What is Rolfing?

Rolfing is direct and to the point hands-on bodywork (think slow intentional, targeted “massage”) that strives to find balance and integrity in the body’s structure. Along with manual releases, we are working with your movement, intuition, and awareness to find where your body wants to be.

Rolfing is ultimately a process of tidying and removing structural clutter. This process begins to give the body new options. With more options, the body (which is always looking to be as efficient as possible) naturally begins to find its way “up” into a configuration that more harmoniously relates to gravity. Living in a body that can effectively navigate gravity is a body that has less to do. This inevitably translates to more capacity of your body and mind, and recognitition of your true self.

Commonly reported benefits of Rolfing®:

  • Improved posture/alignment

  • Better mobility

  • Feeling lighter

  • Fewer aches and pains

  • Improved athletic performance

  • More embodiment / sense of self

Rolfing is direct and to the point hands-on bodywork that strives to find balance and integrity in the body’s structure.

How does Rolfing differ from massage?

Rolfing is very collaborative. We work together, unlike massage, which is often more passive for the client.

The intention of Rolfing is to have your body occupy space differently in a lasting way (as opposed to relaxing/loosening everything but keeping your body in virtually the same spatial orientation).

We also are working in your fascia. Fascia is more-or-less a “memory tissue” that records our movement history, and allows us to continue moving in the same manner (for better or worse). Rolfing directly manipulates this network of fascia and establishes new movement patterns which over time crystalize your new shape.

Lastly, whereas massage is often approached as a one-off or ongoing maintenance, Rolfing is typically delivered in a structured series of sessions. Each session has a specific focus and builds on the previous one. While the classic Rolfing series is 10 sessions, the number can vary — some people benefit from 3 to 12 sessions depending on their goals. This is not meant to be an open-ended process.