In today’s fast-paced world, where hunching over screens and constant stress take a toll on our bodies, finding ways to cultivate proper posture and alignment has become essential. This is where Rolfing, a holistic approach focusing on the relationship between your body and gravity, comes into play. If you have undergone a Rolfing series and are looking to maintain and enhance the benefits, here are five essential steps to achieve post-Rolfing alignment.
Step 1: Embrace Postural Awareness
Achieving optimal posture starts with being aware of your body's alignment throughout the day. Take moments to check in with yourself – whether sitting at your desk, standing in line, or walking down the street. Are your shoulders rolled forward? Is your spine elongated? By maintaining this awareness, you can prevent bad habits from creeping back in but not through forcing posture to do what you think it should, by allowing the body to find it naturally. Our bodies want to find good posture, after strain is addressed the body begins to express itself better in a more natural way.
Step 2: Incorporate Daily Movement Practices
Regular movement is key to sustaining the benefits of Rolfing, but it is how one engages in movement that defines a refinement of the effects of Rolfing. If we want lasting change we must break old habits, both of the mind and body. This must be done through mindful movement and is more often done by slow movement. Whenever we speed up we take on old habits and these old habits can pull us back into old posture and movement. It will be more difficult for significant lasting change to take place when this happens. Just be aware that these old habits are not just physical in nature and the participation of the mind is crucial. Practices that help maintain flexibility and muscle balance, supporting your body in staying aligned and energized are great but the real changes we are looking for will take place in our ordinary lives while taking a walk, cleaning the house or sitting at a desk, but less will happen without some inner effort.
Step 3: Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can significantly enhance post-Rolfing experience. Take pauses to naturally deepen your breath, questioning yourself, "Am I holding my breath? Am I breathing rapidly and shallowly?" Similarly, ask yourself, "Am I unnecessarily tensing my muscles? Can I release the tension? Can I perform this with less strain?" Mindfulness must encompass a self-awareness during activities or quiet contemplation, incorporating an awareness of bodily sensations. Whether it's tension, temperature, the pull of gravity on your body, pain or its absence, spatial awareness, or posture, mindfulness involves engaging with these sensations. By mindfully focusing on bodily sensations, a sense of the body, and self-awareness, we can effectively achieve some degree of embodiment. By directing the mind towards bodily sensations, subtler sensations will gradually emerge. Therefore, persist in your practice even if you don't experience immediate profound effects, as it requires time and dedication.
Step 4: Seek Regular Bodywork Sessions
Although undergoing a Rolfing series is a transformative process in itself, continuing with sessions later on can further improve and fine-tune alignment. It is advisable to allow some time to pass after finishing a Rolfing series before scheduling additional sessions, but when you feel ready, many individuals find it beneficial to visit their Rolfer monthly. Unlike with massage therapists or chiropractors, you might discover that you don't require as frequent visits to your Rolfer. This is because Rolfers work with the nervous system to stimulate the body's innate intelligence for finding balance, which can have lasting effects beyond the session. Therefore, after completing a series and allowing yourself time for transformation, don't hesitate to maintain regular appointments with your Rolfer.
Step 5: Cultivate Healthy Habits
Maintaining good posture is a comprehensive effort that goes beyond Rolfing sessions. This can be achieved by consistently focusing on the body's sensation, releasing unnecessary muscle tension, allowing for natural and unrestricted breathing, and embodying an upright, expansive, and supported posture while seated, standing, and in motion. It is important to learn to slow down when possible and be open to experiencing new movement expression through self-awareness. Even if you follow spiritual practices that view the body as a restrictive factor, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the reality of being in your own body. While I may not share that perspective, it's something worth considering.
By following these five steps, you can continue to reap the rewards of your Rolfing series and foster long-lasting postural alignment. Remember, consistency is key, and small daily inner efforts can make a significant difference in how you feel, move, and carry yourself throughout the day. Embrace the journey towards optimal alignment, and witness the transformative power it can have on your overall sense of wellness and vitality.
In conclusion, post-Rolfing is not a destination but a continuous practice that involves mindfulness, movement, and body awareness. By integrating some steps into your daily experience, you can nurture your body, mind, and spirit, promoting lasting alignment and well-being. Embrace the journey, prioritize your self awareness, and enjoy the benefits of a balanced, aligned body that supports you in all aspects of life.