What is Rolfing® Structural Integration?

Rolfing Structural Integration is a systematic program of posture repattening via connective tissue (fascia) manipulation developed by Dr. Ida Rolf (1896 - 1971).  Rolfing aligns and balances the body by lenghtening and repositioning the fascia.  Rolfing involves a series of sessions - Basic Ten Series, in which the therapist uses their hands to manipulate the fascia which includes myofascia, tendons and ligaments. The lenghtening of fascia tissues give more space for the bones to move into alignment, so there is a greater balance around the body’s centre of gravity. Myofascia is a thin, elastic connective membrane that wraps around muscles, muscle fibers and bones. It runs contiguously throughout the body and can change due its chemical component- collagen. Applied energy transforms collagen from a solidified state to a more gelatinous state, making it malleable, much like clay or plastic.

How Bodies Become Mis-aligned

The human body is marvelously adaptable and all of our habitual patterns of structure and behavior are mechanisms we developed in order to survive. (The Rolfing Experience by Betsy Sise).  As the connective tissue system in the body is very plastic (stretches like toffee) and adaptable, various factors such as heredity, nurture - before and after birth, accidents, injuries, surgeries, phychological trauma and belief system all plays a role in distorting the alignment and balance in the fascia web.