Rolfing Endorsements from Athletes
Rolfing is trusted and endorsed by medical professionals but it is also endorsed by athletes (and dancers) due to it’s ability to give the body much needed stability and flexibility.
Michelle Kwan and Elvis Stojko, 1998 Olympic Silver Medalists, find they have a competitive advantage by working with Helen James, Certified Advanced Rolfer. Stojko, who has benefited from James’ Rolfing expertise since 1995 says, “Rolfing helped me to find my center of balance for competition; it puts my body in place.” Working with Olympic and world champion figure skaters is nothing new for James. She says, “It’s key for figure skaters like Michelle and Elvis, to find an exact balanced position in space. Balance and integration are the primary goals of the Rolfing process. Athletes find they have fewer injuries and recover more quickly through Rolfing work,” says James. “They feel lighter and have more energy because they’re not working as hard. They perform and complete their jumps with more ease.”
Two-time Olympian, U.S. Nordic Ski Team Member, John Bauer says:
“Rolfing helped me get back my career. It tackled some specific injuries that were restricting me from training for the 98 Olympics, and got me back on track. You can ice and rest but no matter how slow you train until you lengthen out the tightness and scarring, it will come back.”
Sarah Will, 1998 US Paralympic Gold Medal Skier, a member of the US Disabled Ski Team is a paraplegic athlete that credits her five gold metals to Rolfing. Will says, “Rolfing gives you a competitive edge as an athlete.”
1998 U.S. Paralympic gold medal skier, Sarah Will says:
“Rolfing increased my performance time 100%. It eliminated my body pain, relaxed my muscles at the starting gate, my concentration and motivation increased, giving me the winning edge. It loosened my lower back, shifting strength into my upper back where I need it, and increased my starting time. Seeing these results, and knowing I was in the best shape possible, my confidence rose. I think every sport should include a team Rolfer in their training program.”
Sharon Sander, ranked #2 on the US Pentathlon team, who’s preparing to compete in the first women’s Olympics pentathlon, says:
“I recommend Rolfing for any athlete who has ever had trouble with injuries or doesn’t feel like they are reaching their potential.”
Olympic skier, Mickey Egan, (the wife of Extreme skier, Dan Egan) says:
“Rolfing helps a lot, just in the way it helps me to loosen up, so I’m ready to go again. It’s great. Athletes tend to use the same muscles over and over; they get tighter and tighter and this has an effect on the muscles. We can stretch but not reach everything. Rolfing helps me reach areas like the ribs, abdominals, upper body, and hips that are hard to get.”
World-renowned Extreme skier, and popular Warren Miller ski film star, John Egan says:
“Rolfing gave me the elasticity to make my first day of skiing look like I was in mid-season form. People asked me, what have you been doing? I said you won’t believe it but it was Rolfing bodywork. The first time I tried Rolfing bodywork the rejuvenating effects were incredible. Since then I have been recommending Rolfing to others.”
The Phoenix Suns are the first major NBA Basketball team to have a certified Advanced Rolfer on hand, Jeffrey Maitland, the Rolf Institute’s Director of Academic Affairs. “Phoenix Suns guard, Danny Ainge, who has been Rolfed for years, recommended the therapy to (Charles) Barkley. Other Suns, Mark West and A.C. Green, also have been Rolfed…with satisfactory results,” reported the Arizona Republic.
Other pro-athletes who have used Rolfing include:
- Cris Carter, Minnesota Vikings, Capt. Of Offense
- Qadry Ismail, Raven’s SuperBowl star receiver
- Phil Jackson, former Chicago Bull’s coach
- Charles Barkley of the Houston Rockets
- Rob Moore, of the Phoenix Cardinals
- Tim Salmon, CA. Angel baseball star
- the Phoenix Suns basketball team
- Mario Lemieux, of the Pittsburgh Penguins
- Bob Tewksbury, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- Edwin Moses, Olympic track athlete
- Joe Greene, 1996 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medal long jumper
- Ivan Lendl, former tennis champion.
Final quote:“I did yoga, I was very careful about what I ate, generally I thought of my body as something I had to be very careful with. I thought of my body as a temple. Then I got Rolfed and discovered it was an amusement park!”
-Stacy Mills, Rolfer®
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