What is Rolfing? pressure in conjunction What Does Rolfing Feel Like? with gentle movements, Rolfing is a therapy that methodically Rolfing generally feels like slow, applied the connective tissue rebalances the body. It frees the body from pressure, similar to a deep tissue or myofas- (fascia) is re l e a s e d , restrictions as it releases stresses, strains and cial massage. Today Rolfing is practiced with allowing it to become tensions that we hold in our physical structure. more effective results using gentle techniques soft, rehydrated and It improves flexibility and range of motion, ranging from light to deeper pre s s u re . restoring ease in the way we utilize our bodies pliable. The fascia is Sensations range from pleasurable to a deep in all of our daily activities. the body’s organ of feeling of release, depending on factors such s t ru c t u re, giving the as past injuries and This restored freedom leads to a sense of body its shape and c h ronic stress that increased physical vitality with less effort, more determining the limits of its movement. Rolfing can can be physical or graceful movements, noticeably higher levels of reverse the effects of injury and environmental emotionally related. e n e rg y, improved health and physical influences. Healthy tissue is hydrated, supple and Movement feels appearance. In addition to the physiological elastic, but can easily thicken and lose mobility if easier and more benefits, it is common for positive results to arise compressed, torqued or twisted and in turn can resourceful. Chronic in ones overall psychological/emotional lose elasticity and actually stick to itself and well being as this history of tension is released. pain or discomfort harden when injured. Likewise tissue can become often disappear flaccid and toneless if overstretched or underused. Rolfing is not only an effective and efficient form rapidly or is greatly of body therapy which treats already present These conditions limit muscle mobility and reduced thro u g h o u t structural problems, it is also a preventive movement in the affected area thereby allowing the sessions. approach to help one maintain an overall sense gravity to pull the body’s natural alignment out of of well being and an improved quality of life. balance. This results in the compensation of other The results of Rolfing muscle groups which can progress into new pat- are not only lasting, terns of misalignment, leading to stress, pain, they are continuing. How Does Rolfing Work? soreness, tension, or lack of energy elsewhere in Clients re p o rt feeling and looking better Rolfing works systematically on the body’s the body. several months after their last session. network of connective tissue (tendons, Rolfing works to rebalance these pattern s , ligaments, the outer wrappings of individual enabling the body to realign itself correctly. muscle, muscle groups and internal organs). T h rough a combination of slow, applied Why Should You Be Rolfed? Many people turn to Rolfing for the release of D r. Ida P. Rolf received her Ph.D. in symptoms of pain, tension, stress, both bio-chemistry from Columbia University in 1920, physical and emotional, after other more and furthered her knowledge of the body through traditional methodologies fail. Others wish to her scientific work in organic chemistry at the improve their abilities in sports, yoga, work Rockefeller Institute. Dr. Rolf spent nearly 50 years or the performing arts. Still others are looking perfecting the techniques of the work she called for a better way to cope with stress, and lack Structural Integration, which later became known as Rolfing. Her extensive research led her to of energy that can lead to depression. Rolfing examine many systems, including traditional helps by bringing the body back to its natural osteopathy and yoga, which studied the effects state, allowing optimal perf o rmance, of structure on function. awareness and coordination. Research Findings The effectiveness of Rolfing has been substantiated through numerous published studies available through The Rolf Institute. A UCLA study conducted by Dr. Valerie Hunt and D r. Wayne Massey documents that Rolfing achieves its goal: "to create and maintain a more balanced energy system which conserves energy rather than expends it." R e s e a rchers found that among clients who completed ten sessions of Rolfing, compared to a Christopher Richardson graduated from the matched sample that had not received Rolfing, Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Boulder, movements were smoother, more dynamic and Colorado. He posseses a Bachelor of Science less constrained; there were fewer extraneous degree in kinesiology/physical education. He has movements, carriage was more erect with less recently completed studies in biodynamic osteopathy and various advanced Rolfing classes. straining to maintain a balanced stance. Chris lived a physically demanding life in Colorado for 10 years. He worked as youth fitness director at the YMCA, taught adaptive skiing to disabled, Rolfing benefits those who; paralyzed and autistic students at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center for eight years, a • Work in a physically demanding job or carpenter building houses, and as a logistician for long hours at a desk on the computer. Doctors Without Borders. Chris climbed, mountain • Wish to improve performance or endurance biked and skied regularly which eventually led to and reduce or prevent risk of injury. chronic low back and shoulder pain. His injuries, combined with an intuitive interest in the human • Desire improved posture: standing and sciences, nutrition, alternative medicine and sports, sitting upright, with ease and comfort. led him to pursue holistic health care philosophies • Wish to reduce stress or tension; which led him to the highly successful and lasting physically and/or emotionally. results of Rolfing. • Suffer with chronic back pain or discomfort anywhere else in the body. • Feel "locked up," inflexible or feeling "out of alignment." • Desire to truly deepen their connection of mind to body awareness.

"One individual may experience his losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in the back, another as the unflattering contour of his body, another as Christopher Richardson constant fatigue, and yet another as an unrelenting CERTIFIED ADVANCED ROLFER® threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age; yet all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in their own 808.888.9550 structures and the structures of others that it has 55 S. Kukui St. D-3002 been ignored: they are off balance; they are all at war with gravity." Honolulu, HI 96813 -D r . Ida P. Rolf [email protected]