Rolfing--Structural Integration

Rolfing® is named after its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, a biochemist and Rockefeller University fellow.   Dr. Rolf's profound inquiry centered around enhancing the whole person by organizing the body in gravity.  She created a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that she named "Structural Integration." 

Rolfing strives to align and balance the body’s components until the entire system is a smoothly functioning coordinated whole. For example, the legs are aligned to the hips, shoulders to rib cage, the body is positioned over the feet, and then all of these joints and related tissue are integrated to one another.

A few of the many benefits people experience are reduced pain, an enhanced sense of body awareness, and improved posture.

These wonderful transformations are possible because Rolfing addresses the body’s internal system of flexible support, otherwise known as fascia. This amazing substance surrounds every muscle fiber, encases all joints and even has a role in the nervous system.

Think of the fascial system as an intricate internal guywire network for the body. And if one set of support wires becomes tight or out of place, the excess tension may appear as nagging joint pain, muscle soreness, or a postural shift.


For more information about Rolfing and Rolfers, see:
http://www.rolf.org/about/index.htm


Michael Laird McIver
Basic and Advanced Rolfer
3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 796
Houston, Texas 77098
713-528-9700

Your Rolfing Sessions

Initial 10 Series
The hallmark of Rolfing Structural Integration is a standardized “recipe” known as the Ten Series, the goal of which is to systematically balance and optimize both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body over the course of ten Rolfing sessions.

Each session focuses on freeing restrictions or holdings trapped in a particular region of the body. Using a holistic view of the client’s entire system during each session, the transformational process evolves in a comfortable and harmonious way. The Ten Series can be divided into three distinct units:

Sessions 1-3:  The "Sleeve"--loosens and balances surface layers of connective tissue. Work is on the arms, ribcage, diaphragm, upper leg, hamstrings, neck, spine, foot and muscles of the hips and lower leg.

Sessions 4-7:  The “Core"--examines the terrain found between the bottom of the pelvis and top of the head. The idea of core also includes the deep tissue of the legs for its role in support.

Session 8-10:  The “Integration”-- blends previously established advancements, and ones yet to be made, into the body in a way that encourages smooth movement and natural coordination to inspire a sense of order and balance. 

http://www.rolf.org/about/how.htm

                       
                            Once completed, 
                     the wisdom of the
                  "Rolfing Ten Series"  
           will drive and support the body 
            with health for years to come.

Advanced Work
It is recommended that a period of time should pass between the tenth session and any advanced work.

The timing and focus of future sessions are decided in a partnership between Rolfers and their clients.