Information for new clients

What to wear

Most clients receive work in their underwear.

Briefs are preferable to boxers for men and pants and bra or a bikini work well for women. If you're not comfortable with this state of undress wear loose-fitting, short, cotton gym shorts.

We can work with a variety of clothing; just keep the following in mind:

• You must be comfortable. Unlike massage, you may be asked to get up from the table and walk around periodically.
  
  
• Bicycle shorts, panty-girdles and other garments containing heavy elastic or lycra are nearly impossible to work through. Sports bras fall into this category and are also difficult to navigate around the mid-back.
  
  
• Clothing should allow your practitioner to view and work around your upper legs, mid-back, and neck. It should not pinch or bind. If you can lie on the table and pull one knee to your chest without resistance, you're all set.
  
  
• If you are having photographs taken, it is best to wear the same undergarments for your first and tenth sessions.

 

Photographs

Photographs can be very helpful for showing structural changes achieved during your sessions. They are normally taken prior to the first and at the end of the tenth session. Additional photos may be taken during the series to show you any particularly significant changes.

Your photographs will be taken with a digital camera, so there is no developing stage - only you and your practitioner need see them.

Children are often more relaxed if their photographs are taken by a parent rather than the practitioner on their first meeting. In cases such as these, your practitioner will explain what to do prior to your first meeting.

As we explained earlier, the process is an individual one and observable changes in structure vary dramatically from client to client. Don't worry if your changes aren't immediately obvious. At the end of the day it's how you feel that matters.

If you are not comfortable with having photographs taken, we can leave them out; they are simply a helpful tool.

Following your tenth session, your practitioner will evaluate your photographs and contact you to go over your changes or send the photos on with your evaluation.

 

What to expect during the first session

Personal History Forms can be downloaded, sent via email or by post so you can have them completed before your first appointment. If you don't get your forms ahead of time, we will complete them when you come for your first session.

[Click here to download a copy of the Personal History Forms]

 

Session One These photographs demonstrate the effects of the first session on chest volume. Whilst both photographs were taken once the client had fully exhaled, in the photograph taken on completion of the session, a much rounder contour of the chest is visible because the superficial layers have been freed from the underlying structures.
	Before Session 1	After Session 1

 

Prior to beginning the physical work of the session, your practitioner will review your health history, your goals and expectations for the work and answer any questions you may have on the Rolf theory and practice.

Following this, and with your permission, we shall record your structure in photographs.

Your practitioner will then begin the ongoing process of getting to know your structure, posture and movement patterns through a postural evaluation. As we want to optimise your breathing in your first session, you will be asked to inhale whilst your practitioner evaluates your breathing pattern; what moves, how and where your structure responds. You'll then be asked to lie on your back, on the Rolfing table, with your knees bent.

 

	We'll begin the process by evaluating your sensitivity to touch through your perception of pressure; your practitioner will perform superficial work on your lower arms and ask you for feedback on how it feels in order to establish your range of comfort.
During the session, your practitioner will ask you to breath into areas being worked and move your body into various directions and positions. Your participation not only helps to lengthen, free and reposition the connective tissue; it allows your system to explore unfamiliar movement patterns and for you to enhance your body awareness.

Throughout the session, you'll be encouraged to evaluate your experience, note changes, and provide input for continuing the process. We shall conclude the session with a little work to relieve superficial strain in the neck followed by a pelvic lift to relax the autonomic nervous system and back work to balance and integrate the work.

At the end of the session you’ll stand again to allow your practitioner to evaluate your structure and movement patterns.

 

Session frequency

The amount of time between sessions varies and is determined on an individual basis. However, session intervals of one week are the norm.

If you need to take a break during the series, it is best to do so after an odd-numbered (upper body) session.

 

 

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