About me

Sam Sykes
Certified Rolfer
e: sykes_@hotmail.com
m: 07871 513 464

I have been working in this field since 2004, when I undertook a personal training qualification which had a sports massage therapy module within the course. I enjoyed working directly with the tissues of the body and began to make this my main practice. After a year I wanted to learn more techniques and so travelled to Thailand where I spent several months undertaking various courses in Northern and Central Thailand, before returning to England to practise again.

During this time I heard about Rolfing and decided to learn more by having the treatments, for which I had to travel to London to find my closest practitioner. It was a worthwhile journey to make, as I felt many changes in my posture and movement. This prompted me to undertake the training, which I completed in Germany in 2007.

Since then it has been interesting to discover more about how the body works, both in my clients and in myself. It remains an ongoing interest, as I believe it will be for life. My studies since then have largely revolved around studying traditional sciences with the Open University, and undertaking a three year training in Somatic Movement with the Ingle Institute in Dublin.

I enjoy working with people from a range of different backgrounds, and have learnt a lot from my clients for which I am grateful. I believe that developing a deeper awareness and embodiment of movement can have far reaching positive benefits, and I hope to share this in my work.

Trainings taken

• 2009-ongoing, Courses in Natural Science including: Human Biology, Biological Psychology, Signals and Perceptions and Investigative Biology, The Open University, UK.
• 2009-2011 Certificate in Somatic Movement Education, The Ingle Institute, Dublin
• 2006-07 Certified Rolfer, The European Rolfing Association, Munich Germany
• 2005 Diploma in Thai Traditional Massage and Thai Foot Massage, Wat Pho Traditional Medical school, Thailand
• 2005 Diploma in levels 1&2 Thai Massage, Mr. Therdchai Chumphoopong, The Fine Art of Thai Massage School, Thailand
• 2005 Course in Advanced Energy Sen Massage, Ajarn Ong Dam, Thailand
• 2003 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy (level 3), Body Massage and Personal Training, Premier International, UK

FAQ's for the practitioner

What kind of clients do you usually work with?

People come to Rolfing from a wide variety of backgrounds. I've worked with ages 18-92, very active people (sports, dance and martial arts), very inactive people, and people with different outlooks and from different backgrounds. The common element tends to be that they are open to improving the way that they use and inhabit their bodies.

Why did you become a Rolfer?

I first went for the sessions largely out of curiosity. I was fine, physically, but didn't realise until going through the Rolfing series how much I was closed off from my physical awareness. I went for a pre-training and was very inspired by the depth of knowledge of the teachers, and moreso by the enthusiasm they still had for their craft, even after 20+ years in practice. This style of working resonated with me on many levels. I like the knowledge base and framework of Rolfing, which continually evolves throughout the Rolfing community. I enjoy the creativity and mindset of working with the whole body. And it brings me a lot of satisfaction to work directly with clients and to help them improve the way they function physically. This in a nutshell is why I became a Rolfer.

Why do you offer so many different types of therapy?

While my work is predominantly based in Rolfing, with Somatics as a very useful adjunct, I still enjoy practicing massage very much. I feel that the quality of touch I have developed through my Rolfing training has directly improved my quality of touch for Thai and sports massage.

What are you doing next?

For 2012 my intention is to continue taking advanced trainings, and am interested particularly in the visceral/neural techniques of the Barral Institute, as well as continuing Rolfing workshops. I will also be studying more, with upcoming courses in mental health and evolution with the Open University.