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Article: Rolfing, "The whole body approach to wellbeing" - by Megan Arnel |
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Rolfing - The whole body approach to wellbeing By Megan Arnel- Certified Rolfing Practitioner What is Rolfing ? Rolfing is the nickname given to a form of body work and movement education pioneered from the work of Dr. Ida Rolf. She called it ‘structural integration’, which is a process of realigning the body through soft tissue manipulation. Through ageing, gravity, emotional stress, previous injuries and poor posture our bodies can become out of balance. This can translate in our posture as loss of energy, decrease in flexibility, backache, headache and general aches and pains. After balancing the body through Rolfing it enables us to function at a much higher level of efficiency and ease. People who have experienced Rolfing often report a feeling of lightness, fluidity, increased breathing capacity, more energy and elimination of chronic pain. Structural Integration is a system that induces change toward an ordered pattern. It aims to balance the myofascial relationships within the body. When the body becomes more aligned through Rolfing, the posture can become taller, straighter and free from chronic pain. A body that is more balanced and aligned with gravity, the lower its entropy and the greater its energy content. Rolfers believe that we need to look at and address the body as a whole rather than separate parts. How does Rolfing work? Fascia or connective tissue completely surrounds every joint, muscle , bone and organ and it gives shape and strength to our body. Hardened or shortened areas in this fascial web are caused by repeated patterns of use such as the way we walk, sit, stand or sleep as well as deep seated emotional patterns. In healthy fascia its smooth coating permits neighbouring structures to slide over one another. However, following inflammatory illnesses or traumatic illness, poor posture or emotional stress, layers adhere to one another and become ‘glued’ together. They will no longer slide and work as they should, making the body work a lot harder to function contributing to weariness and tension. Imbalances in the fascia occur where the stress is greatest, negatively affecting our body’s shape and movement patterns. Our shoulders can become more rounded, our necks too far forward, rotations and twists in our pelvis and torso or slumping in our posture. You may begin to feel less flexible and less able to move freely as you once did. Pain is often the result. Rolfing works to release these holding patterns and to restore movement and alignment. Who benefits from Rolfing? People come to Rolfing for many different reasons, some seek relief from chronic pain and stiffness, others want a better performance from their bodies in sport, yoga, dance or meditation. Many desire a better posture and being able to sit up straight and walk tall without much physical effort and strain. Some clients may seek more flexibility , mobility and a better understanding of their posture and body through awareness. Still others come to Rolfing to grow emotionally and to reach their fullest potential. People from all walks of life and all ages come to experience Rolfing integration for both physical relief and to improve their performance in their daily lives, professions and activities. The Rolfing session After a thorough evaluation of the clients structure and movement patterns, the Rolfer uses his or her hands to gently loosen and lengthen fascial sheaths surrounding specific muscles and joints. Health is restored to over worked tissues as the body becomes more organised in the vertical line and no longer strains to keep itself upright within gravity. The Rolfing process is one of exploration, awareness, education and change. Clients are encouraged to participate in their own healing process by accessing their bodies inner memory of what it is to be aligned and balanced. How does Rolfing feel? Sensations in the area being worked on vary from pleasurable warmth to momentary discomfort. How you will feel during the Rolfing session depends on several factors such as injuries to the area, or tension caused by chronic stress. Chronic pain often disappears immediately after the session or soon after the series. The Rolfing practitioner will work with you and your level of comfort to achieve the best results. The Rolfing Series Rolfing is typically applied in an initial series of ten sessions. Sessions are scheduled anywhere between one week and three weeks apart and each session is one and a half hours duration. Each session does have specific goals to achieve, however Rolfing is a very personal process and as no two people are alike sessions will vary slightly for differing individuals and needs. The results of Rolfing are cumulative and lasting, each session builds upon the last session to align the entire body and to get the best results that are lasting. Often photographs taken many years after the initial ten sessions still show that changes made during Rolfing are lasting and that the structure has improved even moreover time. Follow up work may consist of occasional tune up sessions. Megan Arnel is a Certified Rolfing Practitioner with a practise in Ormond, Victoria. If you have any further questions on Rolfing or you would like to try a session please call her on +61 3 9597 9839 or e-mail meganarnel@hotmail.com |
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