Classes and Workshops at the Guild

The Guild’s Prerequisite Course is an intensive, in depth, integrative approach to anatomy, physiology and massage. With extensive, independent home study before class and practice hours after class; this four-week course is a unique experience for the student pursuing the Guild’s Basic Training. The anatomy and physiology is taught from the perspective of Structural Integration. Our bodywork training begins with a foundational full-body, integrative massage to enable the student to practice and become familiar with the experience of working through the body with the whole person. Then a number of significant contemporary bodywork modalities and an introduction to myofascial work are covered to round out the the student's perspective and prepare them for the basic SI course. Additional time is spent at various points looking at concepts in body/mind unity, therapeutic relationship and ethical considerations. This course is primarily designed for the beginner but the seasoned therapist can also benefit. We strongly recommend starting your training with this course. (530 Hours)

Required study and completed plates in the Anatomy Coloring Book must be done prior to attendance. Preparatory information and a required reading list are sent to those who enroll and it is not uncommon to spend a few months of serious study before coming to class. Taking an anatomy and physiology course prior to this class is highly recommended.

An application is required. Call and talk to the GSI staff at (303) 447-0122 for more details concerning this course.

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The principles and structural techniques expressed in Ida Rolf’s series for ten Structural Integration sessions are the core of the Guild’s Basic Training Program. Basic Training consists of two phases: Auditing Class and Practitioning Class.

Each phase is eight weeks in duration and each class begins with one week of Integrative Anatomy. The ensuing seven weeks of instruction focuses on Structural Integration studies. Classes are conducted four days a week. Each phase consists of auditors and practitioners with approximately two or three instructors in attendance. An interim period between classes is recommended, although some students attend consecutive classes.

Throughout Basic Training students learn to “see”, to analyze and interpret human structure and movements in the Earth’s field of gravity. Students also acquire a comprehensive knowledge of Structural Integration theory and fundamental principles of Structural Integration. In addition, students receive exposure to the history and development of the work, and preparation for practicing the craft.

All students enter auditing with the focus on “seeing.” “Seeing” human structure and movement is an indispensable prerequisite to Structural Integration work. The way we see the whole person is the hallmark distinguishing practitioners of the Ida P. Rolf Method of Structural Integration from other bodyworkers. True sight is not casually acquired: it is hard work, perhaps even a lifelong process.

Convinced that “seeing” presented a most difficult yet essential and important task for practitioners, Dr. Rolf created auditing so that students could begin to train their sights before doing their work. Today, auditors in GSI classes principally observe sessions, participate in lectures, have group discussions and engage in other learning activities as part of their experience. Manipulation is not done by the auditors during this part of the training.

At the conclusion of Phase I, individual interviews are conducted by the instructors and the administrative staff to determine the students advancing into the Practitioning Class (Phase II). At this point the student and the instructors are able to discuss the student’s progress and what is needed to prepare further for the practice of Structural Integration. If a student is found to be unacceptable for passing into the Practitioning Phase, it is also discussed at this time. (SIB011, 264 hours)

The Practitioning Class (Phase II) concentrates on manipulative instruction and practice by students who have successfully completed the auditing class.

During the weeks of Structural Integration studies, each Practitioning student works with models who receive the standard ten sessions of Structural Integration. In this phase, the Practitioning students also exchange the ten sessions with a designated partner. All manipulation work is directly supervised by the class instructors. A diploma is awarded at the successful completion of this class. (SIB013, 264 hours)

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Continuing Education (“CE”) is an essential part of a GSI Practitioner’s development and refinement. The Guild offers workshops throughout the year, in different locations and recommends that a practitioner take at least one workshop a year for three to five years before entering the GSI Advanced Training. Workshops explore post ten work in the format of an Advanced Three Series; or they specialize in different aspects of helping the practitioner to understand their work better. Courses cover a variety of subjects such as three series/post-ten work, application of principles of structural integration to working with scoliosis and the use of movement re-education in the integrative process.

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The Guild’s Advanced Training is a six week course that teaches the Advanced 1-5 Series as it was developed by Dr. Rolf and our two senior teachers: Emmett Hutchins and Peter Melchior. In the class the students also review the Ten Series of Basic SI. This is a very empowering class.

Requirements for enrolling are at least three to five years of full time private SI practice and a few Continuing Education workshops. If one is coming from another school, they must first be approved by attending one of our Continuing Education workshops. (192 hours)

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