Dr Ida Rolf
& The 10 Series
Dr Ida Rolf
Origins
Rolfing is named after Dr. Ida Rolf, an American biochemist, who developed the method of structural integration in the 1940s. For her PhD in biochemistry, Ida studied fascia, a form of connective tissue that was largely disregarded by mainstream medicine but of interest to early osteopaths in the late 19th Century.
Ida’s method of hands-on manipulation involved unwinding fascial strain to help her clients stand straighter and relieve pain. Her reputation grew as she worked on famous people of the time, such as Marlena Dietrich. She practised at the Esalen Institute in California, where others became interested in learning her structural integration techniques, which were later renamed Rolfing by her students.
Ida’s revolutionary approach to looking at the fascial body as a connected whole led her to develop a series of sequential interventions designed ago unwind the body in a specific order for optimum results. The system known as the 10 series recipe is still used in all genuine Rolfing treatments-today. The holistic Rolfing view and specific goal-orientated strategy for each session, distinguishes Rolfing from other of deep tissue on myofascial release bodywork.
Rolfing in the UK
There are currently 52 certified Rolfers in the UK, who have completed the full Rolfing curriculum and have a high level of understanding in working with the fascial system, systematically safely and effectively. Some Rolfers have also undergone further training to become certified Rolfer movement practitioners and/or Advance Rolfers. To find a Rolfer near you visit the Rolfing UK website
Ida's two big ideas
Ida’s way of viewing and treating the body through the fascial system challenged traditional anatomical knowledge. Tom Myers, one of Ida’s early students, proved her right several decades later. He simply turned his scalpel side-on and dissected body length myofascial meridians, revealing a completely new structural map of the human form.
1. Gravity is the therapist
The aim of Rolfing is to remove any blocks or restrictions in the fascial network, allowing gravity to flow unimpeded through the body. When this achieved our structure and all systems within can be said to be in harmony with the universe.
2. Fascia is the organ of shape
Fascia has plasticity which means that its architecture can be modified and those changes remembered, can last for weeks, months and even years.
Then, in the early 2000’s Robert Schleip, a German scientist and Rolfer, started looking at fascia in the laboratory. Other scientist became interested and in 2007, the first fascia Research congress was held. This, now annual event, brings together scientists and researchers from around the world to share their ideas and discoveries about fascia.
New organ discovered!
Recently, the New York Times announced the discovery of an important new organ, Fascia!
Why has it taken so long?
Cutting fundamentally changes the architecture of fascia , and scanners such as X-ray and MRI do not pick up myofascial restrictions. Confocal Lazer Microscopy was finally able to see the true structure of the fascial matrix bringing completely new understanding of the roll that fascia plays in a living human body and confirming many of Ida’s original somewhat prophetic hunches about the importance of fascia.
The Rolfing 10 series
The Ten Series is a carefully structured sequence of sessions designed to address the body as a connected whole. Each session has its own theme and builds upon the changes introduced in the previous sessions. The series provides a clear framework while remaining responsive to your individual structure, movement patterns and personal goals.
The first session explores how freely the breath can move through the ribs, chest, back and abdomen. Work may also include the shoulders, neck, pelvis and hips, beginning the process of creating greater adaptability throughout the body.
Goal: To encourage easier, more three-dimensional breathing and establish a foundation for the rest of the series.
This session focuses primarily on the feet, ankles, lower legs and knees. We explore how you meet the ground and whether your feet provide both stability and responsiveness when standing and walking.
Goal: To develop a more adaptable base of support and a clearer sense of where you stand.
Session three works with the sides of the body—from the outer legs and hips through the ribs, shoulders, arms, neck and head. It explores the balance between front and back while continuing to develop freedom in the breath.
Goal: To create greater depth and spaciousness through the body, helping you stand and move without making yourself unnecessarily small.
The focus now moves towards the inner feet, legs and pelvic floor. We explore how support can travel from the ground through the centre of the body, using “earth and sky” as an image for groundedness, length and vertical orientation.
Goal: To establish a clearer sense of inner support and connect the legs more fully with the pelvis and spine.
This session explores the relationship between the legs, pelvis and spine, including the role of the iliopsoas muscles in walking. Movement work may help the legs swing more freely while the spine remains responsive rather than braced.
Goal: To encourage easier, more coordinated walking with less unnecessary effort through the hips, thighs and lower back.
Session six focuses on the back of the body, including the feet, legs, hips, pelvis and spine. It balances the work of the previous sessions and explores how movement can travel upwards and downwards through the back.
Goal: To give the spine greater length, adaptability and freedom to respond during breathing and movement.
With support developing through the legs and trunk, attention turns to the shoulders, neck, jaw and head. We explore the familiar “Yes”, “No” and “Maybe” movements of the head and how the head orients towards the space around it. Work with the face, jaw or inside the mouth may be included when appropriate and always with consent.
Goal: To help the head balance more easily above the spine while improving freedom through the neck, jaw and surrounding tissues.
Session eight begins the integration phase of the series. The work becomes increasingly individual, returning to areas that still need attention and helping the changes made so far relate more coherently to one another.
Goal: To address your most important remaining patterns while beginning to organise the body as a more connected whole.
Session nine continues the integration process, often complementing the emphasis of session eight. We explore how support from the feet and legs connects with movement through the pelvis, spine, shoulders, arms and head.
Goal: To improve coordination between the upper and lower body so that movement can be distributed more easily throughout the whole system.
The final session revisits the whole body rather than concentrating on one particular area. It is an opportunity to consolidate what has changed, recognise new movement possibilities and consider what may be useful to continue exploring.
Goal: To complete the series with a greater sense of balance, adaptability and ownership of the changes you have experienced.
The Ten Series is not a search for perfect posture or a permanently “fixed” body. It is an opportunity to discover more supportive ways of standing, breathing and moving.
After the final session, it is often helpful to allow time for these experiences to settle. Some clients later return for an occasional session, a short series or help with a particular issue, while others simply continue exploring what they have learned through everyday movement.