Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/561254
24 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 R olfing is a form of bodywork that recognizes the body as an integrated unit. The generic term for Rolfing is "structural integration," a systematic method of bodywork developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in the 1950s and '60s and taught as a profession since the early 1970s. Rolfing especially works to ease the connective tissue, or fascia, wrapping the muscles and bones of the body. When muscles stick to each other or don't move easily around bones and organs, the fascia that holds them is restricting the full ability of the body to move and exercise in all the ways for which it was designed. Rolfers seek to free tight fascia and allow each muscle and bone to fulfill its individual purpose. Clients seek Rolfing to gain a general ease in the body, enhance flexibility, relieve stress, and reduce pain. Especially at the Washington Athletic Club, members often get Rolfing sessions to increase balance and structural alignment, and to improve athletic performance. Whether it's because of an old or a new injury, one's physical structure may be out of balance from left to right, front to back, or top to bottom. Maybe a current particular pain or imbalance is felt in the left hip, the right ankle, the upper chest, or a side of the neck. Perhaps that pain in the left hip is causing extra holding in the right knee and right shoulder. Or, for so many, the lower back gets tight and achy, slowing down our stride and ruining our sleep. All these areas need integration, which a Rolfer can address in one or more sessions. Frequently, after just an hour or so of Rolfing, a client stands straighter, their gait lengthens, and they can stretch and turn more fully and easily. Issues affecting athletic performance can reside all over the body. Maybe one knee is clearly less aligned than another, affecting running, cycling or skiing. Or maybe one shoulder sits much higher than the other, or one foot is turned in or out too much. Perhaps there's not enough extension through the legs and hips for dance and yoga, or for baseball and hiking. More centrally, maybe the work of one's day job, often hunched at a computer, creates shoulder pains and makes it harder to extend arms and stretch one's neck in basketball or volleyball. A Rolfer can provide more alignment or more lengthening to ease any of these situations, thereby uniting the body's structure. Athletes across a variety of sports receive regular Rolfing sessions. Members of this list include Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Walsh Jennings, Olympic high jump bronze-medalist Amy Acuff, and basketball coach Phil Jackson. Wellness By Tom Robinson, WAC Rolfer S ince we began offering Rolfing in 2009, many members have experienced its profound and lasting benefits. The beauty of Rolfing is that it yields improved biomechanical function. Session by session, you regain the integrity of your body's form. As I embarked on a Rolfing "10 Series" earlier this year, I had hoped that the release of myofascial tension, realignment of posture, and being able to move with greater efficiency and relax more deeply would allow me to continue to compete at a high level in karate. At 55 years old, my injuries were starting to pile up and chronic pain was becoming my new norm. I began Rolfing with four chronic problems. Four months later, my hamstring and Achilles issues are completely resolved, and the remaining two problems have gone from daily life-impacting pain to occasional light pain. It was a dramatic change for the better and more than I ever expected. If you haven't considered giving Rolfing a try but would like to see how much better you can feel and perform, now is the perfect time. Tamela Thomas, Wellness Manager tamelat@wac.net 206.464.4639 Saying goodbye to chronic pain Let's get this straight How Rolfing works to fix alignment and stop agony