What is Rolfing®?

Rolfing® is a system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that reorganizes and enhances the whole body in gravity.  The goal of Rolfing® is to balance and optimize the body structure (posture) and body function (movement).

 

Its founder, a biochemist Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., called this modality as "Structural Integration" based on solid principles of physics, anatomy, and physiology. The unique approach of Rolfing® is to make use of gravity and tensegrity* (tensional integrity) of fascia* (soft connective tissue).  

 

Dr. Rolf's pioneering recognition is that our body is a myofascial network which embodies inner tension and mutual flow, not a collection of separate parts.  What shapes our body form is not the bones but networks of fascia; fascia forms the body by surrounding, supporting and penetrating all of the muscles, bones, organs and nerves.  Rolfing® works on this endless web to release, realign and balance the whole body.

 

Ida said gravity is a friend or an enemy.  When we stay and move in gravity, it works to support us and the body is to be aligned without any effort.  Otherwise the gravity is our enemy; it works to tear us down and thus we have to fight against and pull ourself together.  

 

Rolfers seek the potential of you by helping you make best use of gravity. We find the adhesion of fascia, release it, and help you find your unconscious pattern which has prevented your natural movement.  Through this process, the body regains the inherent flow, more efficient way of motion, and structurally integrated form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rolfing® consists of a series of 10 sessions, a systematically designed  "recipe,"  each of which builds upon the previous and bridges for the next.  Each session lasts 60-75 minutes (the first session takes 90 minutes including consultation) and is to be continued constantly once in a week to three weeks.

 

10 series can be divided into three parts: