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Staying on the “line” topic another week. Here my client’s movement is toward better vertical alignment. The goal is to get the most verticality that one can support without undue effort or strain.  Less flexion and less locked leg presentation after the session creating more length in her torso and less rounding in her shoulder girdles with a more natural anterior tilt in the pelvis and she is taller. While not all clients experience such immediate changes post-session, those who do not will nevertheless notice a positive somatic response, which will contribute to enhanced movement and greater overall comfort in their bodies.

Following last week’s focus of “Moving Toward the Vertical,” my client here demonstrates substantial progress in achieving a more vertical alignment, with a marked reduction in thigh flexion post-session. Utilizing gravity as a supportive mechanism enhances structural integrity.  In the Rolfing framework, the concept of the “line” represents an ideal that promotes increased length within the body, supporting both expansion and refinement toward the pursuit of structural balance—outcomes that are evident both visually and experientially.

We are all on a journey toward becoming more upright. When vertical alignment is achieved, gravity can serve as a supportive mechanism. The aim is to distribute body mass efficiently along an imaginary vertical line, minimizing effort or strain, while accommodating structural differences unique to each person. In this example, my client demonstrates reduced thigh flexion after the session, which allows for improved alignment that translates to enhanced physical comfort due to a more balanced structure.

Continuing from last week’s focus on achieving balance, this client demonstrates notable improvements in overall structural alignment following her session. Her left foot has adjusted to a parallel position, facilitating repositioning of the left leg to provide greater support beneath the pelvis. This adjustment allows for elongation along the entire left side up through the shoulder girdle. As a result, there is increased lift and significantly reduced rounding in the shoulder girdles, permitting the arms to rest more naturally at the sides of the body. Additionally, her neck and head move from right to left, with the head aligning along the centerline of the body. These adjustments result in different movement patterns that are observable and perceptible changes in your structure helping you feel better in your body.

Looking again at how we balance the weight of our structure into the ground. After the session, my client shows a more equal weight distribution through each leg. Her right leg moves medially and aligns with her right foot, which moves to a more parallel position with less supination. Similarly, her left foot moves to a parallel position with her right foot, also with less supination.   With her right leg more supportive this shifts her weight more evenly down each leg and her right side including her shoulder girdle moves superiorly and allows her head to shift down the centerline of her body with her weight now much more equally distributed. As a result, these kinds of shifts can help you feel better and move more fluidly in all your activities outside of the studio.

Individuals of all ages can experience benefits from coming to Rolfing Iowa through the integration process characteristic of this bodywork approach. Here is my client demonstrating my point.  After a session, my client shows reduced thigh flexion and improved alignment of the head over the shoulder girdles with less rounding. Rolfing is known to enhance an individual's sense of balance—a particularly significant benefit as people age, since fall prevention becomes increasingly important and maintaining stability is a vital skill.

Continuing with the theme that we come in all shapes and sizes, whether you resemble more of a boxer or a ballerina, you will find the Rolfing integration process at Rolfing Iowa highly beneficial for how you move and feel within your body. My client here, after his session, has more lift, and better alignment of his head relative to his shoulder girdles. Although we are all unique individuals, you will discover that your response to the integration process is beneficial in many ways. This style of bodywork accommodates the significant differences between people and their structures. There are common goals to achieve, and we can successfully accomplish them here in the studio.

We come in all shapes and sizes and can benefit from the integration process. It is common for clients to gain structural length after a session as does my client here after her session at Rolfing Iowa. By making gravity an ally, and focusing on subtle changes in body positioning, one can attain a more supportive stance and begin repatterning the body through heightened awareness and consciousness of posture during rest or movement.

Enter “the no rounding zone” at Rolfing Iowa! My client demonstrates improvement in shoulder girdle alignment, with less rounding observed. At Rolfing Iowa, clients experience different levels of physical shifts. Some individuals show significant changes but have trouble feeling them, while others have minimal shifts and can perceive them clearly and there is a wide range in between these extremes. That’s why the pictures are a good educational tool for some as it allows them to feel the shift better when they can see it. Ideally, the goal would be to have the client get better at perceiving the shift internally and need the picture less and less. The goal is to help clients become aware of these changes and recognize subtle shifts in their bodies during various activities, enabling them to self-correct and maintain new patterns of movement and awareness to sustain these adjustments.

My exhibit A is a father and Father’s Day is approaching, and there is less than a week left to find the perfect gift! Consider purchasing a gift certificate for your father at Rolfing Iowa.  Send him on the journey of becoming more upright with a vertical structure with his head atop his shoulder girdles. This will quite likely be one of the more unusual gifts he will probably ever receive, and he will thank you for it after receiving his gifted session from you. Selecting a gift certificate from Rolfing Iowa is a thoughtful choice for this Father's Day.