Hellerwork
Combining Massage with Movement Education

Hellerwork is a form of structural integration bodywork that is closely related to Rolfing. Joseph Heller created this therapy from a combination of different modalities in 1978.

Heller worked as an aerospace engineer for 10 years before an interest in humanistic psychology caused him to quit the profession and pursue other goals. He trained in bioenergetics and gestalt.

In 1972, he studied with Ida Rolf and became a Rolfer. In 1973, he studied Structural Patterning with Judith Aston. In 1975, he became the president of the Rolf Institute. He eventually left the Rolf Institute to combine the therapies he'd studied into one holistic therapy.

This form of bodywork is done lying on a massage table. Slow, deep massage is used to help the tissue release. Sometimes, the therapist will ask you to move slowly to help facilitate a stroke. You also may be asked to stand or sit at various points in the session, but mostly it's done while you're lying down.

Movement education is also part of this therapy. You'll be taught exercises that help increase the mind-body connection and your sense of awareness. Like the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method, you'll learn proper body mechanics that will help you move with a greater sense of ease.

This form of bodywork helps to: