Structural Integration PDF Print E-mail

What Is KMI Structural Integration?

Kinesis Myofascial Integration is a strategic approach to bodywork that is a synthesis of the fascial work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf, the movement insights of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais and the whole-systems geometry of Buckminster Fuller as developed by Thomas Myers, author of Anatomy Trains.

Ron Floyd, LMT has a unique approach to this work, using sensitive fascial unwinding techniques that work with the relationship between nerves, muscles and fascia. The nueral-muscular system dictates muscle length and powers our movement patterns. It is the myofascial system that gives us our shape and posture. Fascia is the thin, elastic wrapping around the muscles. It can both support and restrict our movement patterns.

Many things determine our posture and the shape that we take in space: injury, surgery, imitating the way our parents or heroes move, repetitive activities in sports or work, emotions and attitudes all affect the way we move and hold our bodies. This patterning happens below our conscious awareness and can set us up for injury and musculoskeletal pain. KMI frees the binding and shortening in the connective tissues and re-educates the body to learn more efficient and energy-sustaining postural and movement patterns.

KMI is most effective in a 12-session series, but the work is also available in single session or in a shorter series. KMI improves the health of the tissues and offers you an awareness of what is happening inside your body. This process can lead to greater freedom of movement and relief from pain. KMI is as educational as it is therapeutic – it is no less than an owner’s manual for the most complex piece of equipment you will ever possess – your body.

What are the benefits of KMI?

The KMI brand of structural Integration is a very personal process. Because no two people are alike, their experience of the work and the benefits it provides are never exactly the same. As a result of the process people often appear taller and slimmer. Feelings of discomfort or pain are often alleviated. Clients often report greater flexibility, a feeling of lightness and fluidity, better balance, increased breathing capacity, and increased energy.
While Structural Integration is primarily concerned with physical changes in the body, it actually affects the whole person. Our emotions, attitudes, belief systems and behavior patterns are as important to the healing process as our physical being. All are related, and alignment of our physical structure can open up potential in many areas. Clients often report positive emotional and mental changes like reduced stress, greater self-confidence and improved ability to handle life's changes. Such changes have been reported in all age groups.
Anyone from the computer-bound or couch potato to the finely tuned athlete can benefit from KMI. Whether you are seeking relief from acute or chronic pain, enhanced performance in sports or recovery from injury, this work is beneficial. It is an excellent body-centered adjunct to counseling or psychotherapy and has been shown to be helpful in treating depression and anxiety. It is invaluable for maintaining enhanced inner awareness.

RON’S PHILOSOPHY:

  • It is my goal to free the body’s fascial system to allow natural peace with gravity.
  • Each person is uniquely balanced and has postural and movement patterns that work for them.
  • KMI helps the individual find more efficiency and greater freedom of movement.
  • The greater our ease, fluidity and generosity of movement, the more adaptable we are.
  • KMI increases flexibility and resilience on many levels.
  • The old adage “no pain no gain” has no validity in my practice. Opening the body’s potential can be done within your comfort zone – without sacrificing results.
  • The mind and body are inseparable, and emotional pain can be stored in the body’s tissues. KMI is NOT a substitute for psychotherapy; however it is an excellent adjunct to it.
  • KMI is also very helpful in times of change and personal growth.