Asheville Rolf & Structural Integration

Asheville Rolf by Sandy Eha

2010-11-29T16:46:00.002-05:00

Hello, this is Sandy Eha with the Original Rolf Method based in Asheville North Carolina. I help many people with all different needs. Structural integration can greatly improve many areas of your life. Whether you are a musician, golfer, or just need some better body movement; Rolf is for you. Please contact me for more information. Thank you.

www.OriginalRolfMethod.com

Finding a Qualified, Skilled Professional Structural Integrator or Rolfer

2009-10-27T11:26:00.006-04:00

www.OriginalRolfMethod.com / www.RolfExperience.com

Rolfing & Rolf Structural Integration: Finding a Qualified Certified Rolfer or Professional Structural Integrator:

Rolfing Rolf Structural Integration Definition:

Aligning the human body in the gravitational field. The fascia/connective tissue is the medium that is worked with. The Rolfer or Structural Integration Practitioner uses their well trained eyes to See where the length and tightness of the tissue are imbalanced. The Rolfer or Professional Structural Integrator sees where adjustments need to be made regarding: front vs back, left side vs right side, and outside vs inside.

This tissues are organized to allow body segments to shift into a more balanced position. Rolf Structural Integration focuses on changing biomechanical patterns of movement and making Structural changes long term. Re-education of the clients movement patterns also assist, to support the goal of improved alignment.
This Is Not a massage or a medical treatment.

Massage and Bodywork Therapy Definition:
(According to the NC Massage and Bodywork Therapy Practices Act): Systems of activity applied to the soft tissues of the human body for therapeutic, educational, or relaxation purposes.

The application may include:
Pressure, friction, stroking, rocking, kneading, percussion, or passive or active stretching within the normal anatomical range of movement.
Complementary methods, including the external application of water, heat, cold, lubricants, and other topical preparations.
The use of mechanical devices that mimic or enhance actions that may possibly be done by the hands.
None of these techniques described, are used in a Rolf Structural Integration Session.

How is Rolf Structural Integration different than massage?

Massage focuses on relaxing and releasing muscular tension and stress while Rolf Structural Integration focuses on changing biomechanical patterns of movement and making Structural changes long-term.

Rolfing, and Rolf Structural Integration are not a form of massage. ‘Rolfing Massage’ Is a term that came about, that was easy for the general public to associate Rolfing or Structural Integration with a type of body work. 'Rolfing Massage', is not actually a massage at all, yet Rolfing and Rolf Structural Integration are a type of bodywork.

One of the most common misconceptions about Rolf Structural Integration, is that it is a nothing more than a type of very deep massage. There are many varieties of massage, which are particularly effective for loosening tight tissue, reducing stress, detoxifying the body and an increased feeling of relaxation and well-being.

Since these benefits are also a byproduct of Rolf Structural Integration, the general public experiences confusion as to the precise difference between our work and the proliferation of effective touch modalities currently available.

The confusion is understandable however, when considering that many state's legislation have taken Certified Rolfers and Professional Structural Integrators under the wing of Massage Therapy, in order to protect the public. Many Certified Rolfers and Professional Structural Integrators must have a Massage Therapist’s license, to be able to work. This is also true, in North Carolina.

There are many other types of bodywork modalities, that are also under this same Massage Therapy wing and they too must have a Massage Therapy license, even though they are not performing Massage Therapy.

*If you are wanting experience a Rolf/ Structural Integration Session/Series, please do yourself a favor, and see if the Rolfer or Structural Integration Practitioner is a member of IASI (International Association of Structural Integrators), or see if they have attended one of the qualified schools listed below.

*When you do select your Certified Rolfer or Structural Integration Practitioner, you should experience IMMEDIATE results! Even before leaving from your first session, you should already begin to feel different, and look different. You should not be left with bruises, experience a lot of pain, nor should you wonder if you got any results, because you don’t feel/look any different. See if the Rolfer or Structural Integration Practitioner will “Guarantee Results” you can see and feel, in 1 session.

*When beginning your search for a qualified Rolfer or Structural Integration Practitioner, ask them what school they attended. There are approximately, 18 schools that are accepted and credentialed by the IASI.
*Massage Therapists/Body workers who have taken a weekend workshop, or even a couple of weeks training in Structural Integration or “Rolfing”, are not qualified to offer Structural Integration Services. However, Some massage therapists/body workers are offering just that. Minimum training, Specifically for Structural Integration Programs should be a total, of 650 in class room hours.

THE FACTS:
*In the beginning, Dr. Ida P. Rolf (pioneer and founder of Rolf / Structural Integration), taught a handful of people who studied under and worked closely with her, at Big Sur California, and began teaching at different hotel conference rooms. Ida Rolf: Creator of an Entire Industry! http://www.theiasi.org/ida_rolf.php

Later, she set up the first Rolf Guild, based in Boulder Colorado.
Guild for Structural Integration.

This turned into the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.
*The name Rolfer and Rolfing came about, as “Structural Integration” was a mouthful.
The Rolf Institute (when all were under 1 roof), trademarked the names “Rolfer”, and “Rolfing”.

Many years later, the Rolf Institute divided in 1989. About ½ of the Original teachers left, and formed the Guild for Structural Integration. www.rolfguild.org These were the folks who wanted to keep the Original teachings of Rolf Pure and in tact.

The other ½ of the original folks that stayed behind, they wanted to incorporate other modalities into Rolf’s techniques, such as visceral manipulation, cranial sacral work, and other innovative techniques. www.rolf.org

When the Institute was all one body of Ida’s very first students who became the first teachers, the Rolf Institute could claim that they were the only school that could provide qualified Rolf Structural Integration Practitioners. This may have been true prior to 1989 as there were no other credentialed schools, but is certainly not the truth today.

Yet, the Rolf Institute itself, and Some of their students still testify, that they are the only “real” Rolfers , and that no other Structural Integration school is graduating people that are the quality of their graduates. Since then, things have changed.

*Since then, many other schools were born as the descendants of Rolf’s work, in the field of Structural Integration, still keeping the core of her work, working with the fascia, and movement re-education. (See these schools listed below)

In 2002, The International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI) was formed, to keep the Structural Integration industry as a distinct professional trade separate from massage, or any other health care field. As well, the IASI was founded to set minimum standards for the profession. It has set up a certification board, and promotes Structural Integration’s continued growth as a respected profession in the health care field.

APPROVED STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION SCHOOLS

Australian School of Applied SI & Somatic Studies
Biodynamic Structural Integration
Core Institute - Structural Integration Program
The Guild for Structural Integration
Hellerwork®, International
Institut für Strukturelle Körpertherapie
Institute for Structural Integration
Institute of Structural Medicine
International Professional School of Bodywork
International School of Structural Integration
Kinesis Myofascial Integration - KMI
Mana Integrative Therapies
New School of Structural Integration
Northwest Center for Structural Integration
The Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration
SI Australia
Soma Neuromuscular Institute®
Structural Innovations - SI Program

IASI has since grown rapidly to become Structural Integration’s most well-respected organization, attracting a world-wide membership of leaders in the field.

IASI MISSION: To be the leading professional organization for the advancement and promotion of Structural Integration as a cornerstone to health and well-being through education, community and communication.
IASI works for legislation which will allow Structural Integrators within the U.S. and in all member countries to maintain their unique place in the health care field, and continue practicing. http://www.theiasi.org/about.php

If you don’t know where to start looking for a qualified person, go to these websites listed below, and click the “find a practitioner” or “find a Rolfer” button.
http://www.theiasi.org/101e.php
http://www.rolfguild.org/aboutsi.html
http://www.rolf.org/find/locate.asp

Article written by: Sandy Eha Certified Rolf / Structural Integration Practitioner
828-296-0011 / 828-768-0371
www.rolfexperience.com rolfexperience@gmail.com

Golf Rolf: Building a Better Golfer

2009-08-27T18:13:00.005-04:00

PLAY GOLF? GET ROLFED!

The problem for most golfers, (including the professionals) is not their form, mindset, physical fitness training, equipment, golf pro's instruction, or any lack of chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, that is keeping them from attaining their golfing goals.

Rather, the problem is specifically in their myo/fascial -connective tissues. If your body isn't doing what you want it to, there is a 99% chance, that your fascia is twisted, knotted, shortened, imbalanced, has adhesions, and is unorganized! The most valuable "piece of equipment" a golfer can have, is his or her body.

Only buy getting your body's 3 dimensional network of fascia/connective tissue balanced, untwisted, unknotted, lengthened and organized, can the golfer really gain new achievements. This can only be done, by Structurally Integrating the body.
A properly aligned, Structurally Integrated body removes all physical limitations to your game.

There are many professional sports teams and athletes, who include Rolf - Structural Integration in their training programs. To see video clips, go to: www.golfrolf.com and
www.sportsrolf.com

Rolf Structural Integration for The Face

2009-06-17T18:50:00.001-04:00

When gravity and aging take it’s toll on the body, its side effects can be most evident on the human face. Tight, saggy uneven facial and neck skin and muscles can be seen as a downward smile, double chin, baggy cheeks, fallen eyebrows, and “turkey neck”, and a shorter neck.

Rolf Treatment allows the tissues of the face to soften, break up adhesions and scar tissue, stops facial muscle spasms, rehydrates tissue, erases most wrinkles, improves lymph drainage from the face and neck, tones the muscles, and gradually allows the interstitial fluids of the face, head and neck to return to homeostasis. You need the Rolf Method and Experience!

Some people think the face and neck sag because the muscles are too loose and flabby. This is usually not the problem. Most people’s muscles and fascia (binding connective tissue made of collagen), are really too tight, which stops lymph drainage in many cases and causes the face to form adhesions, gluing it into a position trained by the repetitive emotions that we have worn on our faces for years. The Rolf Experience can change this!

When skin, muscles and fascia are tight, lymph starts collecting, gravity takes effect, and then gives the appearance of skin growth and sagging. This effect also occurs all over the body, not just the face. Rolf can help you.

The Rolf client is assessed for balance and symmetry in their face and neck. Where is the lymph collecting, and where are the muscles stuck? Is the jaw out of kilter, or does it track evenly? Is there a cranial problem? Does the neck have equal range of motion, and is the released lymph going to be able to drain from the face and neck?

All of these considerations are addressed. After one session of the Rolf Method, a visible difference can be seen. After several sessions of Rolf, the difference can be profound!

Even if someone chooses cosmetic surgery, the results of the surgery will be improved if they receive Rolf sessions to “even up” and balance the face before the surgery. As with any surgery, including breast augmentation, lifts, or reduction, it is helpful to get everything unstuck, evened up, and lymph drainage to occur, before hand. Rolf organizing and straightening the tissues takes out the twists and strengthens and stabilizes the entire structure, even when the surgery is not elective, such as foot, knee, and hip, hand, shoulder, neck, back surgery.

So if you think you are too young for improvement of your face, (or for the rest of your body), don’t wait! The sooner you get started with the Rolf Method, the easier it is to correct and maintain the side effects of gravity, aging, repetitive motion, and injuries. If you are older, its never to late to start Rolf! You will see and feel results immediately, it just make take a few more sessions to achieve your desired results.

Rolf Structural Integration: How it works

2009-06-17T18:36:00.002-04:00

Watch hips, thighs arms and waist, trim, as you become structurally aligned! Experience a better body without major therapy.

Rolf Structural Integration organizes the body around a central vertical line from the heavens down into the earth. The facial network is the medium addresses throughout the body. Since the "bio energetic" field runs through the facial network, this process assists energy flow all through the body.

Whether you are into golf, exercising, or just need balance; when the body is off of the vertical line, energy begins to get stuck, which can result in pain, chronic discomfort and a lack of energy in general. The fascia is organized, in an orderly manner. The fascia is organized into coronal, sagital and transverse planes. (This makes the front, back, sides and sections of the body in general, more apparent.) This forms the vertical line.

Because of physical injuries, repetitive motion, emotional traumas, over use and under use of muscles and gravity in general, there is a thickening, shortening and gluing of the fascia. When the length and tension of the fascia is adjusted, gravity can flow through more evenly, allowing more erect posture, greater range of motion and a clearer perception of the 3D space around one's self.

A typical session starts with the client in under clothing or a swim suit (women, two piece). Before beginning a session, a client's structure, movement, breathing and holding patterns are observed. Holding patterns are places in the tissue which reflect a gluing of the fascia. This gluing interrupts energy flow and range of motion. When muscle groups are glued together, they cease to function with ease and efficiency.

The relationship between practitioner and client is a special one. As trust, honesty, and openness develop, the Structural Integration process becomes an arena for personal transformation on the part of both participants.

Results of Structural Integration are as varied as the people undergoing the process. As the body moves back to the symmetry of its original design, gravity becomes a supporting and energizing force. The release of stress and chronic pains (especially lower back pain) that often follow is not due to having addresses any particular pathology, but rather to the body's own healing power when freed to assume its proper position.

A feeling of well-being and self-confidence develops as the structure returns to its dynamic, upright support. The person feels lighter, freer and has a higher level of energy. Old attitudes that were held and encouraged by stuck body patterns become easier to recognize and release. Daily tasks and athletic performance are often enhanced as energy locked up in maintaining support is freed.