Hellerwork

Hellerwork is a class of bodywork known as Structural Integration invented in 1978 by aerospace engineer Joseph Heller, the first president of the Rolf Institute (see Rolfing). Following Ida Rolf’s lineage of Structural Integration bodywork, Joseph Heller incorporated movement education/awareness and body-centered human development processes creating Hellerwork

Hellerwork Structural Integration is offered as a complete program which includes 11 sessions for rebalancing the entire body. During sessions, the structural balance of the body is realized through the systematic release of muscle and connective tissue to restore the body’s optimal natural balance, posture, and flexibility. Additionally, the therapist uses verbal dialogue to explore emotional factors that may be contributing to tension in the client's physical make-up. As a preventative technique, the primary goal of hellerwork is to reach a greater awareness of our bodies, becoming increasingly free of patterns that lock us into chronic tensions and stress.

Reconditioning the body requires not only releasing the rigidity from the connective tissue, but also bringing awareness to and changing the patterns that caused the tissue to rigidify in the first place. The three components of Hellerwork - deep connective tissue bodywork, movement education, and dialogue - aim to do just that.

Components Of Hellerwork

Deep Connective Tissue Bodywork

The bodywork focuses on the fascia of the body. Fascia is the connective tissue which is found throughout the body as sheets and sheathes and as wrapping throughout muscle. When a muscle needs help doing a particular job or motion (this includes repeated body language patterns and motion restrictions from injuries e.g. limping) or is exposed to a repeated stress, the layers of fascia within and around the muscle start to stick together, holding the body in a pattern that has minimized the stress, perhaps long beyond the time of need.

Hellerwork releases these restrictions using fingers, knuckles, elbows, and arms with a variety of techniques. Since deep fascial work may find tender areas, there is constant interaction and feedback from the client to minimize any discomfort. What emerges over the series of 11 sessions is an increasing range of motion and flexibility, a rebalancing of the body, and reduced postural stress. This returns the client to a naturally good posture which works with gravity instead of fighting it.

Movement Education

If the bodywork aspect of Hellerwork is like taking the dents out of a car's bumper after the car has run into a tree, then movement education can be likened to reeducating the driver so that he won't continue to destroy his vehicle. No amount of removing dents will keep a car beautiful if the driver is continually hitting trees!

Through the Hellerwork movement education program, you become profoundly aware of your body and your movement patterns, and as a result discover easier, fuller ways of moving. Simple and easy to remember suggestions and visualizations are used to rebalance your movement for optimal alignment and fluidity.

In movement education, we focus on the use of your body in daily activities. With all clients we work with sitting, standing, walking, and movement patterns that are common to everyone. Additionally, your particular movement interests, like your favorite sports, or your job activity, will become the focus of some movement lessons. Video feedback is often used to assist the movement education process, and to allow you to get a picture of how your body is moving from the outside.

Dialogue

Dialogue with your practitioner allows you to recognize any of your ongoing attitudinal patterns which contribute to tension in your body. It will give you insights into how your emotions and beliefs influence your body's well being. In dialogue you will uncover new, easy to use ways to deal with your particular life's stresses and upsets.

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