No pain, no gain. Yes, symmetric rolling really works, but it's not for the faint of heart or thin-skinned. After seeing a voucher offer from symmetric rolling creator Stephanie Lay, I decided to give it a try to relieve a number of sore, overworked, tight and otherwise bus' up parts of my body. Stephanie could see instantly what the problems were before I had a chance to explain anything. Then she set about helping me roll away years of pain, stiffness, inflammation, etc. The symmetric rolling method uses a variety of implements (kind of like a massage stick) to bring about the release of muscle tension and myofascia. (It reminds me somewhat of rolfing.) Before coming to Stephanie, I had tried massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, none of which offered lasting results. These methods addressed the symptoms but not the root of the problem. You can learn more about the technical aspects of symmetric rolling at Stephanie's web site, http://symmetricrolling.com/. Since there were many areas that I needed to address, it took several sessions. Stephanie then explained that I would need to work on strength and flexibility training to prevent falling into the same trap. I am now on a path to better health and nearly pain free, finally! Stephanie offers not only symmetric rolling but also personal training. She has a degree in kinesiology and has worked with professional athletes for years. She's brutally honest and has a different view of the world than most, but she's passionate about what she does and really cares about her clients. Stephanie meets with her clients at a beach park in town. She has now opened up her business to the general public, and as a result, her schedule books up quickly. (Those who are her "regulars" get priority scheduling.) If, like me, you've struggled for years with pain and inflammation of certain "trouble spots" in your body, give Stephanie a call. Her ideas are unorthodox, but her symmetric rolling technique really, really works. Tell her I sent ya! Yelp 365 Challenge 218/365 read more

Stephanie is amazing! She's a great person with a really cool vibe and best of all, she knows what she is talking about! I really enjoyed working with her for several months in Beverly Hills. My posture and balance improved significantly. As a result, I was able to lift more and run further. I still use the techniques that Stephanie taught me at the gym but it's just not the same without her. I can't recommend her services enough! read more

I'm writing the day after being treated by Stephanie for the first time. I'm absolutely blown away by how effective her treatment was. I've been suffering from sciatica for about 6 weeks. I had visited chiropractors, done yoga stretches, and to no avail, I still experienced shooting pain down my left leg. Desparate to feel normal again (I'm way too young to have chronic leg pain!), I contacted Stephanie for an appointment. After one hour of what felt like positioning a wooden ball at various points along my groin and my inner though, my leg moved with ease back into its proper position, and I am pain free. Interestingly, I felt an extreme sense of energy and euphoria after this treatment. Stephanie is a true healer with a solid understanding of body mechanics. read more

I suffer from tight hips due to a severe car accident about five years ago. I received countless hours of free massages and chiropractor adjustments, but when the insurance coverage ran out, I was still left with pain. Eventually, my body got used to the pain and started to ignore it. Once I started becoming a bit more active in the past few years, I began to listen to my body more. I started to explore different methods of working on my body other than yoga, such as symmetric rolling. I noticed that I had issues with my balance, so I reached out to my yoga instructor to see if she knew anything that could help me. She put me in touch with Stephanie. I have known Stephanie for two years, and she has expressed a genuine interest in my well being since the day we met. Once I found out more information from checking out her website, I realized that I had used foam rollers before, but it didn't quite fix my ailments. I noticed that Stephanie's method uses hand carved wood! How unique! I was intrigued by the wood element of nature, and how it's properties could act as a powerful tool to aid in the process of healing. The first session that I had with Stephanie was outdoors which was awesome!! Stephanie proceeded to get to know me, and she asked me questions about past injuries, as well as my goals, and what I was trying to achieve. We rolled out my hips, and focused on the correct posture while rolling, as to avoid injury. Stephanie expressed how important it is to avoid injury and maintain proper form during Symmetric Rolling. During the session, Stephanie educated me on the basic principles of muscle and anatomy structure. Learning about the mechanics of the process made me feel more confident about the areas of my body that I was working on. After the first session, I left feeling lighter on my feet, more rejuvenated, and I was convinced that there was a way to alleviate my pain long term. I felt so good that I purchased a package of classes! It was a great investment, and after the class package ran out, I purchased my own rolling materials from Stephanie so I could practice healing myself on my own at home. I have made awesome progress with my alignment in my knees, and my posture. (check her main page for a picture that I posted, showing the difference in my knees). Purchasing my own equipment, along with Stephanie's guidance, left me feeling extremely confident when taking care of my injuries on my own at home. Once I began to work on the major issues of my body, I was able to focus on other minor injuries with self care. Now I meet up with Stephanie every few months to get a tune up and learn new things about Symmetric Rolling and the body! I would recommend Symmetric Rolling to anyone that wants to truly heal their bodies by connecting to the elements of the Earth, and ultimately bringing out more self awareness. read more

SymmRoll - My alignment was bad before I met Stephanie, and now I'm working towards a deeper yoga practice and a more active lifestyle!! - Massage Therapy Near Me

I had the immense fortune to live next-door to this amazing physical therapist. As a dancer I frequently seek out the best techniques to train and take care of my body. Steph offered me the challenge of realigning myself! I experienced three three hour sessions over the course of three weeks. This was the most exquisite self torture I have ever experienced. With Stephs undying commitment to the healing of my muscles, I was guided through a series of rolling techniques. We were able to break up scar tissue and re-elongate muscles that had become used to staying tight in order to protect old injuries. Icannot recommend sessions with Steph and her mana rollers enough. If you are a serious athlete, or just serious about taking care of your body and soul, this is something you should do. If you are ready to let go of old pain and injury, you need to experience this. I have loaned my mana rollers to health care and athletic specialists and they all want to keep my wooden balls of magic! read more

SymmRoll - B4 working w/ Steph I could barely lift my right foot 3"on my own. Now it's back to the 6+" dancing tool it was meant to be! - Massage Therapy Near Me

I've been looking into rolfing, massage, and chiropractic, as I have some chronic back pain resulting from some scoliosis I've had since I was a teenager. We had Steph come over for a session at our house where my girlfriend and I both got a treatment. My girlfriend was having a lot of neck pain as a result of a new pillow that was far too large for her little head. :) We had an amazing session. My back sunk into the mana balls after some deep breathing and Steph's coaching helped me through the process. The before and after pictures are proof enough....my posture is radically different, the back feels amazing, and there's space in my chest (don't ask me how to describe that) for perhaps the first time in my life. Highly recommend this! read more

I met Steph a few years back when I was on holiday at the North Shore, she introduced me to Symmetric Rolling. Being in the health care profession, I know the benefits of using myofacial release method. Anyhow, she had video taped me doing certain movements before starting the workout as well as after working out. It was like night and day, my body was aligned and I was able to do those same movements with ease. Steph has created a way for everyone to heal themselves with Symmetric Rolling and obtain positive results. She is well educated in what she does and does not slack when it comes to proper body mechanics and technique. Anybody who has body pain, I recommend doing Symmetric Rolling. read more

I have struggled with chronic daily neck and back pain for about 15 years. I have tried everything under the sun: doctors, meds, chiropractors, massage, physical therapy, rolfing, manual therapy, meditation, exercise, yoga, energy work - you name it I've probably tried it. None of these methods provided long-term lasting relief (Except maybe rolfing but that is EXPENSIVE when you need it on a weekly basis, and Bikram yoga which was too challenging to stick with long-term). After seeing Stephanie regularly for a few months I have noticed amazing changes in my body. It has taken almost 20 sessions but my back is finally pain free! I don't think most people would need this intensive of work but my back was really messed up and my daily desk job makes it 10x worse. The BEST thing about working with Stephanie is that she is not only extremely knowledgeable about how the body works and how to fix it, but she is willing to work with her clients to teach them to fix themselves. I can't express how deeply grateful I am to have found such a resource, and to be empowered with the ability to fix my own pain when I need to! Scheduling is done mostly through text message. Another reviewer said that this was too difficult and was unable to get a hold of Steph but I have not had that experience. I admit that texting took me a little while to get used to but I can't think of a time I have had to text Steph without a response, and she usually responds within a few minutes. The really neat thing is that doing exercise and stretching is now so much easier and enjoyable for me. I can really see the changes when I do something like Bikram yoga - now I can actually feel my shoulders stretching and my lower back is missing the shooting pain that characterized my life-long (although intermittent) yoga practice. Exercise and stretching is growing more enjoyable and fun. I am also pregnant and have found that working with Steph is keeping me aligned and pain-free, even of back pain that is so common during this time. She has worked with me specifically to open my hips, sacrum, and low back and I am going to be fascinated to see how this impacts my labor for my second baby. I feel like my body is finally being loosened from the "cast" (as Steph calls it) that I have been trapped in my whole life. Again... very grateful to have found Steph and her amazing rolling technique! Like most things really great in life, it can be difficult, and you have to be committed to the changes, but it really works! read more

So far I have been treated 3 times for chronic back pain, scar tissue, low self esteem, smoking and general malaise. After my first treatment, I was able to quit nicotine cold turkey after 10 years of use. After the second treatment, my back pain that I had been living with for about 8 years has basically dissipated to a slight tingling. I was actually admitted to a behavioral health facility because of the intense spiritual effects I started to feel. This treatment is not for the faint of heart. If you want to figure out who you really are and what makes you tick, I highly recommend experiencing symmetric rolling. Tap into your mind and body's true and full potential. read more

In my opinion this is one of the best exercises for your body. It's not even "real" exercise and everyone can do it. If you are serious about fixing any kind of discomfort in your body Steph and her remarkable knowledge of the human anatomy is the one who can help you. The entire process is amusing, from start to finish. First she'll listen to you which is critical in any personal trainer type situation, but then just by looking at you she'll be able to tell you what is causing your discomfort or pain. Getting into the actual therapy is different from any experience I know, she just sets you up and the rest is up to you. It can start off easy but the deeper you go the more you realize what needs to be done. Results are instantaneous, you should definitely take a before and after picture to share with everyone, you'll be proud of it. I added a picture of me touching my toes while keeping my legs straight. What are your goals? You owe your body at least one session to at least try to bring yourself to 100 percent, it'll feel like a miracle. I'm happy to share my experience because I understand what it is like to be held back by a discomfort that seems to be getting worse. The world is tough enough as it is why would you not want to have a happy healthy body? I also share this because I hope symmetric rolling can influence millions and make it's way into every city... In other words I miss not having a symmetric rolling coach here! read more

SymmRoll - It was a challenging hour of work (if not longer) but her coaching and insight made it possible. - Massage Therapy Near Me

WARNING! I am sure Steph is an amazing person, but I need to write a warning to people out there. Steph was nice enough to fit me in at the end of a long day, but unfortunately, she was too tired to properly supervise the rolling session. From the beginning, she got very frustrated and aggressive when I didn't understand her technique, and I believe, simply gave up. I spent an hour, doing what I thought I was supposed to (telling her I was in a lot of pain, and at one point crying), and she said keep going, without actively looking or feeling to see where I was in the process, or even asking more about the pain. When I stood up, I found that I had no motor control over my leg (could not move my toes or foot). My entire right leg had gone numb. It took another hour of work with her to regain the ability to even wiggle my toes and barely walk, (during which she kept saying how hungry and tired she was, and how it was all my fault for doing it wrong). It has been 8 days now, and I still don't have full feeling in my right foot. My doctor said that I compressed a nerve during the session. I had to take a day off work, and spent over 5 hours in PT/massage therapy, including an MRI (costing me in total over 350 dollars) trying to regain function. Whether my feeling will ever return, I'm not sure (which has been a tough realization on its own). Steph did follow up, and offer for me to come back whenever I wanted, saying she could 'fix' me, but you can understand my hesitancy when she got me in the situation in the first place. Steph has not yet learned the responsibility of being a healer-- that she really needs to take time and patience with students to make sure her technique is implemented right. I also don't think she might understands the potential complications of her techniques-- such as a pinched nerve. I would not recommend people to roll with Steph until she gains a more professional attitude, and is wholly ready to commit her full attention and patience to the student, and to say 'no' when her own personal limitations (hungry, tired, or in her words 'over it') prevent her from being fully present with them. Also, just as a note, her sessions are conducted in parks, and not a studio, which was not mentioned on Groupon. (During the session, many of her friends stopped by to say hi, and one very obviously stoned man joining us for about 1/4 of the sesh). My best to Stephanie, I hope she can figure out how to heal people in a safe way, but until then... PLEASE BE CAREFUL! read more

Steph is awesome! The rolling techniques she taught me before I deployed to Afghanistan totally helped me. Mahalos sistah!

Steph is beyond Guru when it comes to symmetric rolling. I never realized how tight my body was until Steph got a hold of me. After the first session, my flexibility improved 10-fold. Can't forget about how the rolling sessions improved my posture as well. One of the coolest people I've met in Hawaii. Can't wait for my next session! Thanks Steph for everything! read more

Steph has helped me a lot over the past few years and she is that type of person that will and can fix almost any problem in your body and kind find what is wrong with you as soon as you meet her. Steph is a great person and has helped a lot of people and i haven't seem an unsatisfied costumer. this symmetric rolling is magic! It helps you be as in tune with your body as possible and after learning it you can keep doing it forever. read more

I had a great experience with Stephanie! I had muscle and back pain for many years, as well as bad posture, and she was able to immediately figure out the problem and correct it with her rolling technique. It took almost 2 hours. She was professional-- knowledgable and reassuring, warm, friendly and open. Yes, it did hurt a bit during the rolling process, but it wasn't that bad, and I think it was primarily because it was my first session. This was more helpful than chiropractic treatment or massage. I don't live in Hawaii, but my treatment with Stephanie was a highlight of my trip there, and whenever I am back in Honolulu I will be sure to see her again. read more