The goal of Rolfing is to improve posture and systematically balance and optimize both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body over the course of ten Rolfing sessions, know as the 'Ten Series'.
Most clients that come to Rolfing often come for relief from pain. Rolfing takes a longer view than simple pain relief and works to reorganize the body to eliminate the root cause of pain. Rather than applying a quick fix 'band-aid', Rolfing works on establishing and reorganizing the body. While massage on a specific area usually creates temporary relief from pain, the alignment issues creating a particular pain will often cause the problem to resurface within a few weeks. By rebuilding the entire body over 10 sessions, Rolfing creates long-term health as a more permanent solution to pain and dysfunction. People new to Rolfing will benefit most from the Ten Series.
Each session focuses on a particular region of the body and works to release restrictions and imbalances. The ten-series provides a standard to assist the client in their efforts to move from physical imbalance to balance, from fragmentation to physical integration. The following ten steps show how the Structural Integration process will take place. These ten steps are based on the platform of Dr. Ida Rolf's ten session program.

SESSIONS 1-3 (The Sleeve)

Sessions one through three are the more superficial sessions that work to alleviate the more readily accessible bodily restrictions that alter the deeper structural foundation and to create room for the deeper work involved in the latter sessions.
Session One: Works to improve order in the outer 'sleeve' and the clients breathing and vital capacity. It allows breath to happen without recruiting the body as a whole, thus making it easier to breathe and frees shortness and immobility around the hip joints.
Session Two: Establishes foundation in the feet and creates the foundation and substructure in the legs and spine that allows the body to support change.
Session Three: Works to establish length, tonus and alignment along the sideline (lateral) part of the body. This session further opens up the breath and hip joints while lengthening the waistline and creating more space for organ function.


SESSIONS 8-10 (Integration)

Sessions eight through ten are focused on being and how to use a newly established body. The aim is integration. At this time we focus on the body as a whole and further work to implement alignment between the upper and lower halves of the body.
Sessions Eight and Nine: Varies depending on the client. The practitioner will determine which part of the body still needs 'freeing' in order to create support for the body as a whole. Therefore, each individual will vary between a lower body or upper body session, depending on the clients needs.
Session Ten: Creates integration and fluid alignment of the body with it's new found freedom, which in turn empowers the client to continue integration, freedom of movement and balance in to their day to day lives.

SESSIONS 4-7 (The Core)

Session four through seven work on reorganizing the core: pelvis to the top of the head. These sessions involve areas of the body that have already been superficially accessed, but focuses on a deeper and more finite approach and additionally working through deeper more 'set' parts of the body. Organization begins to be established.
Session Four: Works to achieve a better sense of support and connection from the inside (medial) part of the legs to the visceral core. It works to initiate length through the middle up.
Session Five: Balances superficial and deep abdominal muscles to the curve of the back to create support in the abdominal 'bag' of the spine.
Session Six: Improves organization and interconnections along the back (posterior) part of the body. It works from the heels to the back of the neck to enlist more support and movement from the legs, pelvis and lower back. 
Session Seven: Focuses on the neck and head and the relationship it has with the rest of the body.

Before and After Picture