“This is the gospel of Rolfing: when the body gets working appropriately, the forces of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.” –Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.

You helped me gain body awareness and improve the alignment in my spine and entire body. I now stand more upright. The nagging pain that I had in my back for years completely disappeared after our first sessions two years ago. Can't thank you enough!! - Cheri
 

I am a yoga teacher who finds myself out of alignment more often than I wish to. I realized yoga and standard bodywork was not going to cut it - I had to get to the root of the problem so I had a consultation with a walking and movement specialist who recommended Maya for rolfing. I immediately loved her energy and personality, though I was a bit nervous because I heard that rolfing could be painful. To my surprise, the sessions were very intense but never painful, which also was surprising to friends of mine who have been to other rolfers. I do not have a high threshold for pain so I think Maya is just very skilled and very aware of who she is treating and where they are at. While she worked on me, we would chat and laugh about things and then sometimes it would get quiet and that was nice too. She has a really calming, steady presence and I was genuinely excited to see her as I made my way to my sessions. She also gave me tips on how to keep the alignment we were creating in my body which was useful to me. There is a thing about Rolfing where you are supposed to do 10 sessions, Maya was very chill about that and said “let’s just see how your body responds to this and go from there”. That was such a better approach for me and way less stressful financially. I probably ended up doing more than 10 sessions in total, even after the initial batch of sessions I would come see her for tuneups throughout the years. I miss her dearly and hope all of you on the west coast take advantage of the gift you now have in LA! - Katie

What is Rolfing?

Named after it's founder, Ida P. Rolf, Rolfing® Structural Integration is a form of hands-on bodywork and movement education that reorganizes and balances the body by lengthening and repositioning the connective tissues, called fascia, that permeate the entire body.

Rolfers recognize that the body is inherently a system of seamless networks of tissues rather than a collection of separate parts. These connective tissues surround, support, and penetrate all the muscles, bones, organs, and nerves. Rolfers manipulate this web-like system of connective tissues to release, realign and balance the whole body, thus potentially resolving discomfort, reducing compensations and alleviating pain. Rolfing restores the body to a balanced state that allows you to be more comfortable moving in your daily life. 

How does it work?

When your body is under stress, your tissues contract. How much of the day do you spend hunched over a computer, talking on a cell phone with your head cocked to one side, carrying a baby on one hip, or lugging around a heavy bag? Your body adapts to your activities and over time you get a little lopsided.  When one area shortens, another area can over-lengthen to compensate. These compensatory patterns can exhaust your body and cause pain.

Here’s an example:

Let's say that years ago you hurt your shoulder. The injury was not particularly serious, but the pain caused you to avoid using your shoulder as much as possible. Over time your shoulder healed, but the surrounding tissues grew dense and tight because of scar tissue and immobility. Your highly adaptable body found a new way to walk that didn’t involve your shoulder.     

Ideally, your entire body is involved in walking. Your spine undulates, your shoulder girdle swings around your ribcage, and your pelvis sways front to back and side to side.  Since the tissues around your shoulder have hardened and become less resilient, perhaps your lower back and pelvis overwork to compensate for the lack of movement above.  Years later you shoulder seems fine to you.  You have gotten used to it feeling a little tight, but now your low back hurts. This is where I come in!

Rolfing, just like yoga, is a process that relies on the wisdom of the body. Human bodies are highly capable of adapting and self healing but sometimes need help to jump start the natural process. Rolfing addresses your whole structure by freeing stuck places and waking up areas that have gotten lazy and stopped doing their job. Rolfers explore the connections between different areas in the body that are affecting each other. When you live in a balanced body, you breath more easily, you feel stronger and more flexible, and daily activities don't wear you out. You become a brighter version of yourself. 

I have suffered with chronic back pain for twenty years and Maya kept me out of trouble through regular sessions. Maya’s techniques have been extremely helpful in realigning me with her gentle, thoughtful and collaborative rolfing work. I always felt cared for and always enjoyed my time with her as a lovely person with extraordinary gifts.     -Brigid

Through Rolfing, Maya has given me more awareness of the "blind spots" in my back. She has helped me uncover habitual patterns and move toward balance and ease.     -Caitlin C. 

An absolute ringing endorsement for the talented hands and lovely personality that is Maya Ray.  Maya is a strong and intuitive Rolfer who got me through more than one half marathon - fixing aches and educating me while I trained.  A few years and many miles later, I remain very grateful.    -Margaret

Thank you so much. I have to say, when I left our session the other day, I felt this lightness in my back body that felt so wonderful. Almost like I had been wearing a heavy back pack and I finally got to take it off!    -Aryn    

Maya has an excellent eye and touch. She has consistently been able to see exactly what my body needs and address it with skill and proficiency. I always feel better after my sessions with her and in the long term many of the good things that I have developed in my body and movement patterns were directly connected to the work she did with me. And I have recommended many of my clients to her and they always had rave reviews. As someone who helps people with pain issues having someone that you trust to refer people to is invaluable.  - Jonathan