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Rolfing® is a specialized method of hands-on physical manipulation that is combined with an active stretching performed by the client.
This effective combination of the two modalities progressively stretches and elongates the soft connective tissue, or myofascia, that
surrounds the muscles throughout the entire body. This holistic effect enhances posture, improves range of movement, relieves tense
muscles, and increases a person's general feeling of well being.
Rolfing® helps people stand taller, move easier, reduce pain and feel energized!
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Stress of any kind shortens and tightens the body. Over time, that tightness will lock into connective tissue and diminish flexibility,
cause chronic pain and can create knots or "trigger points" until myofascial balance is restored and stress is released. People who
suffer from all kinds of chronic muscular pain will seek out Rolfing®.
Rolfing® offers great benefits to computer users whose posture, shoulders ,arms, and wrists become uncomfortable from long hours of use.
Athletes and performers of all kinds use Rolfing® to enhance their overall balance and body awareness as part of a lifestyle that includes
a balanced diet, exercise and a holistic understanding of health.
The Rolfer asks the client to actively stretch and make movement while he slowly uses his hands, forearms and elbows to release adhesions
and shortened areas in the connective tissue, which is the fibrous web that binds muscles, bones and organs together. The relative
flexibility of connective tissues determines how easily muscles will move, therefore Rolfers work on the connective tissue to help free
the muscles. A painfully knotted back or neck needs the front of the body to be stretched and elongated--otherwise the overstretched,
weaker and painfully knotty areas will tighten further if they don't receive support from the front.
Rolfers look at the body and ask themselves, "Is this body balanced in the gravity field?"
Rolfers realign the structure of the body so standing is comfortable and movement feels better, balanced and efficient. While most
people talk about "good posture," i.e. working to hold themselves upright, Rolfers talk about "good structure," or resting comfortably
in alignment with gravity.
Ida Rolf was an American biochemist who studied the flexibility of proteins in connective tissue in the 1930's and 1940's. During that
period she had a son who had some trouble moving with grace and efficiency, and could not find a doctor who could properly diagnose
her child. She finally realized that her son's problems were due to pressure on his internal organs from a compressed physical structure.
She began to manipulate and elongate her son's body until the pressure was released and his movement problems improved. She went on to
develop Rolfing® over a 30 year period. Ida Rolf created the Rolf® Institute in the late 1960's after many years of writing and lecturing.
Any time we have an emotion of any kind it is felt by and takes place in the soft tissue of the body. Over time, chronic and emotional
states like stress, fear or sadness get recorded in the muscles and connective tissue of the body. Sometimes a specific trauma or event
will be held or recorded in a particular part of the body. When that part of the body gets worked on in Rolfing, the Rolfing client may
remember the incident, trauma or accident that occurred in that area. Rolfers sometimes call this "muscle memory." As the Rolfing®
client's body becomes freer and more liberated, often that person's emotions will feel unburdened and his mind will feel clearer. For
more psychological work, outside referrals are available.
No, It does not. Patience, client feedback, lubrication upon the skin with a little lotion, and applying a broad-based pressure across
the connective tissue while the client actively stretches help to stretch and elongate the connective tissue without pain. Together,
the Rolfing® and stretching will change and release the tight areas of shortened connective tissue. Clients leave feeling refreshed,
relaxed and recharged, with a sense relief and well-being as their flexibility and balance is restored to their entire body.
Firstly, your Rolfer will give you guidance on how to move and hold yourself in a way that will maintain and enhance the changes.
Secondly, the body naturally will want to do what is more balanced and efficient because it will be more comfortable. And thirdly,
clients are instructed to perform 2 second stretches to help maintain the improved posture and range of motion.
Rolfing® clients wear their yoga or gym outfits while they are receiving a session.
The basic Rolfing® is a series of ten sessions, each of which is about one hour long. Most people come once a week, although the
scheduling is flexible. Before clients come in for an appointment, they can spend some time taking a medical history and talking
to you about your body and what goals you have for the work.
The hallmark of Rolfing® Structural Integration is the standardized “recipe” known as the Ten Series. The goal of the ten series
is to systematically balance and optimize both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body over the course of
ten Rolfing sessions.
Each session focuses on freeing restrictions or holdings trapped in a particular region of the body. A practitioner also maintains
a holistic view of the client’s entire system during each session, thus ensuring the transformational process evolves in a
comfortable and harmonious way.
The Ten Series can be divided into three distinct units.
Called the "sleeve” sessions, session 1-3 strive to loosen and balance the surface or superficial layers of connective tissue.
Specifically, the first session is devoted to enhancing the quality of breath with work on the arms, ribcage and diaphragm.
Opening is also started along the upper leg, hamstrings, neck and spine.
The second session helps give the body a stable foundation by balancing the foot and muscles of the lower leg.
The third session typically involves a “side view” for an understanding of how the head, shoulder girdle, and hips are related in
position to one another when standing under the influence of gravity. Then, the body is addressed within the context of this new vision.
Sessions 4-7 are referred to as “core” sessions and examine terrain found between the bottom of the pelvis and top of the head.
The idea of core also includes the deep tissue of the legs for its role in support.
Session four begins this journey, its territory extends from the inside arch of the foot and up the leg, to the bottom of the pelvis.
The fifth session is concerned with balancing surface and deep abdominal muscles to the curve of the back.
Session six seeks to enlist more support and moment from the legs, pelvis and lower back, while the seventh session turns its sole attention to the neck and head.
“Integration” is emphasized throughout the remaining three sessions, as session 8-10 provide an opportunity for the practitioner to
blend previously established advancements, and ones yet to be made, into the body in a way that encourages smooth movement and natural
coordination.
During sessions eight and nine, the practitioner is free to decide how best to achieve this integration, as the protocol is unique for
each individual.
The tenth and final session is also one of integration, but more importantly, serves to inspire a sense of order and balance. Once completed,
the wisdom of the Rolfing Ten Series will drive and support the body with health for years to come.
The changes will not only last, but they even continue to improve. Here is how it works: The body's shape and condition is constantly being
maintained and recreated by its movement patterns. If the movement patterns are imbalanced and stressful, they will continue to break down
and add inappropriate tightness to the structure. After Rolfing®, the movement patterns begin to improve or recreate a more balanced structure.
Through the improved movement patterns made possible by a more flexible structure, the Rolfing® improvements continue after the 10 sessions
have been completed.
After the basic Rolfing® is completed, the body evolves and changes and, in time, deeper, more subtle work becomes possible. The advanced
Rolfing® is designed, either, for the Rolfing® client who has already had the basic 10 session series, but wants to further refine a structural
issue, or, for the client who wants to maintain their improvements while experiencing the stress reduction and energizing effect that Rolfing®
provides.
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