Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their body, others as constant fatigue, yet others as an unrelentingly threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age. And yet all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in their own structure, as well as others, that it has been ignored: they are off balance, they are at war with gravity.
-Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
Rolfing Structural Integration was created by Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf in the 1940’s. Rolfing is a way of addressing the fascia (connective tissue) in the body, a combination of soft tissue manipulation as well as movement education that aims to organize the body within gravity.
Rolfing will work to address the body’s posture through addressing the body’s structure. Together we will work to ease the body of old holding patterns that no longer serve us. We will search to find a way of using your body more economically.
Research has shown that Rolfing creates more efficient muscle use, allowing the body to conserve more energy, and creates more economical and refined patterns of movement.
Rolf Movement is a way of working with the body through perception and coordination to address old patterns. Structural work and Movement work are best done in collaboration with each other. Until we can address your everyday movements it will be difficult to maintain lasting results.
Is it right for me?
People seek out Rolfing for various reasons. Lots of people who suffer from chronic pain turn to Rolfing as an alternative to surgery, shots, splints. Many people find their way to Rolfing after struggling to fully rehabilitate after a surgery, injury or even to resolve issues that arise from scar tissue.
Rolfing has been known to drastically improve peoples posture. Often that slouched posture that people consider to be a natural part of aging can be rectified through this work!
Do you ever feel like your skin is a couple sizes to small? Well it’s not your skin, it’s your fascia, and it is! Rolfing works to free the fascia from patterns that may have served you at one point but now do nothing but hold you back.
Have you ever heard someone with poor posture say ‘I try to sit up straight but it hurts!’? Again, that’s the fascia. Rolfing will free up the fascia so when you come into
proper posture you’re not stricken with pain.
Whether you are looking to understand your body better, recover from an old injury, have more energy, more flexibility, or simply looking for a new method of self care, Rolfing is for everyone who has a body.
Many well known athletes, dancers, olympians openly thank Rolfing for not only improving their performance but extending their careers.
If you’re not sure, the best way to find out is to come try a session!
Click here to book your first session
Want more information? Click here to visit the Canadian Rolfing Associations website for more information on what Rolfing Structural Integration is and how you can benefit from it. If you’re not located in Ottawa you can also use this site to locate a Certified Rolfer in your area.
Paige Dayvis CR, RMP, DOMP 