BodCast Episode 135: Rolfing and Yielding into Ma with Hiro Tahata

In this episode, Tim talks with Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Instructor, Hiro Tahata, about how you can use space, time, and intention to help people heal without ever even touching them.
Hiro is an amazing teacher who teaches the concepts of Yielding and Ma to help rolfing practitioners bring hope and healing to their patients.
This is pretty neat stuff!
You may want to read this to deepen your understanding of Ma:
www.rolfinger....

[@debbieklose8776]

This was interesting and good questions ! I actually had several sessions of Rolfing about 15 or so years ago here in Phoenix. I don’t recall any of this . I know it hurt like heck and she said it was suppose to help even my gait. I’m a bit rotated. But I really didn’t notice much improvement but it did hurt. The Practioner worked hard on my body . It was more deep than any deep tissue massage I’ve ever had. I’m curious the difference in what i experienced and what was shown here in the outcome for me. Such interesting topics! I

[@OriginalStrengthSystem]

Yeah, I’m fascinated by the things Hiro was saying. Ma seems very interesting, especially if it can lend itself to Rolfing without pain or touch!

[@IntegratedWellness]

Sorry to read your experience hurt, Debbie. There are different approached to the art form of Rolfing. Some plow tissue and there can sometimes be a benefit from that. Others, like myself and what I hear in Hiro, prefer to listen to our clients nervous system and respond in a way that meets where they are. There can be benefits to deep strong pressure at times, and I also find other times where sitting at a distance and allowing safety to emerge, from whatever is causing distress in my clients system, to be more beneficial than strength. It is very dependent on the person we are working with. Unfortunately, not all Rolfers are taught the same ways to listen and respond. If you were in the Boston area I'd recommend coming in for a session. :)

[@ROLFINGASIA]

The 1st article about Yielding : www.rolfinger.com/classic/_src/154/rijournalyielding.pdf?v=1639142242960 The definition of responsive contralateral movement is " Bipedal locomotion such that when the left lower limb moves forward, the right upper limb moves forward simultaneously. At the same time, the synchronized left upper and right lower limbs are projected backward. In integrated structures, full expression of contralateral movement involves sequential and reciprocal counter-rotation through the entire spine, pelvic bones, hip joints and feet. Holistic and responsive contralateral gait is distinguished from cross-lateral gait that does not involve spinal movement. Holistic expression of contralateral motion is facilitated by balanced response to gravity, i.e. balanced perception of ground and context."

[@Observator1111]

It's interesting that too much pressure was mentioned in rolfing where I tend to feel not enough pressure is being utilized. Maybe I'll have to try a different practitioner ;)

[@OriginalStrengthSystem]

Yeah, this was a new lens to see Rolfing through, for sure!

[@IntegratedWellness]

Jake, I'd recommend trying a few and finding out which approach works best for you. That said, our mind sometimes want what it thinks it knows and much of the time we are relatively unaware of ourself. I have some clients expecting deep and strong pressure and for them that will do very little to release the pattern that is holding the tissue in its restricted form. Their mind will like it as the nociceptor hit signals their conscious brain that something is happening. If the pattern is a subconscious restriction, working underneath the surface of consciousness may be more helpful. Light nervous system work can be wonderful for this, though one may not "feel" like anything is happening. When I work with people this way I do a lot of testing before and after so that they can notices differences in ROM and changes in their awareness of sensation instead of just looking for the sensation/pressure in the moment of touch. Really, Rolfing can be just about embodied education.

[@fhoniemcphonsen8987]

First?

[@OriginalStrengthSystem]

First twice on the same video!