Fascia as a Frame for the Body

Our bodies are composed of various materials, such as the muscles, bones, and internal organs. Each of these has been designated its own specific location within the body. So if, for example, you twist your torso, your intestines don’t get all tangled up; nor does your liver suddenly drop down into your pelvis. This is because each organ is separate and held securely in place. What does that work is fascia, a material that both separates and connects all the other parts of our bodies. Picture an orange for a moment. When peeled, it still perfectly retains its shape, thanks to the soft white tissue that binds each section. Surrounding virtually all our muscles and organs is a very similar supporting tissue called fascia.

This “fascia” has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Creating a frame for our bodies, it has come to be thought of as our “second skeleton.” However,  unlike oranges, the human body moves. Thus the fascia must be flexible in order to allow our bodies to stretch and contract. If we are injured, however, our normal movement is reduced. In that case, fascia tend to harden and begin fighting against the body’s natural flexibility. Over time, such hardened fascia will actually begin to prevent the body from returning to its correct alignment. The goal of Rolfing, then, is to work with this hardened fascia, allowing the body to rediscover its original movement and posture.

Physical Learning is Interactive‍

Chronic physical problems such as poor posture should not always be blamed solely upon the fascia. Some people’s issues can stem from accidents and injuries, or from using our bodies too hard. We can think of Rolfing as a process of physical learning, as we explore the body and resolve those issues that inhibit our everyday movement. In contrast to what we might call the “Additive Approach,” of training aimed at building muscle bulk, Rolfing can be thought of as a “Subtractive Approach,” where we quietly explore the body through gentle movement. Importantly, this “physical learning” involves both the Rolfer, guiding the process, and the client, paying close attention to his or her own body movements and conditions. The success of Rolfing "sessions" is based on this sense of mutual cooperation between the Rolfer and the client.