This is deep bodywork. The Rolfer is working on soft tissue stuffed with nerve fibers and stiffened with chronic tension. I never wanted to get up off the table. Force can be negative. When the sensation of Rolfing gets too intense your body starts to protect itself.
More energy goes toward enduring the pain than toward being receptive to change.
I think of Rolfing as a process of nicely asking the tension if the support it thinks it is providing can be provided in a better way. Then there's the cost. In fact, even employed folks rolled their eyes when I told them what my Rolfing cost. One, I stand, walk, and run with my body weight much more evenly distributed over my feet. Now, however, I'm in love with my body weight's new balance.