Ida Rolf earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in 1916. During her scientific research, she made a fundamental discovery about the body: the same network of connective tissue which contains and links the muscle system when it’s healthy can be used to reshape it when it’s been pulled out of proper order. Every muscle and organ in the body is enveloped in connective tissue called fascia. This interconnected system creates a vast three-dimensional web, which provides critical support and protection for the entire body.
In fact, this strong, flexible tissue we call fascia might also be called the prima material - the basic material of the body. In the developing embryo, part of the connective tissue evolves into bone; while muscle develops as tissue tendrils growing out through the fascial network. Toward the end of each muscle, the fascia thickens into straps we call tendons and ligaments, which work to bind muscle to bone and bone to bone.
Dr. Rolf’s discovery of the importance of the fascial system revolutionized the thinking about the body. While the enwrapping fascia supports the muscles and holds muscle and bone combinations in place, it also has one troublesome property: it can support whatever patterns of movement and posture the body adopts. Just as the fascial system can aid balanced posture and movement patterns, it can compensate for constant strain and other deviations by shortening and tightening. In this way, the body actually changes its shape to reflect how it’s being used. Fortunately, the fascial web can be restored to health. The Certified Rolfer™ analyzes body patterns, and through refined and intelligent pressure softens and lengthens the fascia, allowing the body to right itself.
Dr. Rolf’s discovery of the importance of fascia was based upon another insight. She recognized that gravity is the fundamental influence on the body. Throughout our lives we balance our bodies within the pull of gravity. Because of this, any change to one part of the body is spread throughout the entire body. If the natural balance of the body is disturbed, if it doesn’t follow the best geometry of the skeleton, the whole body will gradually change form to adapt to the deviation.
About Rolfing
Ida Rolf's Discoveries
Originally developed by Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., Rolfing is a system of connective tissue manipulation and body education which is focused on structural alignment and balanced movement. In 1971, Dr. Rolf founded the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, creating a tradition of quality instruction and ethical practice that is continued throughout the world.
Fundamentally, Rolfing is based on some simple ideas about human structure: (1) most human beings are significantly out of alignment with gravity; (2) we function better when we are lined up with the gravitational field of the earth; and (3) the human body is so plastic that its alignment can be brought into harmony with gravity at practically any time of life.
Dr. Rolf’s view of the role of the fascia in posture led to still another major discovery. It might be called the theory of Body Geometry. When an elbow, knee or any other joint is properly balanced and integrated into the whole, the individual experiences an internal sense of rightness and equilibrium. The body senses that it is aligned along the true planes of movement. The hinges of the legs – the hips, knees, ankles and toes – all work within a single plane. The paths of the legs have parallel courses. The head and spine have a clear sense of “up”. The elbows move naturally in a smooth course. Compared with this new organization, the previous functioning of the body appears random, even chaotic.
In contrast, this new geometry - this new orientation in space - feels much more secure. The goal of the Rolfer is to bring the body closer to its center line of gravity so that fewer muscles are required for basic standing and sitting. Posture is no longer an immobile holding action but a floating balance and ease. It is this attention to the proper body geometry that distinguishes Rolfing from those forms of bodywork that simply work as deep tissue massage and relaxation. Naturally, each person has his or her own version of this ideal geometry, which depends on the person’s height, the length of his or her limbs, and other similar factors.
Rolfers consider five basic points when planning individual goals for a client. In order for the human body to function properly and maintain an upright position, these five landmarks must be in alignment: the ear, the shoulder, the hip, the knee and ankle. The head, neck and shoulders tell the story of the structure below them. The body should glide along, rather than look as if it has to do extremely hard work with every step. The head and neck must be centered over the middle of the body, and the spine that supports the structure must be at the back of the pelvic section. The spine must then curve in conjunction with the natural back curvature until it enters the base of the skull in a central direction. Any damage or constant pressure will disturb the balance of the upper torso.
To illustrate these ideas, let’s follow a mock client, “Marcia” through an initial session. Please note that each client and each situation is unique; this is simply one example.
Marcia had known about Rolfing for maybe ten years. She knew that the technique was developed by a biochemist and that it was designed to improve posture and flexibility. She had also heard that it was sometimes painful, although people she knew who had received Rolfing did not emphasize this aspect as much as people who had not. She decided to try it.
After answering a health questionnaire and discussing her goals and concerns with her Rolfer, Marcia had some before-session-one photos taken. Then she was introduced to her body through a Rolfer’s eyes. She began to see that her body was far from organized: not only were her shoulders at different heights, but they were also rotated distinctly to the right, while her pelvis was turned to the left. She noticed that she could breathe either from her upper chest or from her abdomen, but not both. From the side, she saw that her midsection protruded out in front because her upper back slumped ahead of her pelvis and abdomen. Following her shoulders, her neck and head also came forward. The Rolfer helped her to see that if her head were balanced properly on her spine, the muscles in her back would not have to support its weight.
Finally, she was asked to lie down on the treatment table, and the Rolfer began to work on her ribs. She felt a brief burning sensation as he did, as if the skin was being stretched and kneaded. He worked around her left armpit and asked her to perform an arm movement as he did. The discomfort was different here – sharper, more precise. His hands seemed to know just where to find tightness and tension. First in front, then along her side, back under her shoulder blade, down under the line of her rib cage. Soon she was feeling lighter, as if her body had more room. Her breathing was deeper and with less effort. Her left arm was moving easily, almost by itself. But when she moved the right one, it seemed blocked. She had never noticed a problem there before, but the difference between her arms was very noticeable. As the session continued, Marcia felt more at ease. The Rolfer worked on her hips and then on the back of her thighs. He explained that years in high heels had caused her knees to hyperextend, or lock, backward. This had cut off circulation in her lower legs and led to chronically cold feet.
He also connected the locked knees to the forward jut of her upper body. As he continued to work, she felt the same burning sensation on the backs of her thighs for a moment, but it was soon replaced with a new sensation of length and freedom. When she stood up, she felt straighter, even though she had not previously thought her posture was especially crooked. As she walked around the room, her legs seemed to glide under her; her knees did not lock as before. Looking in the mirror, she saw that although her upper back was still pulling back, it did look and feel better. Her body felt alive and tingling. The Rolfer gave her a mental image to think about: her motion could come from deep inside her body. She felt more expansive, taller. When she sat, she sat straighter and liked it. When she slouched, the position was uncomfortable!
The Body's Geometry
A Visit to a Rolfer
For example, a child falls from a bicycle and injures a knee. To avoid pain, he or she tightens the muscles around that knee. Since the body works within the force of gravity, the entire muscle and fascial system gradually shifts to compensate for the first change. Movement through the pelvis is influenced, as is the pattern of breathing and the set of the head. Because muscles alone cannot carry the additional tension, the fascia shortens to support the new movement, and in time, the shape and function of the whole body alters with them.
The human body is like a house. It’s structured so that each part has its proper place, and each piece interlocks to balance the load of the others. As in the well structured home with every post and beam in place, the well structured body is also balanced securely. Because gravity acts on everything, parts of the body that are not in alignment are like beams unsupported by a post; they are pulled into painfully unnatural positions. What the Rolfer seeks is a return of the construction to its original blueprint specifications. Putting one piece back into place is usually not enough. Every part of the structure needs to be fully integrated before a house can stand or a body can work efficiently. This kind of arrangement, in turn, produces what Dr. Rolf called “The gospel of Rolfing: when the body is working properly, the force of gravity can flow through it. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.”
You Can Feel the Difference Between Holding and Supporting
One of the major distinctions made by Rolfers is the difference between holding and supporting. As children, most of us are told to “sit up straight”. The well-meaning relatives who usually make this command are trying to teach us good posture, and by good posture they generally mean some variation of “chest out and shoulders back!” Try this posture right now as you read. Notice that when your shoulders are pulled back, they cannot be supported by the rib cage, that instead, your trunk is lifted up off the pelvis and held in an uncomfortable imitation of good posture. While sitting, most of us sink forward and let our bodies hang off our spines in various forms of collapse. When we do remember to “sit up straight,” we often reverse everything and hold our chests up and keep the shoulders high and aloft. Some people even become locked in this position. Although they may look good, most trained observers agree that the body structure is not supported from below in this posture; it is uncomfortably held from above. In either case, collapsed posture or held posture, the body expends energy inefficiently, creating an uncomfortable imbalance.
To see how much better efficient posture can make you feel, first sit down. Then, let your chest fall so that your spine curves to the front. Now sit up so that your spine arches to the back. Do you feel relaxed, or is it an effort to hold your body in this second position? Return to the collapsed position, and put a hand on each hip bone. One of the major distinctions made by Rolfers is the difference between holding and supporting. Push your hips forward until you feel the bottom of your pelvis - the two sit bones - touch the chair seat. As you do, notice that your chest floats up as the pelvis rolls forward. Now rest on the forward part of your sit bones. Notice that you can sit and maintain a feeling of support without either collapsing or holding your body up. Learned body patterns become so much a part of us that, at first, you may not be able to sit in this new, supported fashion for very long. You may also need to play with it until you can feel your body learning to support itself. But most people eventually find that they do not feel quite right unless they are using this supportive posture in place of the old holding patterns.
