the 10 series
What is The 10 Series
The Ten Series is a method in Rolfing® Structural Integration that systematically works on specific regions of the body with the goal of synergistic healing and reversing the negative or harmful effects that gravity can have on the body. This sequence of 10 sessions is essential for optimizing the body’s ability to provide support. Many different manual touch techniques are used to gently lengthen, stretch and redirect the fascia into a place of greater synergy. The contact from the work renews spatial perceptions and optimizes support, which then provides a more detailed 3-D mental map or awareness of the body. This is crucial for affecting chronic patterns of pain and thus establishing needed functional efficiency. No Ten Series session will ever be the same, as each is uniquely catered to establish a higher level of support that compliments each person’s individual structure. The Ten-Series can be completed over the course of several months with each session usually spaced out between one or two weeks. This time is important because it allows the body to adjust and adapt to the shifts. Even months after completion of the Ten-Series, the body will continue to adapt and change to the new postural pattern. The positive changes from the Ten Series can stay with someone for many years or longer and provides more profound results than singular isolated sessions alone. Furthermore people may choose to come back for additional work (typically 3-5 sessions) after their series. A recommended waiting period of 3 to 6 months is encouraged to be taken in order for integration of the previous work to settle.
Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
Creator of Structural Integration
Sessions 1-3: The Sleeve
The first 3 sessions focus on “Opening the Sleeve” of the body (the superficial layers).
Session 1. Finding your “Up”
Session 2. Finding your “Down”
Session 3. Finding your “Arms”
Sessions 4-7: The Core
Sessions 4-7 focus on “Organizing the Core” of the body (the deeper layers).
Session 4. Finding your “Foot”
Session 5. Finding your “Length”
Session 6. Finding your “Back”
Session 7. Finding your “Head”
Sessions 8-10: Integrative
The last 3 sessions focus on the “Wholeness of the body.
Session 8. Finding your “Lower Half”
Session 9. Finding your “Upper Half”
Session 10. Finding your “Line”
The 10 Series
Post Session Checklist
SESSION 1

AWAKENING

FIND YOUR SEAT FOR
SEATED BALANCE
Feet under knees, sit bones down into your chair. Stack your ribs on-top-of your hips, release your shoulders and bring your head to up; exert force from your feet to find your “up”.
SESSION 2

BALANCING

FIND YOUR FEET FOR
SEATED BALANCE
Feet under your knees and hips, knees soft, hip balanced on-top-of the sweet spot of the foot. Ribs stacked on-top-of your hips, release your shoulders and bring your head to up; exert force from your feet to your “up”.
SESSION 3

EMBRACING

ALLOW YOUR
ARMS TO SWING
As you walk, allow a slight rotation of the trunk. The right shoulder and left hip to be traveling in the direction your facing. Keep hip under shoulder girdle, when reaching for things, handshakes, light switches, etc.
SESSION 4

GROUNDING

ALLOW YOUR
PELVIC FLOOR TO RELAX
Take a deep breath and as you exhale, visualize your breath descending the chambers of your lungs and moving down and out of your pelvis. Simply drop the pelvic floor muscles and let go. Imagine your pelvis is hanging from your ribcage like a swing hang from a tree limb.
SESSION 5

CENTERING

ALLOW FOR YOUR
WALKING FROM THE TOP OF YOUR LEG
Imagine the top of the leg is attached to the ribcage rather than the hips. This requires a slight lifting up. Let the legs move as if they were pendulums, rather than lifting the knees or quads to walk. Remember to release arms.
SESSION 6

RELEASING

ALLOW FOR YOUR
SEATED SPINAL UNDULATION
Seated on a stool, whole foot on the ground, let your spine respond by lengthening up through the top of your head. Leave feet stationary, sway your torso slightly side to side as if you were seaweed swaying with the ocean currents. Allow your head and neck to relax and respond to the movement from your spine. Notice how your weight shifts from hip to hip and foot to foot as you move; Or Allow for your “Walking Spinal Undulation”. Imagine your walking through chest-high water and chest gently pushes the water up and away as you walk forward. Allow for hips to move and shoulders to swing, knees are soft and floating forward.
SESSION 7

KNOWING

ALLOW FOR YOUR
Head to release when picking something up
Drop your head. Roll forward while letting arms hang freely. Reach for the object with out lifting your head. Press into the ground and roll yourself up, one vertebra at a time. Head is the last to come up; Or Allow for your “Bobble Head”. Let your feet support the wight of your body, let go of any tension in your neck, back and shoulders. Allow for a playful wave to move through your spine and neck. Let your head respond to the movement undulation from below.
SESSION 8

BEING

ALLOW FOR
Ground Reaction Force
The Integrated body should not feel weight due to gravity. In walking notice your step pressing down into the gravitational field will produce the opposite – an upward lift. Stairs and walking with practice will allow your to notice your hips to move and connect directly into the upper body, via the spine.
SESSION 9

DOING

ALLOW FOR
LIFT AND CORE EXTENSION
In movement, notice your step pressing down into the gravitational field will produce the opposite- and upward lift. Then take the lift into full extension, reaching from the spine. Hands don’t end at the fingertips. Depending upon where the arms are reaching, the stabilization may come from any park of the back. When the elbow is high, it is balanced lower in the spine. If the elbow is low, then it is balanced from higher in the spine.
SESSION 10

INTEGRATING

ALLOW FOR
SKYHOOK
Imagine a point at the center of the earth, centered between the ankles. A light beam extending up from this point, between your feet and legs, and up through your pelvis, up in front of your spine, continuing up through the crown of your head to the sky. This line is a vertical center of length and is a powerful dynamic around which to organize your body in gravity.