The work of Rolfing is focused directly on the body's connective tissue system. This connective tissue, known as fascia, is the "organ of form" in the body, enveloping muscles, positioning bones and giving the body its shape.
As the body reacts to and compensates for chronic tension, injuries, trauma, and postural habits the fascia tries to "keep the balance" by shortening and thickening to adapt to new strains. The result is that the body gets gradually molded into inefficient patterns of posture and movement.
The goal of Rolfing is to free the shortened fascia, allowing muscles to regain their natural length and the body to release life-long compensations. When this happens, the body can return to a more vertical alignment and gravity can act to support better balance.
