Published: October 6, 2010

A FORMER dancer of 14 years, Anna Zahn is in touch with her body. To gain more flexibility, and to counteract some of the strain from dancing, she has tried a number of remedies: Reiki, acupuncture, yoga.

But she still felt tight, her body tense. So she started getting Rolfed — a kind of deep-tissue bodywork that can be so intense that some jokingly liken it to masochism.

“It’s not going to massage and lighting aromatherapy candles,” said Ms. Zahn, a 20-year-old student at New York University, who gets a Rolfing treatment every week or so. “It’s tough to go to these sessions. It’s painful, very painful, emotionally and physically. But you feel such a relief when you leave that it’s just the most amazing feeling.”

Others are feeling it, too. Popular in the 1970s, Rolfing once evoked hairy-chested, New Age types seeking alternative therapies — perhaps most famously spoofed in the 1977 football movie “Semi-Tough,” starring Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson.

But today, Rolfing is experiencing something of  a resurgence, especially among younger city dwellers for whom the novelty of yoga has worn off, and who are now seeking more intense ways to relieve the stresses of modern life.

“Back in the day, Rolfing’s growth was word of mouth,” said Rey Allen, a Rolfing practitioner in lower Manhattan, who has noticed an increase in its popularity. He attributes the rise partly to the Internet, which has introduced the treatment to a new generation.

“Over half of my clientele are in their 20s,” he added. “Since I opened my practice in the city a few years ago, the average age of my clientele has always been 35. But that has drastically changed since the summer.”

Could Rolfing be one Madonna endorsement away from becoming the next Pilates?

Rolfing is named after its creator, Ida Rolf, a biochemist from New York City who studied alternative methods of bodywork and healing beginning in the 1920s. She died in 1979 at the age of 82.

Dr. Rolf developed a theory that the body’s aches and pains arose from basic imbalances in posture and alignment, which were created and reinforced over time by gravity and learned responses among muscles and fascia — the sheath-like connective tissue that surrounds and binds muscles together. Rolfing developed as a way to “restructure” muscles and fascia.

The focus on manipulating fascia is part of what distinguishes it from chiropractics, which deals with bones, and from therapeutic massages, which works on muscles.

That also explains why Rolfing has a reputation for being aggressive, even painful at times. Fascia is stubborn material, particularly if it is marked by knots and scar tissue. Rolfers gouge with knuckles and knead with fists, contort limbs and lean into elbows to loosen tendons and ligaments. Patients, meanwhile, need the fortitude to relax and take it during the hour long sessions.

Russell Poses, a 39-year-old international equities trader on Wall Street, who started getting Rolfing treatments after injuring his back, likened the experience to “paying $150 an hour for an Indian burn.” But the benefits, as far as he’s concerned, are well worth it. Chiropractors and years of physical therapy couldn’t accomplish what two or three Rolfing sessions did, he said.

Plus, he said he could still feel the results two weeks later. “It’s something that actually lasts,” he said.

It is hard to find reliable statistics on the prevalence of Rolfing. But the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, which was founded by Dr. Rolf in 1971 to educate and certify practioners, says it has noticed a rise in student enrollments at its Boulder, Colo., headquarters.

Kevin McCoy, a faculty member at the institute with a practice in Milwaukee, said he had seen annual class sizes swell to 100 from 75 students in recent years. In the mid-1980s, he said, the school graduated fewer than 50 a year. Despite the bad economy, he said, “our numbers have been maintaining or growing.”

An endorsement in 2007 on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” by the cardiac surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz certainly didn’t hurt. Now the host of the syndicated daytime program “The Dr. Oz Show,” he says he sees the growing popularity of Rolfing as “a general perception by the public that taking medications for discomfort is not giving you the panacea benefits that you would desire.”

In that regard, he said he viewed the treatment as an extension of practices like yoga, which also offers relief without drugs. “Yoga is in many ways analogous to Rolfing because it takes tendons and it stretches them into a position of discomfort,” Dr. Oz said. “They’re just doing it for you without your doing it yourself.”

Rolfing practitioners say they have also noticed a shift that may explain why younger clients are seeking out their services. It’s not just to treat injuries, but also stress. “Health is one area where we can find a sense of control,” said Mr. Allen, who has been practicing for about nine years. “The real trend is that people are starting to look within the boundaries of their own skin for meaning in their lives, and to find a sense of security in the world.”

As with other holistic practices, Rolfing seems to leave the door open for a certain mysticism. Even those who have little use for New Age-type practices like meditation can verge on the metaphysical when discussing Rolfing.

yesterday. This morning  my load is much lighter. You are a living angel, thank you!

In Gratitude & Spirit

Anita A. Alberta, Canada

• Three part exercise: Posture, breathing, visualization
• Sit with back supported, neck & shoulders relaxed, face soft.
• Cross left ankle over right.
• Extend arms out from shoulders, palms facing one another.
• Cross right arm over left, touch palms, interlace fingers and turn hands down towards belly and up to heart, resting on chest.
• Close your eyes and begin breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
• As you inhale through the nose, touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
• As you exhale through the mouth relax your tongue.
• Begin to visualize an object of BALANCE; whatever balance means to you. Could be the yin/yang symbol, the sky meeting the sea, the scales of justice, etc
• Breathe and visualize for 2 minutes, keeping the body relaxed.
• After 2 minutes, uncross your hands and feet gently and slowly open your eyes, and feel the shift in your energy; notice the calmness and connection you feel.

• It is ancient – over 5000 years old! Some say it pre-dates yoga
• Completely ‘self’ exercises; you only need you
• Will help develop mental and spiritual abilities
• Can be practiced by anyone, in any place, using only a short period of time
• Utilize the meridians to activate the flow of electromagnetic current and energy throughout various parts to the body and the organs.
• Treat tissues and muscles, releasing any stagnation
• Deal with vibrational energy running within and surrounding our body
• Do-In does not regard human beings a physical and material, but as vibrational and spiritual

Breathing preparation

Sit with the spine straight, so that the current between heaven and earth is in alignment with our spine. Close eyes. Cup hands in lap with left hand on top of the right, thumbs touching. Breathe gently through the nose, calming and quieting the mind. Take 4 breaths.

Open the eyes.

Hands

We begin by stimulating the hands where all the meridians terminate, and all the organ connections are. Rub the hands together briskly to bring more healing to the organs and bones through the hands and also to increase the current of healing energy we bring to the places we touch.

Keep the fingers slightly open and palms touching. Rub the back of each hand. Place hands around the wrists, rotating the opposite hand while rubbing. Gently squeeze the four fingers together, then the thumbs. Squeeze each finger, at knuckles. Press into palms with thumbs. Gently pinch the outsides of the palms and thumb mound. When complete, shake out hands.

Face / Cheeks

Place palms on cheeks at jaw bones, thumbs back towards ears. Press hands up several times until cheeks become warm. This will release saliva and lymph fluid.

Eyes

These exercises improve eyesight, eliminating near/far sightedness, detached retina, glaucoma, astigmatism. Also can regulate heartbeat and BP, and improve circulation and general mental condition.

• place palms over eyes for several breaths to warm up eyes
• using index, middle and ring fingers press firmly on bony edge of upper socket, from inside to outside edge x3
• use same fingers, press above eyeball slightly deep (w/out discomfort) and vibrate lightly. Release suddenly.
• use same fingers, press below eyeball and vibrate slightly, release suddenly
• press softly on eyeballs with flat fingers x3
• place palms over eyes; look up and down as far as possible x 10, left/right as far as possible x10, circle clockwise x10 and counter clockwise  x 10
• pick up lid and vibrate 50-100 times, hearing the sound of water
• with index finger and thumb, pinch bridge of nose at corners of eyes for 10 seconds, release suddenly, repeat 3-5 x

Nose

Benefit general function of stomach, pancreas, lungs and clear mind.

• with thumb and index finger rub both sides of nose until it becomes warm
• with thumb, index and middle finger squeeze nose from bridge to tip
• do alternate nostril breathing 5 x each side

Mouth and Jaw

Strengthen digestive system and excretory functions

• with 4 fingers of both hands, press deeply under the mouth up jaw to ear, using circular motion 5-10 x
• using pad of thumb press under cheek bone, one finger width from nose, in circle
• with thumbs press deeply under jaw from chin to ears in circular motion

Ears

• with thumb and index finger press indented point below the ear, between jaw and neck. Press deeply each time and release suddenly
• with first 3 fingers press around the ear several times
• with same finger, rub the 3 ridges of the ear; the outer ridge stimulates blood and lymph circulation, middle ridge stimulating the nervous system, inner to activate the digestive functions.
• squeeze earlobe several times to release stagnation in all part of the body
• rub the whole ear up and down until it becomes warm
• with palms, bat ears from behind 10-20 x
• place middle fingers deeply in ears; vibrate them and release suddenly 3-5x

Head

• place 4 fingers and thumbs on forehead; press deeply and make circles 12 x
• move hands to top of head and repeat
• move hands to occipital ridge, repeat
• top of neck, repeat
• hands on upper temples
• hands on lower temples
• above ears
• back, bottom of ears
• spread fingers out on scalp and push it back and forth several times

Soft Fists

With soft, lightly gripped fists, we stimulate our entire head region lightly, as if gently bouncing all over the head, top, sides and back and down the neck

Neck

• with thumbs press deeply into the boney occipital ridge from neck to ears
• thumbs at center of ridge, with slight resistance, press the head forward and back 3x
• interlace fingers and squeeze neck muscles together with heels of hands
• with both soft fists stimulate back of neck into shoulders
• use right fist on left neck down into shoulder
• left fist on right neck down into shoulder
• tilt head forward and back 3x
• side to side 3 x

Shoulders

• raise up shoulders as much as possible, squeezing and hold, 2, 3 and release quickly 3x
• raise right shoulder and lower left, alternating shoulders x3
• squeeze upper shoulder muscle from neck to arm

Arms

• with soft fists stimulate arms from shoulder to wrist on inner arm  x3
• top of arm x3
• outer arm x3
• gently rub elbows to encourages flexible joints

Torso

• place hand on upper chest and press slightly and breathe into hands x3
• lower chest
• abdominal region
• outer upper chest (ribs)
• waist
• mid back
• lightly soft fists to upper chest, outer rib cage
• down into stomach, intestines, bladder
• lean forward and do back from as high up as you can reach

Legs

• with loose fists lightly pound down along the outer legs to knees x3
• top of thigh to knee x3
• inner thigh
• squeeze and rub knee joints
• outer calves
• back of calves
• inner calves

Feet

• rub ankles with hands circling them
• rub the area on either side of Achilles tendon
• rub the top of the feet
• the insole/arch/ball
• squeeze and rub each toe
• holding below toe joints pull all toes back towards instep
• press toes away
• circle feet clockwise and counter clockwise x3

Completion

• stand and bounce lightly on both feet
• bounce on one foot at a time
• swing arms from side to side, gently
• reach up, taking a deep breath in
• exhale, swinging the arms across the body, bending over. X3

Your Akashic Records CD is fabulous, every part of it. I love it and listen to it almost every day. Thank you so much – great idea, great creation! I also feel there are some changes happening within me!

I am grateful to know you!

Oli (from Slovenia)

It was a pleasure meeting you at the Kryon seminar. I just finished your CD “Alpha Healing” and want you to know it is EXCELLENT.

I don’t say this lightly, as I have many CDs and brainwave entrainment CDs. I will use your regularly. The music is great and your voice is perfect.

Blessings in the Healing Light of Love,

Sherril Berry-Sysong,
Solairis

I have been in contact with people from the weekend and can truly say I have made friends for life. I wanted you to know that I honor and respect you deeply and am grateful beyond words for your contribution to this planet.

– L.

The healing on Monday was amazing and I didn’t want to leave your space. I felt so incredibly safe around you and for me that is such a Godsend. You amazed me with your accuracy about my heap of issues. When you held my hand in love I was so deeply touched, because it was such a comforting response and there was such earnest compassion from your side. My whole life I have played down everything that has ever happened to me and been really strong, putting up this wall and pretense while slowly dying inside. But it was as if you felt every bit of pain and not the watered down version I present the world. This touched me beyond words.

Thank you seems so small but here goes, thank you, I love you both, my family forever.

With much love and immense gratitude,

L

• Come into a comfortable seated position.
• Rest your hands on your thighs, palms up, sliding the hands back towards to where the belly and thigh meet.
• Close the eyes and breathe fully and naturally.
• On an inhale, mentally count to 4 as you breathe in; then exhale to the count of 4.
• Repeat this pattern, inhaling 1, 2, 3, 4, and then exhaling 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Inhaling 1, 2, 3, 4. Exhaling 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Do this at your own rhythm. Just keep gently focused on the counting for any length of time.
• Complete after an exhale by returning to soft natural breath, feeling the peace in your mind and body.

4 Part Yogic Breathing

• Come into a comfortable seated position.
• Rest your hands on your thighs, palms up, sliding the hands back towards to where the belly and thigh meet.
• Close the eyes and breathe fully and naturally.
• On an inhale, mentally count to 4 as you breathe in, hold the breath in gently to the count of 4, then exhale to the count of 4, then and hold the breath out to the count of 4. Repeat this pattern:
• Inhale 1, 2, 3, 4, hold in 1, 2, 3, 4, exhale 1, 2, 3, 4, hold out 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Inhale 1, 2, 3, 4, hold in 1, 2, 3, 4, exhale 1, 2, 3, 4, hold out 1, 2, 3, 4.
• Do this at your own rhythm. Just keep gently focused on the counting for whatever length of time you wish.
• Complete after an exhale and return to soft natural breath and notice how quiet your mind is and how peaceful your body is.

Relaxing Breath: 4,6,8

• Do this in bed to help fall asleep, or when you need to get into a more relaxed state of mind and body.
• Reclined or seated comfortably, with hands in a soft position by your sides, or resting on your thighs, close the eyes.
• Begin with and inhale to the count of 4, hold the breath in to the count of 6, and exhale to the count of 8. 4,6,8
• Inhale, 1,2 3,4, hold,2 3,4, 5,6, exhale 1,2 3,4,5,6,7,8.
• Inhale, 1,2 3,4, hold,2 3,4, 5,6, exhale 1,2 3,4,5,6,7,8.
• Find your own natural rhythm as your inhale, hold and exhale.
• On the next exhale come back to soft, natural breath, feeling calmness in the mind, and tranquility in the body.

With yogic breathing, you increase the capacity of your lungs, bringing more oxygen supply to the body improving overall function, and reduce the toxins and body wastes from within. With the proper breathing, metabolism and over all health condition will improve. Practice this style of breathing and you will also develop concentration, focus, a clear mind, dissolve away stress and relax the body leading you to serenity and inner peace.

5 minute stress buster

By doing this simple breathing and visualization technique whenever you experience stress or dis-stress, you can reduce your discomfort, soften anxiety, decrease your blood pressure and even lower your heart rate.

1. Find somewhere where you can be alone and undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
2. Sit comfortably or lie down and close your eyes. Allow your breathing to deepen and body to begin to relax; face, jaw, shoulders, hands, belly, feet.
3. Imagine a place you’d like to be; one of your favorite places. Notice as many details about that place as you can, use all your senses: what do you hear, how does it smell, can you feel it on your skin? How does it look right now? Could you reach out and touch it? Let your attention wander to whatever part of this experience beckons to you.
4. Continue breathing deeply and softly as you let your mind roam freely over this landscape.
5. When you are ready, come back to the present and slowly open your eyes. When you go back to your day, stay aware of your breathing and the feelings of relaxation your imagery brought forth.  You can always think back to your moments of total sense connection and feel that peace again and again.