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Articles
THE BODYWORK THAT MAKES A BODY WORK!
ROLFINGŪ STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION
by Larry Koliha, Certified Rolfer
RolfingŪ Structural Integration is named after Dr. Ida P. Rolf. She began her
inquiry more than fifty years ago, devoting her energy to creating a system
of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organized the whole
body in gravity. She discovered that she could achieve remarkable changes in
posture and structure by manipulating the body's myofascial system. (Fascia,
connective tissue that covers the entire body.) This approach to bodywork was
eventually named Structural Integration.
"Rolfing" is the nickname that many clients and practitioners gave this work,
and is now a registered service mark in 29 countries. Rolfing Structural
Integration has an unequaled and unprecedented ability to dramatically alter a
person's posture and structure. 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. It's estimated that more than 1
million people have received Rolfing work.
Research has demonstrated that Rolfing creates an increased efficiency of the
muscles, allows the body to conserve energy, and creates a more economical
and refined patterns of movement. Research also shows that Rolfing significantly
reduces chronic stress and changes in the body structure. For example, a
study showed that Rolfing significantly reduced the spinal curvature of subjects
with lordosis (sway back); it also showed that Rolfing enhanced neurological
functioning.
The basic Rolfing series consists of ten sessions. A Rolfer starts by
evaluating the client's postural structure and movement. Each client's sessions are
individualized for the client using different bodywork techniques. The client
is then asked to lie on the table as the Rolfer sensitively applies just the
right amount of pressure where the fascia is restricted. The client is worked
first on the table, then into a seated position and at times even worked on
standing up. All the techniques used are to relate the person's body into a free
moving partnership with gravity.
Rolfers don't just work with connective tissue; they also work with rhythms
of respiration and other responses of the body. In addition, they educate the
client in ways of using the new-found freedom. The client and practitioner
work together to focus into the area being worked and/or to make synchronized
movements. Deep tissue work at times can be challenging and Rolfers are shown
different methods and positions that tissues can be worked to keep the discomfort
at a minimum. The combination of the different applied pressures and
synchronized response frees and repositions the connective tissue and aligns the
body's segments.
Each Rolfing session builds upon the results of the previous one, so that the
results are cumulative. The first three sessions are designed to open the
superficial layers of the body working in specific sections. This begins to
provide a support for the future sessions and provides an opening to the deeper
levels for sessions four through seven. Sessions four through seven work with
the deeper tonic muscles that control our balance and posture. The remaining
sessions organize and align the body as a whole, resulting in better balance,
enhanced freedom of movement, higher energy level and ease of pain.
RolfingŪ Structural Integration is a very different bodywork approach looking
at the body as an entire unit that should move freely and without discomfort
in gravity. If you have tried other modalities, feel that you would like to
find that something extra to enhance or improve your body situation and are not
afraid of working towards that goal give Rolfing a try.
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