What is Rolfing?
If you can imagine how it feels to live in a fluid, light, balanced body, free of pain, stiffness and chronic stress, at ease with yourself and with gravity, then you will understand the goals of Rolfing.
Pioneered by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Rolfing is a holistic process of body re-education and manual manipulation focusing on the body's connective tissue, or fascia. Fascia completely surrounds and supports every muscle, bone, joint, and organ in the body. It reaches through all body elements like a three-dimensional spider web.
Hardened or shortened areas in this fascial web are caused by repeated patterns of self-use such as the way a person walks, sits, or sleeps; as well as by injuries, stress and deep-seated emotional patterns. Imbalances in the fascia occur where the stress is greatest, negatively affecting the body's shape, movement patterns, and tone. This can result in pain, feeling blocked or heavy, or just feeling uncomfortable in our own skin.
Rolfing works to release these holding patterns and restore unencumbered movement and proper alignment. After a thorough evaluation of the clients structure and movement patterns, the Rolfer uses his hands, arms, and elbows to gently loosen and lengthen the fascial sheaths surrounding specific muscles and joints. Sometimes the contact is subtle, other times it is more firm, but at no time is the work invasive or painful. Chronic holding patterns are released, and health is restored to over-worked tissues. The body is organized in the vertical line and no longer strains to hold itself up against gravity.
The Rolfing process is one of exploration, awareness, education, and change. Clients are encouraged to actively participate in their own healing process by accessing their body's innate intelligence, an inner memory of what it is to be right. If you give the body information regarding possibilities for efficient and effortless use in rest and in movement, the body can heal itself.
If you can imagine how it feels to live in a fluid, light, balanced body, free of pain, stiffness and chronic stress, at ease with yourself and with gravity, then you will understand the goals of Rolfing.
Pioneered by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Rolfing is a holistic process of body re-education and manual manipulation focusing on the body's connective tissue, or fascia. Fascia completely surrounds and supports every muscle, bone, joint, and organ in the body. It reaches through all body elements like a three-dimensional spider web.
Hardened or shortened areas in this fascial web are caused by repeated patterns of self-use such as the way a person walks, sits, or sleeps; as well as by injuries, stress and deep-seated emotional patterns. Imbalances in the fascia occur where the stress is greatest, negatively affecting the body's shape, movement patterns, and tone. This can result in pain, feeling blocked or heavy, or just feeling uncomfortable in our own skin.
Rolfing works to release these holding patterns and restore unencumbered movement and proper alignment. After a thorough evaluation of the clients structure and movement patterns, the Rolfer uses his hands, arms, and elbows to gently loosen and lengthen the fascial sheaths surrounding specific muscles and joints. Sometimes the contact is subtle, other times it is more firm, but at no time is the work invasive or painful. Chronic holding patterns are released, and health is restored to over-worked tissues. The body is organized in the vertical line and no longer strains to hold itself up against gravity.
The Rolfing process is one of exploration, awareness, education, and change. Clients are encouraged to actively participate in their own healing process by accessing their body's innate intelligence, an inner memory of what it is to be right. If you give the body information regarding possibilities for efficient and effortless use in rest and in movement, the body can heal itself.
Benefits of Rolfing
People come to Rolfing for many reasons. Some seek relief from chronic pain and stiffness. Others want better performance from their bodies in sports, dance, yoga, and other endeavors. Many desire better posture, increased awareness of their bodies, or more flexibility. Still others come to Rolfing wishing to grow emotionally or to advance their psychotherapy.
Some specific benefits reported by Rolfing clients include:
(Note: Rolfers are not medical doctors and do not diagnose or treat disease or pain. Instead, they release fixations and chronic strain patterns within the body, thereby bringing the structure towards balance and often reducing or eliminating discomfort.)
People come to Rolfing for many reasons. Some seek relief from chronic pain and stiffness. Others want better performance from their bodies in sports, dance, yoga, and other endeavors. Many desire better posture, increased awareness of their bodies, or more flexibility. Still others come to Rolfing wishing to grow emotionally or to advance their psychotherapy.
Some specific benefits reported by Rolfing clients include:
- Improved posture
- Greater flexibility and range of motion
- Decreased pain and tension
- Improved coordination and athletic performance
- Increased energy and sense of well-being
- Improved body usage patterns
- Greater awareness of body, mind, and heart
- Resolution of past trauma
- Psychological and emotional growth
- Prevention
- Chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Headaches
- TMJ syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Low back and hip pain
- Sciatica
- Foot and knee problems
- Scoliosis
(Note: Rolfers are not medical doctors and do not diagnose or treat disease or pain. Instead, they release fixations and chronic strain patterns within the body, thereby bringing the structure towards balance and often reducing or eliminating discomfort.)
What is a Session Like?
The following is a description of a hypothetical session designed to give you an idea of what a Rolfing session is like.
Mary comes into the office for her first Rolfing appointment. She is there because she is suffering from chronic stress in her shoulders and neck, and sometimes her low back. She is in nearly constant low-grade pain, and frequently gets headaches in the afternoon at work. The severity of her trouble goes up and down, but has gotten steadily worse over the last few years. Upon entering the office, her Rolfer asks her to fill out a health history form, and speaks to her about why she is there, and what she hopes to get out of her Rolfing sessions. Following the initial evaluation, she undresses down to her bra and underwear (or loose cotton gym shorts and a sports bra), and stands for a further evaluation of her structure. Her Rolfer looks at her from several angles, and asks her to bend at the waist and raise her arms over her head. It is apparent that her pelvis is tipped down in front, and is pointing somewhat to the left. More weight is on her right foot than her left. She has a generous amount of curve in her low back, and her shoulders and head have migrated a little forward to compensate. There is a lot of tension in her arms, neck and jaw. He then asks her to walk around the office a few times while he observes her movement patterns.
Following the evaluation, the Rolfer asks Mary to lie down on the massage table face up. He holds her head in his hands, making contact with her body and preparing her, and himself, for the work to come. He works on her neck for a few minutes, gently starting to unwind any stuck or dysfunctional vertebrae he finds. Since her shoulders are a little forward, the Rolfer knows that the muscles in front of the chest and shoulders are short and tight. He starts working there. Placing his fingers just under her collarbone, he slowly and carefully sinks into the tissue until he contacts the first layer of resistance and tightness. It is just under the skin. He waits for the tight layer to begin releasing, then follows the opening towards the sternum. He works the front of the shoulders and chest this way, freeing the shoulder girdle and allowing the ribs to more easily expand. He then works both arms thoroughly, knowing that tension from the arms translates to tension in the shoulders and neck.
He does some work on the front of Mary's thighs, knowing that shortness here tends to pull the pelvis down in the front. The fascia releases slowly but steadily. Her body is beginning to habituate to the Rolfer's touch, and the tissue is softening and letting go more quickly now. He then asks her to lie on her left side, supporting her head with a pillow and placing another pillow between her knees for comfort. He begins to work on her right hip, releasing restrictions that prevent the pelvis from moving independently from the legs and the torso. Her pelvis begins to soften. He asks her to tuck her pelvis slightly as he works the fascia in her low back, deepening her awareness of the tightness in this area. She is encouraged to breathe into the area being worked; to visualize her breath opening the tissue and softening it from the inside. He works up the right side of the ribs, releasing restrictions he finds mainly in the back, just lateral to the thick spinal erector muscles. He works a little on the upper shoulders and neck in this position, then asks Mary to roll onto her other side and repeats the process.
On her back once again, Mary's Rolfer works on her neck and shoulders again for a few minutes, then balances her sacrum with his hands under the back of her pelvis. He then asks Mary to sit on a low bench and works on her back. He then asks her to stand, and observes the changes in her structure. Mary reports that she feels lighter, and that she seems to be standing straighter and with less effort. She says she feels weird, and very different. Her Rolfer observes that her pelvis is more horizontal now, and much of the twist he saw in her pelvis at the beginning of the session is gone. Her arms are hanging a little easier, and there is less stress on her shoulders and neck. Mary is given some brief instruction on how to sit in a supported fashion at work, and Mary promises to be aware of her posture during the coming week. She gets dressed, makes her next appointment, and Session 1 is complete.
The following is a description of a hypothetical session designed to give you an idea of what a Rolfing session is like.
Mary comes into the office for her first Rolfing appointment. She is there because she is suffering from chronic stress in her shoulders and neck, and sometimes her low back. She is in nearly constant low-grade pain, and frequently gets headaches in the afternoon at work. The severity of her trouble goes up and down, but has gotten steadily worse over the last few years. Upon entering the office, her Rolfer asks her to fill out a health history form, and speaks to her about why she is there, and what she hopes to get out of her Rolfing sessions. Following the initial evaluation, she undresses down to her bra and underwear (or loose cotton gym shorts and a sports bra), and stands for a further evaluation of her structure. Her Rolfer looks at her from several angles, and asks her to bend at the waist and raise her arms over her head. It is apparent that her pelvis is tipped down in front, and is pointing somewhat to the left. More weight is on her right foot than her left. She has a generous amount of curve in her low back, and her shoulders and head have migrated a little forward to compensate. There is a lot of tension in her arms, neck and jaw. He then asks her to walk around the office a few times while he observes her movement patterns.
Following the evaluation, the Rolfer asks Mary to lie down on the massage table face up. He holds her head in his hands, making contact with her body and preparing her, and himself, for the work to come. He works on her neck for a few minutes, gently starting to unwind any stuck or dysfunctional vertebrae he finds. Since her shoulders are a little forward, the Rolfer knows that the muscles in front of the chest and shoulders are short and tight. He starts working there. Placing his fingers just under her collarbone, he slowly and carefully sinks into the tissue until he contacts the first layer of resistance and tightness. It is just under the skin. He waits for the tight layer to begin releasing, then follows the opening towards the sternum. He works the front of the shoulders and chest this way, freeing the shoulder girdle and allowing the ribs to more easily expand. He then works both arms thoroughly, knowing that tension from the arms translates to tension in the shoulders and neck.
He does some work on the front of Mary's thighs, knowing that shortness here tends to pull the pelvis down in the front. The fascia releases slowly but steadily. Her body is beginning to habituate to the Rolfer's touch, and the tissue is softening and letting go more quickly now. He then asks her to lie on her left side, supporting her head with a pillow and placing another pillow between her knees for comfort. He begins to work on her right hip, releasing restrictions that prevent the pelvis from moving independently from the legs and the torso. Her pelvis begins to soften. He asks her to tuck her pelvis slightly as he works the fascia in her low back, deepening her awareness of the tightness in this area. She is encouraged to breathe into the area being worked; to visualize her breath opening the tissue and softening it from the inside. He works up the right side of the ribs, releasing restrictions he finds mainly in the back, just lateral to the thick spinal erector muscles. He works a little on the upper shoulders and neck in this position, then asks Mary to roll onto her other side and repeats the process.
On her back once again, Mary's Rolfer works on her neck and shoulders again for a few minutes, then balances her sacrum with his hands under the back of her pelvis. He then asks Mary to sit on a low bench and works on her back. He then asks her to stand, and observes the changes in her structure. Mary reports that she feels lighter, and that she seems to be standing straighter and with less effort. She says she feels weird, and very different. Her Rolfer observes that her pelvis is more horizontal now, and much of the twist he saw in her pelvis at the beginning of the session is gone. Her arms are hanging a little easier, and there is less stress on her shoulders and neck. Mary is given some brief instruction on how to sit in a supported fashion at work, and Mary promises to be aware of her posture during the coming week. She gets dressed, makes her next appointment, and Session 1 is complete.
The Rolfing 10-Series
Rolfing is often applied in the format of the Basic 10-Series. Each of the 10 sessions builds on the last, and prepares the body for the next. It addresses the entire body, and is a beautiful and thorough way to address any restrictions you might have anywhere in your body. Depending on the client's goals, the work can also be focused on a specific problem area or primary objective. In this case, initial sessions would be designed to specifically resolve the primary issue. The work may consist of a single session, or a series of single sessions until relief is attained.
For many people, the series progresses as described below. There are instances, based on a person's unique structural issues, where it makes sense to deviate from the flow of work as it is described. The descriptions below are general in nature, and represent goals for each session rather than specific territory to be worked. In any case, every session is as unique as the person receiving it, and the work flows in concert with each person's physiology. At no time does the work become routine or mechanical.
Session 1. The process begins with freeing the lungs to allow fuller breath. This is accomplished by working the superficial tissue having anything to do with the breathing mechanism. Areas all around the ribcage, shoulders, arms, and hips may be worked, as well as the neck and back. Neck and back work is included in almost every session to balance and integrate the work into the body.
Session 2. Next we address your foundation. The feet, lower legs, and possibly knees are opened and aligned to better support the body in gravity. Often the client feels a greater sense of support and balance coming up from their feet after this session, as well as better contact between their feet and the ground. Foot problems such as high or fallen arches are also addressed in this session.
Session 3. Now we move to your sides. We want to ease the body in the front-back dimension, and create a peaceful relating between your upper and lower body. We will work the sides of your torso, your neck, and your hips to allow those major segments to better support each other.
Session 4. We move back to the legs in this session, focusing on the inside of the leg from the ankle to the pelvis, at a slightly deeper layer. This session provides the feeling that the legs are supporting the abdominal core and providing lift for the upper body. Torsions at the knee and hip are also addressed in this session.
Session 5. This is a continuation of Session 4. Work is done in the front of the hips as well as the abdomen, diaphragm, and ribs. This session opens the front of the body and provides a new dimension of lift up the core.
Session 6. This is a back session. Starting in the legs, if necessary, we address the calves, hamstrings, the back of the pelvis, and up both sides of the spine to the head. The opening in the back matches the opening in the front achieved in Session 5.
Session 7. This session focuses on the upper shoulders, head, jaw, neck, and sometimes the arms. After this session clients often feel that their head is more "on."
Session 8. The last three sessions are about integrating all we've done. Session 8 is usually a lower body session with the goal of integrating the legs with the whole body.
Session 9. This is the other half of Session 8 - the upper body. The ribcage, shoulders, arms, neck and head are the usual focus, with the goal being always to integrate.
Session 10. The final integration. This is our opportunity to complete, for now, all we've been able to free. We will smooth the fascial wrappers over the structural changes that you have gained, and make peace with anything that remains. This session usually involves the whole body at a somewhat more superficial layer.
Rolfing is often applied in the format of the Basic 10-Series. Each of the 10 sessions builds on the last, and prepares the body for the next. It addresses the entire body, and is a beautiful and thorough way to address any restrictions you might have anywhere in your body. Depending on the client's goals, the work can also be focused on a specific problem area or primary objective. In this case, initial sessions would be designed to specifically resolve the primary issue. The work may consist of a single session, or a series of single sessions until relief is attained.
For many people, the series progresses as described below. There are instances, based on a person's unique structural issues, where it makes sense to deviate from the flow of work as it is described. The descriptions below are general in nature, and represent goals for each session rather than specific territory to be worked. In any case, every session is as unique as the person receiving it, and the work flows in concert with each person's physiology. At no time does the work become routine or mechanical.
Session 1. The process begins with freeing the lungs to allow fuller breath. This is accomplished by working the superficial tissue having anything to do with the breathing mechanism. Areas all around the ribcage, shoulders, arms, and hips may be worked, as well as the neck and back. Neck and back work is included in almost every session to balance and integrate the work into the body.
Session 2. Next we address your foundation. The feet, lower legs, and possibly knees are opened and aligned to better support the body in gravity. Often the client feels a greater sense of support and balance coming up from their feet after this session, as well as better contact between their feet and the ground. Foot problems such as high or fallen arches are also addressed in this session.
Session 3. Now we move to your sides. We want to ease the body in the front-back dimension, and create a peaceful relating between your upper and lower body. We will work the sides of your torso, your neck, and your hips to allow those major segments to better support each other.
Session 4. We move back to the legs in this session, focusing on the inside of the leg from the ankle to the pelvis, at a slightly deeper layer. This session provides the feeling that the legs are supporting the abdominal core and providing lift for the upper body. Torsions at the knee and hip are also addressed in this session.
Session 5. This is a continuation of Session 4. Work is done in the front of the hips as well as the abdomen, diaphragm, and ribs. This session opens the front of the body and provides a new dimension of lift up the core.
Session 6. This is a back session. Starting in the legs, if necessary, we address the calves, hamstrings, the back of the pelvis, and up both sides of the spine to the head. The opening in the back matches the opening in the front achieved in Session 5.
Session 7. This session focuses on the upper shoulders, head, jaw, neck, and sometimes the arms. After this session clients often feel that their head is more "on."
Session 8. The last three sessions are about integrating all we've done. Session 8 is usually a lower body session with the goal of integrating the legs with the whole body.
Session 9. This is the other half of Session 8 - the upper body. The ribcage, shoulders, arms, neck and head are the usual focus, with the goal being always to integrate.
Session 10. The final integration. This is our opportunity to complete, for now, all we've been able to free. We will smooth the fascial wrappers over the structural changes that you have gained, and make peace with anything that remains. This session usually involves the whole body at a somewhat more superficial layer.
