How does Structural Integration work?

A typical session begins with a "body reading" where the practitioner asseses the client's structure. What the client is feeling in his/her body and what the practitioner sees helps to determine what changes they will work towards to help improve vertical alignment and balance within the client's body and within its' relationship to the field of gravity.

The practitioner uses various amounts of physical pressure to release areas in the body that are under strain and to lengthen and direct connective tissue to align the major segments of the body (head, neck, torso, pelvis, legs and feet). As a result the body feels lighter and freer. The practitioner may use verbal instructions to teach the client to move in a new more efficient way. Ultimately, the learning experience that takes place is the client learning about himself, from himself.

The session ends with another body reading whereby the practitioner can observe what changes have taken place. These changes often occur during, after and in between sessions as time helps the work to integrate into the client's structure and personal experience.

Over a series of 10 sessions, the practitioner and client work together to let go of poor postural habits and unwind holding patterns that cause the body strain and teach it to move, breathe and live in ways that are balanced, free and upright.

 

"Rolfing is an ongoing process that continues long after the work has been completed." -Dr. Ida P. Rolf