About Your Practitioner
Christina Fenendael is a Certified Rolfer® and Licensed Massage Therapist with an Intraoral Endorsement in WA state and is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association, and the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute.
Requirements to obtain licensure in WA are much more rigorous and comprehensive than in MN, so she maintains her WA credentials despite her travels.
She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota in 2003, and has been dancing, teaching, or choregraphing professionally ever since. She has been a cabaret performer for over a last decade, and an aerialist for nine years.
Before attending the Dr. Rolf Institute® in 2017, she worked as a trainer for a decade—including 5 years in a sports physical therapy clinic, where she worked as an athletic trainer and physical therapy aid, and specialized in rehab- and post-rehab-training for all active people, but especially for dancers, rock-climbers, martial artists, circus performers, and yogis.
She has a Yoga Alliance-approved instructor certification and trained under the Pilates Physical Therapist at the clinic as well as receiving a certification to teach Reformer I Pilates, in order to better meet the needs of patients and clients. She graduated from the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® in 2018 and moved to Seattle from Oakland, CA.
She moved to Boulder, CO, during the late winter of 2020, and began training at the local aerial arts studio and providing Rolfing® Structural Integration sessions to her classmates and teachers.
In the summer of 2020, she traveled to MN to visit family and held a temporary practice from a massage room at a local yoga studio for two months. Immediately thereafter, she relocated to Puerto Escondido, Mexico, to do intensive circus training and was the Rolfer®-in-Residence for her fellow trainees and aerial instructors for three months.
In January of 2023, she officially opened a permanent practice in Minneapolis, MN and is a resident of Northwest Minneapolis. She maintains a home office as well as renting an office space at Clear Holistic Therapies in Bryn Mawr.
She is dedicated to Rolfing in Minnesota for the majority of the year, but will also happily see clients in both Boulder and Mexico during regular travels for continuing education as a bodyworker and professional performer.
While she loves working with people from all walks of life, a majority of her clients are members of the stage community, including dancers, singers, stagehands, acrobats, jugglers, contortionists, aerialists, and magicians.
Her ultimate goal is to help her clients discover their own potential for efficient, pain-free movement, and hopefully find some joy in the process!
Training on the Lyra while studying at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute®!
FAQs
Isn’t Rolfing® Structural Integration painful?
No! Rolfing® Structural Integration does NOT need to be painful in order to be effective! Newer research has shown us that it is NOT the level of force or depth of pressure that makes Rolfing® Structural Integration work to create positive change for clients, it is the quality and direction of the pressure, combined with its effects upon the nervous system and connective tissue that makes it so transformative. A good Rolfer™ will work well within a client’s boundaries in order to facilitate change without inflicting pain. It is not uncommon to feel some soreness, a sense of “shifting,” or new sensations when it comes to everyday movement or posture soon after a session, however. This is why it is important to give yourself time between sessions to fully integrate the new information your nervous system has received.
Where are you located?
I rent an office space at Clear Holistic Therapies in Bryn Mawr, Mpls, and I also work out of a home office in the Willard-Hay neighborhood of Mpls. Feel free to contact me with any questions!
What payment methods do you accept?
I currently accept cash, credit/debit, PayPal, and Venmo. Unfortunately I am not set up to accept health insurance at this time, but I do accept Health Savings Accounts and Flex Savings Accounts when applicable. Depending on your insurance, you may need to file additional paperwork or get approval prior to your appointments, and I am always happy to send you receipts for sessions.
What do I need to know before I show up for my first session?
Thanks for asking! First, please bring your mask. N95s are best, and it must be worn the entire time you’re inside, excepting for intraoral work or to drink water. I am required to follow healthcare guidelines per my licensure and to prevent harm to my clientele.
Second, keep in mind that there is no receptionist at Clear Holistic Therapies in Bryn Mawr and the front door is kept locked for the safety of practitioners and clients. Please text me when you arrive if I’m not waiting inside the entrance.
Third, be advised that if you opt to be seen at my HOME office (not at Clear), there are two cats in the house, but they are not allowed in the treatment room. They are extremely friendly and sleep most of the day.
Fourth, please be sure to bring clothing appropriate for Rolfing®—this means modest underwear with snug legholes, snug shorts or a swimsuit bottom, and a bra, sports bra, or tanktop (that’s not too tight, ideally) for clients with breasts. Boxer shorts are generally not appropriate for my sessions.
Rolfing® Structural Integration involves some gentle movement, so plan accordingly. We can also always work through clothes (and I provide extra sheets and blanket) if you prefer to be covered.
Next, please be advised that there is a flight of stairs to get down to my office at Clear. If you will need assistance, or if stairs are not navigable for you, please let me know in advance and we’ll explore other booking options.
Finally, allow for a little extra time at the beginning of your first session for me to get your medical history and goals down—please do not send me any private health history via email in order for me to stay HIPAA-compliant. Thanks!
Can Rolfing® help with back pain?
Yes, Rolfing® Structural Integration can be very helpful with chronic back pain. However, it is important to consult a doctor to get a diagnosis to rule out any contraindications.
How do I know if Rolfing® Structural Integration is right for me?
While different things work for different people, Rolfing® sessions can help with all sorts of common aches, pains, and joint issues, and can improve posture, range of motion, and movement quality. As long as your doctor has approved you to receive massage, Rolfing® Structural Integration should be perfectly safe. If you’re not sure, set up a phone or in-person consultation to learn more!