THE HISTORY OF SOMA

Our mission is to provide quality education that not only informs but
transforms the relationship to the self, the other and the environment.


SOMA Neuromuscular Integration® as a modality formally began in 1977. Bill Williams Ph.D. and Ellen Gregory-Williams Ph.D. together developed SOMA as a distinct form of Structural Integration. Ten-session Structural Integration began 55 years ago by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. The Rolf Institute® was founded in 1971 as the first organization to train Rolf practitioners. Dr. Williams was the first Rolfer to leave the Rolf Institute to develop a structural school: SOMA Institute of Neuromuscular Integration®. Many structural schools now exist as heirs of Dr. Ida Rolf.

In the early development of structural bodywork, the focus was primarily on body structure and how that structure related to gravity. Dr. Williams, a Psychologist , began to embrace the body, mind and spirit as a non-separate whole. The SOMA theory and teaching continues to reflect this basic foundation of wholeness of the body, mind and spirit.

Karen L. Bolesky M.A., L.M.H.C., L.M.P. and Marcia W. Nolte C.L.M.A., L.M.P. began Co-Directing the SOMA Institute in 1986 and moved the school to Washington State. The SOMA work was expanded into a professional licensing program and was one of the first Structural Integration programs to be licensed in Washington.

Karen Bolesky is the current owner of the SOMA Institute and continues to develop and create the evolvement of SOMA.