What is Rolfing® Structural Integration?
Rolfing is a deep tissue method designed to release tension and realign the body. Using a firm, yet sensitive touch, it is not painful. Nearly 100 years ago, Dr. Ida Rolf, pioneer in fascia research and the creator of Rolfing, described the body’s extensive network of fascia as the “organ of structure.” She demonstrated that by systematically releasing patterns of strain and tension in the deepest layers of fascia, we can alleviate pain and improve bodily function. The scientific study of fascia continues today, and as our understanding grows, so do the theories that guide the practice of Rolfing.
The Name: Rolfing
Rolfing, originally called Structural Integration, was started by Dr. Ida Rolf. Some of her students referred to it as Rolfing, and the name stuck. In 1979, the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute received service mark rights for the term "Rolfing." To practice Rolfing, one must study at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute and become a Certified Rolfer.
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Rolfing is just a name, but the practice and its transformational effects give it true meaning.
The Practice: Ten Sessions
According to the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute, Rolfing is "a form of bodywork that reorganizes the connective tissues, called fascia, that permeate the entire body." Imagine an intricately woven web of fibers criss-crossing throughout the body with no beginning or end. Sometimes this web of fibers becomes stuck, bunched up, or overdeveloped in places, causing pain and discomfort. One goal of Rolfing is to free these problem areas so the fibers supporting our body can move naturally again.
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Rolfing is typically done through a series of ten sessions, known as the Ten Series. One session isn't enough time to properly reorganize the entire web of fascia because there is so much territory to cover. Ten sessions allow the Rolfer to systematically address all significant stuck spots. Dr. Rolf also discovered that there is a logical order to the process, similar to fixing up a house with a sagging roof; it makes sense to level the foundation before fixing the roof.
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Not everyone who receives Rolfing undergoes the Ten Series, but the work remains highly effective. Every body is different, so each Ten Series, partial series, or single session is uniquely adapted to the client's needs.
The Practitioner: Certified Rolfer®
In order to practice Rolfing, Certified Rolfers must complete the Rolfing SI Basic Training program at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute. The 731-hour training requires about six months of full-time, in person study and clinical practice. There is a strong emphasis on technical knowledge of anatomy, assessment and body reading, and developing a skillful touch. The main campus is located in Boulder, Colorado, but there are other branches of the Institute in Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil.
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Certified Rolfers can be found through the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute.