Information for New ActionPotential Clients

What to wear
Most clients receive work in their underwear. Briefs are preferable to boxers for men; traditional panties and bra work well for women. If you're not comfortable with this stage of undress, other options are available. A pair of loose-fitting, short, cotton gym shorts, or yoga-type stretchy shorts, are good options.

We can work with a variety of clothing, just keep the following in mind:

• You must be comfortable. Unlike massage, Rolfing requires you toget up from the table and walk around periodically.

• Clothing should not pinch or bind. If you can lie on the table and pull one knee to your chest without resistance, you’re in good shape.

• Clothing should allow us to view and work around your upper legs, mid-back, and neck. Leave the hip-hop shorts at home. Sports bras are difficult to navigate around the mid-back.

• Avoid heavy lycra. Bicycle shorts, girdles, and other garments containing lycra are nearly impossible to work through.
  

It’s also a good idea to bring some work-out clothes (shorts and a tee-shirt) if we want to incorporate stretches using yoga mats, balance balls, or other training equipment.

Photos
Photos can be very helpful for developing and communicating Rolfing strategy. Photos are taken with a digital camera, so there is no developing stage — only you and your Rolfer need to see them. Pictures will be available for evaluation and discussion at session two.

Although it's a helpful tool, photos are not required. Your comfort is of the utmost priority in Rolfing. If you are not comfortable, the process suffers.

What to expect during the first session
Intake forms are often sent via email so you can have them filled out before your appointment. If you didn't get your forms ahead of time, come about ten minutes early to the first session so you have time to fill out the health history and contact information forms. If there is a session in process, these forms should be available on on a clipboard in the waiting room.

Reviewing your responses, we’ll discuss Rolfing theory and practice, your health history and concerns, and your goals and expectations for the work. After photos are taken, we'll begin the ongoing process of getting to know your structure, posture and movement patterns.

After a postural evaluation, you’ll be asked to lie on the table. Sessions usually begin with neck work to help us tune into what’s going on in your system. Your neck may feel tight due to long-standing holding patterns, or short-term anxiety over a problem at work. Both cause tension in your neck and shoulders, but feel very different in your tissue. Ongoing attention to this area, combining Rolfing manipulation and heightened body awareness, helps you tune into the session and goes a long way toward improving overall results.

Session one focuses on freeing the torso to allow fuller breath. I’ll work toward this goal by working superficial tissue, which affects the breathing mechanism—predominantly areas around the ribcage, shoulders, arms, and hips. During the session, I’ll ask you to breath into areas being worked and move your body in various directions. In addition to facilitating the lengthening, freeing, and repositioning connective tissue, this participation allows your system to explore unfamiliar movement patterns and refine body awareness. All factors allowing us to significantly affect posture and balance.

Throughout the session, you’ll get a chance to walk around, evaluate your experience, note changes, and provide input for continuing the process. Neck and back work is included at the end of almost every session to balance and integrate the work into the body. Time is also dedicated to movement education and training in the form of body awareness techniques, stretching and toning exercises, ergonomic considerations, and healthy sitting, standing, and walking practices. Movement homework is often provided.

Session frequency
The amount of time between sessions varies and is determined on an individual basis. Most clients schedule sessions about a week to two weeks apart.