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Individuals seek Rolfing for a variety of purposes, including enhancing their mobility. For many octogenarians, the primary motivation might be to maintain balance and reduce the risk of unexpected falls, which can often initiate a series of complications leading to decreased mobility and diminished quality of life. In this session my client shifts dramatically toward a better-balanced structure.  Movement is from left to right, with a more horizontal pelvis, which is one of the hallmarks in the Rolfing process, and there is more equal weight distribution through both legs, Rolfing can help clients regain confidence in their movement patterns and foster a greater sense of independence. If you have relatives in this age group, consider referring them to Rolfing Iowa to support their stability.

During my client's initial session at Rolfing Iowa, there was notable improvement in vertical alignment. Her head was better positioned above her shoulder girdles, with reduced shoulder rounding and enhanced lift in the pelvic girdle. This bodywork modality is a process-oriented re-education of the body through movement and touch, and it systematically releases patterns of stress and impaired function. Individuals of varying backgrounds and ages seek Rolfing Structural Integration not only for pain and stress relief, but also to optimize their performance and enhance mobility in everyday activities.

Early in the Rolfing process we are working with the lower legs and feet. Significant changes can occur within a single session, but sustained alignment will require ongoing effort due to long-established posture. The objective is to achieve a more parallel foot orientation and reposition the gastrocnemius muscles toward the back of the lower leg where they belong.  Both feet exhibit pronation, with the left showing greater pronation, which necessitates additional attention in future sessions. Here my client’s shift in the feet, and the lower legs provide a more lengthened torso far away from the focus of the session showing how working the lower body has a powerful effect on the upper body.

Ready to take the next step in your wellness journey? Reach out to get on the schedule and begin experiencing the benefits of Rolfing for improved alignment and overall well-being. Whether you’re new to Rolfing or continuing your series, we look forward to helping you get physically centered through the integration process. Returning to a stable and grounded state by focusing on the body’s connection to gravity which involves finding a balanced position and developing awareness of the subtle movement patterns within your body. Pictured you can see my client is positionally biased with too much weight going down her right side and after there is much better weight distribution into the ground with greater overall balance. Clients often report feeling more grounded, lighter, and aware of their bodies after sessions, which facilitates greater ease of motion.

My long-term client has been coming to Rolfing Iowa for sessions for many years and has experienced the ongoing benefits of the work even when changes are subtle yet perceptible, as shown in this example. During this appointment improvements included a more horizontal positioning of his pelvis, and a better balance in his back with movement left to right up his body with a longer posterior neck. My client maintains a disciplined fitness routine and is in excellent shape. Most of us have structures that would benefit from Rolfing where the shifts would be easier to see and can be significant. Most people are not familiar with style of bodywork and be sure to forward this e mail to a friend you think might benefit.

I have been working with my client to get better balance in her structure from a past injury where she fractured her right ankle and had a plate implanted eight years ago. You can see the strain pattern clearly in the right lower leg and right medial knee. We have made good progress in realigning her right leg, working into the adductor compartment allowing the right leg to shift and in the new position provide much better balance in her structure. In the Rolfing process we are very interested in getting more equal weight distribution down each leg.

Since we are all on this journey toward greater uprightness, where gravity becomes a primary support mechanism, the topic of vertical alignment remains central. My client is progressing toward a more vertical posture, an ongoing process that occurs both in the background and foreground throughout the series of Rolfing sessions. With less flexion in the thighs, there is increased lift in the upper body as the shoulders move back, and the head aligns over the shoulders. Improved movement patterns and reduced discomfort in problem areas are welcomed outcomes for clients undergoing this bodywork process.

This month, we continue to focus on the concept of "line" due to its central role in the Rolfing paradigm. In this session, my client is progressing toward a more vertical alignment, with reduced flexion facilitating improved positioning of the head atop the shoulder girdles. Our aim is to enable gravity to function as a supportive force for the body's structure, recognizing its pervasive influence. A significant aspect of the Rolfing experience involves developing awareness of subtle postural changes, learning to identify misalignments, and actively adjusting one's structure to achieve a more optimal and supportive position.

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.