We're all affected by cost of living increases and I have been trying to keep my prices down for as long as possible.  However I've just had another increase in my costs and unfortunately this time I need to pass it on with a modest $10 fee increase.  This increase begins on 1 January 2024.

New fees are:
Initial consultation $180 (conc $160)
Subsequent consults $160 (conc $140)

I do hope you understand.  If the cost is causing you concern please get in touch.

Best wishes
Meran.

A common practice offered by Rolfers to help integrate movement is a knee bend.  The movement is similar but different to a small squat.  The knee bend helps to clarify movement at the ankle, knee and hip joints.  It also provides an opportunity to push with the feet which engages the precious muscles of the forefoot that initiate propulsion in the body. 

• Stands with feet comfortably underneath you looking straight ahead. 
• Your vision is open to the space and the feet are open to the (sensation of) the ground. 
• There is an acknowledgement of verticality in front of the spine (the midline). 
• To bend the knees imagine vectors into space.  These are like laser pointers.  There's one at the top of the shin bones (tibias) shining forward and one at the sit bones shining backwards. The vectors guide the movement,  The knees bend just as far as they bend when we walk (approx 30 deg).
• To straighten we press down with the front of the foot (forefoot) and rise up though the head.

When we bend we keep our centre of gravity directly over our feet.  When we press the forefoot in order to rise it's like pressing on the accelerator when driving a car​.  In the video below you can see me demonstrate this movement.  This is probably the most important part so it's worth mapping the movement as I have done in the video before trying the knee bend again.

After you have practiced the knee bend a few times try going for a walk.  How do you feel?  What has changed?  How does your body feel as you walk?  Some people noticed more awareness in their feet, more awareness of the back foot 'pushing' them along.  Perhaps you become more aware of spiral movement in your pelvis or spine.  Perhaps its easier to breath or your tail is more free.  It doesn't matter what you notice.  This important thing is the act of noticing as this helps the movement brain take ownership of new movements and sensations.

Thanks for reading.  If you have any questions or observations put them in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you.

Winter is a natural part of life.  It calls us inwards and downwards.  Into hibernation, into reflection, into solitude.  It's not always easy with less sun and warmth.  I wonder, how does our buoyancy emerge in winter?  I'm pretty sure that buoyancy is related to our body's biotensegrity.  

Our conventional view of biomechanics is that our body acts like a stack of blocks.  This is a compression structure like a building.  This can be an exhausting view of the body, one that weights us down.  Tensegrity structures our formed differently.  Here we think of our body as a system of struts (bones) that are suspended in a tensioned network of cables (myofascia).  This view sees the body as a whole, dynamic, interactive system. If you would like to read a more on this Mary Bond has a great blog here.

Rest for a moment with your spine upright.  Contemplate - your vertebra are not stacked up like blocks, they are suspended  in a network of tissues.  How does that feel? Try playing between the two views.  How does it feel different to imagine your vertebrae as blocks in a column.  Compare this to imagining living bones suspended by soft tissue.  It is more buoyant, more dynamic, more spacious?

Perhaps changing perspective like this can help us when the winter blues are getting us down.  We can rest into the fundamental, dynamic capacity of our body. We are not machines, we are living creatures.  If we remember that we are elements of the natural environment maybe sometimes we can put down our devices and tune to our subtle and wild living nature.

I am very pleased to announce that I no longer require people to be vaccinated in order to come for a Rolfing session.  I am asking those who are unvaccinated to wear a KN95, N95 or P2 mask in their session (which I can provide). I continue to ask that everybody wears a mask in my studio and stay home if unwell, and I continue to run my air purifier during your session for added protection.  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Reopening
I am very happy to announce that I will be reopening my practice beginning Monday 25 October.  I will be reopening in a staggered way.  The first 2 weeks I will be working at 50% capacity.  This will give me space to get back into my rhythm and also to get used to my slightly changed CovidSafe practices.  From Monday 8 November I will reopen to 100%.

CovidSafe Practices - Update
​Vaccination - In line with public health directives I am fully vaccinated and will only be able to treat fully vaccinated people. 

Ventilation - I have bought a HEPA Air Purifier that I will run during sessions and between sessions. 
I will open windows when weather permits. 

Cleaning - I have hospital grade surface spray disinfectant which I will use daily.  I will also wipe down high touch points regularly through the day. Each sheet is only used once and is washed at 60 deg.

Please Do 

• Use hand sanitiser
• Check-in using QR code
• Wear a well fitted mask (unless you have. a medical exemption)

Please Don't come

• If you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of Covid19 (sore throat, cough, nasal congestion or runny nose, loss of smell and taste, fever, diarrhoea, headache or difficulty breathing).
• If you or anyone in your household have been diagnosed with Covid19.
• If you or anyone in your household are waiting on results of a Covid19 test.
• If you or anyone in your household has been to an exposure site or are a Primary Close Contact.
• If you or anyone in your household have reason to believe you might have been exposed to Covid19.

I will never work if I am sick and I will always wear a mask and use good hygiene practices.

I'm really looking forward to getting back to work and seeing all of my lovely clients.

​Love, Meran.

Dear ones

It's been so wonderful working again and such a joy to see your (masked) faces.  I am truly blessed to share in your moments of suffering and success on your path to wellbeing. 

This is just a quick note to let you know that I will be taking 3 weeks off for summer holidays.

My last day treating clients is Wednesday 23rd December 2020.

I return to work on Tuesday 19th January 2021.

Wishing you a peaceful, playful and safe summer time filled with merriness and love.

Love

Meran

Beautiful white now adorns the walls of my Studio.  The colour is warm and spacious and I love it!

I've also reorganised the room to make better use of the space.  Its feeling really good and I'm looking forward to seeing my first client in here tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Love Meran

I am busily preparing things behind the scenes ready to see my first clients on Tuesday 3 November.  I am so looking forward to seeing you!

I've written my CovidSafe Plan and I've been repainting the studio. I was lucky to be able to attend some Professional Development via Zoom during the break so I feel renewed in my practice. 

I have quite liked having some time off.  Lots of quiet, sewing and long walks.   I feel refreshed and ready to get back to serving my dear clients.  I have missed you!

Online bookings are now back up and running so please go ahead and book yourself in.

Much love,

Meran

Yesterday we learnt about the roadmap out of restrictions that the State Government has developed. There are 5 steps that rely on case numbers reaching certain levels. We have not yet received clarity about where Health Services will fit into these steps. I would love to be able to resume practicing at the Second Step (28 Sept) but I think it will probably be the Third Step (26 Oct). I’m going to disable online bookings until I know for sure. I will update here just as soon as I have concrete information.

Until then take care.

Meran

I have just been updated by my Professional Association about my working status during Stage 4, The upshot is that I am unable to see clients at this time. I can treat via TeleHealth.

I know this is a difficult time for everyone and I thank you all for your patience and understanding. If you are in need of the urgent type of care listed above then please email me to discuss further, otherwise I will be available for sessions again hopefully in mid September.

Take care, we will get through this.

Big virtual hug, Meran.