What is Rolfing®?
Named after its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Rolfing® or Structural Integration (SI) as she liked to call it, is a form of bodywork that assesses and then reorganises the connective tissue, called fascia, that encompasses our entire bodies.
Around the time of the second world war, Dr. Ida P Rolf a molecular biologist in New York at this stage started to recognise that the body is inherently a system of seamless networks of tissue rather than a collection of separate parts. These connective tissues – myofascial – surround, support and penetrate all of the muscles, bones, nerves and organs of our bodies. Rolfing®, or SI works from a holistic viewpoint on this total web-like complex of connective tissues to release, realign and balance the whole body. Dr Rolf designed and began teaching her 10 series in small classes in Northern California with the work potentially resolving discomfort, reducing compensations and alleviating pain in clients. Rolfing® aims to restore flexibility, revitalise your energy and leave you feeling more comfortable in your body.
Essentially, Rolfing® enables your body to relearn the natural integrity of its form, thus boosting postural efficiency, freedom of movement and increasing your general sense of wellbeing.
Rolfing® vs Massage
There are similarities and benefits in all forms of somatic bodywork, many are focused on the client relaxing, some based around injury recovery and others which take a wholistic approach to the health of a human. Rolfing® is in the latter group, we strive to view the body as one connected system, with all parts equally important to the health of the total system. Tightness in your calf may be affecting your low back pain through your deeply connected backline, a tight neck at the base of the head may be affecting your ankles ability to move freely, or your visceral organs may have adhered fascia which is working against your ability to swing your femur freely in the hip socket, a requirement for ease in walking.
Will my medical history and scans be useful?
Yes, please bring any scans or X-rays that you feel may assist us understand your history with a greater depth. We will ask you to fill out a medical history form before your first session and we will discuss the information provided before starting any hands-on Rolfing® work.
What should I wear?
Loose shorts and a loose t-shirt are ideal, however, clothing that you feel is appropriate and comfortable for you during the session is paramount. Having you feeling safe and relaxed during a session is of the utmost importance for the work to integrate well into your system and we can adjust the work to work around clothing choices.
Ten series
The Ten–Series is the gold standard of Rolfing® & Structural Integration work. It is a “formula” or “recipe” devised by Dr. Rolf, the goal of which is to systematically and wholistically balance and optimise both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body over the course of the 10, 75 minute sessions.
Session One – Free the breath
To open proceedings we focus on freeing the shoulder girdle from the rib cage to allow for a fuller and deeper breath. Work is also done to free the pelvic girdle from the ribcage from above. By manipulating the superficial fascial tissue of the body around the rib cage, sternum, shoulders, clavicle, arms and hips we are able to loosen the outer bag of the body. Neck, Sacrum and Back work is used at the end of the session (as with all sessions) to help integrate the earlier work into the body. Some common responses after receiving the first session are “a real feeling of openness”, “my breathing is easier”, “my pain has gone”, “I can move more freely” and “I feel so alive”
Session Two – Establish Functional bi-lateral support
Finding a support for the body is our next goal. Being bi-pedal animals requires we humans have a deep sense of balance in our feet. The body and ultimately our base(s) of support allow us to express ourselves as we truly should. The feet, ankles and lower legs are opened, aligned and balanced in session 2 to supply functional, balanced support for the client. People often report that they feel a greater sense of their weight and an ability to sink into it, with the support and balance coming from the ground, up through their feet. Although a testing session, clients report a sense of amazement at the conclusion of session 2 when their feet finally hit the ground again and they sense into the changes that have occurred.
Session Three – Develop front/back balance
From the front to the base, now we move to your sides and bring awareness to your 2 lateral lines. The aim is to ease strain patterns in the front-back or z-dimension of the body. We adjust the balance throughout the 2 sides of your body from the knees up to above your ears, thus allowing each layer and side of the body to better support the next and work harmoniously together as a single adaptable unit. Greater arm mobility is nearly always apparent at the conclusion of session 3. At the end of the superficial sessions (1, 2, and 3) clients may recognise that their pain levels has been significantly reduced or in some cases, completely gone.
Session Four – Touch the Core
The beginning of the core sessions (sessions 4, 5, and 6) we bring our attention to the medial (inside) aspect of the legs from the base of the foot to the pelvic floor. The relationship of the legs to the pelvis is aligned and twists and distortions at the hips and knees are addressed. Freeing the adductors and their attachments allows for an increase in the range of motion of the hip joint. This session provides the feeling that the legs are supporting the abdominal space and providing lift for the upper body. Session 4 can be effective for recurring back, knee an ankle pain.
Session Five – Free the Psoas
The 10 series continues up the front of the body proceeding with abdomen, Quadriceps and psoas work, allowing length through the front of the body helps provide lift through the pre vertebral centre. By freeing deeper pelvic and abdominal restrictions, which can inhibit pelvic movement, the pelvis can continue its shift to a more supportive and balanced horizontal position. Clients often report a sense of lightness and ease with the completion of session 5 as it focuses in on and rectifies the deeply engrained sitting habits modern man now are subject too. Session 5 can benefit anyone who is seated for large periods of time, works in front of a computer, transits to and from work, school desks, meetings etc
Session Six – Free the Sacrum
Session 6 releases the deep muscles of the back and hips, balancing the changes achieved in the front of the body in session five. The territory is the entire back line from the heel to the middle upper back, the calves, hamstrings, glutes and up both sides of the spine to the space between the shoulder blades. Session 6 can prove wonderfully powerful and beneficial to anyone suffering from back pain (including soreness due to scoliosis), sciatica and chronically tight hamstrings or calfs. The completion of core sessions is complete.
Session Seven – Putting the head back on
Now we put the “head back on” as Dr Rolf has been quoted. With the work preceding session 7 now being seen as preparation for session 7 we open all remaining tissue so as to allow the intrinsic neck muscles to do the work of moving the head. Arms, Shoulders, sternum, neck, and cranium all are assessed and treated as needed. Intra nasal and intra oral work can also be undertaken during this session. It is a profound session and often clients feel that their head is more “on” than before the session. By this stage in the 10 series, flexibility, adaptability and athletic performance are normally noticeably improved.
Sessions Eight, Nine and Ten – Integration
The final three integrative sessions combine all the work that we have completed prior. Sessions 8 and 9 allow us to work both the upper and lower segments of the body, focusing on their relationship with the pelvis and each other. We have made changes, however, can we access these changes? In session 10 we seek closure and continue to fully integrate the whole body, attending to any relationships that may still remain unbalanced. At the close of the series the body is at a very balanced state. Your body now has the adaptability to move freely and with ease, giving you a completely new sense of self and your body mind map.
Quotes
“It’s not how deep you go, it’s how you go deep”
Dr. Ida P Rolf
“When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through, then spontaneously, the body heals itself”
Dr. Ida P Rolf
“An effective human being is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts”
Dr. Id P Rolf
Trademark info.
Rolfing® designates the Rolf Institute’s brand of structural integration, the discipline developed by the late Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D. While the Rolf Institute is Dr. Rolf’s original school of structural integration, it is now one of many schools of structural integration; and Rolfing® structural integration designates the practice of structural integration by graduate members of the Rolf Institute, who are licensed to use its service marks.
Rolfing®, Rolfer™, Rolf Movement™, Rolf Institute, The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration and the Little Boy Logo are service marks of The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Movement session
$60AUD
A one on one, private, 60min movement session.
Single Rolfing® session
$135 – $150 AUD
A 75min session built around you and your needs.
Complete Rolfing® 10 series
$1350 – $1500 AUD
Ideally 1 session per week for a 10-week duration. Bonus free 75 min post 10-series session upon completion.
Discounts are available if you use the Paid plans when booking online at www.fresha.com/sequoiarolfing – Frankston Sth Clinic
www.fresha.com/sequoiarolfing – Northcote Clinic
Please note that time limits for receiving the sessions apply if using the paid plans.
Sequoia 