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I had my final session in my Rolfing series today. I did it in a very long, drawn-out way--I think I started about this time last year, and did three sessions, then started again in the fall. I think I did at least one extra, because I wanted to get a lot of work on my hands and wrists.
If you aren't familiar with Rolfing, it's somewhat related to massage, but is more detailed and specific, and works more on the connective tissue, the fascia, than on the muscles. Along with the therapist's manipulation of your body, she also re-educations you about your posture in very subtle ways.
I fell in love with it the first time I went and she was able to relieve the neck/shoulder pain from repetitive motion in cold weather (my enemy!) Sometimes I couldn't see much effect from the session immeditately afterwards, but then gradually began to notice differences. I started out in pretty good shape but have scoliosis, maybe one leg longer than the other, and also intermittently have problems with tendonitis in my ankles and wrists. Nothing major, but expect that the years from 65-95 may be a little tougher than the first 65, so wanted to give myself every opportunity to have a body that functions with minimal pain as I get older.
12 sessions later, I've learned to walk differently, to sit and stand in a healthier way, and to use my energy instead of blocking it and fighting it. The beginning-to-be-constant pain in my right hip has eased away, and I've learned some exercises to work with it when it returns.
Because my therapist is also a yoga teacher at the studio where I practice, I have the delightful bonus of getting to integrate the Rolfing teachings with Anusara yoga practice, and can reinforce the Rolfing changes in yoga class, and use the Rolfing to make the yoga work better. I noticed this most strongly when I did Urdhva Dhanurasana (backbend or wheel) after the Rolfing session that worked on my hands and arms--for the first time, I didn't feel unbearable strain in my forearms. It's hard to draw the line between Rolfing and yoga, since I've worked on the two so closely together, but I'm definitely doing things I couldn't do last year, and doing them more easily--most important of all to me is being able to access my core and strengthen it, which makes both everyday walking and many asanas much better.
People always ask me if Rolfing is painful--somehow it's gotten that reputation. I found it much less painful than the deep tissue massage I used to get, and usually felt that most of the Rolfing was more intense than painful. But people's bodies are different and so are their experiences of pain, so I'm sure it was painful for people who report that. I also think therapists may vary in the way they handle your body.
If you aren't familiar with Rolfing, it's somewhat related to massage, but is more detailed and specific, and works more on the connective tissue, the fascia, than on the muscles. Along with the therapist's manipulation of your body, she also re-educations you about your posture in very subtle ways.
I fell in love with it the first time I went and she was able to relieve the neck/shoulder pain from repetitive motion in cold weather (my enemy!) Sometimes I couldn't see much effect from the session immeditately afterwards, but then gradually began to notice differences. I started out in pretty good shape but have scoliosis, maybe one leg longer than the other, and also intermittently have problems with tendonitis in my ankles and wrists. Nothing major, but expect that the years from 65-95 may be a little tougher than the first 65, so wanted to give myself every opportunity to have a body that functions with minimal pain as I get older.
12 sessions later, I've learned to walk differently, to sit and stand in a healthier way, and to use my energy instead of blocking it and fighting it. The beginning-to-be-constant pain in my right hip has eased away, and I've learned some exercises to work with it when it returns.
Because my therapist is also a yoga teacher at the studio where I practice, I have the delightful bonus of getting to integrate the Rolfing teachings with Anusara yoga practice, and can reinforce the Rolfing changes in yoga class, and use the Rolfing to make the yoga work better. I noticed this most strongly when I did Urdhva Dhanurasana (backbend or wheel) after the Rolfing session that worked on my hands and arms--for the first time, I didn't feel unbearable strain in my forearms. It's hard to draw the line between Rolfing and yoga, since I've worked on the two so closely together, but I'm definitely doing things I couldn't do last year, and doing them more easily--most important of all to me is being able to access my core and strengthen it, which makes both everyday walking and many asanas much better.
People always ask me if Rolfing is painful--somehow it's gotten that reputation. I found it much less painful than the deep tissue massage I used to get, and usually felt that most of the Rolfing was more intense than painful. But people's bodies are different and so are their experiences of pain, so I'm sure it was painful for people who report that. I also think therapists may vary in the way they handle your body.
