Ida P. Rolf

“When a body is really balanced, the energy of gravity flows through. The body’s own energy is enhanced. The person is vibrant.”

“The human energy field is a force field of gravity.”

“This is the gospel of Rolfing: When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.”

“Form and function are a unity, two sides of one coin. In order to enhance function, appropriate form must exist or be created.”

“What is true for the infrastructure of a building is true for the infrastructure of a man: if the foundation is awry, the building will be distorted.”

“If you can imagine how it feels to live in a fluid, light, balanced body, free of pain, stiffness and chronic stress, at ease with itself and the gravitational field, then you will understand the goals of Rolfing.”

“Put the tissue where it should be and then ask for movement.”

“Where you think it is, it ain't.”

“We are not built for the constant pressure of the chairs we sit in.”

“An effective human being is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

“Gravity is the therapist.”

“Movement is a great clarifier.”

“The body is a plastic medium.”

“We are not interested in symptoms. We are interested in getting the body to a place where it can heal itself.”

“Most people do not inhabit their bodies fully. They walk around with their heads cut off.”

“When I say change the body, I mean change the cells.”

“Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their body, others as constant fatigue, and still others as an unrelentingly threatening environment.”

“A balanced body is a comfortable body.”