Why did I become a Rolfer?
Tuesday Jun 22, 2010 Filed in:
Awareness
I
have clients often inquire about why I became a Rolfer. Here is the
story:
I became a Rolfer because I was rolfed! In December of 2003, I had a motorcycle accident. It wasn't very serious except for a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in my right knee. I had an ACL replacement surgery and proceeded with physical therapy. I was a terrible patient. I didn't live in my body; I lived mostly in my head. I didn't understand that recovery is a beautiful process that can be full of grace and appreciation for the body I have. Instead, I suffered through it. After being released from the recovery process, I was struggling with tightness in my lower leg, plantar fasciitis and eventually sciatica. It wasn't until I was rolfed in 2004 that I started becoming aware of my body and learned to distinguish what the subtle messages of pain and discomfort mean.
I was also blown away that the condition of Sheuermann's disease from my adolescence was affected by Rolfing. Within the first session of the series, something changed in my posture and spine. I felt taller and more upright. That first week, I got Ida Rolf's book about Rolfing and read it from cover to cover. I loved and still love how she describes the "normal" body, disorganized and fidgeting gravity.
A year later, I was looking for a new career after working at a computer 8 hours a day on something I didn't truly feel passionate about. I thought of Rolfing but didn't take it seriously at first. Around the holidays that year, I felt restless and called the Rolf Institute in Boulder. The admission officer said that someone had just canceled their spot in the next class and asked if I wanted the spot. Within two weeks, I was on a snowy road to Boulder, finding the passion and meaning of my life.
Learning to rolf came fairly naturally to me. I think like an engineer. Blocks stack up or they fall. I also discovered the gift of my hands. They learned to perceive anatomical structures and over the years have become the most sensitive part of my body. When I was little, my mother occasionally commented on my sharp elbows and that I sometimes poked her when hugging her. Little did she know that I would call them my "golden" elbows
I feel very grateful for finding Rolfing. Many people have helped me along the way. I didn't do it alone. I am especially grateful to all the clients over the years, who taught me what Rolfing is really about. I sometimes think of my starting days and about how clueless I was. And I am anticipating that 10 years from now, I’ll think back on these days and think about how clueless I am. That is what learning and living is: becoming more conscious all around!
I became a Rolfer because I was rolfed! In December of 2003, I had a motorcycle accident. It wasn't very serious except for a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in my right knee. I had an ACL replacement surgery and proceeded with physical therapy. I was a terrible patient. I didn't live in my body; I lived mostly in my head. I didn't understand that recovery is a beautiful process that can be full of grace and appreciation for the body I have. Instead, I suffered through it. After being released from the recovery process, I was struggling with tightness in my lower leg, plantar fasciitis and eventually sciatica. It wasn't until I was rolfed in 2004 that I started becoming aware of my body and learned to distinguish what the subtle messages of pain and discomfort mean.
I was also blown away that the condition of Sheuermann's disease from my adolescence was affected by Rolfing. Within the first session of the series, something changed in my posture and spine. I felt taller and more upright. That first week, I got Ida Rolf's book about Rolfing and read it from cover to cover. I loved and still love how she describes the "normal" body, disorganized and fidgeting gravity.
A year later, I was looking for a new career after working at a computer 8 hours a day on something I didn't truly feel passionate about. I thought of Rolfing but didn't take it seriously at first. Around the holidays that year, I felt restless and called the Rolf Institute in Boulder. The admission officer said that someone had just canceled their spot in the next class and asked if I wanted the spot. Within two weeks, I was on a snowy road to Boulder, finding the passion and meaning of my life.
Learning to rolf came fairly naturally to me. I think like an engineer. Blocks stack up or they fall. I also discovered the gift of my hands. They learned to perceive anatomical structures and over the years have become the most sensitive part of my body. When I was little, my mother occasionally commented on my sharp elbows and that I sometimes poked her when hugging her. Little did she know that I would call them my "golden" elbows
I feel very grateful for finding Rolfing. Many people have helped me along the way. I didn't do it alone. I am especially grateful to all the clients over the years, who taught me what Rolfing is really about. I sometimes think of my starting days and about how clueless I was. And I am anticipating that 10 years from now, I’ll think back on these days and think about how clueless I am. That is what learning and living is: becoming more conscious all around!