Describe What It Looks Like and Feels Like?
If you were only an observer, you would see the Rolfer use his/her fingers, knuckles, or elbows to manipulate the connective tissue. It might look like the Rolfer was pressing into the skin and pushing the skin in a certain direction, or not moving at all. To the person experiencing the Rolfing®, however, it's not like that at all.
You can feel the Rolfer's pressure sink to different layers of your body. With the Rolfer's slow, steady pressure, you might feel these layers begin to spread or release or move. Sometimes you can feel the tissues getting warmer or tingling, like the pins-and-needles sensation. The inside of the body can feel freer or bigger, like there's more space inside. Your Rolfer might be working with your lower legs or feet while you feel your lower back, shoulder or jaw release their restrictions.
At times you might be asked to focus your attention or breath into the connective tissue or a restriction. Your Rolfer might ask you to do a precise movement, like slowly bending your knee. You and your Rolfer might explore the ways you can sit or stand so your body can support itself (i.e. you don't have to hold yourself up).
You might feel, when you stand up, that your legs, or feet or arms, are in a more comfortable position. You might feel your shoulders are soft or your back can relax in a way it never has before. You might feel more connected inside your skin, like parts of you are moving in sync rather than struggling against each other. You might come to realize how tight a part of your body was because you now have the looseness and freedom as a comparison.
It's important to remember: What each person experiences is unique and is influenced by his/her goals and awareness. Therefore, there is no way to describe accurately how you will experience your individual sessions.