The Rositter System is a complex series of stretches controlled by a person and his foot. Developed by Richard Rossiter, this massage technique requires cooperation between the person receiving the massage, also called the person in charge (PIC), and a coach, the person giving the massage. There are several techniques to the Rossiter System, all relieving pain from a weary body.
Techniques
Most techniques of the Rossiter system have minimal requirements. Generally, the PIC will lie with his back on the floor, while his coach stands above him. All that is required is that the PIC will be able to lie down and get up on his own. The PIC will need a floor mat or blanket to protect him from the floor. The PIC must be able to relax. The coach will need a form of support such as a short table or chair, as well as socks to keep the feet warm, as the feet are used throughout the Rossiter system.
The Lock
When the PIC is on the floor, she will 'lock' a body part involved in the stretch. A lock gives the stretch its full power. The foot provided by the coach is there merely as a pivot, or a dead weight against which the PIC uses her body to stretch the body. The coach merely assists the PIC in her stretch. To lock, the PIC will have the legs extended, with the toes pointing up toward the ceiling. The PIC will stretch one of her arms until it is at a 90 degree angle from the body, with the palm facing out and away from the body. The head will face the outstretched palm. Both the extended arm and turned head will face away from the area being stretched. This aids the stretch and gives it full extension. All stretches are done in three sets of ten seconds each, with a full massage taking about 20-30 minutes.
The Hole in the Shoulder
Perform the Hole in the Shoulder technique to open the torso and the shoulder girdle. This is a good example of a technique used in the Rossiter system. The coach, or the person giving the massage, stands and puts the weight of her body into the PIC's shoulder using h her heel. The coach must place her heel into the hole of the shoulder, which is a place just above the armpit, away from the shoulder bone and rib cage.
The PIC, as the heel digs into his shoulder, will raise the arm attached to the shoulder toward the ceiling, locking the elbow. The coach will grab the hand of that arm while the PIC relaxes the arm into the coaches grip. The PIC will now pull that arm towards the opposite hip, stretching the shoulder in the process. The PIC will now relax, and bring his arm down to the floor, breathing in and out deeply, while the coach removes his heel from the PIC's shoulder.
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