Meet Flynn Vickowski

We had the good fortune of connecting with Flynn Vickowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Flynn, what do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in a deeply personalized approach to client care. I prioritize attentive listening, honest communication, and a clear understanding of each individual’s needs. By creating a safe and welcoming space, I empower clients to share their authentic selves, fostering trust and loyalty. My own transformative experience with Rolfing fuels my passion for helping others. Having lived with chronic pain for over a decade, I understand the profound impact this work can have. I am committed to sharing this gift with others, guiding them towards a life of greater ease and well-being. My goal is to not only alleviate physical discomfort but also to promote holistic health and vitality. I believe that by combining skilled technique with a genuine desire to help, we can achieve remarkable results together.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Integrity is the cornerstone of my leadership philosophy, both personally and professionally. As a Rolfing Structural Integration Practitioner, integrity and integration are not just buzzwords but foundational principles embedded in the very fabric of the modality I practice. I strive to create a safe and welcoming space for my clients to embark on their journey of self-discovery while literally putting their bodies and nervous system in my hands. I also embody integrity through my consistency, reliability and clear communication as a practitioner and business owner.

In my role, I am a guide and supporter of my clients’ process. I set the tone and hold space for their emergence, ensuring that my own embodiment of the work mirrors what I ask of them. This means not only understanding the movements and awarenesses that I encourage but also maintaining energetic boundaries to avoid the pitfalls of becoming too enmeshed in their experiences. Also, if I am too myopic, I miss one of the main principles of Rolfing Structural Integration, which is to take in and consider the whole person and structure, not just the individual parts. By upholding these standards, I ensure that my clients feel supported, seen, safe, and empowered to navigate their own transformational journey.

Feedback is essential to growth, and I actively encourage it in every session. For instance, I begin every first session by emphasizing to my clients that their session is theirs, not mine, and I invite them to share as much feedback as they can. Whether it’s through scales of 1-10, a list of adjectives, or commenting on their personal experience, I ensure they know that their input is not just welcomed but valued. I offer a lot of information upfront to encourage transparency and to set a space for them to ask questions to understand what I am doing and why. By dropping my ego and welcoming inquiry and critique, I signal to my clients that their voices are crucial in shaping their experience. One common conversation involves me reiterating that feelings of high intensity (not pain) are okay, but that breathing should never need to be held; sometimes more pressure is not better, it’s just more. I hope that by maintaining my integrity, clients can feel safe to speak to their experience and guide me in understanding their preferences and how to work with them. I am dedicated to learning each unique body and what it needs to feel safe to unwind and repattern for optimal support, balance, and ease.

By staying curious and approaching each new client and day as an opportunity for learning, I embody the principle of staying in inquiry, as advocated by Dr. Ida Rolf herself. This commitment not only enriches my practice but also reinforces Ida Rolf’s principle that as practitioners, we are mere conduits for facilitating our clients’ relationship with gravity and, by extension, their experience in the world.

Ultimately, my dedication to structural and somatic integrity, continuous learning, and client-centered care not only influence day-to-day operations but also inspire trust and commitment from those that I work with. Through leading by example and fostering an environment of open and honest communication and growth, I empower others to embrace their own journey towards alignment and self-discovery. I highly value the fact that I am constantly morphing by being a medium of this work and I believe it constantly brings us all to a higher level of integrity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to explore the diverse and expansive nature of Colorado. I would take my best friend on a hike through a forest to a beautiful alpine lake with mountain views. We might even rent a cute cabin in the wilderness ideally near some of the amazing and plentiful hot springs in the state. As a former river guide, I might suggest a trip to Buena Vista or Cañon City to raft the Arkansas River. If the weather is decent, we could plan a night or two of camping in a serene location to enjoy some peace away from everything with time to reflect and look at the night sky. My ideal is to plan the camping trip around the time of a meteor shower!

For some culture and beauty, I’d take my friend to the Boulder Tea House. Or for more coziness, we could go to one of the many unique cafes in Golden, such as Humble House or Beans Foster. We’d definitely need some pizza from Pizzeria Lui and Space Junkie ice cream from Little Man. I also get my local sourdough breads from Aunt Ria’s Sourdough Kitchen, Nathan’s Kneads, Fifth Generation Bread, and Arvada Bread Barn, and I am never disappointed.

I’d be quick to suggest we explore the myriad, holistic wellness practitioners and therapies that this area has to offer. There are so many talented practitioners of sound therapies, manual therapies, energetic therapies, breathwork, and beyond. Welcome Goddess in Golden is doing amazing work with their space designed for women to gather and experience many different types of healing practices.

I am also a huge lover of dance so we would of course need to visit La Rumba for a latin dance night, take a hip hop class with one of the many talented studios in the area, and attend an ecstatic dance event. We would have to go to Rise Yoga or Unite Fitness for a yoga class before or after we danced too.

The farmers markets in the foothills are very impressive and there are plenty to check out. We also have some great thrifting to explore too.

One can never forget to mention the world famous Red Rocks for a visit, or better yet, a concert!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a sole practitioner, I operate more as a one-woman show, yet I deeply value the support and guidance I receive from my network of family, friends, colleagues, and mentors. While my team may not fit the traditional definition, their contributions are invaluable to my journey as a business owner and practitioner. Whether it’s reviewing newsletter drafts, brainstorming solutions to challenges, or simply lending an empathetic ear, they provide the support and insight that keep me grounded and focused. I truly would not be where I am without all them.

Website: www.returntoease.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/return_to_ease/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/returntoeaserolfing/

Image Credits
Photos in my office (blue top and purple pants) are credited to: Rachel Danielle Photography Logo: Hive 180