Photo courtesy of David Kirk-Campbell
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What is Rolfing® Structural Integration (SI)?Rolfing® SI is a form of manual therapy and movement education developed by Dr. Ida Rolf over 50 years ago. Working with the fascia (connective tissue) Rolfing works to bring the body towards vertical alignment (i.e. better posture) and greater ease in gravity (meaning less pain, more energy, and greater ease of movement). The basic premise of Rolfing is that humans function with greater ease and efficiency when we are lined up with earth's gravitational field.
To correct internal misalignments, a Rolfer™ uses mild, direct pressure to release restrictions in the fascia and allow the body to find health through the re-establishment of balance. Rolfing SI allows the brain and nervous system to “re-boot” areas of the body that are receiving too much electrical stimulation (chronically tight or sore muscles). Once a healthy level of muscle contraction is established, the person’s entire structure is free to express a pain-free form. |
How do we become unbalanced and get out of alignment with gravity in the first place? When our bodies are subject to trauma and stress (be it physical such as an accident, injury, or surgery, or mental/emotional stress) our bodies contract and hold. The human body, due to fascial connections, is extremely plastic. The body lays down connective tissue to support areas of strain. Over time, if the pattern of strain and stress continues, this thickening of the fascia can lead to misalignment and the familiar postures we see and feel (hunched shoulders, drooping head, tight hip flexors from too much sitting, etc.). However, this plasticity is also how we can help to undo the process through Rolfing SI.
Rolfing SI aims to restore flexibility, increase balance, revitalize your energy, and leave you more comfortable in your own body. It has the potential to improve movement, reduce compensational patterns, and alleviate pain. It can be beneficial for pre-surgery preparation, as well as post-surgery recovery. Rolfing is an excellent foundation for and complement to yoga, pilates, competitive athletics, and other personal wellness practices.
Rolfing SI aims to restore flexibility, increase balance, revitalize your energy, and leave you more comfortable in your own body. It has the potential to improve movement, reduce compensational patterns, and alleviate pain. It can be beneficial for pre-surgery preparation, as well as post-surgery recovery. Rolfing is an excellent foundation for and complement to yoga, pilates, competitive athletics, and other personal wellness practices.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is the four dimensional web of elastic connective tissue that envelops every muscle fiber, encases all joints, and even plays a role in the nervous system. Think of the fascial system as an intricate internal guide-wire network for the body. If one set of support wires becomes tight or out of place, the excess tension may appear as nagging joint pain, muscle soreness, or a postural shift. Fascia is what gives the body its shape. Dr. Rolf called it "the organ of structure." Fascia exists in layers of wrappings and webs throughout the body (for example we speak of superficial fascia - the fascia just below the skin, and myofascia - the fascia in muscle tissues). It is formed into strings, belts (think IT band), sheaths, cylinders, etc. Fascia is highly innervated. In fact, recent studies have shown that fascia is the richest sensory organ in the body; it has more than 100 million sensory nerve endings! More than are in your eyes (which were previously thought to be the most sensitive of sensory organs).
What is the Rolfing® Ten Series?
The hallmark of Rolfing SI is the Ten-series, a standardized "recipe," with the goal of systematically balancing and optimizing the structure and function (movement) of the entire body over the course of the ten sessions. Below is a very brief overview:
Session 1 is devoted to enhancing the quality of the breath. The focus is on the arms, ribs, and diaphragm. Some work is also done opening the hamstrings, neck, and spine.
Session 2 helps to give the body a stable foundation, focusing on the lower legs and feet.
Session 3 involves work on the lateral (side) body. Giving a view of how the head, shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle are positioned in relation to one another.
Session 4 is the first of the "core sessions." It deals with the medial body, and the territory is from the sole of the foot up to the top of the inner leg/bottom of the pelvis.
Session 5 deals with the "front of the core" and balancing the surface and deep abdominal muscles with the back.
Session 6 is the "back of the core." The session works with the entire back body, from the legs all the way up to the back of the head.
Session 7 deals almost exclusively with the head and neck. The goal of the session is to "put the head on top."
Sessions 8-10 emphasize integration. Sessions 8 and 9 are either done lower body (feet to pelvis) then upper body (pelvis to crown) or vice versa (depending on what the practitioner decides is in the best interests of the client). Session 10 serves to inspire a sense of order and balance. As the final session, its focus is to finalize the process and "tie up any loose ends", bringing the body to its highest possible level of functionality and integration.
Session 1 is devoted to enhancing the quality of the breath. The focus is on the arms, ribs, and diaphragm. Some work is also done opening the hamstrings, neck, and spine.
Session 2 helps to give the body a stable foundation, focusing on the lower legs and feet.
Session 3 involves work on the lateral (side) body. Giving a view of how the head, shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle are positioned in relation to one another.
Session 4 is the first of the "core sessions." It deals with the medial body, and the territory is from the sole of the foot up to the top of the inner leg/bottom of the pelvis.
Session 5 deals with the "front of the core" and balancing the surface and deep abdominal muscles with the back.
Session 6 is the "back of the core." The session works with the entire back body, from the legs all the way up to the back of the head.
Session 7 deals almost exclusively with the head and neck. The goal of the session is to "put the head on top."
Sessions 8-10 emphasize integration. Sessions 8 and 9 are either done lower body (feet to pelvis) then upper body (pelvis to crown) or vice versa (depending on what the practitioner decides is in the best interests of the client). Session 10 serves to inspire a sense of order and balance. As the final session, its focus is to finalize the process and "tie up any loose ends", bringing the body to its highest possible level of functionality and integration.
"To me, the most important thing is not a specific Rolfing hour; it's the progression from hour to hour. It's the way you prepare in the second hour for the third hour so that you can get the results of the third hour."
Dr. Ida Rolf (Ida Rolf Talks About Rolfing and Physical Reality)