City Rolfing | Jason DeFilippis

ABOUT JASON

The story of how I became interested in Rolfing® is similar to other stories I’ve heard. I spent a lifetime being uncomfortable in my body. I believed that my body was “no good” and that it had betrayed me—a depressing thought. In my late 20’s when this situation was at its worst, I met a Healer named Levent Bolukbasi. I was given so much knowledge in this meeting, for which I am still grateful. While working with him, it became clear to me that I was avoiding a true experience of my body, and that this was a source of conflicts in my life: a painful, raw and dysfunctional body being among the manifestations of conflict. I realized that my negative beliefs and emotions were unconsciously finding their way into my body. The various physical traumas I had sustained throughout my life also played into my experience of my body. I subsequently completed four years of formal study in Psycho-energetics with Levent Bolukbasi at The IM School of Healing Arts. Among the many things I learned there were principles and techniques of working with subtle energies. My education at the IM School is continuous with my work as a Rolfer.

Near the end of my studies with the IM School, I had plans to study Philosophy in graduate school, and with this degree, I would counsel people. Instead, I went looking for body-oriented approaches to healing. I had heard about Rolfing, usually from people who were serious and knowledgeable about transformative practices. I was already enrolled at The Rolf Institute when I started getting Rolfed.

During and after my Ten Series of Rolfing, I noticed a freedom and ease of movement that I had long since lost. I came away from these sessions realizing big shifts in my energy and vitality. I felt lifted, and more organized, a sense of not needing to expend effort to hold my body together and upright. Above all, I felt space in my body, a feeling that I had longed for. I realized that my body had not betrayed me—rather, it just needed some attention and education. This emotional realization continued to feed the structural changes that I was experiencing. Many of these changes came most dramatically about four months after having received the Ten Series.

I am continually appreciative of the effectiveness of this work, both as a recipient and a practitioner. The knowledge I am given through my ongoing study of Rolfing® allows me to foster the health and evolution of others while being on my own path of self-knowledge. It also gives me the opportunity to study with some truly great healers. In addition to my basic training as a Rolfer, I spent 14 months in a mentorship with Dr. Thomas Findley, M.D, Ph.D, Advanced Rolfer. Since receiving my certification from the Rolf Institute in 2004, I have been sincere and vigilant in my ongoing studies as a manual therapist. I have completed trainings in biomechanics and Visceral Manipulation, and currently study Cranio Sacral Therapy and movement education.

I believe that we all want to know ourselves. I am pleased with the ways that I have chosen. My ability to see and understand relationships is the common thread throughout my life. Rolfing is essentially about recognizing where there is conflict within the structure of a person, to help that person resolve conflict and find relationship.