Rolfing…You Can Feel The Difference!
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What is it? Rolfing® is a dynamic, body-centered, combination of hands-on therapy and movement education that produces dramatic and enduring results as it begins to lift, lengthen and align the major segments of the body in relation to gravity. Rolfing releases years’ worth of restrictions and “armor” created by the body’s fascia in self-defense from stress and strain, both physical and otherwise. It encourages mobility and space within the joints, significantly improves flexibility, and establishes greater capacity for breath. A Certified Rolfer manually addresses the body’s pervasive system of connective tissue, or fascia, particularly the tendons, ligaments and membranes. Each organ, bone, nerve, muscle, blood vessel or group thereof is infused with, encased within, or attached to another by means of the continuous expanse of fascia. As a Rolfer specifically tunes in to the “frequency” of this fascial net, the body becomes receptive to healing and change. And it’s all about change. Rolfing is not a technique but a process. For most people, Rolfing consists of a systematic and methodical series of ten sessions, individually tailored within the scope of a broader, well-established recipe. The positive effects are cumulative, as each succeeding session builds upon the success of those prior. Six months to a year after receiving the initial ten, an individual may decide on periodic tune-ups for maintenance purposes. The cost for each 75 minute “hour” is a little more than that of a regular massage, and the series is spread out over three or more months. Who Are Rolfers? Rolfers are connective tissue technicians; untwisting, molding, stretching and re-organizing the body’s true organ of shape. Rolfers are educators in movement, bringing awareness to habitual patterns of poor body usage, eliminating a constant source of chronic tension. The neural pathways which govern body mechanics are subtly adjusted and fine-tuned. The Goals Of Rolfing. The goals of Rolfing are not exclusively structural in nature. During Rolfing, constrained tissues re-hydrate, re-align and release their grip on the individual. This improves circulation down to the cellular level, inviting normal physiological functioning. As an adjunct to the nervous system, fascia may become a cache for a lifetime of emotional trauma. These persistent “tissue memories” not only affect the psyche, but they weigh heavily on the body itself. In bringing integration to the structure, Rolfing may relieve the imprint of the trauma. Rolfing is also a vehicle for personal growth and enrichment. As the client finds his or her center and learns to initiate movement from that place of strength, he or she develops the elegant qualities of balance and grace. Rolfing gives the inner person the wherewithal to emerge, all the while looking and feeling younger. |
A Team Effort? Modern Rolfing has become a gentler practice, tempering assertive, traditional methods with a more indirect approach. However, the Rolfing session requires participation, as team effort between the Rolfer and the client is necessary for significant change to occur. Who Will Benefit From Rolfing? ~ Children respond exceptionally well to Rolfing due to the plasticity of their tissues. Future repercussions from accidents and traumatic incidents may be nipped in the bud. Children who are “Rolfed” appear more at ease in their bodies, and exude a confidence and maturity seldom enjoyed by their peers. ~ Adults often find themselves dealing with life rather than living it to the fullest. In addition to daily stress, work related injuries such as repetitive motion syndrome force compensations which lead to the ultimate distraction…pain. Rolfing helps to break the cycle of pain, while clients discover new reserves of potential resources. ~ Seniors may find that a lifetime of wear and tear on the body leads to decreasing mobility and nuisance disabilities. There are no age limits on the advantages of Rolfing, which will help to slow down the hands of time, and perhaps even nudge them back a little. ~ Athletes of all ages are well aware of the damaging rigors of training and competition. Don’t let being “all stoved up” slow you down or bring your career to a premature end. Many professionals agree. Rolfing will breathe new life into your skills. ~ Artists, Actors and Musicians find new resources through Rolfing as the nebulous zone between inspiration and actualization becomes more reflex than effort. ~ Pets suffer physical breakdown as well as humans, resulting in hip dysfunction, tendonitis, bladder control problems or simply malaise. Rolfing can improve their quality of life as well as health. |