A basic knowledge of the human anatomy is an integrated aspect of the education towards becoming a Rolfer / Structural Integrator. The classes that the anatomy faculty provides for this purpose are based on “Descriptive Anatomy” as pioneered by Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564). This means that for the purpose of education the unified field of an adult human body is initially and quite artificially separated into single parts (bones, muscles, tissues….) which must then be re-synthesized by the student into the wholeness of structure, function and movement of the client.
I want to argue in this brief presentation that there is potentially an addition or alternative to this way of teaching / learning anatomy. When we consider the option of using “Biodynamic Embryology” as a tool to enhance and simplify the presentation of human anatomy we can start and stay with the wholeness of the body. Every embryo is creating its own anatomical structures through the dynamics of growth and differentiation. Structure as used in “Structural Integration” can be understood as a developmental movement.
Konrad Obermeier trained in the Rolf Institute in 1991. He currently serves as the Chair of the Anatomy Faculty of the European Association. Since 25 years he studies the beauty and elegance of the biodynamic model of Embryology (initially presented by Dr. Erich Blechschmidt) as an option to comprehend, learn and teach human anatomy.