“Rolfing™ has the potential to remind us that significant changes can be made in our lives at any time; that our reality is always open to revision.”
– Mark Donahue
Rolfing™, the original form of structural integration, is the process of unraveling structural and movement patterns to re-align and balance the body in gravity. This process is done by means of myofascial manipulation and movement education. Myofascia are the muscles and the network of connective tissue which enwraps the muscles (and organs) and gives the body its shape.
The primary goal is to restore alignment and balance by removing restrictions in the fascial network that inhibit the balance of the major segments of the body in relationship to the central line of the body. The secondary goal is to support shifts in the unconscious movement patterns that perpetuate the imbalances in your physical structure and to provide new options for the way you move through gravity. As a result of Rolfing™, your body finds more support, ease, comfort and responsiveness. Being a whole approach to wellness, Rolfing™ recognizes that changes in structure will affect the whole person; physically, emotionally, perceptually and energetically.
10-Session Series
Rolfing™ classically occurs over ten sessions scheduled approximately one week apart. It is also possible to schedule a mini-series of three sessions or a single session.
Whether you chose the ten-series, mini-series or single session, your individual needs and goals will be addressed. In general, each session has unique goals that support the principles of Rolfing™, as well as building on one another to create a synergetic effect for the entire series.
The undertakings of each session are twofold: hands-on work and movement education. The session unfolds through the insightful manipulation of fascia. The intention is to restore alignment and balance by removing restrictions in the fascial network and rebalancing the major segments of the body in relationship to its central line.
The second task is to support shifts in the unconscious movement patterns that perpetuate the imbalances in your physical structure and to provide new options for the way you move through gravity.
Each session begins with an evaluation of your structure in gravity. Rolfing™ practitioners are trained to recognize a body’s structural organizations and can skillfully locate compensatory strategies as a result of muscular strain and tension. Although the primary medium of Rolfers™ is fascia, we also work with the breath and other responses of the body.
Although the ten-series follows guildlines, each series is uniquely tailored for each individual client. Samples of “Before and After 10 series” photographs are shown below.