ATSI - Anatomy Trains Sructural Integration

(a.k.a. KMI)

We all develop a characteristic way of standing, moving and holding ourselves.

This produces our individual body 'signature' that is often recognizable to our friends even from several blocks away. Some of this pattern, of course, comes from our genetics, but mostly it comes from habit, from imitation, from compensatory responses to traumatic injury or surgery, and from the way our attitudes are expressed in our movement. And it is open to change.

ATSI is a systematic series of sessions designed to ease the body's movement via the musculo-skeletal system, and restore the natural alignment and integration inherent in the body's design. The method consists of slow, gentle, deep stretching and opening of the body's myofascial (myo = muscle, fascial = the sinewy biological 'fabric' that attaches the muscles to the bones), coupled with the client's movement and breathing.
 
The method is designed to offset  the adverse effects of bad postural habits and the after-effects of injury or trauma. The goal is to restore alignment and balance to the musculo- skeletal  system and the full range of anatomical and physiological motion. Any chronic holding produces a strain pattern throughout the body. Over time, these muscular tensions get 'written in' to the fascial fabric, and thus 'set' into our structure. It becomes impossible to simply 'relax' our way out of these patterns.

Our skeletal frame gets slowly pulled out of place and the body fights with gravity, setting up further tensions. Some of these strain patterns may be minor and benign, but some, either immediately or over time, produce pain patterns or create significant limitation. These patterns may begin in one locale, or may regularly produce pain in one spot  like the shoulder, knee
or low back , but the strain pattern, because of the distributive nature of the fascial net, is always body-wide.

 A person with a sunken chest may feel pain in his neck or restricted breathing, but there will also be subtle, 'silent' changes in the position of his pelvis, legs, neck, and spine. To undo the pattern requires working progressively with the whole body to establish the support for a new place of balance.

Therefore the ATSI process is set up as a series of 12 sessions, designed to be completed over several months at your own pace, where each session concentrates on a different aspect of the body's  supporting structure. Although your ATSI practitioner will be happy to apply his or her skills to your particular issues, the best and most lasting results are obtained when the entire body is addressed through this series.

ATSI was developed and founded by author Tom Myers, of the pioneering work of Dr Ida Rolf (founder of Rolfing), with additional perspective drawn from movement education and body-centered psychotherapy.

The work itself is direct but sensitive,
and involves a deep, slow opening of the myofascial tissues, while the client participates with his or her movement. The results are immediately felt, and one or two sessions should make it easy to decide whether the ATSI process is right for you.

The work is performed on a treatment table or bench with the client clothed in underwear or a bathing suit, and pictures may be taken periodically,  if you wish, to demonstrate the progression of postural change.

You do not have to accept your posture as
'just the way I am' or structural pain as
'that's what happens when you get older' -
you can change these patterns and ATSI can help.

WHAT CAN I GET FROM   THE ATSI SESSIONS?

Feel more 'at home' in your body.  

Feel more energy, less fatigue.

Achieve better alignment and ease in movement.

Better balance of body, emotions, and spirit.

Improve performance in sports, yoga, dance and other movement activities.

Regain length in your body's joints and muscles.

Relieve structural aches and pains.

Prevent or abate future degenerative problems.

Open and reclaim chronically tightened and held tissues.

Before 12 ATSI          After 12 ATSI

     Sessions                   Sessions