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In contrast to the broad tool of the palm, your fingertips will allow you to work specific areas, and are useful for the local tugs in the outer layers visible when your client was moving. The fingers are slightly curved rather than straight, and are sensitively "hooking in" to the outer layer you saw or felt moving with the head. Push with your fingertips, as if straightening out your curled fingers, to encourage superficial release away from the direction of movement. Whether you're using palm or fingertips, don't slide along the surface and don't dig down to the ribs or intercostals. Feel a tug in the outer layers—the layers of dermis and superficial fasciae that lie between the surface of the skin and muscles or bones beneath. As in the over-the-edge technique, ask your client to slowly turn his or her head away from the side you're anchoring. Find a direction for your pressure that gently releases the superficial layers being pulled by the head movement. Imagine that you're helping your client lengthen and free him or herself inside the wet suit-like outer layers of superficial fascia.An option is to have your client tighten his platysma muscle, which lies within the superficial fasciae that you're working. Try it yourself: turn your head, then grimace or snarl until you feel a tug from your lower lip into the pectoral fascia of your chest. By anchoring the lower end of this tug in the chest, you can snarl and relax repeatedly to release constriction in the anterior fascia. Having your client tighten and relax the platysma in this way while you anchor its inferior attachments can help your client focus the release into the tightest areas (Image 6). FINISHING Once you've released the outer layers of the neck and torso from the back, and front, look again as your friend turns his or her head from side to side. If you've been both patient and thorough, you'll see fewer pulls and Active contraction of the platysma, as in grimacing, can aid in releasing the superficial fascia of the anterior thorax. An open palm or the tips of curled fingers may be used for the Anterior Neck/Shoulder Differentiation technique. tugs in the outer layers, and more than likely, smoother and greater range of motion. Clients report that their movement feels easier, freer, or that their head is lighter and more upright. The next step could be deeper work with the neck, rib cage, or spine, either in the same session as these techniques, or the next one. The deeper work will now be easier, more effective, and longer lasting. Or, instead of working deeper right away, you might want to continue the theme of superficial release by adapting the techniques we've done here to other complementary regions of the body, such as the lumbars, limbs, or hips. I'll write more about these possibilities in other articles. In the meantime, keep investigating what happens when you take time to release the outer layers of the body. instructor at Advanced-Trainings.com Inc., which offers continuing education seminars and support services for practitioners and schools throughout the United States and abroad. The originator of Skillful Touch Bodywork (the Rolf Institute's own training and practice modality), he is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and a Rolf Institute faculty member. He welcomes your comments or questions at info@advanced-trainings.com. Til Luchau is the director and a lead visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 125