A to Z of Therapies
Rolfing®
March 30th, 2009
Rolfing® Structural Integration was developed in the early to mid 1950's by Ida Pauline Rolf (1896-1979). Dr Rolf devoted her time and energy to creating a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organized the whole body in gravity.
The aim of Rolfing® is to free the restricted muscles and joints by using deep pressure and stroking massage techniques to stretch shortened and tightened myofascia (connective tissue) back into shape. With treatment, the myofascia becomes softer and more flexible, restoring its natural balance in relation to muscles, tendons and bones. With this change of myofascia, the practitioner evokes a more normal movement, enhancing a more natural flow of energy.
Practitioners use their knuckles, knees, elbows, or fingers to create pressure that manipulates the myofascia, releasing deeply held tension.
Rolfing® is the nickname that many clients and practitioners gave this unique style of work, and is practised in many countries.
Professional athletes, dancers, children, business people and people from all walks of life have benefited from Rolfing. People seek Rolfing as a way to ease pain and chronic stress and improve performance in their professional and daily activities. You don't necessarily have to feel bad to feel better. Many people come to Rolfing purely to enhance their life-style. Some come to improve their athletic or artistic performance.
A full Rolfing course involves 10 sessions of 60 to 90 minutes each, however, this can vary depending on the client's needs.
Rolfers often prescribe a certain number of sequenced sessions to gradually "unlock" the whole body, usually beginning with the muscles that control breathing. Some people find the experience of Rolfing a little painful. The Basic Series taught by Dr. Rolf contains ten sessions. A "tune-up series" of a variable number of sessions, and an "Advanced Series" of five sessions is also available, typically after a settling period of time.
Currently the Rolf Institute and a number of other schools, including the Guild for Structural Integration, IPSB Institute for Psycho-Structural Balancing, and Hellerwork Structural Integration, teach the method as presented by Rolf. Many modern modalities of "Deep-Tissue Bodywork" can trace their lineage back to Rolfing and the legacy of Ida Rolf's theories about the fascia.
Find a Rolfer
Rolf Institute of Structural Integration
www.rolf.org
When Behind the Wheel this Holiday Weekend, Decide to Drive, September 2nd, 2011
