Who Get's Rolfed?

A number of professional athletes and other celebrities have discovered the benefits that can be derived from the Rolfing experience. If Rolfing can help these people who have made a career of fine-tuning their bodies for optimal performance, imagine what it can accomplish for you!

Health Professionals

Larry Dossey, M.D., best-selling author: "There is one major reason to take Rolfing seriously: it works. Not only can it dramatically change people's bodies, it can transform their lives as well. Rolfing is powerful stuff."

Jim Mongomery, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Dallas, Texas, often refers his clients to Rolfing. "I send a variety of my clients to a Certified Advanced Rolfer, Nicholas French. People with shoulder and elbow problems, with scar tissue resulting from injury or surgery, chronic hamstring problems, low back and cervical spine problems. People that have had chronic problems that have not been helped by anything else. All those people can be helped with Rolfing."

Karlis Ullis, MD, (team physician for 1992 summer Olympics), Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Medical Group in Santa Monica, CA: "Athletes always need help with chronic injuries, muscular strains and overuse. The Olympic athletes wouldn't have as many injuries if they had appropriate soft tissue therapy. Rolfing is valuable for athletes in high level competition to address the build up of scar tissue and disarrangement of myofascial tissue that occurs from training, competition and injury." Dr. Ullis has provided medical expertise to athletes at five Olympic games, including Lillehammer, Albertville, and Barcelona, in the fields of figure skating, cross country skiing, bobsleigh, biathlon, track and field and other sports.

Certified Advanced Rolfer and MD, Dr. Bret Nye, speaks about alternative/complementary medicine, a cost effective, alternative to surgery and drugs - "Demand for the services of health practitioners like Rolfers is growing as evidenced by the Nov. 98 JAMA estimate of $21.2 billion being spent for alternative medicine in 97. Integrative health care is a new trend, that combines Western and complementary medicines to offer the best technological advances in health care. Health insurance companies are increasingly becoming interested in therapies like Rolfing not only as potential cost effective alternatives or complements to traditional modalities, but as opportunities to provide coverage for services that will distinguish them in an increasingly competitive market place of providers."

Other scientists: Jonas Salk (Salk Institute)

Athletes

Michelle Kwan and Elvis Stojko, 1998 Olympic Silver Medalists, find they have a competitive advantage by working with a team of specialists that includes Helen James, Physical Therapist, and Certified Advanced Rolfer. Elvis Stojko introduced Helen James, Certified Advanced Rolfer to Michelle Kwan in July during the Campbell Soup Tour of World Figure Skating Champions. Stojko, who has benefited from James' physical therapy and Rolfing expertise since 1995 says, "Rolfing helped me to find my center of balance for competition; it puts my body in place." Working with Olympic and world champion figure skaters is nothing new for James. She says, "It's key for figure skaters like Michelle and Elvis, to find an exact balanced position in space. Balance and integration are the primary goals of the Rolfing process. Athletes find they have fewer injuries and recover more quickly through Rolfing work," says James. "They feel lighter and have more energy because they're not working as hard. They perform and complete their jumps with more ease."

Three U.S. Athletes trained at the Rolf Institute in June 1998: John Bauer, a 1992 & 1998 Olympian Nordic Skier; Grant Ernhardt, a US Biathlon team member; and Gary Colliander, a Minnesota Biathlete completed Unit One this spring. Their stories are highlighted in a press release entitled, "The Ski-Rolfing(r) Connection Is Stronger Than Just Skiers Getting Rolfing Bodywork." These athletes say that a career in bodywork fits an athlete's lifestyle & furthers their training. It can offer them the flexibility to both train and work in a profitable and independent career.

Bob Tewksbury, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins says, "I have received many benefits from Rolfing. In 1991, my massage therapist recommended it as a way to get a deeper level of work. Although the benefits of muscle work come and go depending on when and how regularly I get Rolfing work, I have noticed long lasting benefits with regard to my breathing, my posture and my body awareness. I have used Rolfing mainly in two areas, for my lower and upper back to help with flexibility and stiffness and to enhance my performance. I plan to use it again."

The Phoenix Suns are the first major NBA Basketball team to have a certified Advanced Rolfer on hand, Jeffrey Maitland, the Rolf Institute's Director of Academic Affairs. "Phoenix Suns guard, Danny Ainge, who has been Rolfed for years, recommended the therapy to (Charles) Barkley. Other Suns, Mark West and A.C. Green, also have been Rolfed...with satisfactory results," reported the Arizona Republic, May 1994.

Sarah Will, 1998 US Paralympic Gold Medal Skier, a member of the US Disabled Ski Team is a paraplegic athlete that credits her five gold metals to Rolfing. Will's says "Rolfing gives you a competitive edge as an athlete." Sharon Sander, ranked #2 on the US Pentathlon team, who's preparing to compete in the first women's Olympics pentathlon, says, "I recommend Rolfing for any athlete who has ever had trouble with injuries or doesn't feel like they are reaching their potential."

Joe Greene, two-time U.S.A. Olympic bronze medal long jumper says, "Rolfing works. It really makes a huge difference. I've been in track and field a long time and wish I had known about it sooner. My stomach tenses and my hips tighten when I jump. The Rolfing bodywork helped me to breathe and I felt taller." Craig Swan, former N.Y. Mets pitcher, says, "Bodywork can extend athletic careers," says Swan, whose career ended from a sports injury. "I truly believe if I had been Rolfed in the early part of my career, I would still be pitching. "Swan's recovery from a pitching injury inspired him to become a Rolfer and help others. His clients include former baseball star, Tom Seaver and tennis champion, Ivan Lendl.

Other athletes: Olympic athlete Edwin Moses

ROLFING AND ATHLETICS

Olympic and Professional Skier's Talk About Their Rolfing Experiences:

Two-time Olympian, U.S. Nordic Ski Team Member, John Bauer says, "Rolfing helped me get back my career. It tackled some specific injuries that were restricting me from training for the 98 Olympics, and got me back on track. You can ice and rest but no matter how slow you train until you lengthen out the tightness and scarring, it will come back."

1998 U.S. Paralympic gold medal skier, Sarah Will says, "Rolfing increased my performance time 100%. It eliminated my body pain, relaxed my muscles at the starting gate, my concentration and motivation increased, giving me the winning edge. It loosened my lower back, shifting strength into my upper back where I need it, and increased my starting time. Seeing these results, and knowing I was in the best shape possible, my confidence rose. I think every sport should include a team Rolfer in their training program." "Skiing demands a sharp mind. The stronger you are the more confident you become. The injuries (from the accident) left me off balance until I discovered the benefits of Rolfing bodywork and I've been winning ever since."

World-renowned Extreme skier, and popular Warren Miller ski film star, John Egan says, "Rolfing gave me the elasticity to make my first day of skiing look like I was in mid-season form. People asked me, what have you been doing? I said you won't believe it but it was Rolfing bodywork. The first time I tried Rolfing bodywork the rejuvenating effects were incredible. Since then I have been recommending Rolfing to others."

Olympic skier, Mickey Egan, (the wife of Extreme skier, Dan Egan) says, "Rolfing helps a lot, just in the way it helps me to loosen up, so I'm ready to go again. It's great. Athletes tend to use the same muscles over and over; they get tighter and tighter and this has an effect on the muscles. We can stretch but not reach everything. Rolfing helps me reach areas like the ribs, abdominals, upper body, and hips that are hard to get."

Other pro-athletes who have used Rolfing include Michelle Kwan and Elvis Stojko, 98 Olympic Silver Medal figure skaters; Phil Jackson, former Chicago Bull's coach; Charles Barkley of the Houston Rockets; Rob Moore, of the Phoenix Cardinals, Tim Salmon, CA. Angel baseball star; the Phoenix Suns basketball team; Mario Lemieux, of the Pittsburg Penguins, Bob Tewksbury, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins; Edwin Moses, Olympic track athlete; Joe Greene, 1996 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medal long jumper; Ivan Lendl, former tennis champion.

Celebrities

Leon Fleisher, virtuoso concert pianist: "When a crippling hand injury ended his performing career, Peabody pianist, Leon Fleisher went down a different musical road. Thirty years later, he's turned up an unexpected corner (when he met Certified Advanced Rolfer, Tessy Brunghardt)...The (Rolfing) results were remarkable." John Hopkins magazine, 1995.

Levar Burton - "The Rolfer works on fascia which is the thin sheath of white tissue that covers the musculature. By manipulating the fascia you manipulate the musculature, and in turn the skeletal structure, so you bring alignment to the body... It can be very healing, cleansing and balancing for the body." Oprah - July 7, 1996

Movie star Sean Young, who has starred in the movies "Bladerunner", "No Way Out", "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "Wall Street", "Fatal Instinct", "Once Upon a Crime", and a few dozen others receives Rolfing"(r)" from Certified Rolfer Bob Brill.

Willie Nelson, songwriter: "My wife recommended (Rolfing) highly", says Willie Nelson, "...The first of ten sessions fixed (my back pain)," reported the New York Times, on Feb. 23, 1995.

Sam Keen, best-selling writer, is a former Psychology Today editor and co-producer of award winning PBS documentary "Faces Of The Enemy". "Bodywork has allowed me at age 65 to live as vigorously as I want to, in an embodied way. Nine months ago I started studying flying trapeze work, and I couldn't have done it without Rolfing." Whole Life Times, Aug.'94. When Sam Keen spoke of Dr. Ida Rolf as a true pioneer in his early Psychology Today 1970's article, Rolfing bodywork gained international attention. Now thirty years later, Keen benefits by making Rolfing a part of his own health care regimen, to stay aligned, fit and flexible for his flying trapeze work. Sam Keen's books include: Inward Bound; Fire In the Belly: On Being A Man; and the Passionate Life. Other celebrities: Actress/singer, Courtney Love, actor Denis Leary (film: Thomas Crown Affair); actress Diane Ladd; the King of Spain; artist Georgia O'Keefe; modern artist, Miro; actor Levar Burton; psychotherapist, Fritz Perl; author, Sam Keen; Broadway/movie actress, Mary Elizabeth Mastontonio; Flamenco Dancer, Maria Benitez; jazz trombonist, Steve Turre, and many more.

Other Endorsements

A 50 yr old scientist, and medical consultant for healthcare manufacturers, Jim Wright had planned to live with his shoulder, neck and back problems until his wife suggested Rolfing. The problems are gone and he comes in once a year for a tune up.

Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom, President, Moore Vocal Arts, says, "I am 73 years old and have advanced scoliosis which the Rolfing treatments have definitely begun to help. One of my friends who had not seen me for awhile remarked on my better posture without my telling her why."

You can also checkout the Guild for Structural Integration website for more quotes on who is getting Rolfed at; http://www.rolfguild.org/otherssay.html