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With my father in research and my mother teaching home economics in high school, research and education were familiar fields to me. Many of my relatives were doctors, which also sparked my interest in medicine.

In university, driven by my interest in genetics and biochemistry, I entered the Department of Agricultural Chemistry within the Faculty of Agriculture and joined a biochemistry laboratory. My research theme involved establishing conditions for regenerating cell walls in weakened cyanobacteria after their cell walls had been removed, and exploring genetic transformation. The concepts of regeneration and transformation are connected to the work I do today. After completing my master’s degree, I was assigned to a research institute at a biotechnology company, where I researched the discovery of platelet hematopoietic factors and the application of factors like interferon with anti-cancer effects.

However, after starting work, I repeatedly experienced severe lower back pain each year, making it difficult to get up. One of the main causes was likely a car accident I experienced during the summer when I was 14 years old. I was a pedestrian when a car, driven by someone distracted, crashed into me. I had a brief out-of-body experience, and the trauma from the impact, along with the bruises all over my body, threw my physical balance off. As a result, I developed chronic pain, starting in my knees and eventually spreading to my lower back. The desire to overcome the effects of this accident and restore my balance was always present within me, but I had no concrete idea of where or how to address it.

It was during this time that I had the opportunity to experience Rolfing. In 1992, at a workshop on breathing held at Mount Koya, I met Koda-san, the only Japanese Rolfer at the time—there were only two or three people practicing Rolfing in Japan back then. This encounter led me to undergo the ten-session Rolfing series. Experiencing how changes in the body could significantly influence the mind and mood was fascinating, and after completing the ten Rolfing sessions, the severe periodic back pain I had been suffering from no longer occurred.

As my interest in Rolfing grew, some time later, my mother passed away from cancer. This event became a turning point that made me reconsider my life path. Although I enjoyed conducting experiments in the lab, I gradually lost interest in contributing to people’s well-being through repeated animal experiments and drugs. Instead, I became more drawn to bodywork, where I could interact with people using my own hands.

父が研究職で、母が高校の家庭科の教師ということから、研究と教育は、身近な分野でした。親類には医者が多く、医学にも興味がありました。大学は、遺伝子や生化学に興味があったため、農学部の農芸化学科に進み、生化学研究室に入りました。シアノバクテリアの細胞壁を除去した後の弱った細胞に細胞壁を再生させるための条件の確立と、形質転換がテーマでした。再生と形質転換は今の仕事とも共通する点があります。修士課程修了後に、バイオ系企業の研究所に配属となり、血小板造血因子の探索やインターフェロンなどの抗ガン作用を持つ因子の応用を研究していました。 ただ、就職してから、毎年腰痛で起きるの辛くなることを繰り返していました。その主な原因の一つとして考えられるのは、14歳の夏に経験した交通事故です。歩行者である私に脇見運転で突っ込んできた乗用車と衝突して、短い時間でしたが 体外に出るという臨死体験と、強い衝撃を受けたトラウマと全身打撲によって身体のバランスが崩れ、それから膝にはじまり、次第に腰に慢性的な痛みを持つようになっていったのです。ですから、この事故による影響をなくして、バランスを取り戻したいという欲求は常に自分の中に存在していましたが、具体的にどこでどう働きかけることについてはアイディアがなかったのです。 そんな時に、ロルフィングを受ける機会が訪れました。高野山で開かれた呼吸に関するワークショップに1992年当時日本でロルフィングしている人間は2，3名でしたが、唯一の日本人ロルファーだった幸田さんも参加されていました。これをきっかけにロルフィングの10シリーズを受ける機会を得ました。セッションを受けて、身体が変わると心や気分が大きく影響を受ける体験が興味深かったのと、腰痛に関しては、ロルフィング10回のシリーズを受けてから周期的に起こるシビアな腰痛が起こることはなくなりました。 ロルフィングに対する興味が増してきた後、それからしばらくして、母がガンで他界しました。その出来事が、生き方を見直す大きなきっかけになりました。研究室で実験をするのは楽しかったものの、動物実験を繰り返し、薬を通して、人に貢献するという生き方に興味が薄れ、自分の手を使って人とやり取りするボディワークに興味が向いていきました。

In 1995, I completed Unit 1, an intensive class focused on anatomy, physiology, and the basics of touch. After progressing through Unit 2 in 1997, I completed the final Unit 3 in 1998 and became a certified Rolfer. Each of the three units involved a 6- to 8-week course, with various assignments given between classes. The most challenging task was the thesis required before advancing to the final unit. I was thrilled when I learned that my thesis had been accepted on the first submission after peer review. Although this thesis requirement continued until around 2000, it has since been discontinued. I believe Dr. Rolf included it in the curriculum because she wanted the Rolf Institute to be recognized as a graduate-level educational institution. Among the various organizations teaching Structural Integration, the Rolf Institute was the only one to incorporate a thesis requirement.

The educational standards at the Rolf Institute were exceptionally high. For instance, I was told that after completing Unit 1, students would be capable of discussing anatomy and physiology on par with medical doctors. One of my physiology instructors was both a Medical Doctor and a Rolfer. Units 2 and 3 were more focused on the theory and practical application needed to practice Rolfing.

1995年にユニット1，これは解剖、生理学、タッチの基本を集中的に学ぶクラスでした。。1997年にユニット2を経て、1998年に最終のユニット3を終えて、ロルファーとして認定されました。3つのユニットはそれぞれ、約6から8週間のクラスで、次のクラスに進むまでにさまざまな課題が与えられますが、特に最終ユニット前に提出することが義務付けられている論文が最大の壁でしたが、査読を受け、一回で受理されたことを知った時には本当にうれしかったです。ただ、この論文作成については、2000年くらいまで続いていましたが、その後は廃止されています。ロルフ博士が、Rolf Instituteを大学院レベルの教育機関にしたいという意志が、論文をカリキュラムに取り入れていたのだと思います。数あるStructural Integrationを教える団体の中で、この論文制度を取り入れているのは、Rolf Instituteだけでした。 Rolf Instituteの教育レベルは、非常に高く、例えば解剖と生理学の講師は、ユニット1を修了すると、Medical doctorと人体の構造と機能に関して対等にディスカッションできるレベルに達すると説明を受けたことがあります。私の生理学の講師の一人はMedical Doctorでありロルファーでした。ユニット2と3はより、ロルフィングを実践するための理論と実習が盛り込まれた内容になっていました。

Rolfing is not a medical treatment, so I believe that what’s more important than the immediate results after a session is how the body continues to change afterward. The goal isn’t to eliminate pain, but to educate and guide the body towards coordinated movements that prevent pain. By organizing the body into a continuous, connected state that flows without blockages, it creates a foundation that makes it easier for the body to release the energy of trauma it has stored and accumulated. In this way, Rolfing is about preparing the groundwork for change. The agent of change is ultimately the client’s body. Dr. Rolf expressed this concept well with the words, “Gravity is the therapist.”

A Rolfer, as a Rolfing practitioner, is neither a therapist nor a healer. Their role is to integrate the body so that gravity can flow through it smoothly, with gravity itself being the true healer. This distinction sets Rolfing apart from other techniques and healing methods.

ロルフィングは医療的な処置ではないので、セッション直後の成果より、その後どう変化するかが大切だと考えています。痛みを除くという考えではなく、痛まないようなコーディネイションされた動きに教育し方向付けます。連続性とつながりのある滞りにくい身体に整えると、身体が記憶して蓄積していたトラウマのエネルギーを解放しやすくなる下地ができます。　そう、ロルフィングは変化の下地を整える仕事です。変化の主体はあくまでクライアントの身体なのです。ロルフ博士は、このことを上手く表現するために、以下のような言葉を残しています。Gravity is the therapist. ロルフィングプラクティショナーであるロルファーは、セラピストやヒーラーでないのです。重力が上手く身体を通り抜けるように統合することが仕事であり、そこから先の治療する存在は、重力だと言っています。この点もまた、他の技法やヒーリングの手法と異なる特徴といえます。

In the course of working as a Rolfer, I met the client who was sensitive to the pressure of touch – as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, connective-tissue disease, osteoporosis. – the practitioner should touch her or him in a careful way.  

In response to the need to provide Rolfing to those people, Carol Agneessens and I as the faculty member of the Rolf Institute,  kept an eye on one movement “Yield”.

Yield is the one of five fundamental actions. It means to settle or rest in contact. 

Susan Aposhyan, certified teacher of Body-Mind Centering,  said, “Yield underlies all other developmental movements and our basic relationship to the world”. 

I thought if the practitioner can enhance the quality of yielding as a movement, all other type of movement would be improved. 

Structure and function are two sides of the same coin. When the body’s structure is integrated, its function improves. Conversely, when the quality of movement, or function, improves, the structure also aligns. This means that enhancing the capacity of the body’s yielding can lead to the integration of the body’s structure. In fact, even without using any myofascial release techniques, simply eliciting the yielding movement can bring the body into alignment. This has been substantiated in many cases through before-and-after photo comparison data.

Basic Rolfing involves direct contact with the skin to work on the fascia. 

The primary techniques used include myofascial release with elbows , knuckles and finger,  and  with interventions that lead to movement education. Dr. Rolf, the founder of Rolfing, referred to fascia as the organ of posture, and Rolfers believe that the body’s structure is determined by the entire network of fascia. The body can be viewed as a tensegrity structure, composed of compressive elements and tensile elements. Just as a structure made only of bones cannot stand upright on its own, it is the muscles, ligaments, and fascia connecting the bones that determine posture and allow the body to stand. If we liken the body to a tent, the bones would correspond to the rigid poles, and no matter how much you try to straighten the poles or adjust a single rope, the tent cannot be properly pitched unless the balance of all the ropes is adjusted. In other words, what is crucial to the structure is not the poles themselves but the tension and balance of the surrounding flexible components. Rolfing works to align the body’s structure by balancing the muscles, which correspond to the ropes and sheets of the tent, through the fascia and ligaments. Movement education then becomes necessary to help the structurally integrated body move more easily and smoothly.

First and foremost, Rolfing is primarily a one-to-one, hands-on session. It is observed that Rolfing not only improves physical function but also often leads to transformative experiences. Rolfing operates based on certain principles, and within this framework, sessions can be tailored to the needs of the client. The five principles are adaptability, support, palintonicity, closure, and holism.

Taking closure as an example, Rolfers work with the intention of bringing things to completion. Many therapies and exercises may be designed with the expectation that the client will continue indefinitely. While there can be profound insights and learning from ongoing sessions, the aim of Rolfing is to help clients take responsibility for their own balance. While the period of concentrated series work is important, it is equally important to have time to pause, digest, and observe the changes. The Rolfer’s job is to assist the client in moving towards a state of integration and organic cohesion, where they can stand on their own without relying on external help.

The worldview that Rolfers aspire to is one where Rolfers become redundant, ideally creating a world where their services are no longer needed.

Somatic practices like Rolfing view the body not just as a physical entity but as something that cannot be separated from emotions, minds, and the spiritual aspect. In other words, these practices have the potential to influence various levels through the body.

There are Rolfers who also hold qualifications as acupuncturists or shiatsu practitioners. How they integrate these practices into their Rolfing sessions would be best answered by them directly.　I personally believe that the bodywork techniques centered around gravity and fascia are unique to Rolfing, which is why I am cautious about mixing in other concepts too readily. However, to further develop my own Rolfing practice, I consciously incorporate “ma,” a unique Japanese concept, along with yielding.

Some of my colleagues in Japan are Rolfers who also practice Aikido or martial arts. However, in my view point, martial arts are inherently based on the premise of combat, with a foundation in defensive reactions, which means they are practiced in a state where the nervous system is somewhat activated. Of course, there may be masters of martial arts who transcend these reactions, but they likely represent less than 1% of practitioners.

I believe that the healing process that occurs at a deep level takes place far from the trauma Vortex and defensive reaction , or in a different layer or space altogether. Therefore, I think it is important to use conditioning that employs the concept of “ma,” as I mentioned earlier, to guide towards a space of coexistence and harmony, rather than a space of attack and defense. For this reason, I do not consider martial arts as a reference for my practice, nor do they interest me.

One of the practices emphasized in Zen is focusing awareness on the “dantian,” which is typically located in the abdomen, not in the head. There is a cultural tendency to value the sense of “gut feeling” over intellectual thoughts. While I’m not a practitioner of Zen myself, this inclination might be influenced by cultural background. I’m not very good at sitting still in traditional meditation or Zen practice. I tend to be more like a child, constantly moving to stay comfortable. I find that being in a state of constant motion actually helps me focus better and enter what is often described as a meditative state more easily.

In addition to Rolfing, I also offer sessions focused solely on yielding and “ma” (spatial awareness), where touch-based intervention is minimized. These sessions often end with a simple act of seeing, with minimal touch intervention. There’s a phrase in the West, “Less is more,” which suggests that less intervention can lead to greater outcomes. When intervention is reduced to the bare minimum, it essentially becomes the act of seeing. In these sessions, “ma” becomes the key to embodying this approach.

Clients who seek Rolfing typically have three main motivations. The first is the desire to address and resolve chronic tension, pain, or the effects of physical trauma. The second motivation is self-growth, even in the absence of any particular physical discomfort. The third is when athletes or artists seek to enhance their performance. Additionally, there are cases where clients come due to strong recommendations from family or acquaintances, without really knowing what Rolfing is.

There was a young client who suffered from asthma attacks every winter, but after receiving the 10-series Rolfing sessions, their attacks completely stopped. Another client who injured one of her knees playing tennis had received multiple diagnoses from orthopedic specialists who focused on knee treatments, but saw no improvement. However, after completing the 10-series, she was freed from chronic pain, and her limping gait, where she dragged one leg, improved to the point where there was almost no difference between the two legs. Additionally, there was a pharmacist who had been taking steroids for years due to widespread body pain. Since the steroids were no longer effective, she stopped taking them and decided to try Rolfing. Six months after completing the series of Rolfing sessions, she realized that the pain had disappeared. This story left a strong impression on me.

There was a client who, after years of headache treatments, had been diagnosed with medication-overuse headache due to a combination of migraines and tension-type headaches. After stopping the use of painkillers, they were prescribed preventive medications (antidepressants and anticonvulsants) along with analgesics for treatment. Even after nearly a year without taking painkillers, the headaches persisted. This client had also experienced verbal abuse from a doctor known as a “headache expert,” which led them to stop going to the clinic. Despite this, they continued to take painkillers two to three times a day. After completing the 10-series with another Rolfer, they received advanced sessions and, for the first time, experienced life without headaches and without the need for medication. From then on, even when they did have headaches, they no longer felt the need to take medication.

 always find it beautiful when a client’s body transitions into a state of coherence during a session. There are even moments when, as a client gets off the massage table and stands up in the later stages of a session, they seem to illuminate with a radiant glow. Witnessing the moment when a client attains a new level of integration is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a Rolfer. It’s also gratifying when clients refer their family members to Rolfing. Additionally, it brings me great joy to learn that someone who received Rolfing from me has decided to become a Rolfer themselves. There is a saying, “Rolfing is for Rolfers,” which makes me think that Rolfers find deep fulfillment in delivering great sessions.

It is believed that all emotional or psychological trauma is stored in the body in a translated form. There is no need to forcefully recall or revisit painful memories or events. Instead, Rolfing can help release the physical restrictions that have been translated from those traumas, or, in cases where there is isolation and loss of connection with the surrounding environment, it can facilitate coordination and reestablish connections, allowing for interaction with the environment.

I remember the case of chronic headache that might be related to a birth trauma.

I had a client who, after years of headache treatments, had been diagnosed with medication-overuse headache due to a combination of migraines and tension-type headaches. After stopping the use of painkillers, she was prescribed preventive medications (antidepressants and anticonvulsants) along with analgesics for treatment. Even after nearly a year without taking painkillers, the headaches persisted. This client had also experienced verbal abuse from a doctor known as a “headache expert,” which led her to stop going to the clinic. Despite this, she continued to take painkillers two to three times a day. 

After completing the 10-series with another Rolfer, she received advanced sessions with me and, for the first time, experienced life without headaches and without the need for medication. From then on, even when they did have headaches, they no longer felt the need to take medication.

In one session, a client shared with me a profound experience she had.

She said that when I was holding her head and she was resting it in his hands, she felt as though she was in a comfortable place. An image of being gently supported and coming into the world emerged, and at the same time, she strongly felt, “This is how I wanted to be born,” which made her want to cry. She also realized that there was something she hadn’t been facing, something she had been avoiding. Though what exactly she hadn’t faced was unclear.

She also felt that, just as she had suppressed the urge to cry, she was suppressing something within herself.

There are approaches where the therapist actively intervenes to facilitate trauma release. However, I believe that it is more important to prepare the body so that it is ready whenever trauma release may occur spontaneously. This preparatory work involves enhancing the resonance and coordination between joints and reinforcing the body’s foundational support, particularly in the legs and hips, so that it can better accommodate the changes that may arise. A body that is free from blockages cannot hold onto stagnant energy. Rather than removing blockages one by one, the idea is to foster an organic cohesion where each part of the body works harmoniously, allowing trauma to be released naturally when the time is right.

Tokyo is a city with diverse areas—some are filled with noise and activity, while others are immersed in tranquility. Even in noisy environments, some people become attuned to the chaos, while others are able to maintain inner calm. While the impact of the environment on humans cannot be ignored, how we respond to these stimuli is what truly matters. An integrated body has a high level of adaptability, allowing it to respond effectively to various stimuli. There is a way of living in seclusion, away from others, to maintain silence, but that way of life does not interest me. One could view the force of gravity as a form of stress, and that perspective is not wrong. However, an integrated body can use gravity to its advantage, transforming its opposing force into a supportive strength for the body.

Please visit my website , yielding.work. I uploaded some articles of Rolf Institute journal. You can read these in English.  Also, I am available for the on-line session via ZOOM.