I had a severe paragliding accident in which I shattered my right arm and broke my pelvis. The pelvis was a stable brake, so it healed well on its own. The shoulder was much more complicated since it is the least stable joint so it can have greatest range of motion. I tried many modalities to achieve my optimum range of motion including physical therapy, feldenkrais (which I greatly value), cranial sacral, manipulation, acupuncture, and massage. They all seemed to have minimal results. Finally, I connected with a colleague, Wilhelm Heppe, who did rolfing for many years.

In my first session, I cried when he made contact with my right arm. The crying was not merely because the treatment was painful. It was because the treatment touched the emotional pain from the accident. I never cried when I crashed. I was so out of it, and then the pain-relieving chemicals were in full force. In the hospital, I needed emergency orthopedic surgery and was barely able to tolerate the pain with a morphine pump. But, I didn't cry. I had to be strong and get through it. Afterwards, I was on a high, not just from the painkillers, but from all the loving attention and prayers I was receiving. Finally, the rolfing allowed me the space to release the intense sadness that was in me. It was a great relief!

Rolfing is also called structural integration. I like this description because pain is caused from the body perceiving parts of it as separate. When we integrate these parts back into the whole, we heal our pain. After the first session, my range of motion was significantly improved. The treatment was so profound, I knew I needed to learn this method. Wilhelm suggested I experience the treatments first.

I went ahead and did the entire recommended ten sessions. My body had been crushed, distorted and was compensating, so the sessions helped balance me. There were other sessions I cried, and I knew I was releasing more emotional pain. I didn't have to know from where the pain came. I didn't have to analyze it with my mind, which often goes in circles and can be time-consuming in therapy. I could just let it go.

After every session, I felt a profound shift in my being. My whole body structure was different, and I had to allow myself time and space to adjust to the changes. I didn't feel like talking. It was like I didn't know who I was anymore, and I had to go find out. Because I had more space in my body, my circulation was flowing smoothly, nerves were connecting properly, and I was breathing more fully. My energy was immense, and I felt powerful. I took my time with this process, and did the ten sessions throughout a year. Over several more years, I experienced another ten while apprenticing with Wilhelm.

The changes in my body shifted me out of old patterns of behavior. My self-esteem and sense of purpose increased. I continued paragliding and reached a proficient level with it. I worked on other injured pilots with positive results. I traveled and worked with my partner. Finally, we conceived a child. Years after beginning the rolfing, I am still shifting and growing into my power.

I am incredibly grateful for this journey, this healing method, and to Wilhelm through whom I experienced it. If I only offer a bit of what he gave me, I know I am doing good for others. Rolfing is not only for people with injuries, postural imbalances, or pain. It is for anyone seeking to align themselves with their highest purpose.