Laura Covington
/Certified Advanced Rolfer™
/Rolf Movement® Practitioner
/Virginia Licensed Massage Therapist
"In Structural Integration, we expect to give a cycle of 10 sessions. There is a reason for this. We are not dealing with the kind of thhing you say, ' Well, I fixed that, that's all.' We are dealing with an intent to make a body more secure, more adequate within the field of gravity. This requires that muscles be balanced, and need to balance around a vertical line. And when I talk about balancing the right side against the left side. About balancing the front side against the back of the body, and, finally, about balancing the innermost muscles against the outermost. We start from the outside working in, and it takes ten hours before we can get to the place where we can really balance the outside against the inside." /Dr. Ida Rolf
/the ten series
Sessions 1-3:
Called the "sleeve” sessions, session 1-3 strive to loosen and balance surface layers of connective tissue.
Specifically, the first session is devoted to enhancing the quality of breath with work on the arms, ribcage and diaphragm.
The second session helps give the body a stable foundation by balancing the foot and muscles of the lower leg.
The third session typically involves a “side view” for an understanding of how the head, shoulder girdle, and hips are positionaly related to one another when standing under the influence of gravity.
Sessions 4-7:
Sessions 4-7 are referred to as “core” sessions and examine terrain found between the bottom of the pelvis and top of the head.
Session four begins this journey, its territory extends from the inside arch of the foot and up the leg, to the bottom of the pelvis.
The fifth session is concerned with balancing surface and deep abdominal muscles to the curve of the back.
Session six seeks to enlist more support and moment from the legs, pelvis and lower back.
While the seventh session turns its sole attention to the neck and head.
Session 8-10:
“Integration” is emphasized throughout the remaining three sessions, providing opportunity into the body encourgaing smooth movement and natural coordination.
During sessions eight and nine, the practitioner determines how best to achieve this integration, as the protocol is unique for each individual.
The tenth and final session is also one of integration, but more importantly, serves to inspire a sense of order and balance.
Once completed, the wisdom of the Rolfing Ten Series will drive and support the body with health for years to come.
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Sessions 11, 12, 13 ..... ?
The unknown session 11 is you enjoying your life with a new body and a new mind. Ida Rolf designed this recipe as a whole for the whole person. You will have all the resources your functioning body needs if you never have another Rolfing session ever again. And that is good.
However, we may not be finished at hour 10. We may need 10 more or 20 more sessions. Either way, you can always continue to integrate the human body. As we Rolf the body deeper to its core, its essence, we exponentially open the wholistic body and mind connection.
Courtesy of Matt Hsu, Certified Rolfer™