveling, and spending time with her two pugs.