The best known aspect of the Rolf Technique of Structural Integration is the fascial manipulation (the hands on separating and lengthening of the connective tissues). You can notice, though, that each of the manipulations is built around a given structural concept and movement. Dr. Rolf often repeated "Put it where it belongs and call for movement".
Ida Rolf called on a student, Dorthey Nolte, and later Judith Aston to develop the Rolf movement work using her original exercises as a basis. These exercises have been developed extensively over the years. They can be learned as a way of developing the structure, through precise movement, or as an aid to developing permanant results from the Rolfing manipulations. The movements are always used in the process of manipulation, but often not emphasized.
In Rolfing, as I learned it, the
movements are used in the session for structural change, and taught as homework
to develop new habits that can become stronger with time and use. A well
organized body will want these new patterns of movement, because they will
feel good, though perhaps awkward at first. Some of the movements perhaps
cannot be done accurately without the aid of a Structural Integration Practioner's
hands. There are 2 lists of practitioners upon which you can draw with confidence:
The Guild for Structural Integration
The Rolf Institute
The movements that I present here, I place in 3 categories: Rolfing Patterning, as I learned it formally, Exercises for daily use that I developed from patterning and other sources (like Chi Gung), and Strengthening Exercises for use by the well structured individual. I use this web page professionally by referring clients to the appropriate movements and exercises as they develop in our work together. The Rolfing Patterns are important in my work as a teacher. A practitioner's work improves as the ability to perceive and embody the patterns improves. Using these Rolfing Patterns is an essential tool in framing (designing) an appropriate structural bodywork session, and can lead to improvement of the prationer-client communication of the goals and results.
As a visitor to this website, you
are free to use the exercises as is appropriate in your view, with these
caveats:
You should get the guidance of a medical doctor for a medical condition.
A guiding practitioner can be very helpful (no person is a good mirror for
himself).
If it hurts, Stop Imediately! None of these movements should hurt. For
a frozen joint, under the guidance of a doctor or PT, the Exercises may be
carried cautiously to and through a painful restriction, but use your
Doc for this.
Many jof these exercises and patterns have been on my website in text and
graphic form since 1992. I am leaving these here as well as upgrading (in my
opinion) to video instruction.
Certain movement patterns have been found to be a benefit in bringing the body closer to its natural balance and ease.
These video clips are meant to be used as reminders of processes that are taught in a more formal context-like a Rolfing session. These clips would be an embarrassment if compared to the one on one movement session with a competent practitioner. Until I see the need for restricting the use to practitioners, these will remain open to the public.
A practitioner can freely copy and paste the name of a process to an email or website for access by clients as reminders of the work done in their session together.
Rolfing Pelvic Lift with Lengthening from Head to Hips
Expanding and Lengthening
the Back
Shoulder Rotations with
Arm Lift
Exploring Sitting-Pelvic Triangle
Transition to Standing-Part One
Transition to Standing-Part Two
Integration Breath A basic movement to encourage establishment of upright posture and deep breathing while sitting at a desk. An ideal work break exercise to be repeated 3 times per break.
Stretch
Up, Twist and Lean is an enhancement of the previous exercise, but requires
more breath control, and yields greater returns in mobilization, breath capacity,
and energy.
Head
Turn w/Eye Movement An easy movement pattern derived from Rolfing
and Qi Gong. This movement patterns neck movement with the breath and
eyemovement.
Water Wheel is a whole body exercise done in a seated position. It is important to take care in not straining. The legs do not have to be kept straight, if it causes strain. Derived from Qi Gong, this movement has been altered to teach ease and slow steady improvement, rather than chance injury and disappointment.
Pelvic Rocking Mobilize a stiff back, and find a comfortable center point for sitting. This exercise is to enhance your experience and results of Rolfing.
Stretch 2 Hands Up w/Forward Bend An enhanced version of the above that requires more breath control.
Knee Dip This gentle movement stretches from the knee to mid back and trains breath-movement coordination. Not intended as a stretch as done in most yoga classes.
Hip Opener
Abdominal Crunch Do only 1/2 to 2/3 as many as you can do. You should not feel strain in the neck, but will feel exercise there. You can build up to 3 sets to help train a flatter lower back