My Approach
"If you're not educating people you work with, you aren't Rolfing®" - Ida Rolf
Understanding My Approach to Rolfing
Rolfing is more than just addressing pain - it’s about helping your body find lasting ease and alignment. My journey with Rolfing began when I was struggling with chronic pain. Like many of my classmates at the Rolf Institute, I found Rolfing transformative in addressing not only my pain but my overall sense of well-being. This experience inspired me to help others find their path to comfort, freedom of movement, and adaptability.
While pain might bring you to Rolfing, the goal is not just to chase pain. Instead, we work with the entire body to create balance and integration. This holistic approach fosters long-term relief and a greater connection with your body. As an example, pain in the knee or foot may be an issue with lack of mobility in the hips. This is reflected in one of Ida Rolf's quotes, "Where you think it is, it ain't." Read "What Is Rolfing?".
A Holistic View of Pain and Movement
Chronic pain often creates a cycle of stress and inactivity that can feel impossible to escape. In my case, pain during graduate school disrupted my sleep, focus, and energy levels, creating a vicious loop. When I received the Rolfing 10 session series, combined with simple changes like switching to a better bed, the transformation was profound. This blend of addressing biomechanics and the body as a whole system forms the foundation of my practice.
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Biomechanics and Stress: While biomechanics are crucial in understanding pain, the body is resilient and adaptable. Stress at work is one of the best predictors of low back pain.
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Science Meets Art: My background in logic and methodology from Carnegie Mellon University gives me an analytical perspective. Yet Rolfing also embraces intuition and creativity. As Rolfer Juan David Velez says, "Mastery is the place where logic, knowledge, and intuition converge". Relaxed exploration of how your body moves can help shift body awareness, chronic pain, and movement patterns. My approach offers a space where your experiences are heard, understood, and addressed.
The Bigger Picture of Pain
This image is lifted from Greg Lehman. We experience pain when a number of factors compound and overflow.
Pain isn’t just physical - it’s influenced by factors like stress, habits, and lack of movement. As shown in the "What’s in Your Cup?" image, pain often results when stressors overflow your capacity to manage them. By addressing not just your physical structure but your overall well-being, Rolfing helps "build a bigger cup," increasing your resilience to life’s challenges.
Techniques I Incorporate: Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, and More
Rolfing integrates several techniques to address pain, enhance movement, and promote structural balance. My sessions include:
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Myofascial Release: A hands-on technique to release holding patterns in the muscles and connective tissue (fascia), allowing your body to find more ease and adaptability.
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Deep Tissue Bodywork: Focused pressure that works deeply into the muscle layers to relieve chronic tension and improve overall mobility.
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Nerve Manipulation: Many think of connective tissue as something only relating to muscles and joints, but nerves are also layered with fascia and can become restricted, usually causing pain and discomfort.
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Visceral Manipulation: Fascia also encases and supports your organs, such as the abdominal peritoneum and thoracic pleura. Restrictions in these fascial "bags" can impact digestion, breathing, and posture.
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Core Integration: Unlike the common idea of "core" as abdominal strength, Rolfing addresses the deeper visceral space that runs from the head to the pelvic floor. We're at our healthiest when movement is able to transfer contralaterally in walking from leg to opposite arm and back through the core without being restricted.
This blend of techniques creates a personalized experience designed to meet your unique needs and goals.
What to Expect in a Rolfing Session
Rolfing sessions are a collaborative process. I take time to listen to your experiences, assess your posture and movement, and work hands-on to address areas of tension or imbalance. Whether your goal is to relieve pain, improve posture, or move with greater ease, we’ll tailor each session to your specific needs. Clients can work through the 10 session series or individual sessions, depending on what we think needs to be addressed.
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The 10-Series: The Rolfing 10-Series is a structured progression designed to address the body systematically. Starting with the more superficial layers (the "sleeve") and moving deeper into the "core", this process enhances support, adaptability, and balance. The focus is not just on pain relief but on creating a more integrated and aligned body.
Benefits of Rolfing: A Unique Approach to Healing
My personalized approach combines fascia research, biomechanics, creativity, and deep listening to help you:
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Relieve chronic pain and tension.
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Improve posture and movement.
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Enhance your sense of connection to your body.
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Create lasting changes that support a healthier, more balanced life.
Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, exploring movement potential, or looking for a blend of myofascial release and deep tissue massage techniques, Rolfing offers a path to transformation.
Get Started Today
Rolfing isn’t just about solving problems - it’s about unlocking your body’s potential. Ready to begin your journey? Book a session or contact me to learn more about how Rolfing can support you.
