With roots in the pioneering explorations of Ida P. Rolf, PhD, Soma Structural Integration (formerly Soma Neuromuscular Integration) was developed in 1977 as a successor to the classic Rolfing® Structural Integration. Soma is a unique form of Structural Integration that balances the body’s fascial structure through the Soma 11-Series. While all forms of Structural Integration emerged from the work of Ida P. Rolf, Soma incorporates unique assessment models and reflective journaling, all focused on expanding mind-body integration.
“To Bill Williams who converted Florida to Rolfing” – Ida P. Rolf
The Soma Institute of Structural Integration (formerly the Soma Institute of Neuromuscular Integration®) was established in 1977 by Bill Williams, PhD, an accomplished Rolfer who studied directly with Ida P. Rolf, and held a doctorate in Psychology. The lens of psychology expanded this approach beyond attention to the body’s physical structure and relationship to gravity. The added layer of acknowledging body, mind and spirit as an inseparable whole system supports the multidimensional human being and distinguishes the Soma Institute in Structural Integration education.
Karen Bolesky, MA, LMHC, LMT and Marcia Ward (formerly Nolte) took the reins as the Soma Institute’s co-directors and owners in 1986. Marcia, previously a soloist for the Frankfurt Ballet, brought her years of movement skill to the training; she developed the movement education and body mechanics refinement to the work. Karen leveraged her psychological and somatic training to continue to evolve the program for over 30 years as the exclusive place to learn this innovative and unique modality.
Kelsi Giswold, Marcia Ward and Jesse Guerrero. Photo by James Harnois
Today, Karen’s nephew Jesse Guerrero, Kelsi Giswold, and others carry the Soma legacy forward by growing, refining and teaching Soma Structural Integration. The Soma Institute currently offers a 768-hour training program in Structural Integration theory and technique. It is staffed by a dedicated team of experienced core Soma instructors with over 75 years of combined Structural Integration experience.
The Soma Institute is recognized as one of the core schools of Structural Integration by the International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI). It is also a Washington state approved massage therapy school and national massage licensing program, a CE provider with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), and is licensed by WA State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and the Washington and Oregon Board of Massage.
