What is a Rolfer®?

Rolfers are trade marked professionals trained from The Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration. We work with connective tissue or fascia and practice a unique system of therapeutic restructuring and movement education founded by biochemist and physicist, Dr. Ida P Rolf. The foundation of a Rolfer’s training is to learn how to see, feel, strategize, and to ultimately facilitate change to bodies-to balance the structural (shape) and physiological and energetic function to the entire body in relationship to gravity. Oftentimes, it takes Ten Sessions to be able to do this thoroughly, effectively and providing the most permanent changes in the client’s stress patterns and posture. Depending on their background and education, Rolfers may use a wide array of skill-based techniques, modalities, concepts and theories to assist their clients on their transformational journey.

The process of Rolfing® Structural Integration typically includes the following:

  • First we distinguish between structural restrictions and limiting habits.
  • Next we work to release, balance and realign the structures around a center line.
  • Then, as your body changes, we teach you how to improve on and maintain, balanced movement for easier living.

A Rolfer may gently apply pressure to available layers of tissue and/or have the Rolfee or client initiate movements to integrate through the fascial layers until the whole body is addressed three dimensionally. Evoking awareness through education of how body parts should be able to connect, relax and move in relationship with another is a main focus to creating a better functioning, holistic and integrated body. Some Rolfers also use more indirect ways of initiating integration of the body. Breath work, imagery, or postural cues can all help clients/Rolfees learn how they can use their body more efficiently once their structure has changed.

The shared responsibility of a Rolfer and Rolfee is unique to Rolfing Structural Integration. Both are working together on goals set for each individual session or series and towards better overall functioning of the body, which is specific to each individual’s needs. Health history information is necessary to help the client move forward from held injuries, trauma, and pain in the subsequent tissues. I do not force tissue to release, but gently and gradually work with the client’s body so that the held tension becomes less of a physical and emotional burden upon them as a result of consecutive sessions.

As the body gains new movement and better alignment, Rolfers can introduce new ways of sitting, standing, walking, running or various activities specific to the individual client and the goals in which they wish to achieve. Musicians, dancers, athletes, and the computer scientist can all benefit from Rolfing Structural Integration as a way to improve their functioning as a human body in gravity.

“So many therapists are striking at the pattern of disease, instead of supporting the pattern of health. One of the things that you as Rolfers must always emphasize is that you are not practitioners curing disease: you are practitioners invoking health. Invocation is possible by an understanding of what the pattern is, the structural pattern of health. As you bring a man’s structure to conform to that pattern of health you achieve health. You invoke health.” -Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.

What is the “Structural Integration” in Rolfing Structural Integration?

“Integration happens when two or more things can occupy the same space and time.  When the human body is energetically shut down, energy does not move through, rather it loads the body and increases the rate of entropy (collapse).  When the physical body becomes more aligned and more integrated, it allows more energy to flow through the connective tissue. As more energy flows through the connective tissue, it creates a larger bio field around the human body. The integrated human body will then be more available for integration with the earth’s gravitational field, helping to slow the rate of entropy (collapse).”

“Rolfers make a life study of relating bodies and their fields to the earth and its gravity field, and we so organize the body that the gravity field can reinforce the body’s energy field. This is our primary concept. This is the gospel of Rolfing: When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself. As people come to Rolfers with their aches and their pains, we can see where their bodies are literally offering blocks to the gravitational forces. The gravitational force is immense and their resistance isn’t much good except to close the body down, compress it. Sometimes the block has been put into the physical picture by a physical trauma. This block is in the actual structure, in the flesh of the body. Then there is the kind of block that is basically emotional.” -Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.

Related articles and resources:

Gina Kilgus  |  Certified Rolfer  | 4412 Spicewood Springs Rd #402  |  Austin, TX  |  78759 | Schedule a Session