New Client Manual

The Web Site and Written Material

If this is your first Rolfing series:

Here is a typical sequence of session goals, known as the recipe. The "recipe" was devised by Dr. Rolf as an ingenious way of teaching a practitioner to use his hands in learning Rolfing. Rolfing is not "the recipe" but is used as a set of general guidelines for structural goals. How these goals are approached and accomplished depends on your individual needs and body structure. The recipe does not dictate what happens in a given session.
In general, the recipe is as follows:

Session 1, Freeing the ribcage and shoulders: To increase the client's ability to breathe, increasing their vital capacity, to lift the thorax off the pelvis which lengthens the waistline, to initiate freeing the shoulder and pelvic girdles, and to lengthen the spine.

Session 2, Standing, Lengthening the back and organizing the feet: To change the way the weight goes through the client's body when in a standing position, to organize both the feet and the back, to free the joints of the feet, to improve the alignment of the legs, to lengthen and widen the back, and to soften the neck muscles.

Session 3, Clarifying the lateral midline and lengthening the waist and lower back: To establish in the client's mind and body where the lateral line of the body is and to establish a balance, to free the rib cage for more movement, to free the shoulder girdle from the ribs, and to further lengthen the waist line.

Session 4, Freeing the legs from the pelvis and horizontalize the pelvis: To free the legs from the pelvis; to free the back from the pelvis; to get the pelvis wider from right to left; to get the wings of the pelvis capable of more movement; and to create a balance between the lower and upper body.

Session 5, Balancing the abdominals and deep structures of the lower back: To lengthen and flatten the midsection of the body; to get more mobility in the pelvis; to get flexibility in the lumbar spine; to lengthen and widen the body at the core level.

Session 6, Freeing the sacrum and lengthening the back: To free the legs further in their relationship to the pelvis (especially the front and back); to gain more mobility in pelvic movements; and in particular, freeing the sacrum from the lower back, legs and the rest of the pelvis.

Session 7, Organizing the head and neck: To put the "head on the body," to put more softness and symmetry in the face and scull; to widen the face; to soften and align the neck; to further drop the shoulders; to get more space within the mouth; and to have more balance throughout the whole body as the head moves back over the body.

Session 8, deeper freedom and movement in the shoulder or pelvic girdle: To complete the freeing of the chosen girdle (either pelvis or shoulder). To get the core to lengthen, and lift.

Session 9, like session 8 but on the other girdle: To balance and align the remaining unworked girdle at a deep level, and to integrate the two girdles.

Session 10, what remains to horizontalize the joints: To horizontalize the major segments of the body and free remaining restrictions to this overall balance. Generally, the whole body is worked in this session.

Reviewing the written literature can stimulate questions that you would like answered. Reading this material before the consultation could be valuable although not necessary
Filling out the preliminary input form gets a lot of information in writing that might be skipped otherwise. This form gives you a chance to tell your Rolfer about your special needs and particular problems.

The Consultation

The consultation is primarily to introduce you and your Rolfer. So after brief introductions you will be asked "what brings you to Rolfing?" Included under this topic are your expectations and what you hope to achieve. Together you and the Rolfer can determine the appropriateness of the Rolfing processing for the goals you hope to achieve.

You will be asked some questions about your physical and medical history. Have you had and broken bones, surgery, do you presently use medications, or have untreated heart disease, are examples of the questions you will be asked.
During this time you will be watchfully examined for patterns of sitting, standing, and breathing and asked about your level of physical activity.

Digital photos may be taken from the front, side, and rear to evaluate your physical structure. These photos are optional. The Rolfer may draw lines on the images to clarify your present structure and sources of problems. If you choose to have the photos taken, they may be taken fully clothed or with a bathing suit (two piece for women) or underwear and bra. Your Rolfing may be done fully clothed if this is an issue. Fabric may stretch and rub your skin, but it can be easily done. If your hair is long, tying it on top of the head can reveal neck and shoulder variations. We're exploring the use of computer animation to chart your progress through the series of pictures.

After the introductions and the information gathering, you may want to talk about scheduling, the frequency of sessions, and time considerations.

First Session

Between the consultation and the first session you may come up with more questions or have new information that you may want to relay to your Rolfer. Writing these questions and information on the printable communication form will make sure this information is duly noted. Arriving early will give you a chance to relax, review your homework, or listen to a meditation tape before the beginning of your session.

In preparation for your Rolfing session you will probably disrobe. As for the pictures, a brief bathing suit, two piece for women, or underwear are appropriate attire. As mentioned above, your Rolfing can be done fully clothed. The manipulation may happen while you are sitting on the stool, standing, or lying on the table or a mat on the floor. Each session seems to be different so exact instructions will be given.