The Fascia Research Congress

The First International Congress on Fascia Research: Basic Science & Implications for Traditional & Complementary Healthcare will be our first scientific conference, designed to bring the front-line researchers together with the front-line practitioners in the field of connective tissue manipulation and acupuncture. It will be held at The Conference Cente rat Harvard Medical School in Boston.

IASI was an early supporter of this project, guaranteeing start up funds and administrative help. The conference has since received additional support from the Rolf Institute^®, the Massage Therapy Foundation, Elsevier Health Sciences, and the Veteran's Biomedical Research Institute.

Many individuals have contributed to getting this idea off the ground, and our thanks go out especially to Dr. Robert Schleip, Ph. D. and Rolfing^® faculty, who convinced many of the best fascia researchers to present at this conference; to Eric Jacobson, Ph.D, a Rolfer and associate of Harvard Medical School, who has laid the groundwork in Cambridge, and to Dr. Thomas Findley, M.D., Rolfer and researcher at the Veteran's Administration, who has organized both funding and scientific bona fides for the conference.

We were surprised and gratified to be met with enthusiasm from so many of the top-flight researchers from several different facets of fascial investigation. The FRC will include key speakers, panel discussions, paper displays, and many presentations of recent research. Because the response has been so good, it will be a packed two days.
[continued on page 2]

Our Second IASI Symposium

Following on from the well-attended and exciting first IASI Symposium in Seattle last year, we look forward to our second gathering of the tribes next October 5 – 7 at the Cambridge Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Massachusettes. The theme of this Symposium is "Moving Forward". Again, a full program will be forthcoming in early spring, but for those who will want to sign up early, here is a list of the confirmed speakers and breakout presenters:

Keynote Speakers & Movement Presenters:

Judith Aston (Aston Patterning) early associate of Dr. Rolf, who created the original "Structural Patterning" movement work and went on to develop the series of unique ideas and methods that are Aston Patterning. Emilie Conrad (Continuum) the highly original creator of Continuum movement meditation, which has been taken up by a wide array of SI and movement practitioners.
Joseph Heller (Hellerwork) the leader and source of the Hellerwork school of SI, author of several books on SI and the body, and creator of movement work in the Hellerwork tradition.
Dr. Peter Schwind, Ph.D (European Rolfing Association) Rolfing^® instructor, mentor for the "Munich Group", and author of Fascia and Membrane Technique.
Pedro Prado (Brazilian Rolfing Association) Rolfing^® instructor and longtime mentor and guide of the Brazilian branch of SI, has just finished a major Ph.d research project.
Jane Harrington (Rolfing Movement Integration) Rolf Institute^® Faculty, and one of the creators of the current Rolf Institute Movement training, currently involved in the Matrixworks organization.
[continued on page 3]