The third session completes the opening in the superficial layers of the body. Its main goal is to create more space in the pre-vertebral space. It finishes the series of the first three sessions which can stand alone. After the third session, the person feels integrated since work has been done to create movement adaptability (1st session), support (2nd session) and the front/back balance (3rd session). If I see a person just once, the third session offers a coherent experience for them to integrate.

The third session is about opening the sidelines. A person lies on their side and I work with the "side seam" between the front and back. When a person stands in profile, I see the tissues distribution between the front and the back along a plumb line. I look for ankles, hip joint, shoulder joint and the ear lining up above each other. In a well balanced and aligned person, these structures will be in line.

Depending on where the main issues are, I start either at the hip or neck. If I start with the neck, I differentiate the trapezius muscle from the front of the neck and shoulder, and often I work with the nuchal ligament on the skull (especially when I know the person has headaches on a regular basis). I work with the armpit, the pectoralis muscles, and the ribs. I have a good access to the quadratus lumborum from the side. I work around the femoral trochanter, differentiating the Tensor Fascia Lata and the gluteal tendons. Often, I work all the way down to their peroneal muscles and ankle, helping the range of motion and the way they track in gravity.

Third session covers a lot of territory. It is important to go for a walk afterwards and feel the depth of breathing and moving inside. It often seems like the zippers on the sides have loosened up and one can be free of the "straight jacket, " and still be aligned. One can feel after the third session as if they can be "stacked up" on top of themselves. Like they can rest into their body for the first time. The plumb line appears.

Tags: Rolfing, 10 Series