With hands on alignment of the body’s segments, Rolfing systematic-ally organizes the body’s soft connective tissue network. This connective tissue network, known as the myofascial system, is the organ of structure of the body. It supports the skeleton and soft tissues, positions the bones, determines the direction of muscle pull, and gives the body its shape.

The human body holds itself erect with pairs of muscle groups fun-ctioning within a network of fascial sheaths. These pairs normally function in an antagonist relationship with one another. When one of the pair contracts, the other must extend to maintain proper balance.

If that relationship is impaired through injury or chronic tension in one of the muscle groups, the fascia conforms to the shortening, and the rest of the body must compensate to maintain balance.

The job of Rolfing is to free the shortened fascia, allow the muscles
to return to a balanced relationship and the body to release the
compensations. When the myofascial system is organized, gravity causes it to uplift and align the body’s segments.