Tonight I went to the initial orientation for the people taking part in the student training rolfing program.

The Rolf Institute is at the western edge of downtown Boulder, just at the foot of the mountains. I was surprised how small the place is, considering how well known they are worldwide now. I think they graduate 65 new rolfers this year -- a pretty small number.

I was (mildly) surprised to learn that it will be more like a classroom environment than I had thought. There will be 8 clients in the room all being worked on at the same time, all in their underwear. ;) I'm not squeamish about it, but you have to respect the overweight over-fifty people who are willing to put it all out there for this.

Everyone is to be photographed at the beginning and end of the process, and maybe in between as well, to be able to recognize the changes that occur.

Some interesting things that were mentioned: Some people apparently experience emotional effects due to stimulation of long-supressed feelings or memories when injured or sensitive areas are opened up. I don't expect to feel this, but who knows...

My rolfer mentioned that one time he worked on a guy with one shoulder cranked way up above the other one, but the shoulders became perfectly level after he worked out the instep of the guy's feet... Is it me, or is this starting to sound like some new-age religion? hehe... Well, what can you say? This stuff is pretty weird...