Bob's Articles
|
The words we all heard from parents and teachers, "Stand up straight. Pull your shoulders back. You don't look good when you slump." And that message lives on as we get older. Only the voices speaking to us about posture are our own which includes the kinesthetic voice of how our bodies feel.
The posture ideal of the shoulders back and a ramrod straight spine is an unachievable goal. We fight hard to get shoulders back and a naturally curved spine to become unnaturally straight. The muscular effort to hold these positions is fatiguing and limiting of movement and balance. In the end we give up the fight and allow our bodies to slump and curve until gravity works to establish a pattern in our body that serves us no better than the postural ideal.
So, then, what do we do to correct what seems like a problem with no resolution?
The issues of poor posture, compromised balance and limited function are about reeducating the body. It begins with a desire for change and correction, and moves to seeking help from skilled practitioners, who are specialists in working with the human structure to achieve long lasting changes that enhance alignment, balance and function. This may require hands on treatment to correct aberrations in soft tissue, joint mobilization to improve alignment, stengthening activities to correct muscular imbalances and flexibility exercise to insure optimal muscle and joint function. In addition, the development of awareness of behavioral patterns which reinforces the problem being corrected, and how to understand the roll choice has in maintaining improved posture and function.
Professionals who are Certified Rolfers or Certified Advanced Rolfers are trained to effect changes in soft tissue patterns with direct hands-on manipulation and to educate the client with instruction in movement , behavior awareness and pattern formations. It is this combination of correction and education that allows a person to improve posture in a natural and comfortable way as well as being able make the internal and structural changes needed to maintain better balance, joint mobility and appearance.
Bob Alonzi
Certified Advanced Rolfer
|
When I am working with competitive athletes (amateur
or professional) I will make a point of learning
about their training regimens and performance through
their coaches and then from the athletes. I may even
go and watch them train so I can see them in movement
in their activities. I want specifics that includes
whatever training formulas they use. I want to know
when they will compete and when they will have down
time. I also want to know what their goals are for a
given training period and a specific competition.
Remember... training, performance and competition
aren't the same objectives. The questions I ask my
athlete clients is "what are your goals short and
long term? How do you see Rolfing help you prepare for
your sport?"
When working with athletes the change that I look for
is in performance. What is the athlete telling me
about the difference in his/her game, form, and
abilities. What do I see different in alignment,
movement and awareness. What do the coaches say as
being different about the athlete on the playing field
-- physical, emotional, cognitive.
In my opinion, athletes are better served if you help
them find their "line" in their sport. In the language
of athletes, lasting changes translate into improved
performance and the awareness that rises from knowing
the body is functioning more efficiently.
I also find that elite athletes bring a kinesthetic
awareness to the Rolfing studio that the average
client may not. But what is important here is finding
the common language between Rolfer and athlete. That
the language we use as Rolfers and how we apply
concepts and models to bodies standing still or
walking in our studio's, may not play out the same
for a body in dynamic movement. What may work better
is language that helps both Rolfer and athlete
understand the body in performance. Using models that
are fluid can serve to enhance our vision and
interventions in helping the athletes performance.
When working with athletes, I find that Rolfing based
on principles is more effective than working by
formula. For me it is more efficient and for the
athlete it is to the point and more effective in
enhancing performance. I also find it is less
disruptive to the athletes training schedule and
easier to schedule around competitions.
Bob Alonzi
Certified Advanced Rolfer
|
|
If you're an athlete or dancer looking to improve performance, or you're struggling with long-term muscular skeletal problems or simply looking to improve your posture, I can help.
Next steps > |
Pricing
Connect With Us
Testimonials
"I have known and worked with Bob Alonzi for over 15 years. I have found his work as a Rolfer to be exceptional. His knowledge of anatomy and how the body works is a great asset. His work is gentle yet effective. I have referred many patients to him including my husband and have gone to him myself. I beleive the therapeutic relationship is also important and Bob brings a lot to the table in terms of nurturing, compassion and insight."
Elisa S. Lottor, Ph.D., N.D.
Pacifica Women's Health
Read More Testimonials >
|
|
Take a look at the new iPhone Exercise App created by Bob Alonzi!
Join Bob Alonzi on Facebook 
Read what Yelpers
More articles about Rolfing