Touching Into Presence – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, I'm very excited to share this talk with Jörg Ahrend-Löns.

Jorg is a certified Rolfer with over three decades of experience, having trained under esteemed practitioners such as Peter Melchior and Robert Schleip. He earned his certification in 1991 under Bill Smythe and Pedro Prado and completed his Advanced Training in 2002 with Jan Sultan and Michael Salveson. 

With a professional background in physiotherapy since 1982, Jorg brings a deep understanding of movement and structural integration to his work. From 2012 to 2023, he served as a faculty member at DIRI Europe before stepping into his current role as international representative and secretary on the DIRI Board.

The week before this call, Jörg and I had a call, which unfortunately at the end I realized that it had not been recorded I was definitely bummed to have not recorded it, as it was such a great call, and I was really looking forward to sharing that call out to the public. However, that call is now lost to time.

What you hear today is our second call, which was equally great or even better. You will hear us talking about our previous call as a reference point and also as a fulcrum for growth in quite a few dimension.

I was just so very grateful for Jörg’s time and wisdom today and I am really excited to share this talk as there are so many wonderful nuggets of wisdom here which can really create a space for deeper embodied being.

In today’s talk, Jörg and I dove into the art of presence, resonance, and adaptability in client interactions. We explored how staying attuned to our surroundings—and even knowing when to forget—allows for a more fluid, effective response to the moment.

We also unpacked structural integration, not just as a bodywork practice, but as a framework for understanding how physical structure, movement, and perception intertwine. When these elements align, they create space to acknowledge and work with deeper emotions like fear and worry, rather than bypassing them.

Our conversation wrapped up with a reflection on the value of collegial dialogue in professional growth—and an exciting possibility of collaborating on an article.

You can learn more about Jörg at http://www.rolfing-goettingen.de

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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 Alan Richardson

Alan is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner with a private practice in London, UK since 1998. He is also qualified as a craniosacral therapist. Richardson is passionate about knowing other cultures and languages, having lived in Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and Brazil. He has just returned to London after practicing in the south of Brazil for one year.

Find out more about Alan at http://www.rolfing-london.co.uk

Today’s conversation was incredibly enriching for me and marks another episode in the Colleague’s Corner branch of our podcast. Alan and I delved into our shared interests in embodiment, phenomenology, and trauma work, exploring how these concepts shape our practices as Rolfers and movement therapists. We examined the importance of considering the whole person—integrating subjective experience and lifestyle—while recognizing the potential for self-healing. Additionally, we discussed the challenges of conveying the value of embodiment and the need to balance intellectual inquiry with physical activity and emotional regulation.

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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

In today's conversation I am joined again by Ryan Hofer and Paul Wirth for a second round of a triad of introspection.

We discuss and contemplate writings of the Osteopath Jim Jealous, the need for improved listening skills training, we also explored different pedagogical approaches, the role of the autonomic nervous system in manual therapy, and the concept of structural integration. We go into some really fun and exploratory spaces and I greatly enjoy being in conversation with these two.

A note, this talk came at the end of a busy day for me and some of my cortical channels were not as up to snuff as they could have been. I lost my train of thought a few times and thankfully Paul and Ryan were right there with me to pick them up, expand or contrast them and continue the conversation forward. ‌

Ryan Hofer is fascinated by applications of body-based systems thinking and hands-on therapies. He graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute and was the chair of a Structural Integration certification exam program. He has completed a Masters of Teaching and a Masters of Communication, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in naturopathic medicine.

Paul Wirth is a bodyworker and movement educator, a Certified Advanced Rolfer® and a student and teacher of Tai Chi Ch’uan. His practice integrates Structural Integration, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and various kinds of movement work. A guiding question for Paul is: “How does a person's innate capacity for healing make use of my presence and input, and what about that is up to me?” He endeavors to continually be surprised by the reality that each person he works with is a living, present being, and to undertake practices that remind him that he is, too.

You can find out more about Paul at http://mosaicbodywork.com

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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 Pierpaola Volpones.

Pierpaola graduated as Physical Educator (1976) and in Sociology (1982). She taught physical education in public schools and applied kinesis therapy in private centers for more than ten years. After having attended a Rolf Movement™ Workshop, she started Rolfing® education.

She certified first as Rolf Movement™ Practitioner (1986) and then as Rolfer (1988). In 1996 she became a Certified Advanced Rolfer™. Since 1986 she runs her practice in Italy, as a full time profession. In 2006, the Rolf Institute certified Pierpaola as International Rolfing® and Rolf Movement™ Instructor. Outside of Rolfing, Pierpaola has continued to deepen her studies in Visceral Manipulation and Somatic Experiencing.

In today’s talk we discussed Pierpaola's journey through Rolf Movement, her teaching style, and the importance of cross-cultural communication. We also touched upon the challenges and responsibilities of teacher training, the significance of adaptability and finding alternative approaches, and the concept of tonic function. Our conversation emphasized the importance of self-awareness, understanding personal space and proximity in client interactions and much more.

You can learn more about Pierpoala at http://www.volpones.it

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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 Leslie Kaminoff

Leslie is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar. He is an internationally recognized specialist with five decades’ experience in the fields of yoga and breath anatomy. He leads workshops for many of the leading yoga associations, schools and training programs in the world. Leslie’s book Yoga Anatomy, (co-authored with Amy Matthews), sold out its first print run of 19,000 within one month of its June 2007 release, and has been a top-selling yoga book on Amazon ever since. The book went on to sell over a million copies in 23 languages by the time the third edition of Yoga Anatomy was released in the Fall of 2021.

Leslie also helped to organize international yoga conferences while serving as Vice-President of Unity in Yoga, and was part of the ad-hoc committee that established national standards for yoga teacher training. Prior to the formation of The Yoga Alliance, Leslie was a strong voice in the ensuing national debate regarding the application of those certification standards. This dialogue resulted in the creation of e-Sutra, pioneering e-mail list and blog with a worldwide readership.

Leslie is the founder of The Breathing Project, a New York City based non-profit educational corporation and studio which ran highly respected year-long courses in yoga anatomy from 2003 to 2017.  The courses taught at The Breathing Project in New York City have been available online to a worldwide audience at yogaanatomy.net since 2011, with thousands of students worldwide participating in this growing online community. 

Leslie has also partnered with Lauri Nemetz and Lydia Mann as KNMLabs.com to produce week-long human dissection lab experiences for yoga and movement professionals.

In our conversation today we had a wide-ranging discussion about our work, life experiences, and shared interests in yoga and bodywork. We discussed the importance of adapting to each individual's needs in teaching yoga, the core principles of yoga, the therapeutic effects, and the mind-body problem. Towards the end, we touched upon the importance of emotional regulation and the role of a yoga teacher.

It was a very enjoyable conversation and I wish it could have gone on for hours more. Leslie is a seasoned veteran in both the bodywork and yoga world and his experience, wisdom and compassion help make him a top leader in the field.

You can learn more about Leslie at https://yogaanatomy.org

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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 marks a departure from our usual format. Today I am joined by Ryan Hofer and Paul Wirth. In mid 2023, Ryan organized a discussion among a small group of us on the topic of embodiment—a conversation I found particularly enriching, especially as it introduced me to Paul for the first time. The depth and content of that conversation seemed too valuable not to share on the podcast. The original call included four or five participants, which, while enjoyable, might not translate as well in an audio format for our listeners. A trio, however, makes for a more accessible listening experience. Paul, Ryan, and I share several overlapping interests, creating rich intersections of dialogue where two can engage deeply while the other listens in. My hope is to turn this into a semi-regular series with both of them, discussing various topics as they arise and providing value to our community. This episode is the first realization of that vision. Ryan Hofer is fascinated by applications of body-based systems thinking and hands-on therapies. He graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute and was the chair of a Structural Integration certification exam program. He has completed a Masters of Teaching and a Masters of Communication, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Paul Wirth is a bodyworker and movement educator, a Certified Advanced Rolfer® and a student and teacher of Tai Chi Ch’uan. His practice integrates Structural Integration, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and various kinds of movement work. A guiding question for Paul is: “How does a person's innate capacity for healing make use of my presence and input, and what about that is up to me?” He endeavors to continually be surprised by the reality that each person he works with is a living, present being, and to undertake practices that remind him that he is, too.

You can find out more about Paul at http://mosaicbodywork.com

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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 Pedro Prado.

Pedro Prado, PhD, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been instructing Rolfing® SI for over 30 years. He is a member of the Advanced and Movement Faculties of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute®, as well as a Somatic Experiencing Instructor for the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. He is a clinical psychologist and a former professor of Somatic Psychology. His signature approach to the work, to which he has devoted his clinical practice and research, explores the bridges among the Structural, Functional and Psychobiological perspectives. Since having become a Rolfer in 1981, Pedro has introduced Rolfing® and nurtured practitioner communities in his native Brazil and elsewhere in the world. He has taught throughout the US, Latin America, Europe, Japan, South Africa and Australia.

In our conversation today we talked about Pedro’s history and how he came to Rolfing, how Rolfing came to Brazil, his experiences and work in the academic and clinical world, the importance of collective inquiry, exploring new concepts and teaching strategies, the importance of philosophy and science in the field of embodiment and much more. This was another one of those talks that just flew by and it felt like we just barely scratched the surface. Hopefully we will be in more conversations together as Pedro is a beautiful soul with a wealth of information and lived experiences.

You can learn more about Pedro and his library at https://pedroprado.com.br/

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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 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 Dr Joel Bennett

Joel Bennett, Ph.D., is President and Founder of Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems (OWLS), a consulting firm specializing in evidence-based wellness technologies to promote organizational health and employee well-being. Dr. Bennett first delivered stress management programming in 1985, and OWLS programs have since reached nearly 250,000 workers across the United States and abroad, including training over 1,000 facilitators and coaches. He is a primary developer of “Team Awareness” and “Team Resilience,” evidence-based culture of health programs recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Surgeon General as effective in reducing employee behavioral risks. Team Awareness/Resilience have been adopted by the U.S. National Guard as one of their flagship prevention programs.  They have been used by municipalities, hospitals, restaurants, electrician training centers, small businesses, Native American tribal government, in rural settings, and in Italy and South Africa.

In 2022, Dr. Bennett was acknowledged with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the National Wellness Institute and, internationally, with the "Positive Leadership Award" from the Positive Leadership Institute. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the State University of New York (Purchase) and his MA and PhD in Psychology from the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Bennett has authored/co-authored seven books, including "Raw Coping Power," "Heart-Centered Leadership," and "Your Best Self at Work," and his Google Scholar page provides links to over 30 peer-reviewed scientific studies. He was previously on the board of the Academy of Management’s “Spirituality and Religion Interest Group (MSR)” and the Board of Directors for the National Wellness Institute. He provides keynote speaking and continues to train coaches and facilitators in team (culture of health) and resilience workshops.

Continuing in the theme of our last episode, today's conversation is in a little different of a flow structure than the previous norm. Dr Joel and I just got off and running, as if we were two friends catching up. I originally had planned to talk more about him and his history but the conversation was just so smooth and in the flow that we didn’t get time for that. I am hoping to have him on again for a prequel of sorts.

In our conversation today we discussed different body therapeutic modalities, the nature of Andrew's practice, the importance of presence and mindfulness, the concept of safety in bodywork and massage, personal growth and self-awareness, and the concept of open-mindedness.

You can learn more about Dr Joel at presencequest.life and www.organizationalwellness.com

If you are enjoying and getting something out of these talks, 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

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 Serge Prengel

Serge Prengel is a therapist who has been exploring creative approaches to mindfulness in therapy and in everyday life. He invites you to join his explorations at ActivePause.com

Today's conversation is in a little different of a flow structure than usual. I have been wanting to try this style out for a while and will be giving it a shot here. I welcome your feedback about whether it’s working for you or not and why so.

In our conversation today Serge and I explored various topics such as mindfulness, the creative process, attunement, and the role of silence in our podcast. They stressed the importance of vulnerability, active pause, and the value of silence in connection. At the end of our talk we had a rather long pause of silence which I have edited it for your listening pleasure. You will hear us talk about the pause, you just won’t have to have a few minutes of silence to sit through.

You can learn more about Serge at ActivePause.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

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

Alright Touching Into Presence listeners, today is a different kind of show. Today will be Andrew and Nikki in a conversation about Nikki’s Closure of the show for now.  We talk about how our lives have changed since Nikki first came on as co-host and why the closure seems right for now.  We talk about what may be coming down the line for this show and more.  It was an emotional conversation for me as I’ve really enjoyed the dynamic the two of us have had over these 3 years and there is an unknown and different future on the horizon.  I am grateful for Nikki and how she has shown up over these 3 years and I am glad to have made a good friend in her from this.    I look forward to seeing where her path takes her.  I am also excited for some future plans of this show.  In some ways, this closure episode will lead beautifully into those.  So with that, let’s have a listen to the talk.

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 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