What is Rolfing in the Open Universe
Ida Rolf’s Rolfing and the open universe. This is a video about her decades old talk given in 1970.
*This blog is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration®. While Rolfing® is a registered trademark of the Rolf Institute, this content discusses its history, principles, and the Rolf Method. Joel Gheiler is a Guild Rolf-trained practitioner offering the original hands-on Rolf Method independently of the Rolf Institute.
Rolf Method and Rolfing®: The Quiet Intelligence of Structure in Gravity
Ida Rolf did not set out to create a branded technique. She set out to listen—to gravity, to structure, and to the quiet intelligence of the human body.
Her central question was deceptively simple:
What happens to a human being when the body becomes organized in gravity?
From this inquiry emerged what she originally called Structural Integration—a disciplined exploration of how structure, fascia, movement, perception, and meaning interweave within a living organism. Only later, as her students carried the work forward, did the term Rolfing® emerge. Those students opened schools to preserve her original vision, and Joel Gheiler is part of that lineage, continuing Structural Integration as it was first conceived.
The Body as a Dynamic, Open System
Modern science describes the human body as an open system, constantly exchanging energy, information, and matter with its environment. Every breath, every step, every emotional experience subtly reshapes its architecture.
Gravity is not merely a downward pull—it is a silent partner in every movement. Over time, the body adapts to gravity through posture, tension, and compensatory patterns. These adaptations are stored not only in muscles but also in fascia, the connective tissue matrix that links muscles, bones, organs, and nerves into an integrated whole.
Practitioners of Structural Integration or Rolfing® work with this fascia to release tension and encourage structural organization, allowing gravity to support rather than constrain.
Vertical Alignment: Chaos, Disorder, and Order
Ida Rolf described the human body as a vertical system of gravity segments: head, thorax, pelvis, and legs. Each segment is a functional gravity unit, and their relative alignment determines both mechanical efficiency and the flow of energy, breath, and awareness.
From this perspective, the body exists on a spectrum of disorder and order. Tension, restrictions, and compensations represent disorder. Releases, alignment, and integrated movement represent order.
Structural Integration and Rolfing® work along this spectrum. By addressing the architecture of the body as a whole—rather than isolated muscles or joints—practitioners move the body from chaos toward functional harmony. When alignment improves, gravity becomes a supportive framework, energy flows more efficiently, and the body operates with greater freedom.
Fascia, Plasticity, and Structural Reorganization
Fascia is a plastic, adaptable medium. Collagen fibers form networks that stabilize and mobilize the body. Through skillful Structural Integration or Rolfing®, a practitioner can influence these networks, gently altering the relationships between segments and planes.
This structural reorganization can produce lasting changes in posture, balance, and efficiency—not by forcing muscles, but by reshaping the connective tissue matrix itself. Electromyographic studies show shifts in muscle activation after sessions, and postural analysis demonstrates improved alignment. Anecdotal reports suggest benefits may extend into emotional and cognitive domains.
The Vertical Advantage and Human Potential
Humans are unique in the animal kingdom for their vertical posture. When the body is aligned, the nervous and glandular systems relate optimally to the gravitational field. Gravity becomes an ally rather than an obstacle, supporting perception, energy, and vitality.
Through Structural Integration and Rolfing®, vertical alignment is cultivated. Head over shoulders, shoulders over pelvis, pelvis over legs—this organization allows gravity to enhance movement, efficiency, and expression. Energy economy improves, strain decreases, and the body supports higher-order capacities like awareness, creativity, and presence.
Preserving Ida Rolf’s Original Vision
Rolfing® grew from Ida Rolf’s original work in Structural Integration. Her students recognized the importance of maintaining her teachings and opened schools to continue that work. Joel Gheiler is part of this school, contributing to the preservation of Structural Integration’s original principles alongside the more widely known Rolfing® methodology.
This lineage reminds us that Rolfing® is not just a branded technique—it is the evolution of a deeply thoughtful, science-informed, human-centered approach that began as Structural Integration.
Beyond the Physical: Integration as Philosophy
Ultimately, Structural Integration and Rolfing® are about expanding human potential. When the body is aligned:
Energy flows efficiently
Vertical organization reduces disorder and tension
Awareness and perception deepen
Interaction with gravity becomes supportive rather than adversarial
These methods transform the body into a living map of possibility—a vertical, dynamic, and integrated system capable of engaging fully with the open universe. They are both philosophy and practice: an invitation to explore structure, balance, and the full spectrum of human potential.
