Rolfing helps kids relax

by

Mae Frances Barrena

As a child, Rolfing practitioner Ray Bishop was hypersensitive-which, today, helps him in his work with children. Bishop understands what it's like to be a kid who is scared, one who is bright and high-functioning but not completely self-accepting.

Eight months ago Bishop, who has been a Rotting practitioner since 1994, began offering free Rolling sessions to children every second and fourth Saturday of the month, from his office in Sandy Springs, Georgia. He has seen 10 children so far.

Sheri Josovitz heard about Bishop from a woman working at his clinic. Because medication is not an option for her 11-year-old son Adam, she took him to Bishop hoping that Rolfing might help with his nervousness and bad dreams. At first, Adam was reluctant to go to the sessions- like most boys, he thought he'd rather be out playing ball-but once he overcame his apprehension and started getting Rolfing sessions, he said that he felt like a new kid. He is having fewer bad dreams.

Sheri then rook her 10-year-old son Eric to Bishop, hoping he could help her son be more relaxed. Sessions have left Eric feeling better, calmer.

Teresa McLaughlin also sought Bishop's help for her son Richard, 12. Diagnosed with developmental dys- phasia, hypertonia and high-functioning autism, Richard holds himself very right because he simply does not know how to relax. Teresa and Richard were referred to Rolfing by the National Association for Child Development.

Richard's posture used to be rounded, slumped. Today, his back is straighter, more relaxed. Richard used to have no idea where his body was in space, because he always held himself rigid. He used to become extremely nervous when someone got too physically close to him. "It's as though he's been walking on the edge of a cliff for most of his life," his mother said. After Rolfing, this has changed. Richard is now more balanced and he feels more comfortable making contact with the ground. He is also much more tolerant of, and receptive to, touch, his mother said.

Bishop's free clinic work has been immensely satisfying to him. By working on children, he has learned to be patient and gentle, and attentive at all times, he said. His work has also helped heal the super-sensitive little boy he once was.

"When I work on kids," he says, "I have, in a way, an opportunity to heal myself."

IdaRolfsBrahms.com 

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