Sky & Earth
The philosophy that is at the heart of my Rolfing practice is one of sky and earth. I see humans as existing between these two orientations. The way in which we are open or closed to the flow of life is directly connected to our capacity to orient to, and be supported by, sky and earth. Life is ever changing, but sky and earth are constant. It is the moment when I perceive a loss of support (be it physical, emotional or spiritual) that I contract, lose balance and grasp for something to hold onto. The physical experience of this grasping can be pain or tension, it can be anxiety or distress, it can disconnection from the body or a crumpled posture. |
A Rolfing session opens up the experience of sty and earth . First of all and essential to the process is the creation of safety. This is fundamental. Then through the bodywork, imagery, education and movement practices, the decrease of pain and tension can flow. This is often linked with an increase in body awareness (noticing the sensations of the body) and feelings of physical support in the body (this is what we call orientation). Though my feet I can find support through being stable on the ground (earth), through my head I can find support though experiencing omnidirectional space (sky).
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In the body we can understand the movement of the autonomic nervous system between calm (down regulated) and stressed (up regulated). The body provides the physical container for our nervous system and can be a huge resource to hold its fluctuations. When we are well oriented with have more space for the touch of life; like walking in the park feeling of delight at the grass slips between my toes and cool breeze caresses my face. We are creatures of the natural world. For any amount that we have contracted and lost support, we can regain it. We can regain our grace and joy at the simple touch of life. We can discover again the wonder of our existence.
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