Question 1

What is Anatomy Trains Structural Integration Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Anatomy Trains Structural Integration Therapy is a form of bodywork that focuses on the connective tissue system, aiming to improve posture, movement, and overall well-being by addressing patterns of tension and imbalance in the body.

Question 2

What is a 12 Series vs a 3 Series with ATSI?

Accepted Answer

Overall - the 12 series of sessions addresses each fascial line one session at a time whereas the condensed 3 series addresses multiple fascial lines per session for a more superficial approach.

To break it down more,  the 12 series is a more complete take on your pattern and working toward your movement and mobility goals. This unique approach focuses on creating space and restoring balance, making it an ideal solution for individuals in search of profound structural changes and relief from chronic pain.

The 3 series is a nice quickie but addresses more of the superficial fascia in your body. This style of bodywork is undertaken as a project with a particular objective: more optimal function.

When booking your series, this type of work is best performed with a consistent rhythm of 1-2 sessions per week; one per week if you would like more time to process the changes in between, OR two per week if you are feeling motivated to make a big shift with less processing time.

Question 3

What I do as an ATSI practitioner?

Accepted Answer

As an Anatomy Trains Structural Integrator, I guide clients through a process of releasing, reorganizing, and integrating the body’s fascial network for better posture, movement, breathing, and overall ease.

Post-session integration is just as important as the hands-on work itself. The changes we make in a session—opening restrictions, balancing myofascial lines, and inviting new structural relationships—need time and conscious attention to settle into your system. See the 'What should I do after my visit?' for an in-depth outline.

Question 4

How do I best prepare for my ATSI sessions?

Accepted Answer

- The day before your appointment, drink plenty of water. 
- We ask that you wear full-coverage underwear, a loose-fitting bralette, a bikini or boxer briefs as the body reading, assessments, and session are carried out with you wearing these garments. 
- We also ask that you don’t apply lotions or oils on the day of your sessions as we require “grip” on your tissue. 
- Try to have some time set aside post-appointment for movement and or rest to help you integrate the work we’ve done.
- If you plan to do a heavy workout the same day of your session, please do it before you come.

Question 5

What should I expect at my first visit?

Accepted Answer

I want you to be a part of the planning process! You are the one who knows YOUR body the best. If that relationship is just beginning, I will support you as you get to know your body better. We will spend 10-15 minutes at the beginning/end of your first visit to get to know each other and for us to spend time talking about recommendations moving forward. The first visit is all about getting to know you and your body and your movement patterns/geometry. This is the beginning of our journey together. You may feel less pain and tension after our session but you may experience some therapeutic soreness.

Question 6

What should I do after my visit?

Accepted Answer

Individual Variation Is Key
What you do after a session (and throughout a series) will vary significantly based on:
Your current level of body awareness and somatic literacy.
Your existing movement practices (lifting, yoga, Pilates, dance, athletics, etc.).
Your overall body pattern—compensations, history of injury/surgery, stress levels, and how your nervous system responds to change.
The specific focus of that session (e.g., superficial layers early in a series vs. deeper core or integration work later).

There is no one-size-fits-all protocol. The goal is gentle embodiment of the new possibilities rather than forcing “perfect” posture or over-analyzing every sensation. Your body has its own intelligence; our job together is to listen to it.

What to do Immediately Post-Session (Same Day / First 24–48 Hours)
Move gently and mindfully: Take a walk before and after your session if possible. This helps integrate the work through familiar, whole-body movement and gives you a clear “before and after” sense. Slow, mindful versions of everyday activities (walking, sitting to standing, reaching) are excellent. Avoid intense workouts the same day—your tissues and nervous system are processing new ranges and relationships.
Hydrate and support recovery: Drink plenty of water. Some people benefit from Epsom salt baths for residual soreness or a warm (not overly hot) soak. Light, anti-inflammatory nutrition can help (more whole foods, berries, healthy fats; less processed carbs, sugar, alcohol, caffeine if you notice sensitivity).
Rest and observe: Expect some odd sensations, shifting strains, or even old (forgotten) discomforts resurfacing as patterns unwind. This is usually normal and temporary. Emotional shifts can also occur—fascia stores history. Note them without judgment. Keep a simple journal if that suits you (sensations, energy, mood, posture/movement observations).
Avoid forcing “good” posture: Do not rigidly hold shoulders back, tuck the pelvis, etc. This just substitutes new tensions. Instead, notice when old holding patterns creep back in and softly let them go.

Ongoing Practices Between Sessions
These build body awareness and support the progressive nature of the series (typically superficial layers first, then deeper core, then integration):
Attunement / somatic exercises: Simple practices like body scans, breath awareness (especially into areas opened in the session), or gentle exploratory movements while lying down or standing. Feel the support from the ground up and the length/expansion available without effort. This helps your nervous system register the changes as safe and normal.
Body awareness in daily life: Notice how you sit, stand, walk, or reach. Break up static positions frequently. Small, frequent micro-movements and awareness often outperform long exercise sessions.
Postural positioning with ease: Practice finding neutral, balanced alignment through sensation rather than muscular holding. As the series progresses, this becomes easier and more automatic.
Coordinated movement re-patterning (especially later in the series): Once restrictions release and support improves, we layer in more deliberate re-patterning—e.g., better gait mechanics, shoulder girdle-thorax coordination, or pelvic stability in movement. This might include specific cues or exercises tailored to your pattern, or integrating with your existing practices (yoga flows, Feldenkrais-style awareness, dynamic movement). The aim is functional integration: the new pattern becomes your effortless baseline in daily life.

General Encouragements Throughout the Series
Continue (or gently explore) movement practices that feel nourishing, but stay attentive to how your body responds post-session—some things may feel easier or need modification.
Communicate with your practitioner: Any lasting discomfort, strong emotional responses, or questions about sensations should be discussed. We adjust accordingly.
View the series as a project with a beginning, middle, and end. Changes often continue unfolding for months afterward. Many clients return for “tune-ups” or maintenance, or transition into movement disciplines that sustain the gains (yoga, Tai Chi, dance, strength training with good form, etc.).

The deepest value comes when you actively participate—not by doing more, but by being more present in your body. This cultivates lasting embodiment rather than temporary fixes.

If you share more about your specific patterns, current practices, or where you are in a series, I can offer more tailored suggestions. The work is collaborative—your awareness and consistent, kind attention are powerful allies to the manual therapy. Enjoy the process!

Question 7

How are the ATSI sessions generally laid out for a 12 Series?

Accepted Answer

Below is a framework of how we lay out each session for the 12 Series, each up to 90 minutes in length.

The Superficial Layers
Session #1- The Superficial Front Line
Session #2- The Superficial Back Line
Session #3- The Lateral Line
Session #4- The Spiral Line

The Deep Intrinsic Layers
Session #5- The Lower Deep Front Line
Session #6- The Upper Deep Front Line
Session #7- The Deep Back Line
Session #8– Head, Neck, and Jaw

The Integration
Session #9- Lower body session
Session #10- Upper body session
Session #11- Arm Line
Session #12- Final Session

Question 8

How are the ATSI sessions generally laid out for a 3 Series?

Accepted Answer

We undertake multiple fascial lines per session with regard to your body's particular patterning.

Session 1: focuses on the contribution of the feet to the hips
Session 2: focuses on the waist to the shoulders and arms
Session 3: focuses on your spine

Each session is up to 90 minutes in length and includes a body assessment, movement, and integration.

Integration includes neck work and/or back work at the end of each session.

Instead of using oil, water is used to help work in the appropriate layer of connective tissue.

Question 9

What should I be aware of during and after my ATSI series?

Accepted Answer

DURING THE SERIES: 
- This is not the time for personal bests. If you love the gym and going hard, consider more of a 60% or less effort. Using your movement practice as a way to catalogue mobility changes and focus on homework cues that we will assign you. 
- Please consider participating in less outside bodywork as we progress your series.
- There can be a feeling of disconnectedness through parts of your body as we move through the series, these sensations are not always an indicator that something is wrong. These sensations are a part of the fundamental pattern changes we are seeking. 
- Your body may feel odd and bizarre as we’re changing structure, try to be with it and experience it as you change rather than trying to “fix it”. 
- Please consider abstaining from alcohol and drug use as we progress through the series. This will allow you to gain the most benefit from learning more about your body and will allow your body to change and heal with more ease.

AFTER THE SERIES IS COMPLETED
- Please take 2-4 weeks to allow your body to land and process. 
- More things will unwind, change, and become clear as time passes. We recognize this may be unfamiliar as we, too used to participate in more of a routine maintenance schedule of care. 
- This is a shift for all of us, lean in. We are inviting you to take this time to accept the new freedom in your body. 
- That could mean you are working with a physical therapist a personal trainer, a movement professional, or on your own to explore and maintain the new fascial freedom we worked on together.

Question 10

Where do we go after your first visit?

Accepted Answer

I will message you to check-in within the first few days of your visit to help us calibrate the work we do together. Please be patient and curious with yourself. Working through years of movement patterns, sleep patterns, etc. takes time. Please find a rhythm that works for YOU. What do I mean by this? What are you doing with your body? What are your time and financial commitments? What is your commitment to your well being? All of these factors contribute to how often you receive bodywork. Please find a cadence that works for your body and life and book ahead! I want to serve and help you, but my schedule sometimes books 1-2 weeks out.

Question 11

Will I be pain free after a massage?

Accepted Answer

My goal as a therapist to create space to help your body heal. Sometimes a reduction of pain is a byproduct, sometimes you may still leave your session in pain. Pain is a messenger, telling us things. It tells us about dysfunctional patterns we’ve created through the course of our lives, and it helps us make changes in our bodies and lives. Healing takes time and patience and curiosity.

Question 12

Do you receive feedback?

Accepted Answer

Your feedback is a gift. True, authentic, honest rendering of your body and your experience is invaluable to me. I like to check in so that #1 you check in with yourself, and #2 so that you can share with me how you truly feel post session. This helps me/us to calibrate the work we do together. You may feel any number of ways after our session from low energy to high energy, headache to delighted. The range is vast and your experience is valid, no matter what it is.

It may take you some time to be comfortable with me as a practitioner and the modalities I offer. Sometimes you may give a modality a chance, or a practitioner and it may not be a fit at all. I promise to give you my utmost level of authenticity and honesty regarding our level of fitness

Question 13

Can I reschedule or cancel?

Accepted Answer

Rescheduling: Please remember that you are holding time on your calendar and mine. I understand things change, but please be mindful of that when scheduling/rescheduling your appointments. In your confirmation email you will click “view details” to reschedule or cancel your appointment.

Cancellation Policy: If you reschedule/cancel less than 24 hours before our appointment, you will be charged the full cost of our session. If you are more than 15 minutes late to your session, you will forfeit your session

Frequently asked questions