“Form and function are a unity, two sides of one coin. In order to enhance function, appropriate form must exist or be created. A joyous radiance of health is attained only as the body conforms more nearly to its inherent pattern.
This pattern, this form, this Platonic Idea, is the blueprint for structure. In turn, the function of this more appropriate structure is vitality, vitality of a degree unknown to the average person.” IdaP. Rolf
How does Rolfing help?
Rolfing Structural Integration is a powerful healing modality. From a Rolfing perspective, strain in the fascia causes misalignment, pain, and lack of ease in the body. This is because as the body compensates around a strain in the fascia, this in turn creates additional strains that require further compensation patterns. In this way a small local injury can significantly impact the whole body.
At this point it is not enough to simply treat the original local strain in isolation. Instead Rolfing Structural Integration works to systematically unwind the strain patterns in the fascia and bring them back into balance. When the fascial restrictions in the whole body are re-balanced the result is a more resilient, integrated and vital human experience. The side effect of this is often resolution of the compensation patterns, local injury and pain.
Is Rolfing painful?
Rolfing Structural Integration is a hands on technique that effects both the gross and subtle levels of the whole person to invoke health and wellbeing. Rolfing Structural Integration can be very direct at times however it is important that the client is able to remain present and reasonably comfortable with the process. In this way the intensity of the work is dependent on the clients response, this allows the work to travel deeper and be better integrated by the client.
Do I need to do the entire 10 Series?
The process of balancing and reorganizing the fascia typically occurs over ten sessions (known as the 10-Series). Balance is established firstly in the more superficial fascia layers nearer the skin and as the work continues balance is established in the deep fascia layers nearer the bone and throughout the whole fascial web.
It is not necessary to complete the 10-Series in order to benefit from Rolfing Structural Integration although it will take the work to a deeper level. Rolfing sessions are individually structured around the available time and financial constraints of the client in order to maximize the benefit of the work.
What happens after the 10 Series?
The 10 Series creates an inventory or fascial map of the whole body and initiates an organizing process that continues long after the work has been completed. After the 10 Series is completed there is a great opportunity to further the work as the entire body is now much more receptive and adaptable to the fascial work. In this way it becomes much easier to continue to encourage the body to higher levels of integration.