Michael Kastris

My name is Michael Kastris. I graduated from the Hellerwork training in 2003. I would like to share how I went from working as a captain in a Las Vegas restaurant and a foreman for a masonry company, to being Las Vegas’ first Hellerwork Practitioner.

My daughter’s high school graduation was approaching in 2001, and I wanted to get something special, something that would mean something to her, something unique, that she would keep her entire life. I looked back on my life to find what that something was for me. It did not seem to be a ‘thing’.

Then I remembered receiving the ten session series of Structural Integration called “Rolfing”. When I got “rolfed” 25 years ago, it changed my life. I had been shy and withdrawn. After Rolfing I changed because I had a different relationship with my body. I stood tall and looked people right in the eye. I felt like a dancer when I moved. I was more comfortable and sure of myself. I remember my Rolfer as a very important person in my life, even though I had only seen him for 10 hours. I decided at that point to become a Rolfer, returning to school in preparation. But, my fate, and my new attitude led me on a different path. I was promoted to a manager of the restaurant I was working in, and embarked on a career as a captain in several of Las Vegas’ finest restaurants, and many other adventures, including my family.

That was it – I would get my daughter ‘Rolfed’ for her graduation present. I looked up a practitioner and made arrangements. As I spoke with him, I asked if I could perhaps watch, as I had wanted to study Rolfing at one time. He asked me, “Why don’t you?” For two days those words ran like a broken record through my mind as I considered how I would explain to my wife I was returning to school (at 48 years old) to study Structural Integration. She did not hesitate to offer me her full support.

This led me to start making inquiries on how and where I would get into school. I checked on the Rolf Institute, the Guild for Structural Integration, and Hellerwork. Dr. Rolf’s work is taught at all three, but Hellerwork was my unchallenged choice. It was more than the fact that Hellerwork focused not only the bodywork, but also on what had been so important to me when I received the series: my emotions, and how I moved. It was also the format they offered, which allowed me to keep working, and actually have a practice going when I graduated. The curriculum even included business courses to prepare me for my career.

The Hellerwork training was a very special time. I evolved tremendously as a person, and developed gradually as a Hellerwork practitioner. All this personal growth while still working my day job, and continuing with my life. It seems as if you are setting out to walk around the world when you begin, you have such a long way to go. But take that first step, then another, then another. The first one is the hardest.

Today, I have a successful practice in Las Vegas. My office is located close to my home, in an upscale professional center. It is next door to a yoga studio, and close enough to Red Rock Canyon to ride my bike to. I have a remarkable new circle of friends, clients, and contacts. It has been an amazing journey, not always easy, but one that I cannot imagine, even a split second, not being on. It has certainly been a journey with Heart.

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