Rolfing was developed a bit earlier than the human potential movement in the 60's but that is when it really took off. This movement encouraged people to develop their own innate abilities but the whole thing was doomed to be short sighted. In order to develop abilities that are innate, a person must truly know themselves, inside and out, or this development will be artificial. If this occurs, these artificial constructs can limit the natural growth and functioning of an individual, and act as a prison for their inner being. This is what often happens when self help practices have been driven deep into the psyche.
The problem with methods of self help is that they do not serve the real individual, they only serve the ego, and therefore only operate in the realm of the personality, the more shallow and less essential aspect of the self. We want to be stronger, healthier, stand taller, have better performance in sports, be calmer, more likable. The problem with all of these things is, they only serve what the ego wants to be, rather than allowing the individual as a whole unfold and grow into it's true potential and therefore limit the real growth and expression of the inner being, due to the ignorance of one's true nature.
Where we are now is a fine combination of ego development, conditioning from life events, and compensation patterns. The Rolfer seeks to address restrictions in the muscles and joints, but this is not enough by itself. There must be an exploration of attentive movement to break out of habits and compensation patterns as well as a new feeling of support. Along with this a certain amount of giving up control must be aimed for so we can find better ways of standing and walking. This must begin with the idea that we don't know best.
Trying to hold yourself in a good posture, and walk the way you think you should, is probably not very helpful. Good posture and movement are a natural expression of a well organized individual. Trying to use force and strain to hold yourself in good posture, is not good posture. That is simply imitating good posture, from the outside. We need to have experience with embodiment. Trying to operate your body with your mind, like driving a vehicle, is not embodiment. It is only when the mind participates in the movement and posture, taking in sensation, and being present that we are embodied. With this will develop a greater sense of self, not what you want to be, but unfolding into the fullness of what you are.
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