Rolfing® Structural Integration is named after Dr. Ida P. Rolf. A doctor of Bio-chemistry, she began her inquiry more than fifty years ago, devoting her energy to creating a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organized the whole body in gravity.
Dr. Rolf discovered that she could achieve remarkable changes in posture and structure by manipulating the body’s myofascial system. While she first named this work Structural Integration, “Rolfing” is the name that many clients and practitioners used to describe it. Rolfing is now a registered service mark in 27 countries.
Rolfing Structural Integration has an unequaled and unprecedented ability to dramatically alter a person’s posture and structure. Professional athletes, dancers, children, business professionals, indeed people from all walks of life have benefited from Rolfing. They seek out Rolfing as a way to ease pain and chronic stress, plus improve performance in their professional and daily life activities. It’s estimated that more than 1 million people have received Rolfing work.
Research has demonstrated that Rolfing creates a more efficient use of the muscles, allows the body to conserve energy, and creates more economical and refined patterns of movement. Research also shows that Rolfing significantly reduces chronic stress and changes in the body structure. For example, a study showed that Rolfing significantly reduced the spinal curvature of subjects with lordosis (sway back); it also showed that Rolfing enhances neurological functioning.
How Rolfing Works
Theory and Principles of Rolfing
The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (RISI) has continued Dr. Rolf’s profound inquiry into how to enhance the whole person by organizing the body in gravity. Some of the more important developments of the work since Dr. Rolf’s death are also what now distinguishes Rolfing from all other forms of structural integration:
Principles of Intervention- Rolfing training begins with the Ten Series developed by Dr. Rolf, plus variations of her original protocol. Over the years, the faculty at the Rolf Institute has articulated the core principles on which the original series was based. By understanding these principles Rolfers can work effectively outside of the Ten Series and incorporate intervention strategies that reflect the unique needs of each client.
Gentle Techniques- Rolfers work with the deep myofascial structures. Some people may experience the work as uncomfortable. Rolfers have continued to develop a broad range of techniques that produce profound results with less discomfort.
Joint Mobilization Techniques- The Rolf Institute faculty has created a range of soft tissue techniques that release the motion restrictions that impede whole body organization. These techniques increase Rolfers effectiveness in working with many common structural problems.
The Personal Experience- Rolfing is a holistic technique in that changes in structure can impact the whole person, physically, emotionally, and energetically. Ultimately, each client’s individual experience plays a central role in Rolfing’s transformational process.
Improve performance and enhance well-being.
Rolfing and Pilates
Rolfing and Pilates work together symbiotically. Essentially, Rolfing creates space in the body where it needs more space, and Pilates adds more tone in the body where it needs tone. Both are trying to develop a better structural relationship to gravity, both work towards balance.
Stefan’s unique training in both modalities brings deeper expertise and resources to your process whether you choose to engage in Rolfing, Pilates or both.
