Rolfing Improves Posture and Alignment

Rolfing places a great deal of emphasis on creating proper posture, balance and alignment of the different structures of the body. Our bodies must deal with gravity like other material structures. When we are out of alignment, gravity drags us down, just as it drags down a building that has lost its architectural integrity. In an ideal posture, all the major structures of the body (the feet, knees, hips, ribs, shoulders and head) are balanced directly on top of each other, like a neatly stacked column of wooden blocks. The goal of Rolfing is to make this ideal posture effortless and natural, instead of forced and stressful. When all the “blocks” in your body are properly aligned, standing and walking feel graceful and easy. By contrast, a misaligned body is at war with gravity. We experience this war as pain, stress, and depleted energy. When the body loses its architectural integrity, fascia shortens and thickens in characteristic patterns of strain and tightness in order to fight against the constant pull of gravity.

By manipulating the fascia and providing postural education to the client, the Rolfer can sometimes cause improvements in posture which are quite obvious in photographs (see picture). The client will experience any improvement in posture as an increase in energy, reduction in chronic pains, and an overall sense of well being and ease.