What are the Benefits of Rolfing?

Clients of Rolfing regularly acknowledge that they feel taller, more at ease in their body, "lighter." They report recovering from strain easier and having more physical energy. These are the results of a body being more aligned with gravity. 

If you would like to read about the benefits that Karin's clients have reported, see the Testimonials.

Typical structures

Commonly reported benefits are:

  • Improved balance
  • Better posture
  • Breathing is easier
  • Improved joint range of motion (ROM)
  • Improved soft tissue flexibility
  • More mental energy
  • Decreased physical pain
  • Easier recovery from exertion
  • Movements are easier and more fluid
  • Athletic performance is improved
  • A calmer mind
  • Improved body awareness
  • Feeling "lighter" yet more grounded
  • Heightened anatomical understanding
  • Psychological growth

Press Coverage of Rolfing

Rolfing on Oprah
  • Vogue Magazine: Vogue Magazine published an article, “Back In Style” by Heidi Julavits. "Like yoga, Rolfing is one of those practices that your body instantly tells you makes a lot of sense." March 2007. PDF.  
  • Rolfing on Oprah!: My instructor, Jon Martine, demonstrated Rolfing on the Oprah Winfrey Show. 2007.
  • Dr. Andrew Weil: Wellness Therapies: Rolfing. Describes Rolfing, the conditions that can benefit from Rolfing, and what to expect.
  • "Rolfing Revealed" Chicago Tribune, Feb 2010. Describes the experience of Rolfing.
  • "Everything You Know About Muscle is Wrong" by Christopher McDougall. Men's Health, Sept 2009. Author of the popular book Born to Run gives insight into how Rolfers look at body patterns.
  • Science Magazine: Science magazine published “Biomedical research: Cell Biology Meets Rolfing” by David Grimm, about the 2007 Fascial Research Congress. November 23, 2007.
  • "Rolfing: The Anti-Gravity Device” by Mike Papciak, published in Climbing Magazine. Gives a nice overview of Rolfing, and talks about why Rolfing is great for rock climbers.
  • "Deep Impact” (PDF) by Linda Knittel. Published in Yoga Journal, July/August 2002. Detailed discussion of how yoga and Rolfing support each other.
  • "Spiraling Babies” (PDF) by Ray Bishop, Certified Advanced Rolfer, on Rolfing for children.
  • Somatics Article Library: Articles for clients and Rolfers.
  • Ida P. Rolf Library of Structural Integration: Articles for clients and Rolfers.


"I had wanted to do the 10 Sessions of Rolfing for years.... Then plantar fasciitis (running injury) put me out of commission from athletic competition for over six years. I tried everything, but the fasciitis would always come back. It has been over nine months since I finished my sessions with Karin, and I am running with no pain!"
- Elaine Jane Cole, Graduate student and 40-Something Triathlete