What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is a series of ten sessions designed to access the entire web of connective tissue that supports the body and facilitates movement. It is a holistic approach to reducing pain, building better alignment, and creating more ease in the body. Some people who experience Rolfing describe it as letting go tension they didn't know they had.
Dr. Ida Rolf started working on bodies in the early 1900s and called it Structural Integration. After she started teaching, her students called it "Rolfing." Rolfing evolved from Dr. Rolf's knowledge of biochemsitry, osteopathy, and yoga, among other things. Dr. Rolf was one of the first people to look closely at the fascial system of the body and study its properties. She developed the Rolfing Ten Session Series in order to systematically free the restrictions of the fascial system and create more ease of movement in the body.
Rolfing is taught and practiced in many countries all over the world. The people who practice Rolfing are called Rolfers. Every Rolfer has either graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO, or one of the Rolf Institute approved schools around the world.
What should I expect during my session?
Assessment: Most sessions typically start with a few minutes of standing assessment. We try to understand your body's unique structure and patterns. Sometimes we might do a walking or sitting assesment as well.
Table work: This is the majority of the session, it more or less resembles a massage. Mostly you will be relaxed and passive, and sometimes I will ask for a bit of gentle movement. The goal is to make useful changes to the structure of the body.
Off the table: Often we do some conscious movement to help the body adjust to any changes that happened during table work. Some sessions we may not do any work off the table.
Post assessment: At the end of the session we usually revisit some of the assessments we did at the beginning. This is an opportunity to feel any changes in the body, and to adjust to any new sensations.
What shoud I wear to my session?
Underwear is the most common thing to wear for a Rolfing session, but please wear whatever clothing you feel most comfortable in. Rolfing-wear should be non-revealing, comfortable, and not too constricting.
Female bodies: underwear or shorts with a bra or other top. Some swimsuits can also be appropriate.
Male bodies: underwear, boxers, boxer briefs, shorts.
Generally yoga pants and spandex make the work a little more challening. Cotton or cotton-poly blends tend to work well.
If you are concerned about what to wear, feel free to bring a few options to your first session and we can talk about what will work best.
It is not acceptable to be nude during the sessions.
Does Rolfing hurt? (No!)
The short answer is NO.
For most people, Rolfing is relaxing, pleasant, and satisfying, like a deep itch getting a much needed scratch. Throughout the session there can be moments of mild discomfort, but it should not feel too intense or unsafe for the body. The touch is focused, slow, and firm.
Is Rolfing like massage?
Sort of, but not really. Rolfers do physically manipulate the body using hands, fingers, elbows, and forearms.
We don’t use oil in Rolfing sessions.
The goal of Rolfing is to create long-lasting positive changes in the structure and function of the body. Rolfing can be relaxing just like a typical massage, but we are also working to change some of the body’s habits and patterns.
Rolfing is slightly more active than traditional massage. Rolfers often ask for gentle conscious movement from the client, such as raising a knee or pressing down through the foot.
Menu
Contact
619-736-4981
​
2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 3L
San Diego, CA 92109
​
CAMTC #95701
© 2024 San Diego Rolfing LLC