What to expect in a Rolfing® session:

Every Rolfing session is unique, customized to your unique goals and needs. An initial session will last 60- 75 minutes and will give you a direct experience of the kinds physical changes, improved alignment, and easier movement that Rolfing is famous for. After a brief health intake followed by observation of your posture and movement we’ll discuss exactly what you’d like to accomplish with this work. With even a single session visible, sometimes dramatic, changes are commonly expected with Rolfing, so people sometimes want before and after pictures taken. This is optional but frequently useful for future reference. The direct hands on portion of the session usually takes place on a massage table, but might also include manipulation with you sitting or standing. Unlike massage where the recipient is totally passive and can fall asleep, in a Rolfing session you are an active participant: while I’m using fingers or knuckles to stretch tight fascia you’ll frequently be asked to pay attention, breathe, and move in such a way as to help lengthen the area as well. While the work can be intense at times we always work at a level well within your tolerance, most clients find it quite relaxing overall. Finishing with instruction in movement cues, stretching, or other exercises will give you ways to take the changes that happen in a session and continue to work and improve them on your own.

Plan to wear the least amount you’re comfortable in, typically underwear or a two piece bathing suit for women, underwear or shorts for men. Sports bras with wide straps or that cover most of the back should be avoided, as should baggy shorts or those made from slick material.

What is a typical Feldenkrais/Anat Baniel Method lesson like?

Most Feldenkrais lessons start with the question “What would you like to improve?”. From there we look at how you are moving and how that may be impacting  what you’re interested in working with. Depending on your interests in some lessons you might be totally passive, lying comfortably  on a low table while I gently move your body, effectively a form of non-verbal communication designed to communicate easier movement to your nervous system. In other lessons you might be a more active participant the majority of the time following verbal directions and cues in how to perform a given action.The exact content of a given lesson is is unique, based on what information needs to be conveyed in order to improve the function in question. The most effective learning in Feldenkrais lessons takes place when it is easy and comfortable.

How many sessions do I need?

The only real answer to that depends on what your goals are, this will be discussed in the initial session. It is often possible to provide symptomatic relief in just a few sessions, obviously more complex situations may require ongoing work.

The classic Rolfing series consists of ten sessions each of which builds on the previous sessions with the overall goal being to improve balance and alignment relative to gravity.  This is a factor in almost any chronic condition, and since the effects are cumulative, the basic series is in most cases the ‘biggest bang for the buck’. After the basic series it’s usually suggested to take a period of time from a few weeks up to  year without further Rolfing work to allow for the changes to integrate. It is also possible to design a shorter series of three to five sessions, this can be an effective format to help provide symptomatic relief. Many people like the changes they experience with Rolfing and want to go further beyond the basic series, either with ongoing sessions or a shorter series once or twice a year.

Since the Feldenkrais/ Anat Baniel method is an educational process it can be more open ended, again depending on what your goals are. The general recommendation is to plan on at least three lessons relatively close together, ideally within a week. Awareness Through Movement lessons either in classes or workshops can be a cost effective way to continue ongoing Feldenkrais work or where private Functional Integration lessons aren’t practical. I can recommend several DVD or audio programs which can be used to further the work on your own.

How frequently should I schedule?

Most people find once a week or once every other week works well for Rolfing. In some instances involving serious difficulty it can be useful to do sessions more frequently,  but that is more the exception than the rule. For Feldenkrais/ABM lessons an intensive format is frequently the best option where you receive a number of lessons in a short period of time, followed by a longer time of rest and integration between intensives.