Rolfing, also known as Structural Integration, is a codified series of soft tissue manipulation, which organizes soft tissue relationships, with the objectives of realigning the body structurally and harmonizing its fundamental movement patterns, thus providing a sense of vitality and well-being.
Rolfing was developed in the early to mid 1950's by Ida Pauline Rolf , Ph.D. (1896-1979). Dr. Rolf developed a method of organizing the human structure in relationship with gravity, which she originally called Structural Integration of the Human Body. Early consumers of Structural Integration coined the word Rolfing from the surname of Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Since the early 1970's, Rolfing has been a service mark of the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, the school founded by Dr. Rolf.
As a Biochemist, Dr. Rolf discovered that bound up fascia (or 'connective tissue') often restricts opposing muscles from functioning independently from each other. She realized she could separate the bound up fascia by deeply separating the fibers manually, and by re-engaging effective movement patterns. Adequate knowledge of living anatomy and hands-on training are required, in order for a practitioner to safely negotiate appropriate manipulations and depths necessary to free up this bound-up fascia.
As Ida Rolf worked with people, she discovered a link between muscle tension and suppressed emotion. When tension is released, some people experience "flashback" memories of the original situations that programmed the need to tense the muscle. A sudden release of stored emotion may clear the need for the tension to be retained by the tissues. As a result the body returns to a more natural posture. However, while there should be space for such emotional experiences to happen during the sessions, it should also be understood that Dr. Rolf did not encourage Rolfers to actively seek out such emotional releases, and that the moral contract between a practitioner of classical Rolfing and the client remains a structural one.
Rolfers often prescribe a certain number of sessions to gradually "unlock" the whole body, with a recommended sequence, usually beginning with the muscles that control breathing and the diaphragm. Some people believe Rolfing to be painful, others welcome the experience because they enjoy the result. The classical Basic Series taught by Dr. Rolf is based on ten sessions. 'Tune-up Series' of a variable number of sessions, and an Advanced Series of five sessions are also available, typically after a settling period of time.
Currently the Guild for Structural Integration, The Rolf Institute and a number of other schools teach the method as presented by Dr. Rolf. Many modern modalities of 'Deep-Tissue Bodywork' can trace their lineage back to Rolfing and the legacy of Dr. Rolf in understanding the fascia.
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