What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is a system of body education and
physical manipulation, a product of 50 years of study and
practice by Ida P. Rolf, PhD. Rolfing imbodies simple ideas
about human nature; one, that most humans are significantly out
of alignment with gravity, two, we function better when we are
aligned with gravity, and three, the human body is very plastic,
and has the capacity to return to alignment at practically any
time of life. It is a scientifically validated system of
restructuring the
body to release life-long patterns of tension
and bracing; balancing and realigning the entire body in
relation to gravity. Rolfing is the only manipulative system
whose goal is to evoke highly integrated and efficient ways of
moving that enable your body to remain effortlessly balanced in
gravity.
The job of Rolfing is to work with the
myofascial system. This connective tissue network is known as
the "organ of structure" because the fascia in our bodies
envelop muscle, bones, and organs, holding everything in
place... Unfortunately it can support whatever patterns of
movement and postures the body adopts, including results of
repetitive motion, injuries, and poor posture. Rolfers work with
the rhythms of respiration and other responses of the body to
release restricted connective tissue, using hands, fingers and
elbows.
Research has shown that changes toward
further integration continue to occur for up to a year after the
last session. Photographs show that the changes are still
present many years later.
"Rolfing is permanent. As one student
put it, after you're rolfed, you're like a Jaguar. No matter
how long you drive a Jaguar, it's not ever going to turn
into a Ford."
Ida P. Rolf
