Rolfing® Structural Integration

The Whole-Body Approach to Well-being Rolfing® Structural Integration

by Jeffrey Maitland, Ph.D. When we are out of Upright is not uptight. Even if you don’t appreciate clever slogans, you probably recognize this one is based on an important insight into our physical nature: Our sense alignment, gravity of well-being and ability to function is uniquely tied to how well or poorly we manage drags us down. and maintain our upright form in gravity.

ome 60 years ago, Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., pursued our body can be distorted by its fascial snags. To make this insight with unwavering determination matters worse, normal movement is further and developed her revolutionary inquiry compromised by muscles adhering to each other. standpoint and practice of soft-tissue Smanipulation and movement education known as Transform the sky, don’t just Rolfing® Structural Integration. push the stars Simply stated, her vision was about enhancing the The Rolfer™ takes advantage of the plasticity of When strain functioning of the whole body by making it right with connective tissue by applying highly specific, intelli- itself and the gravitational field. If you can imagine how gently modulated, appropriate pressure to the patterns patterns are it feels to live in a fluid, light, balanced body, free of of fascial strain found throughout the body. Fascia pain, stiffness and chronic stress, at ease with itself and responds by softening and lengthening. Appearing as a released in the the gravitational field, then you will understand the kind of sculptor of living flesh, the Rolfer might address purpose of the Rolfing process. local areas of fascial strain while encouraging global right order, the changes to cascade throughout the body. At war with gravity When strain patterns are released in the right order, body rights itself When we are out of alignment, gravity drags us the body rights itself in gravity. In general, Rolfing down, just as it drags down a building that has lost its techniques should not be confused with massage in gravity. architectural integrity. Whether from poor posture, techniques or deep-tissue techniques. Even though injury, illness or emotional distress, a misaligned body those techniques are effective in their own right, they is at war with gravity. We experience this war as pain, do not engage the tissue in the way effective Rolfing stress and depleted energy. When the body loses its Structural Integration requires. architectural integrity, fascia shortens and thickens in It is important to realize, however, Rolfing characteristic patterns of strain and tightness. Structural Integration, itself, is not a technique. It is a Much in the way a snag in a sweater distorts its form, unique inquiry standpoint systematically designed to K T H I N K S O C

48 | MASSAGE Magazine | July 2012 | www.massagemag.com | | www.massagemag.com | July 2012 | MASSAGE Magazine | 49 The Whole-Body Approach to Well-being Rolfing® Structural Integration by Jeffrey Maitland, Ph.D. When we are out of Upright is not uptight. Even if you don’t appreciate clever slogans, you probably recognize this one is based on an important insight into our physical nature: Our sense alignment, gravity of well-being and ability to function is uniquely tied to how well or poorly we manage drags us down. and maintain our upright form in gravity.

48 | MASSAGE Magazine | July 2012 | www.massagemag.com | | www.massagemag.com | July 2012 | MASSAGE Magazine | 49 Work holistically Always attentive to relationships, including the Focusing on the fourth skill, relationship of gravity, a Rolfer metaphorically working holistically begins with recognizing the body is not a soft IsRolfingforYou? transforms the sky—she does not just push the stars. machine. It is not organized like a machine, and it is not composed of am told Ida Rolf saw her work as a special laughter; another is more inwardly focused separate parts existing side by side. kind of education whereby the burden of and silent. enhance function by organizing the body in gravity. way of looking at the world that determines how you value I Rather, the body is a seamless, gravity upon the human body is alleviated. I On my part, there is an ongoing inquiry the things of your world. In science and other rational An inquiry standpoint is analogous to a point of view, a unified living whole in which no have taken this to mean that a Rolfer’s job is to into what will be the most effective way to endeavors, it is a particular orientation one aspect is more fundamental to connect with and cultivate whatever it is in us engage this person in the process. When the toward reality in terms of which a the makeup and organization of the that knows how to find ease in sitting, standing tone and pace of the session match those of researcher decides what is and is not whole than the whole itself. What or lying down. the client, there is a resonance we both relevant to his particular line of we call parts are relationships To be honest, I do not know what this experience as a comfortable connection. inquiry. So for Rolfing, you could say implicating each other. Essentially, knowing is. I do not know what to call it or I am moved by witnessing the beauty of Rolf’s inquiry standpoint is what some the body is not made of parts, but is how it does what it does—but I know it. I the body’s innate tendency toward people loosely call her vision: G iven composed of relationships, all of know how to work with it. I know that it can be wholeness. I see this in the way restrictions in that the body functions best when it is which are related. Rolf extended lost or forgotten or prevented from one part of the body disappear when balance organized in gravity, what conditions this notion of holism to include the expressing itself. And I know that it exists in is restored elsewhere. It is also there in the must be fulfilled in order for the human body’s relationship to its every living being. For me, every session is information my hands perceive, which guides body to achieve optimal alignment? environment and gravity. an opportunity to communicate with this my work. Most of all, it is present as I learn The mere application of Rolfing The logic of holism reveals a knowing—in both myself and whomever I from the client’s deep knowing what part of techniques without a thorough symptom is also a relationship. might be working with. To communicate and the exploration is most meaningful for her. understanding of the inquiry Think of a kink in a wire. The kink connect with this knowing can make for A hallmark of a completed Rolfing series is standpoint that generated them is not is a modification of the wire and has profound healing, an experience that is uniform brilliance. I notice many ways that Rolfing Structural Integration and can no independent existence apart almost sacred, characterized as it is by uniform brilliance can manifest, including cause harm. from the wire. Similarly, a silence, peace, mystery and play. fluidity, a peaceful stillness, a sparkle or At minimum, a well-trained Rolfer symptom, such as a joint fixation or stability. Uniform brilliance also manifests in possesses four basic skills: a sure —Soken Graf, San Francisco, California a tight muscle, is aberrant the emotional, relational and spiritual realms. mastery of technique; a thorough modification of a larger pattern and, I touch the physical structure of the body understanding of how to facilitate an racticing as a Rolfer is fascinating. Each hence, does not exist in isolation. with great respect, knowing my work is architecturally sound body; a highly session unfolds in a unique way and is Any attempt to address a P contacting the whole being under my hands. educated ability to recognize symptom without understanding an exploration for both the client and me. integration and precisely perceive this reciprocal relationship does not One hour may be filled with movement and —Rihab Yaqub, Scottsdale, Arizona patterns of structural disorder based on usually produce lasting change. a command of comprehensive Rolfers work with the symptoms of taxonomies of assessment; and, lastly, distress in a number of ways. Sometimes they work directly inflammation, expanded sense of spirituality, enhanced the ability to work holistically. If any of on the symptom itself, but the holistic approach is the norm. sense of well-being and joy, and faster recovery from injuries, these abilities are missing, designing Somewhat analogous to how removing a kink requires to name just a few. treatment strategies becomes a hit-and- manipulating the wire, Rolfers transform the aberrant miss ordeal, because the practitioner is pattern of which the symptom is a modification into a New developments unable to properly answer three pattern that no longer supports the symptom– all while Since Rolf’s death in 1979, the work has continued to questions fundamental to all therapy: making sure the whole body can adapt to and support the evolve and develop through the efforts of the Rolf Institute® What do I do first? changes in relation to gravity. of Structural Integration faculty. Although Rolfing practice What do I do next? Traced from an actual photograph, the official logo of began as a rather uncomfortable style of manipulation, When am I done? Rolfing Structural Integration is a wonderful example of today, its techniques have been broadened to include a softer, A Rolfer possessing these four skills what 10 sessions with a Rolfer can accomplish. When the more discriminating sense of touch. These newer techniques does not work on body parts and Rolfer is finished and the aberrant movement patterns have are both less invasive and sometimes more precise in their symptoms in a piecemeal fashion, as if been corrected, you will often see dramatic changes resulting ability to release and organize the body at every level. Many they were separate phenomena. Always from being effortlessly upright and freely appropriating clients who have experienced the new approach are attentive to relationships, including the gravity. surprised to discover it is often gentler than other commonly relationship of gravity, a Rolfer These changes may include easy, fluid movement, known forms of manual therapy. metaphorically transforms the sky— improved performance, cessation of pain, better posture, Also, a host of soft-tissue techniques has been created that she does not just push the stars. improved coordination, greater flexibility, reduced can easily release restrictions of the facets of the spine and

50 | MASSAGE Magazine | July 2012 | www.massagemag.com | | www.massagemag.com | July 2012 | MASSAGE Magazine | 51 Work holistically Always attentive to relationships, including the Focusing on the fourth skill, relationship of gravity, a Rolfer metaphorically working holistically begins with recognizing the body is not a soft IsRolfingforYou? transforms the sky—she does not just push the stars. machine. It is not organized like a machine, and it is not composed of am told Ida Rolf saw her work as a special laughter; another is more inwardly focused separate parts existing side by side. I kind of education whereby the burden of and silent. enhance function by organizing the body in gravity. way of looking at the world that determines how you value Rather, the body is a seamless, gravity upon the human body is alleviated. I On my part, there is an ongoing inquiry the things of your world. In science and other rational An inquiry standpoint is analogous to a point of view, a unified living whole in which no have taken this to mean that a Rolfer’s job is to into what will be the most effective way to endeavors, it is a particular orientation one aspect is more fundamental to connect with and cultivate whatever it is in us engage this person in the process. When the toward reality in terms of which a the makeup and organization of the that knows how to find ease in sitting, standing tone and pace of the session match those of researcher decides what is and is not whole than the whole itself. What or lying down. the client, there is a resonance we both relevant to his particular line of we call parts are relationships To be honest, I do not know what this experience as a comfortable connection. inquiry. So for Rolfing, you could say implicating each other. Essentially, knowing is. I do not know what to call it or I am moved by witnessing the beauty of Rolf’s inquiry standpoint is what some the body is not made of parts, but is how it does what it does—but I know it. I the body’s innate tendency toward people loosely call her vision: Given composed of relationships, all of know how to work with it. I know that it can be wholeness. I see this in the way restrictions in that the body functions best when it is which are related. Rolf extended lost or forgotten or prevented from one part of the body disappear when balance organized in gravity, what conditions this notion of holism to include the expressing itself. And I know that it exists in is restored elsewhere. It is also there in the must be fulfilled in order for the human body’s relationship to its every living being. For me, every session is information my hands perceive, which guides body to achieve optimal alignment? environment and gravity. an opportunity to communicate with this my work. Most of all, it is present as I learn The mere application of Rolfing The logic of holism reveals a knowing—in both myself and whomever I from the client’s deep knowing what part of techniques without a thorough symptom is also a relationship. might be working with. To communicate and the exploration is most meaningful for her. understanding of the inquiry Think of a kink in a wire. The kink connect with this knowing can make for A hallmark of a completed Rolfing series is standpoint that generated them is not is a modification of the wire and has profound healing, an experience that is uniform brilliance. I notice many ways that Rolfing Structural Integration and can no independent existence apart almost sacred, characterized as it is by uniform brilliance can manifest, including cause harm. from the wire. Similarly, a silence, peace, mystery and play. fluidity, a peaceful stillness, a sparkle or At minimum, a well-trained Rolfer symptom, such as a joint fixation or stability. Uniform brilliance also manifests in possesses four basic skills: a sure —Soken Graf, San Francisco, California a tight muscle, is aberrant the emotional, relational and spiritual realms. mastery of technique; a thorough modification of a larger pattern and, I touch the physical structure of the body understanding of how to facilit racticing as a Rolfer is fascinating. Each ate an hence, does not exist in isolation. with great respect, knowing my work is architecturally sound body; a highly session unfolds in a unique way and is Any attempt to address a P contacting the whole being under my hands. educated ability to recognize symptom without understanding an exploration for both the client and me. integration and precisely perceive this reciprocal relationship does not One hour may be filled with movement and —Rihab Yaqub, Scottsdale, Arizona patterns of structural disorder based on usually produce lasting change. a command of comprehensive Rolfers work with the symptoms of taxonomies of assessment; and, lastly, distress in a number of ways. Sometimes they work directly inflammation, expanded sense of spirituality, enhanced the ability to work holistically. If any of on the symptom itself, but the holistic approach is the norm. sense of well-being and joy, and faster recovery from injuries, these abilities are missing, designing Somewhat analogous to how removing a kink requires to name just a few. treatment strategies becomes a hit-and- manipulating the wire, Rolfers transform the aberrant miss ordeal, because the practitioner is pattern of which the symptom is a modification into a New developments unable to properly answer three pattern that no longer supports the symptom– all while Since Rolf’s death in 1979, the work has continued to questions fundamental to all therapy: making sure the whole body can adapt to and support the evolve and develop through the efforts of the Rolf Institute® What do I do first? changes in relation to gravity. of Structural Integration faculty. Although Rolfing practice What do I do next? Traced from an actual photograph, the official logo of began as a rather uncomfortable style of manipulation, When am I done? Rolfing Structural Integration is a wonderful example of today, its techniques have been broadened to include a softer, A Rolfer possessing these four skills what 10 sessions with a Rolfer can accomplish. When the more discriminating sense of touch. These newer techniques does not work on body parts and Rolfer is finished and the aberrant movement patterns have are both less invasive and sometimes more precise in their symptoms in a piecemeal fashion, as if been corrected, you will often see dramatic changes resulting ability to release and organize the body at every level. Many they were separate phenomena. Always from being effortlessly upright and freely appropriating clients who have experienced the new approach are attentive to relationships, including the gravity. surprised to discover it is often gentler than other commonly relationship of gravity, a Rolfer These changes may include easy, fluid movement, known forms of manual therapy. metaphorically transforms the sky— improved performance, cessation of pain, better posture, Also, a host of soft-tissue techniques has been created that she does not just push the stars. improved coordination, greater flexibility, reduced can easily release restrictions of the facets of the spine and

other joints without resorting to high-velocity, low- These difficulties led advanced faculty to develop both a amplitude thrusting techniques. New techniques have been principle-centered, decision-making process and created, or appropriated and modified, from other disciplines comprehensive taxonomies of assessment. As a result, that deal with the cranium, strain patterns in the bones, advanced Rolfing work is no longer bound to the recipe or to internal organs, nervous system, cavities and coelomic sacs. a predetermined number of sessions. Rolf Movement® Integration, originally developed by Rolf There is a growing body of research that supports many of as a kind of self-help Rolf yoga, has evolved far beyond its the claims made for the Rolfing method of structural original concerns to become a highly effective form of integration. therapy in its own right. After years of hard work by the When all is said and done, the creative spirit of Rolfing movement faculty, Rolf Movement Integration is now Structural Integration is alive and well in the Rolf Institute, integrated into every Rolfer’s training. the school Rolf founded to carry on her work. In addition to new ways of understanding and releasing the effects of emotional and physical trauma, the energetic Jeffrey Maitland, Ph.D., is a Certified Advanced Rolfer™ and side of the work is also newly being explored and taught. advanced Rolfing instructor. Internationally known as a Originally, Rolf taught her work as a 10-session protocol, teacher, author and innovator, Maitland was a tenured which she affectionately called “the recipe.” While this professor of philosophy at Purdue University before becoming protocol is powerful and flexible enough to help many a Rolfer. He is also an ordained Zen monk and one of eight people, running every client through the same sequence of advanced Rolfing instructors who teaches at The Rolf Institute treatment strategies has its limitations. When it comes to the of Structural Integration (www.rolf.org), which offers training human body, one size does not fit all. and advanced classes in Rolfing® Structural Integration. M

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