This three-day workshop will focus on the relationship between the neck and lower back. All of the Rolfing® recipes include a bit of neck work and a pelvic lift. I want to clarify the underlying elements that will make this aspect of our work more coherent and easier to understand.
Dr Rolf taught that the distinction between the “neck work” and the “pelvic lift” was that the pelvic lift tended to sedate the client and ground them, while the neck work would energize and bring them to alertness.
The neck has the job of transmitting all of the adaptive demands into the cranium where motion is essential to good balance. We will delve into the articular layers, from Occiput to second ribs in our explorations.
The lower back centers on the sacrum, and its immediate relationship to the lower lumbar and the ilia. This vital region is where the support and motion functions of the legs meet the spine and create the pelvis. Good motion continuity here ensures support and balance. We will examine and palpate this region to raise our skill in pattern recognition, and application, to establish normal motion here.
About the Instructor
Jan Sultan’s initial encounter with Ida Rolf was in 1967 as her client. In 1969 he trained under her, and after having assisted several classes, was invited by Dr. Rolf to become an instructor in 1975. After a further apprenticeship, Dr. Rolf invited him to take on Advanced teaching.
Jan currently teaches Rolfing® Training, Continuing Education, and Advanced Training for the Rolf Institute®. He feels strongly that his responsibility as an instructor goes beyond simply passing on what he was taught, to include the refinement and coherent development of the ideas and methodology taught by Ida Rolf. Jan lives and practices in Los Angeles, California.
