About Taiya Graham
"The Academy Awards has nominated a documentary film, Two Hands about concert pianist Leon Fleisher. The film speaks about Fleisher's experience with Rolfing® structural integration and Advanced Rolfing Instructor, Tessy Brungardt. 'When pianist Leon Fleisher lost the use of his right hand in 1965, he began a decades-long struggle to find a cure for his mysterious ailment while reshaping his career to accommodate his loss...In the late seventies and early eighties, Fleisher dove headfirst into the prospect of recovering his right hand, with a series of unsuccessful therapies that included biofeedback, acupuncture, and surgery; he fully succeeded by the late nineties, with an unusual therapy system called Rolfing.'"
New York Times
Growing Up
I grew up in an active family that placed a strong emphasis on health. My father is a physician and my mother was always researching the latest trends in nutrition, and making sure we were eating a healthy diet. My childhood was filled with camping, white water canoeing, hiking, soccer, basketball, swimming, running and playing the piano. I went on to play basketball and lacrosse in high school. In college I ran cross country and started rock climbing. Injuries were few in those younger years, but after college I developed problems with my knees and lower leg muscles.
Family Matters
My mom was most instrumental in my becoming a Rolfer®. Years ago she was experiencing severe pain in her chest, shoulder, armpit, and neck after a bout with breast cancer and a double mastectomy. After seeing a Rolfer who spent five sessions working on the scar tissue, she realized a significant decrease of skeletal and muscle pain along with increased mobility. With the new problems surrounding my knees and lower leg muscles, my mom offered to make me a Rolfing appointment to which I readily agreed…to satisfy my curiosity and for help!
Personal Experience
Rolfing helped resolve many of the problems I was having with my knees and leg muscles. As I continued with the 10 series, I was amazed at the relief from some TMJ discomfort. I also experienced positive shifts in my posture and a new level of body awareness. Rolfing has enabled me to continue the activities I love so much. I've completed 3 triathlons, the Columbia Iron Girl in 2007 and 2009 and the olympic distance Columbia Tri in 2010. The outdoors is my favorite playground and although I could be enticed by just about any outside activity, my current passions are rock climbing and hiking. My love for travel has taken me to many places in the US, India, China, Colombian Amazon, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Europe, Belarus, Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland. This great variety of cultural experiences has trained me to be sensitive to all types of people.
Love Learning
As I experienced the changes in my own body from Rolfing, my fascination in the work continued to grow. I was excited about the idea of helping others to feel better in their bodies. At the time I was working as an executive assistant, not enjoying my job very much. I wanted my life to make a difference in other people’s lives. My interest in the body, my aptitudes in spatial visualization, my love for people and problem solving made Rolfing seem like a perfect fit. By learning new material and challenging myself, I hoped to do that for others through Rolfing.
Professional Training
In May 2004, I graduated from the Rolf Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Since then I have attended continuing education classes on Spinal Mechanics, Neural Mobilization, Scar Tissue and Rolfing Movement. I am a member of the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT#M03040) in Maryland.
Catonsville Rolfing
Rolfing is more than just a job for me. The part I like best is connecting with people and working together to improve lives.
I look forward to working with you, sharing what I've learned, and creating a safe and supportive space that allows for growth and change. Contact me to setup an appointment in Catonsville, Maryland.
