The Science of Rolfing
Rolfing in Burlington, VT is a systematic approach to lengthening the body’s whole network of connective tissue through Structural Integration. Simply put, Rolfing is like chiropractic care, for your muscles and Fascia, where aligning the body is the goal – we simply use different methods to do so. The work is slow and gentle, using one-and-one-half-hour – 2 hour sessions to reshape the connective tissues or fascia that inform the body about its shape and determine the limits of its movement.
As the body learns in each session to move in more natural ways, the work is integrated into one’s daily life. This is where we also embed movement cues to help support perception and coordination with The Fascial Web and Movement Body. Many people go through life thinking and feeling that “my body [broken] like this, and that is just the way I am” but that isn’t the case for most people. I can help retrain your body through Rolfing, to act naturally and correctly again.
The fascia is a mechanism for restoring the body’s sensory and motor mapping. The body’s maps of itself forms the basis for its motor patterns. Structural integration is a methodology that I use to selectively shift patterns of automatic movement.
Rolfing is like an active form of massage therapy. The Rolfer uses physical pressure to mobilize restrictions in the connective tissue. The client works with the Rolfer, using breath and movement as tools to facilitate restoration of normalized motor patterns.
Each session builds on the one before where the structural changes of early sessions form the basis of the integrative work of the later sessions. As the client’s awareness is enhanced the work becomes more understandable and efficient. This is where a two hour session becomes beneficial for more movement awareness.
Those Who Benefit From Rolfing in Burlington, VT
- Work in physically demanding jobs.
- Work long hours at desks or computer terminals.
- Wish to improve performance and reduce risk of injury in athletics, dance, etc.
- Have seen a chiropractor.
- Suffer from chronic pain.
- Seek postural improvement.
- Wish to reduce stress and tension.
- Have been receiving massage therapy.
How Rolfing Works: “The 10 Series”
Rolfing begins with a series of 10 sessions where we systematically work our way through your entire body. Each session begins and ends with a goal; I inspect your posture and observe the way you move and walk before and after the session. In each session, we focus on a different piece of the body, each on building on the other, to improve the overall structure of your body. The “Rolfing 10 Series” looks like this:
- Sessions 1-3: The front, back and side of who we are. We start by distinguishing between structural restrictions and limiting habits in the superficial Fascia.
- Sessions 4-7: We work to release, balance, and realign, the structure/the body in the Deep Facia.
- Sessions 8-10: As your structure improves, we teach you how to recognize and maintain better balanced positions.
What a Rolfing Session Feels Like
A Rolfing session feels a lot like a massage, just with more movement. You’ll feel warmth, pressure, a lengthening or stretching of tissue… the work evokes a wide spectrum of sensations. Some parts of the Rolfing and Structural Integration process may feel intense as you feel pain being released from the body. The client is in charge of how intense the session becomes. A session is a gift to yourself and something to look forward to.
What to do After a Session
Take a LONG walk – 30m to an hour, to help your session to integrate.
Consider joinging a Rolf Movement Class between your sessions.
Rolfing is the Bodywork that Redefines Balance
Rolfing is famous for its positive effects on posture, body education, and full body connection.
If this interest you please consider booking a session.
