Welcome Back, Newton!
INTRODUCTION The concept of gravity, as explained by Isaac Newton, is a basic tenet in the theory and practice of Rolfing. Ida Rolf never explained exactly in terms of physics her observation that gravity can play a constructive role if the structure of a body is balanced optimally. Unfortunately, until ten years ago there was […]
Gravity, Motility and Rolfing Theory and Practice
Gravity is central to all aspects of Rolfing theory and practice. The principles of Rolfing that have become manifest in the past decade are an attempt to language not only the science of Rolfing but also the experiential phenomena that the givers and receivers of Rolfing have always reported. This combination of including both objective […]
Gravity, Lift, and Inertia – Part I
SUMMARY Gravity is one of the most significant yet least understood influences on the structure and function of living things. In spite of the best efforts of some of the greatest thinkers of all times, the mechanisms of gravity, lift and inertia remain a mystery. We explore these subjects, beginning with the relationship of the […]
Analeptic Geotaxis and Anamnestic Entelechy
How do we talk about Rolfing® and ‘gravity”? I think we would find collective agreement in our community that a discussion of Rolfing must include ‘gravity’. However, we can have interesting discussions about ‘gravity’ and never once mention Rolfing, somatic practices, or even life. This is fertile ground for confusion. As we attempt to understand […]
Reframing Pain
As Maturana and Varela, and before them, Jean Plaget’, have pointed out, perception is action. We do not passively open our doors of perception to let the information flow in. We actively do something to perceive and thus cannot help but get caught in a loop of creating perceptions and perceiving creations. In this process […]
What Is a Diaphragm?
Rolfing® is an evolving art. As Rolfers, we not only continue a long tradition of manual medicine, but we also are, or should be, bringing new distinctions, new concepts, to the field of work with the human body. That our work has contributed to the field, that we have been effective in alleviating suffering and […]
Stuart Hameroff’s Theories Regarding Microtubules as the Seat of Consciousness
This article is about how a doctor named Stuart Hameroff has contributed to a theory about the biological nature of consciousness. Hameroff is an anesthesiologist at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson, Arizona. His work is possibly relevant to Rolfing practitioners because it helps show how human body tissue may “think.” People […]
Adventures in the Jungle of the Neuro-Myofascial Net
Fonte: Rolf Lines – November 1998 Robert Schleip: Professor Staubesand, you have made some interesting research findings about fascia. It seems to me that these findings could have some importance for manual therapists working with connective tissue. Could you briefly describe what your findings are? Prof.Staubesand: We did some electron photomicrograph studies of the Fascia […]
Integral Anatomy, Part I
Bill: I think everybody who has come in contact with Roger Jordan’s article on dissection and Robert Shleip’s notes on a dissection posted on the Rolf Forum has really benefited from what you have single-handedly brought to our community which are these dissection courses. How did this happen? How is it that you get bodies? […]
Lecture Notes on Psoas & Adductors
PSOAS AS A MEDIAL ROTATOR “In thus inserting on the medial side of the femur (the rotators insert more laterally), the psoas major can function as a medial and internal rotator of the thigh, balancing external rotators.” This statement from Ida Rolf on page 170 of her book on Rolfing® is in clear contrast to […]