Wellness Wednesday – Rolfing for Better Performance

Today I am sharing an article from KMMA Blackbelt Leadership student Paige Dayvis, who also happens to be my Rolfer.

She and Clementine are A students in my KMMA Blackbelt Leadership Program and, I can say from personal experience, Paige is an A+ Rolfer too. She treats both my wife and I and we love it.

And, of by the way, I didn’t know what Rolfing was either… but now I love it.

   Check out the article below to learn more.

Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!

Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com         StephenDelCastillo.com

Rolfing for Better Performance in Krav Maga By Paige ‘The Rolfer’ Dayvis CR, RMP, OMP, DN

The synergy of Rolfing and Krav Maga As a Doctor of Naprapathy, Doctor of Osteopathy, and Certified Rolfer, with a deep-seated passion for both martial arts and the intricacies of human movement, I’ve had the privilege of untangling countless knots and realigning many a wayward joint. But let me share with you, my fellow Krav Maga aficionados, a little secret that might just change the game for you— Rolfing. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and before you give me that skeptical look, let me charm you with the notion of how this fascinating blend of fascia work and dynamic force can, not only elevate your fighting prowess, but also enhance your overall well-being.

I know, I know, what is Rolfing? Developed by the indomitable Dr. Ida Rolf, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill massage. Rolfing is like the structural engineer of the body, working through the myo-fascial network to align your body in harmony with gravity. Picture it as recalibrating your body’s GPS to ensure you’re not just moving, but moving correctly.

Krav Maga Meets Rolfing: A Match Made in Heaven Posture

Technique Enhancement: In Krav Maga, your body is your weapon, and posture is your aim. Rolfing can correct the slouch of a desk-bound warrior, ensuring your punches pack a wallop and your defenses are as firm as a well-set concrete. Imagine your spine not as a slinky but a majestic column supporting your every strike.

Injury Prevention: We all know the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Anyone who has suffered a serious illness or injury will confirm this truth. Rolfing helps by aligning your body, reducing the wear and tear on joints that could otherwise sideline you.

Flexibility

The Stretch: Krav Maga demands agility; you need to move like a cat, not a stiff plank. Rolfing can free up those tight fascial chains, making your kicks and escapes as fluid as a dance move at a surgeon’s gala.

Recovery Like a Pro: After a krav session where you’ve been battling like you’re in a comic book, your muscles thank you with soreness. Rolfing can speed up recovery by loosening the knots, so you’re back on the mat, not stuck on the couch. Once you’ve gone through the basic Rolfing series you will notice recovery becomes a breeze as the rule, not the exception.

Proprioception

Body Awareness: In Krav Maga, knowing where your body is in space can mean the difference between a hit or a miss. Rolfing enhances your proprioception, turning you into a living, breathing radar system.

Mind Over Muscle: Rolfing sessions aren’t just physical; they’re a journey of self-discovery where you learn to listen to your body’s whispers before they turn into screams.

Pain Management – A Doctor’s Dream

Chronic Pain – Be Gone: Many of my clients come in with tales of woe from training (or sitting for too long, or injuries from 30 years ago that they have long forgotten but their bodies HAVE NOT). Rolfing can address the underlying structural issues causing pain, leaving you with less to complain about in the doctor’s office or at the dinner table.

Injury Prevention: By aligning the body, we reduce the chances of those pesky overuse injuries. Think of it as preventive medicine for the martial artist.

Efficiency in Energy

Conservation of Force: With better alignment, your moves aren’t just powerful; they’re energy-efficient. You’ll be the Energizer Bunny of Krav Maga, going longer without running out of juice. We often think of ways to save on our groceries or economize our petrol usage. Rolfing is how we economize our energy expenditure in our bodies. Imagine being less tired at the end of the day.

Endurance Endurance: When your body’s mechanics are optimized, endurance follows. You’ll find yourself training longer, recovering faster, and still having energy to chase your kids around the house. While Rolfing isn’t a panacea, it most certainly is a potent ally in your quest for mastery in Krav Maga. Think of it as upgrading your operating system; suddenly, everything runs smoother. So, if you’re looking to enhance your technique, reduce injury, recover from old injury and chronic pain that you’ve simply accepted as reality or simply enjoy moving through life with less pain, give Rolfing a try. Remember, humor aside, the science behind this is as solid as the punches you throw. Here’s to a healthier, more aligned you, ready to take on the world—or at least, the next sparring session.

Paige ‘the Rolfer’ Dayvis is a Certified Rolfer, Rolf Movement Practitioner, Doctor of Osteopathy (Spain) and Doctor of Naprapathy. Through the combination of these powerful modalities Paige is committed to working with you to get you back to doing the things you love.

Visit her website at PaigeTheRolfer.com for more information or call/text 819-230-6724 with any questions.

About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is an 8th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commissioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000.  Today I continue to train, learn, sow and grow under the mentorship of World Champion Grandmaster Jeff Smith, who regularly visits the academy to help sow into my teams and students as well.

The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes BLVD and now our new location in 8836 US 19, Port Richey! Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Port Richey and surrounding areas.

See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.

Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com