"This is the gospel of Rolfing:
when the body gets working appropriately,
the force of gravity can flow through.
Then, spontaneously,
the body heals itself."-Dr. Ida P. Rolf
The Rolf Method of Structural Integration also nicknamed, Rolfing™ is a scientifically valid manual therapy that lengthens the twisted and shortened fascia (connective tissue) of the body by movement, education and pressure.
Dr Ida P. Rolf (1896-1979) developed the “10 Series Recipe” over a 40 year period of time. Dr. Rolf used Yoga as the foundation for structural integration and she was also heavily influenced by Homeopathy and Osteopathy. What made Dr. Rolf’s work original and different from all other techniques was the fact that she recognized gravity's effects on body structure and function. In addition she firmly believed that the medium for inducing structural change is through (working with) the fascia.
With gravity, poor biomechanics, posture, and injuries, fascia becomes restricted, resulting in significant unnecessary tension on a body's systems. Since fascia separates, supports, connects and protects everything, when restrictions occur the effects can be far-reaching.
"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 constant fatigue, and yet another as
an unrelenting threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age, yet all of
these signals may be pointing to a single problem
so prominent in their own structures and the
structures of others that it has been ignored;
they are off balance; they are at war with gravity." -Dr. Ida P. Rolf
The Rolf Method of Structural Integration, aligns and balances the body by lengthening and repositioning the fascia. As fascia is lengthened it allows the muscles to move more efficiently. I will apply pressure to the body, working the entire fascial system in a systematic way.
When a body is aligned and balanced it moves with greater ease and requires less energy to function. Good posture is effortless and breathing is easier. The body becomes more flexible, more coordinated and athletic performance improves.
