Rolfing, Surfing, and JostArriba: The Surprising Nervous System Connection
Nick Stevens, Certified Rolfer®My thoughts on Rolfing, surfing, and JostArriba. How are they even connected?
Well, the easy connection between all three is the nervous system. People assume that structural bodywork like Rolfing, focuses solely on muscles. But as a practitioner, I know that true, lasting change comes from working with the nervous system. “What do you think the problem in my traps is?” I get questions like that all the time, and while it’s true, that I am thinking about anatomical structures when I work, it’s also about observing cues like breathing patterns, facial expressions, and physical tension to guide the body toward a new relaxed normal.
The key to making positive changes happen and to stick is paying attention to the nervous system. When tension releases—say, in the traps—the nervous system permits it, signaling that it’s safe to let go. This interplay between structure and the nervous system is where the real transformation happens.
Whenever I challenge the structural status quo in a person’s body there’s often a parasympathetic response initially, a flight or fight moment. We approach that boundary where the body goes from feeling safe to unsafe. We apply deep, slow, firm pressure, and we wait, and slowly the body gets it. “Oh, I thought I needed that tension to feel safe, I’m actually okay if I let that go, I don’t need that” and then the traps soften and the body gets a chance to feel good with a new structural normal. And how did that happen? The nervous system allowed it to happen.
So what does that have to do with coffee and surfing? Let’s start with coffee.
As much as I love the aroma and taste, traditional coffee isn’t ideal when I need to stay calm and focused during Rolfing sessions.
If I drink a cup of coffee and then go into a Rolfing session, my mind is all over the place. I’m struggling to manage my own nervous system, let alone my clients. The intense caffeine rush can over-activate my nervous system, leaving me scattered. That’s where JostArriba, with its blend of coffee and L-Theanine, comes in. It delivers the comforting flavor of coffee but with smooth, long-lasting focus—perfect for staying balanced throughout my day, without a thunderbolt of caffeine all at once.
Surfing ties in beautifully with this nervous system focus.
Bigger waves challenge you to manage fear, which varies for everyone. Some old big wave surfer said to me once that waves aren’t measured in feet and inches, they’re measured in increments of fear. One person’s 6-foot wave is just as scary as another person’s 12-foot wave. A little caffeine before a full power surf session can give you energy, but too much can bring anxiety, as I learned the hard way in Bali; I remember drinking too much coffee on a big day at Uluwatu and I was totally freaked out. My heart rate was through the roof, I felt like I couldn’t get a full breath, and my mind was racing…Not ideal in the middle of the ocean!
With JostArriba, I get the energy I need without the jitters, allowing me to face those swells with clarity.
So that’s how I tend to see things…It almost always all comes back to the nervous system. Am I in fight or flight? Am I in rest and digest? What’s going on in the moment and how am I reacting to it?
Whether you're catching waves, releasing tension with Rolfing, or enjoying your morning pick-me-up, balance and staying in tune with your nervous system are key. JostArriba supports this balance and helps me stay present and perform my best.
If you’re interested in trying JostArriba, use my code NICKSTEVENS for 20% off your order. Or if you want to connect with me about Rolfing, surfing, or a general vibe check, feel free to reach out to me and follow me on Instagram @sandiegorolfing or reach me at www.sandiegorolfing.com.
Nick Stevens, Certified Rolfer®
