Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to commit to a ten-series?
No. It depends on your goals.
The Rolfing® Ten-Series is designed to release restrictions in the connective tissue that inhibit support and movement throughout the whole body. Completing the series can not only increase one’s understanding of these restrictions and the effects they can have on daily habits, but completing the series can also improve one’s ability to integrate better movement habits into one’s life to maximize the benefits of Rolfing SI.
Because each session focuses on a different area of the body and each session builds on the last, it is easier to monitor the changes as they occur.
Depending on the individual, it is possible to work symptomatically or get the “quick fix” in just one or two sessions. However, when using this approach, lasting effects may be less realistic because the process of integration requires an awareness of the effect specific changes have on the whole body.
What are the benefits of Rolfing SI?
Relieve Chronic Joint and Muscle Pain
Learn Better Movement Habits
Increase Athletic Performance
Improve Balance and Posture
Release Tension
Revitalize Energy
Increase Flexibility
Does Rolfing SI hurt?
The short answer is no. Deep work is not necessarily equivocal to physical intensity or pain.
However, there are several factors that determine the level of comfort or discomfort during a Rolfing SI session. One is the degree of trauma in the system; another is how long fascial distortions have been in the client’s body. Long-term distortions create more tenacious and widespread compensatory patterns, which may require more sustained pressure to release. Continuous communication with the client and pacing the level of intensity are essential, profoundly affecting the client’s reaction to the transitory discomfort when seriously restricted tissue is hydrated, differentiated and reintegrated.
Will the affects of Rolfing SI last?
The process of Rolfing SI introduces possibilities for movement and potential for change. After experiencing Rolfing SI, individuals gain the wisdom necessary to integrate this knowledge into their daily lives. This understanding becomes a powerful tool, and the effects from Rolfing SI can last a lifetime.
What should I wear?
Form fitting clothing (like yoga or jogging clothes) is recommended. Some individuals are comfortable in their undergarments, while others are more modest. The most important thing is to be comfortable.
What is the difference between Rolfing SI & massage?
One of the most common misconceptions about Rolfing SI is that it is nothing more than a deep tissue massage. While work is performed on the deeper structures of the body, the goals of Rolfing SI are more specific than massage.
Rolfing SI is a holistic approach to wellbeing. With each intervention, principles of support, adaptability, and palintonicity (a Rolfing SI term which refers to the ability for tissue to lengthen in two directions to create more dimension of movement) are being addressed. Consideration is given to how each change will affect the whole body.
The educational component of Rolfing SI also distinguishes it from other forms of bodywork. Rolfers consider themselves a transitional element, empowering their clients to take charge of their own physical health.
What is the difference between Rolfing SI & chiropractic?
As with Chiropractic, joint alignment is an important aspect of Rolfing SI. But Rolfers do not use rapid thrust adjustments. Rolfers work with the connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds every area of the body. Fascia will slowly adapt to the patterns of movement (or non movement) that a person establishes over the years. Changing the fascia literally changes those patterns. But fascia is slow to change and does not respond well to rapid adjustments.
Through gentle interventions, using highly effective techniques, alignment is achieved. The slower pace of change allows more opportunity for the clients to understand how they can integrate those changes into their lives.