The 12-Series
Anatomy Trains Structural Integration
The Anatomy Trains 12-Series is a comprehensive structural integration protocol developed by Tom Myers from the pioneering work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf. It works through your entire fascial system in sequence: superficial to deep, then back to integration.
Each session has a specific job. Each builds on the one before it. By the end, your body has been addressed as a whole system, not a collection of isolated problems.
Opening the outer sleeve of the body: front, back, sides, and spiral. Creating initial ease and preparing the system for deeper work.
Working the deep front and back lines: foundation, pelvis, spine, head, and neck. This is where major structural shifts happen.
Bringing it all together through movement. Walking mechanics, breathing, arms, and a final balancing session.
Session by Session
Starting Point
This is where we get to know each other, establish a baseline, and talk through your goals for the series. Hands-on work begins with the superficial fascia and muscles on the front of the body: chest, abdomen, thighs. We start opening the outer sleeve before going deeper.
Back of the Body
We continue the superficial work on the back side: calves, hamstrings, back extensors, and the fascia along the spine. By the end of session two, the back and front superficial lines have both been addressed and the body often feels longer and more open.
The Lateral Line
Session three opens the sides of the body from head to heel: the lateral hip, IT band, ribs, and neck. This session completes the superficial work and is a natural stopping point for people who want to experience the work before committing to the full series.
Left and Right
The last superficial session addresses the relationship and coordination between the left and right sides of the body. Most of us rely heavily on a dominant side, and this session begins to expose and address those asymmetries. It can feel a bit destabilizing at first as the body adjusts.
Foundation
Session five is where we go deeper into the core from the feet up. We address the arches, knee alignment, the inner thigh, and the pelvic floor through fascial continuities. The aim is to find a solid, easy foundation in the pelvis, a base that supports everything above it.
Core, Torso, Breathing
The second core session builds on session five and works up through the abdomen and torso. The goal is to create space and freedom through the front of the body so breathing becomes easier. Many people notice a significant difference in how they breathe after this session.
The Spine
With the foundation built over the previous two sessions, session seven addresses spinal alignment in three dimensions. We work the deep back muscles, the sacrum, and the balance of tension across the hips. For people with chronic back pain, this is often the most significant session of the series.
Head and Neck
Session eight finally reaches the head and neck. Because the structural foundation has been built over the previous three sessions, the muscles in the neck now have somewhere better to land. We address the deep neck flexors, jaw tension, and the base of the skull. People often find that familiar neck and jaw strain starts to release.
Lower Body Integration
The first of four integration sessions. We step back from adding new work and start focusing on how everything moves together. Session nine looks at walking mechanics: how your pelvis moves, how your joints are sequencing, where the body is still bracing. The aim is ease and efficiency in motion.
Breathing and the Upper Body
Session ten integrates relaxed, efficient breathing across the whole structure from session nine. We refine any areas still restricting free breathing and address the relationship between the ribcage, spine, and pelvis in movement. Most people notice that they're breathing more fully without thinking about it.
The Arms
Session eleven focuses on the arms, specifically the fascial sleeve of the arm and how it connects to the neck, head, and torso. Opening the arm line relieves a lot of the compensation patterns that show up as neck tension and shoulder restriction. The goal is lightness and freedom through the upper extremities.
The Whole System
The final session ties everything together. We balance the work from the previous eleven sessions and let the body settle into its new organization. Most people leave this session feeling different in a way that's hard to describe: lighter, taller, easier. The body continues to adapt and integrate over the following months.
"The goal isn't to fix a problem. It's to reorganize the whole system so the problem stops making sense."
Anatomy Trains approach to structural integration
Who Taught Me This
The depth of this work comes directly from the people who shaped it. I've trained extensively with the leading teachers in the field.
Author of Anatomy Trains, Founder of ATSI
Tom has over 50 years of experience in structural integration. I have been personally mentored by Tom, assisted him in multiple ATSI courses, and taught Anatomy Trains lines in the first course of ATSI under his direct guidance.
Author of Advanced Myofascial Techniques
Til brings a gentle, precise touch and decades of experience as a structural integration educator. I have taken several in-person courses with him, including an immersive experience in Thailand, and numerous online courses through Advanced Trainings.
50+ years in Structural Integration
Sharon is one of the foremost authorities on working with bone fascia and cranial tension. I spent over 60 hours with Sharon in Maine studying her advanced techniques for the skull and skeletal system.
Physiotherapist, Zoga creator, ATSI instructor
Wojtek bridges structural integration and movement in a unique way. I have spent countless hours with him learning specialized techniques, precise hand placement, and structural integration through movement.
What to Know Before Your First Session
What should I wear?
Work is done in underwear. For comfort, bring a two-piece swimsuit, sports bra with shorts, or boxer briefs. Your comfort matters. If you have questions, just ask.
Are sessions painful?
It depends on what we're working on. You'll be asked to move during the session to help the tissue reorganize. Occasionally it's useful to contact stored tension directly, but imposing pain is not part of this work. I keep you informed throughout.
Do you use lotion or oil?
No. Unlike massage, structural integration uses slow, specific manual pressure without lotion or oil. This allows more precise contact with the fascial layers.
How long are sessions?
Standard sessions run 75-90 minutes. With the 12 Unlimited, each session runs as long as the work requires, typically 1.5 to 2 hours flat rate.
What happens in a session?
We begin with a body reading, which we review together to plan the session. Most work is done on the table; some is done sitting or standing. Every session builds on the one before it.
Is session 3 really a good stopping point?
Yes. After session 3, the superficial layers of front, back, and sides have all been addressed. Many people experience noticeable change at this point. If you want to try the work before committing to the full series, stopping after 3 is a reasonable option.
Ready to start?
A free consultation gives us a chance to talk through your situation, answer questions, and figure out whether the 12-Series is the right starting point.