Today's conversation is with Don Hanlon Johnson

Don is no stranger to the embodied and somatic work, he’s been involved in this field since long before many of us have been born. Now in his 90’s he has been involved with so many of the pioneers and lineage holders of this field. A blurp written by Don about himself reads, “As I move into my twilight years, I am aware that the seeds that brought forth my current work were planted over half a century ago when I had my first post in teaching philosophy at what is now Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles while participating with Carl Rogers in his research project on the efficacy of student-centered learning in the school system of the Immaculate Heart sisters from kindergarten through their university. That intersection of Rogerian humanistic psychology with the experiential tradition of Socratic and Husserlian philosophy, my long history of meditation, and my first visits to the newly born Esalen Institute, gradually shaped a comprehensive approach to the education of therapists and healers, bringing together the cutting-edge theoretical, with relevant experiential dimensions, and the intellectual aspects of developing an embodied consciousness. After studying and practicing the work of Ida Rolf, I founded the first masters degree program in Somatic Psychology and succeeded in having it authorized by license-granting state boards. I was a professor in that program for some 30 years. I am now teaching in newly launched Somatics emphasis in the doctoral program of Integral and Transpersonal Psychologies. My website has more detailed information."

This was really a dream come true for me. Don was one of the people I had in mind to talk with when I created this podcast. Further proof that with hard work and diligence, dreams can come true. And they can be even more rewarding than imagined.

Todays talk ran the gamut of Rolfing history, phenomenology and other topics of which Don is an experienced and knowledgeable sage of. Instead of my usual forewords, let’s just hop into this exciting and informative talk.

To learn more about Don please visit https://donhanlonjohnson.com/

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Michael Shea

Michael is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. He leads seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Dr. Shea received his master’s degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. In 1986, he was certified as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute.

Dr. Shea has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and was an Advanced Rolfer for 20 years. He is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings and the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge task force (MTBOK).

Dr. Shea brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to teaching health and healing, with a teaching style grounded in a spiritual practice of developing compassion with the use of manual therapy.

He is a formal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and past apprentice with a medicine man on the Navajo reservation in Arizona.

Because of the influence of the Dalai Lama, Dr. Shea’s clinical focus is on treating infants and children with neurological problems and developmental delays. This also includes teaching clinical skills for adults that carry pre and perinatal trauma.

In today's conversation we spoke about body shame, myths and outdatedness of BMI, contemplative practice of eating, interoceptive awareness and it’s importance, repairing relationships, sovereignty, and a ton more. It’s always great to be in conversations with Michael and we hear from so many of you how much you enjoy these talks.

You can find Michael's book The Biodynamics of the Immune System: Balancing the Energies of the Body with the Cosmos here https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamics-Immune-System-Balancing-Energies/dp/1644115255/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen08-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=2cdba1d04b455978d20c55c689844aa8&camp=1789&creative=9325%22

You can learn more about Michael at www.SheaHeart.com

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Suzanne Picard.

Suzanne Picard is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolfing Movement Therapist, in practice since 1992. Over the past 30 years she has deepened her studies with several styles of movement modalities, cranial sacral therapies and osteopathic inspired trainings in the nuero, vascular and visceral systems. She has been a faculty member of the Rolf Institute since 1996, at various times being chair of the Rolfing Movement and the Foundations of Somatic Practice Departments. She is a practicing visual artist with an MFA is sculpture. Suzanne cultivates the technical and the art of her manual therapy.

In today's conversation we spoke about a many topics related to Embodiment, Rolf Movement, Suzanne and her practice and a bunch more. This was one of those talks that was so easy and fun while also being incredibly informative. Like old friends catching up, we were bouncing around many interrelated topics and we are sure you will enjoy and get a lot out of this one.

To learn more about Suzanne please visit http://www.suzannepicard.com

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Andrea Olsen.

Andrea Olsen, performer, author, and educator, is a Professor Emerita of Dance at Middlebury College, and a certified instructor of Holden QiGong and Embodyoga. She is author of a quartet of books on embodiment: Bodystories: A Guide to Experiential Anatomy, Body and Earth: An Experiential Guide, The Place of Dance: A Somatic Guide to Dancing and Dance Making with colleague Caryn McHose, and Moving Between Worlds: A Guide to Embodied Living and Communicating, along with numerous articles and chapters in anthologies_._  Recent projects include continuing the Body and Earth: Seven Web-Based Somatic Excursions film project with Scotty Hardwig and Caryn McHose (http://body-earth.org) and performing “Awakening Grace: Six Somatic Tools”.

In today's conversation we spoke about a wide gamut of topics including how Andrea came to be the powerhouse that she is, we discuss the creative and artistic processes, her books and the importance they have on a global spectrum, being an educator, embodiment, non-verbal communication, the release of her new book, and as always so much more. We hope to have her on again and explore even more topics along the spectrum of being a living, breathing embodied being.

To learn more about Andrea please visit https://andrea-olsen.com/

You can find her books everywhere books can be found, be it your local independent bookstore or here on amazon https://amzn.to/3TWjN40

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Hiroyoshi Tahata.

Hiro has worked as a Rolfer since 1998. He joined the Rolf Movement faculty of the Rolf Institute® in 2009. He brings to this work a depth of creativity and understanding that integrates the principles of structure and function through a gentle and non-invasive approach to transformation. His background in biochemistry clearly bridges the inquiry between science and art. From his experience with doctors, Hiro understood that it is possible to heal a living organism with very little stimulation.

In today's conversation we spoke about Hiro’s path to today, what yield is to Hiro (and me), safety and spatial awareness, I share a story of my experience of receiving Hiro’s work, and a moment of closure in Hiro’s mother tongue and the difference of embodied speech.

This was a very enjoyable conversation to me as we were navigating language differences, language processing time relations and cultural relations towards speaking. I had to be in a different relation to how I spoke and listened with Hiro, and this was really a gift for me in a reminder of how to be in space with someone. Thank you for that Hiro! Because of the importance of space here I purposely left more of the space between speakers in than I usually do when I edit as it felt very important to me to also get a sense of Hiro and his approach. This episode will have a different tempo than others and we hope that this brings another type of experience for you as well.

To learn more about Hiro please visit https://rolfinger.com/

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at http://andrewrosenstock.com and http://rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at http://nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today we are back in conversation with Ales about the documentary he recently released about Structural Integration, "Finding the Line - An Exploration of Structural Integration."

This movie tells the story of an adventure that will take the viewer into Ida Rolf's world of Structural Integration. At the heart of the movie are 8 students and their quest to understand Ida Rolf's philosophy during their 3 year Basic Trainings in Milano, Prague and Warsaw.

The movie also explains the basic ideas behind Structural Integration and discusses some recent research into connective tissue and fascia.

You can find more about "Finding The Line" at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/structuralintegration

You can also find more about the training Ales and the EGSI offer at  https://rolfguild.eu/BasicTrainingInternational.html

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Mark Johnson.

Mark is the Philip H. Knight Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Emeritus, in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oregon. His research has focused on the philosophical implications of the role of human embodiment in meaning, conceptualization, reasoning, values, and knowing, especially from the perspective of embodied cognitive science and pragmatist philosophy. His recent work develops a naturalistic account of mind and knowing. He is co-author, with George Lakoff, of Metaphors We Live By (1980) and Philosophy in the Flesh (1999) and author of The

In today's conversation we spoke about what brought Professor Johnson to this field, Metaphors as a foundation of how people view their world and to find meaning, dualism of mind body, cultural ontologies, non-absolutism, embodiment and awareness, world structuring and so much more.

I had some technical difficulties before we really got started and you'll hear me come into the conversation a bit abruptly because of that, I apologize for this. 

To learn more about Mark please visit https://blogs.uoregon.edu/markj

You can find his amazing and classic book "Metaphors We Live By" here https://www.amazon.com/Metaphors-We-Live-George-Lakoff/dp/0226468011?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen0b-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=d3680c932c70f6019f23413a09dc2720&camp=1789&creative=9325

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with David Davis.

David is a Rolf Structural Integration practitioner and instructor recently relocated to Tucson, Arizona where he continues to bring the beauty that is The Work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf to his new home.  

During his first Structural Integration session he anticipated relief from chronic pain and disability due to sports injuries, physical labor, and an auto accident, but he was in awe with the new sense of comfort, relaxation, and natural mode that resulted. As his body, mind, and spirit were awakened through the holistic manipulation of fascia and alignment of the body structure, David was inspired to began a new life journey. He began his training at the Rolf Institute in 1976 – 1977, during the time when Dr. Ida P. Rolf was alive and Rolfing℠ and Structural Integration were synonymous.  

That first session would lead him to becoming the seventh Rolfer℠ in the state of Colorado, practicing The Work for 45 years, and being an instructor for 33 years. David has been one the most well respected and sought-after teachers of SI nationally and internationally. 

If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd appreciate it if you would leave a positive review of the podcast and subscribe to it through the platform of your choice. When you do this it really helps other people find us, and we greatly appreciate your support.

You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and rolfinginboston.com

And more about Nikki at nikkiolsen.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Michael Mathieu

Michael started struggling with low back issues in the late 80s while working as an electrical engineer at Eastman Kodak Company. Two Rolfer‘s in Rochester, New York were able to help him. He quit his job to go west and do his Rolfing training which was completed in 1993. Visceral manipulation greatly elevated his work and he dived deeply into that field of study. In 2012 Michael crashed on his mountain bike and suffered massive damage to his neck and spinal cord creating quadriplegia. That injury opened a door to take to his work energetic and eventually long distance. Michael lives in Boulder, Colorado and is actively building his practice as both a long-distance manual therapist treating clients and mentoring practitioners seeking to build their skills with hands-on manual therapy or long distance manual therapy. He also offers his skills as a health coach supporting people with chronic health issues and especially oxalate toxicity. Oxalates are a plant poison that he believes every body workers should know about since they can create significant damage to connective tissues as well as many other maladies. Michael is currently three years into his own healing journey from oxalate toxicity, which has returned some almost normal sensation to parts of his paralyzed arms.

In today's conversation we spoke about Michael's path to the world of wellness, his life altering bike accident, working from a place of quadriplegia, transition to hands-off work, about working hands off, dialoging, and where his practice is taking him and more. 

You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com and RolfingInBoston.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g

Today's conversation is with Michael Shea

Michael is one of the preeminent educators and authors in the fields of somatic psychology, myofascial release and craniosacral therapy. He leads seminars throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Dr. Shea received his master’s degree in Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and a doctorate in Somatic Psychology at The Union Institute. In 1986, he was certified as one of the first Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy by the Upledger Institute.

Dr. Shea has been a Florida Licensed Massage Therapist since 1976, and was an Advanced Rolfer for 20 years. He is a founding member of the International Affiliation of Biodynamic Trainings and the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge task force (MTBOK).

Dr. Shea brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to teaching health and healing, with a teaching style grounded in a spiritual practice of developing compassion with the use of manual therapy.

He is a formal student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and past apprentice with a medicine man on the Navajo reservation in Arizona.

Because of the influence of the Dalai Lama, Dr. Shea’s clinical focus is on treating infants and children with neurological problems and developmental delays. This also includes teaching clinical skills for adults that carry pre and perinatal trauma.

In today's conversation we spoke about metabolic and vascular health, social media on our health and perceptual awareness, his new book, working with ancient cosmological systems in modern incorporations, intentionality and more. 

You can find Michael's book Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy: The Heart of the Practice here https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Craniosacral-Therapy-Heart-Practice/dp/153008184X?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=andrewrosen07-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=38c74653c1d3f60476342547f35e523d&camp=1789&creative=9325

You can learn more about Michael at www.SheaHeart.com

You can find more about Andrew at andrewrosenstock.com

Many thanks to Explorers Society for use of their song " All In" from their majestic album 'Spheres' Please check them out here https://open.spotify.com/album/1plT1lAPWEQ1oTRbWOiXm3?si=eAL08OJdT5-sJ6FwwZD50g