The Power of Rolfing - by Owen Marcus- a Book Review

Written by John A. Wilson, Certified Advanced Rolfer®

Published February 7th, 2022

Have you ever told someone that you were seeing a Rolfer and then had to try explaining what it is? Let's face it, that's not easy even for a Rolfer. Because the process is complex and people don't really understand it, all Rolfers must become educators.

There are a few books out there detailing what Rolfing is, and a couple of them are for the general public. Owen Marcus' book- The Power of Rolfing is one of those. Practicing Rolfing for many years alongside naturopaths in a wellness clinic, as well as holding meditation classes for stress reduction and working with professional runners, Marcus has some good insight about Rolfing, what it is and how to apply it to various individuals.

Owen Marcus has been a Rolfer since 1980, and spent time running a wholistic medical clinic. He worked with professional athletes, especially runners. This has given him a good perspective on the proper mechanics of the body when running and even walking. Realizing that the biggest pathology in our culture is stress, he also held meditation classes regularly. I personally believe that Rolfing and meditation go hand in hand, an highly recommend finding some sort of meditative practice, weather sitting meditation or moving meditation like Tai Chi.

In addition to explaining some of the ins and outs of how Rolfing works, Owen also addresses some of the history of Rolfing and how it has changed. Some schools of structural integration, the original term for Rolfing, try to adhere to a rigid model of what Ida Rolf left behind, but the Rolf Institute believes that Rolf left behind a developing path and not a religion to be preserved and unchanged. Owen discusses some of the different ideas and divergences that have developed over time and how Rolfing has changed with scientific research.

This book not only addressed how Rolfing can help with the structural organization of the body, but also with personal health in general. He talks about how Rolfing can help with issues like TMJ or plantar fascitus, but also with metabolism, insomnia and over all stress management. If you are looking for a good introduction to Rolfing, the Power of Rolfing by Owen Marcus is a great place to start. And a nice plus is it's on audible as well!

About The Author

John Wilson is a Certified Advanced Rolfer® with more than 20 years of experience studying the relationships between fascia, posture, movement, and chronic pain. Through thousands of client sessions, he has developed a whole-body approach to Structural Integration that emphasizes identifying the underlying compensatory patterns that contribute to discomfort rather than focusing solely on the site of pain. His writing reflects both clinical experience and an ongoing commitment to anatomy, biomechanics, and movement education.

John A. Wilson Certified Advanced Rolfer®

Credentials

• Certified Advanced Rolfer®

• Structural Integration Practitioner

• Over 20 years of clinical practice

• Specializing in posture, chronic pain, fascia, and biomechanics

• Serving Denver and Tucson

Editorial Note: Articles on this website are written by John Wilson based on his clinical experience as a Certified Advanced Rolfer®, continuing professional education, and published research. They are intended for educational purposes and should not replace individualized medical advice.