Thanks first of all to Walt for suggesting this so often, and to Jenny for her first hand information about Rolfing.
I called two different Rolfers in my area (both female) and chose one due to proximity, my "feelings" during our conversation over the phone, and honestly, a price difference.
I had my first session on Friday. It was something like I expected. She took photos from front, back and one side, to compare after the 10th hour. She sat on the floor and evaluated me from many angles. She said I am in pretty good shape. I carry my weight evenly, don’t lean to one side, have fairly decent posture in general.
When I got on the table, she put one hand under my back on the right side and one on my chest on the same side and we began to discuss my breathing. She asked about where my breath went when I inhaled. I had to think about this a bit before answering that it stays right behind my sternum. It is a dense, heavy mass just balled up there. It’s basically kind of hard for me to breathe. After some more questions from her, I realized that I felt as thought I needed to save the breath (for an emergency?). She then explained how big my lungs are and showed me with her hands that they practically fill my chest cavity. We talked about how to get the breath into the rest of my lung. Just talking about it seemed to make it move more easily.
On the left side, as she worked on my chest, she asked me WHY my breath stayed where it did. Prior to starting this exercise, we had discussed my surgery from the cat bite. I had told her that the central line surgery was most traumatic for me, and during and after that time, I was concerned about the invasion of my body and the damage - my arteries and heart being so vulnerable. This surgery was on the left shoulder/chest area. Anyway, after she asked me why my breath stayed in the center of my chest, the first thing that popped into my mind was that it was afraid to go into the rest of my lung for fear of bursting the artery at the surgery site!
She seemed actually excited by my answer and said, "THIS is the body/mind at work, Trish. This is the connection." It is obvious that she loves doing this and really wants to go through this with me.
All the while we were talking, she kept pressure on my sternum (to focus my attention there I suppose), and as I started breathing a bit more easily, I got a tremendous sense of pressure on the sides of my throat and in my ears and sinuses. She said most people’s energies move down, but mine seemed to be moving up. Not surprising - I RARELY do things the usual way :-). So, she worked my neck and head a bit to relieve that pressure. It felt like it was my breath, still trying avoid my lungs!! Later in the session, she pressed firmly near my throat/collar bones, and I felt very sad. We didn’t go too far into that.
I didn’t expect there to be such revelations on the first visit. It was really a great experience. I am already breathing much more easily, although I still have to coax the breath in the left lung. (I guess all of me is as stubborn as my head!) As you might imagine, my subsequent meditation sessions were much more successful. Well, that’s my story so far - I can’t wait to go again in two weeks - I’ll post a new note at that time if anyone’s interested…
I can’t say enough good things about this. It all sounds so simple as I write this, but I never thought about it (my breath), and being guided to discover this was a real eye opener. Here I was, literally holding my breath, and I didn't even realize it!
Be well, all
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences
Posted by Linda Hynds on August 24, 1998 at 22:12:51:
In Reply to: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences posted by trish on August 24, 1998 at 16:09:54:
Trish,
Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is very interesting stuff. You are fortunate to have two rolfers from which to choose in your area. Keep us posted on what's happening. Sounds very beneficial for you.
Namaste` Linda
Re: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences
Posted by Phyllis A. on August 25, 1998 at 11:27:52:
In Reply to: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences posted by trish on August 24, 1998 at 16:09:54:
Trish, please do keep us posted. I for one will be interested in all the details you can provide. I also would love to hear the experiences of others that have been rolfed.
There are no rolfers in my area (Lexington, Ky), and I will need to travel elsewhere in the state to visit one. How frequent are the visits? Also, what price range are you finding they charge? I didn't know what to expect since the deep total-body massage treatments are recommended 3 times a week for two weeks. What questions did you ask of the rolfer before deciding which to choose?
Follow Ups:
Re: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences
Posted by Walt Stoll on August 25, 1998 at 12:22:31:
In Reply to: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences posted by trish on August 24, 1998 at 16:09:54:
Bless you, trish, for sharing this experience so well with us.
You are having trouble understanding how much one session helped (It sounds like you have a good Rolfer.). You will also probably never believe how much it will help others on this BB if you share each session like this.
Namaste` Walt
Follow Ups:
My pleasure, Walt...
Posted by trish on August 25, 1998 at 13:10:44:
In Reply to: Re: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences posted by Walt Stoll on August 25, 1998 at 12:22:31:
This board has helped me SO MUCH, that I am happy to share everything I can - I was concerned it was too long winded and of limited interest! I'm glad you find it useful and will most definitely post on each of my visits...
Perhaps then all will be patient with me when I decide to go on Robert's elimination diet and begin posting ad nauseum hand holding type posts!!! :-)
Breathing easier now,
trish
Re: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences
Posted by trish on August 25, 1998 at 14:28:04:
In Reply to: Re: Rolfing - First Hour Experiences posted by Phyllis A. on August 25, 1998 at 11:27:52:
Phyllis,
So far, I am scheduled for another visit in two weeks. I suppose that will be the way it goes for the entire 10 visits, but I will post again next time.
I had spoken to a deep tissue massage/trigger point therapist, and two rolfers. The prices ranged from $75 to $90 per hour(visit). One charged $100 for the first visit. About a year and a half ago, I saw an aromatherapist. She charged $80 per visit, but it was usually almost two hours.
I think as far as frequency, it will depend on how you are. If you have a problem that will react better with more frequent work, they'll schedule you sooner.
I asked how long they had been doing this, I asked if they were councelors (neither one is)asked their prices and just went by "feel." They asked me some questions, too; why I wanted to be Rolfed, what I expected. It was a friendly discussion...
Hope this helps, Phyllis - good luck!
be well,
trish