Testimonials
"I'm
gonna have to get surgery," I thought as I rubbed
my right shoulder for the hundredth time. The knot
in my back was such an annoying, painful ache that
I had convinced myself that I had a growth on, or
inside my shoulder blade.
Carrying
a backpack, picking up heavy objects, running, even
doing a yoga class, I would leave with a small agitation
in my right shoulder which would turn into full on
inflation and pain within a few hours.
It had been over two years and I had been to chiropractors,
been treated by tons of massage and other eastern
medicine, even went to a sports rehabilitation specialist.
The chiropractic work would help for that day only;
the massage would feel great and I would have some
relief but it was only temporary; sports rehabilitation
said that I need to been more mindful of lifting things
and try to keep pressure off my right shoulder.
None
of this was actually "fixing" my problem
and so I was finally coming to grips with the reality
that I had a bone growth or calcium deposit or something,
and I'm going to have to go get it removed.
Thankfully,
my awesome partner treated me to a session of Rolfing
(something I had been hinting at that would be nice
but never booked it for myself). I ended up in a beautiful
space in San Rafael with an amazing practitioner,
Govinda. I have had a good amount of bodywork done
in my life and even been certified myself at one point
long ago at a great massage school in San Francisco.
In all that time I have never met someone with such
confidence about the human body, how it works and
functions and structurally how it is supposed to be
aligned.
After
a quick standing diagnosis and a few questions, Govinda
had already intuitively guessed that I had a rib that
was out of place. I laid down and within 30 mins of
the 1 hour 15 min session he had popped my misplaced
rib back into alignment. It was a magical experience.
Govinda worked with me by asking me what angle "feels
right" and helped me get in touch with my body's
natural alignment (we were working together for this
moment). Then with one good amount of pressure, I
felt and heard my rib slip back into place. I started
laughing with the release and felt surges of energy
up and down my spine, especially in my upper back.
I was like a rock that had been underneath my shoulder
for over two years had been removed and so much flow
returned to my body. We continued to work on that
area to break up scar tissue and make sure that my
rib had a good chance of staying in its new home.
I
am writing this a week later and still feel like a
new man. My energy is higher, I am not afraid to carry
a bag or pick up heavy objects, and my shoulder is
finally, permanently fixed. I was a little sore for
a few days after, but
now my back feels great and I know that I don't need
surgery.
If
you feel like you have a knot under your shoulder
blade or feel like you have a growth that is rubbing
muscles in your back, you probably just have a slipped
rib that needs to be put back in alignment, and this
is possible in the amazing practice of Rolfing. It
helps to bring the body back to its organic, natural
state.
I
recommend Govinda for his knowledge and skill, but
more importantly his developed intuition of the human
body.
Lachlan
Scotland
San Francisco Bay Area
---
I
have been to many of the Rolfers and advanced bodyworkers
in the Bay Area and Govinda is my favorite. I consistently
walk out if his office highly satisfied, transformed
and happy. He has a great balance of being analytical
and practical, as well as intuitive and creative.
But most of all, I feel listened to – both in
my requests, as well as through my tissues. I crave
deep work, and he will go as deep as I allow him to
– I love that!
Bettina
Schneider, Certified Rolfer & Rolf Movement Practitioner
San Francisco
---
I
first came to Govinda after dealing with years of
chronic neck and upper back pain. As a medical doctor,
I had exhausted the standard approach and although
I practiced lots of yoga, I was still suffering. This
was about four years ago. In our first session together,
Govinda was able to identify the causes of my chronic
pain and he showed me how my postural misalignments
were causing my symptoms. His assessment was holistic
in that we discussed all of the the factors in my
life that contributed to how I was feeling in my body.
And, within that first session, I was amazed that
such a profound change could take place in such a
short amount of time.
Since
then, not only has my pain improved, but I have also
become more comfortable in my body on every level. Over
the years, I have referred many patients to Govinda
and all have been impressed with his gift. He is a
master at detecting the root causes of structural
problems based on symptoms and observation of a person's
body. I have been grateful to have Govinda as
a resource over the past few years, and have found
his evolution as a therapist and a human being both
extraordinary and inspirational. He LISTENS and has
a sincere interest in his clients' well being and
satisfaction. I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone
to consult with Govinda for help on their healing
journey.
Dr.
David Pakter, M.D.
Berkeley
---
I
am a professional athlete and have had a problem with
my shoulder for over a year. Since I have been working
with Govinda, my shoulder is feeling many times better.
His combination of classical techniques as well as
his innovative approach and willingness to let me
and my body guide the treatments have been exactly
what my shoulder was needing all this time.
David Meyer, Martial Arts Competitor and Coach
Sausalito
---
I
have had chronic back tension and pain for the past
year and tried two physical therapists, two chiropractors
and two massage therapists before finding Govinda.
Structural Stepping has been by far the most effective
therapy for my issues. I walk out of every session
feeling more space, more range of motion, less tension
and less pain.
Stacie Fleming
San Francisco
---
Like
so many other folks in the Bay Area, I work in front
of a computer 40+ hours per week. The toll that the
tension and repetitive stress takes on my upper body
is huge. Over a year ago, I started getting monthly
deep tissue massages to alleviate the pain, particularly
the large "knots" I had around the shoulder
area, especially on the right side. The relief never
lasted more than a few days.
Then,
my masseuse moved away and I had to find a new bodyworker.
Somehow, miraculously, I found Govinda. After one
session of Structural Stepping, the chronic pain I
had had in my right shoulder for several months was
85-90% improved. I couldn't believe it. And it stayed
improved.
Subsequent
sessions had me feeling like I had a whole different
body. One without knots. I have been recommending
him to everyone I work with or who I know has musculoskeletal
pain. Just try one session. Just one . . . He truly
has made a huge difference in my body, and in my life.
Pidge
Meade, Technical Writer
Pacifica, CA
---
I
first came to Govinda with shoulder pain that I had
been living with for over 15 years. I had all but
resigned to living with the pain and then someone
told me to try a few sessions with Govinda. The deep
pain (which I described to him as an alien under my
shoulder blade...) turned out to be a rib that was
stuck out of place. In three sessions, it was completely
fixed and my whole world was changed. I am so grateful
to have found Govinda. He is a very skillful practitioner.
Heather Gallagher
San Francisco
---
I've
had chronic pain and tension on my right side from
my neck down through my leg for years. One session
of Structural Stepping was more effective at relieving
this than any other bodywork that I've tried.
It's been over a month since then and the tension
has not returned.
D.B.
San
Francisco
---
I
have had chronic hip problems all my life which were
made worse by an injury several years ago. At that
time, I went to a Rolfer who I had been working with
and to several other trusted practioners to alleviate
the pain and increasing immobility. Nothing seemed
to work. The condition progressed to the point where
walking was extremely painful and difficult. I began
to fear permanent loss of mobility.
I
started working with Govinda one year ago. At our
first visit, I was impressed with his willingness
to listen to what I believed was going on with my
body. He was able to focus his energy on working through
the frozen muscles and scar tissue around my hip and
I felt results immediately.
As
time went on, Govinda introduced Structural Stepping
into our sessions and that's where I have seen the
greatest improvement. With his feet, he is able to
apply greater, sustained pressure on the large muscles
of my leg, while encouraging me to move in resistance
to his pressure. This technique has empowered me to
be more active in my own healing. Today, thanks to
Govinda's skilled and open approach, I can walk comfortably.
I have begun to work out again and recently, took
my first hike in years.
Alia
Agha
West Marin
