What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is a unique manual manipulation of the fascia, bones, musculature, viscera and even the nerves and fluids of the body to move a body toward organization, alignment, and healing. It is a systematic, body-based approach to helping fascial lines of tension ease, so a body can unwind and be more congruent as a whole. Rolfing can help to rebalance the structure by working through the fascial layers to create more fluidity from superficial to deep. This can help alleviate pain, increase flexibility and energy, and create more ease in a body. Rolfers assess structural patterns that shape our bodies and inform our movements, these long held patterns can be very painful, and by addressing the underlying patterns we often ease up the issues that are at the heart of pain and old injuries.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is a main player of the connective tissue network. It enwraps the muscle fibers, muscles, bones, joints, nerves, organs, and blood vessels to provide structural support and shape for a body. Fascia both organizes and separates, creating individual compartments for the muscles and viscera etc. It provides both protection and autonomy for the individual muscles and viscera. It joins and bonds these separate entities and establishes spatial relationships. Chemically speaking, the collagen in the fascia enables the fascia to change. Collagen, a colloid, is capable of changing from fluid to solid, and solid to fluid in response to the forces acting upon it. (remember playing with cornstarch and water? Fascia is kinda like that.) With chronic tension collagen tends to shorten and harden, Rolfing can rehydrate and restore elasticity to the fascia, which helps us move better and be in less pain. Not only does fascia wrap and shape all of these body systems, it is an intelligent 3 dimensional fabric that organizes and responds to forces that you experience in life. It thickens and changes to support you in gravity, postural, and emotional patterns. Often when it eases up, people feel more free and “lighter” both physically and emotionally.
Here are some videos of an elk hide I processed that show fascia in action, they show dissected musculature and skin, which some may find graphic. Consider yourself warned if you don’t like seeing the inside of mammals.
What can I expect during a session?
Once we have established you’d like to be Rolfed, a session typically looks something like this: Clients come to my office and we discuss their goals, what they are experiencing in their body, and any pertinent information I may need (health history, surgeries, injuries, etc). I leave the room and clients change into their “Rolfing attire” (see below). I come back in and assess their structure, we may do some movement and functional movement tests. We get to work on the table, often ending with some light Crainosacral work. We may do some post session assessments, repatterining, movement, or teach some stretching techniques. I leave the room for the client to re-dress in their street clothes. We take care of payment and rebooking.
Rolfing is a interactive and feedback driven bodywork, we will be in communication about pressure and movement for the duration of the session. I use a pressure scale of 1-2-3, one is not enough, two is good contact, it can be edgy at times, but not painful, three is too much… we never want or need to be at a three. You don’t need to “suffer through it”, go to your “happy place” or “suck it up” that means it’s too much. Be honest with both yourself and me, being in pain isn’t productive.
What should I wear?
Wear what you are comfortable moving and being seen in. Ideally, women wear full coverage (regular style) bra and underwear, men often wear boxer briefs, briefs, or athletic shorts over their underwear. Some clients prefer to wear tank tops and athletic shorts, which is fine as long as they are loose (avoid lycra/spandex/tight fitting) and we can move them to access the legs and see the knees. Working directly on the skin allows for the most possibility for change. Your comfort level is very important, we can work together to find what works best for you. For members of the LDS faith, garments are NOT ideal to wear during your session, they tend to be too slick and are often see through.
Do you offer consultations?
Yes. I offer free phone consultations (up to 20 minutes) to discuss your body, medical history, questions about the Rolfing process, your goals for receiving Rolfing, and see if Rolfing is a good fit for you.
How long are sessions and how much do you charge?
My sessions are 90+ minutes. I charge $140 and offer a $5 discount for cash or check payments. I accept Cash, Check, Cards (HSA and FSA), and Venmo. I don’t accept tips, but please consider donating to Pay it Forward Rolfing.
Pay it Forward Rolfing
Pay it Forward Rolfing is a community supported project to help those in need receive a Rolfing session(s). My donation is to reduce my fee to $100 for the session, once that amount is in the donation box, I draw a name to see who has won. This is completely anonymous. You can participate by either adding a name and phone number to the box, or a cash/check donation. You are under no obligation to participate, it just feels good to give if you can.
Why do people get Rolfed?
People come in for all sorts of reasons, from chronic holding patterns from repetitive movement, needing to sit at a computer for long periods of time, surgeries, accidents, past injures, chronic pain, and some simply want to feel better in their bodies. I believe most everyone can benefit from being Rolfed.
How many sessions should I receive?
This is entirely up to you. We can get a better gauge after assessing your tissue and talking about your goals with Rolfing. Typically Rolfing is done in a “10 series” with each session focusing on a specific layer, or area of the body. It is a cumulative process, each session building on the last one so we can systematically begin to offer more order and balance to the structure from the outside in, and from the bottom to the top. That being said, people often come in for “spot work” and then want to go through a 10 series. Either way is perfectly fine.
How far apart should sessions be scheduled?
Sessions are typically scheduled weekly or every other week. It is very much dependent on how your body integrates the previous session and is able to receive more work.
What is a “10 series”?
Rolfing is typically done over the course of 10 sessions called a “10 series”. It is through these sessions that we systematically begin to balance, open and realign the body. Each of the sessions in the 10 series focuses on a different area of the body and how this relates to the whole. The 10 series is divided into three segments.
Sessions 1-3 are considered the Sleeve Sessions. In these sessions we work to release the superficial fascia of the body. These sessions are very powerful in creating the possibility for change in the deeper layers of the body. If a plastic grocery bag is too tight, it is nearly impossible to rearrange the things inside of it. In these sessions, we are loosening the too tight grocery bag, so we can rearrange what’s inside. Often years of compensation patterns begin to ease during the initial sessions.
Sessions 4-7 are the Core Sessions. In these sessions we are addressing structures that are deeper, closer to the spine. We are making fluidity and ease in the pelvic floor, hip flexors, spine, and the deep neck and cranium. In the core sessions we begin to reawaken and bring alignment to the hard working, intelligent musculature along the spine (the true core!) which formed to hold us upright as bipeds.
Sessions 8-10 are the Integration Sessions. These sessions vary greatly from person to person depending on how your body needs support in integrating the first seven sessions. During the integration sessions we work to address any lingering symptoms a client may be experiencing.
Miscellaneous Information
All cancellations require a minimum 24 hour notice or HALF my regular rate will be charged ($70/90 min $90/120 min). If you no call, no show, you will be charged IN FULL. In case of accidents and acts of God the cancellation fee will not be charged.
If you have an illness, contact me as soon as possible to avoid a cancellation fee and so a decision can be made about rescheduling your appointment.
Payment with Cash, Check, Card, Cash App, or Venmo is due in full at each session, unless prior arrangements have been made.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Rolfing process or what you are experiencing, please contact me.