About the Institute

Mission of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute

To provide high-quality education and promote research to advance Rolfing^® Structural Integration and Rolf Movement^® Integration - our proprietary methods for optimizing human structure and function. 

DIRI Goals and objectives to measure organizational effectiveness

To bring the benefits of Rolfing^® Structural Integration and Rolf Movement^® Integration to the world through licensing schools, certifying practitioners, and educating clients of Rolfing Structural and Rolf Movement Integration.

To select, train, and certify qualified and competent somatic practitioners of Rolfing Structural Integration and Rolf Movement Integration.

To provide continuing education for Certified Rolfers^®.

To promote somatic programs of research in Rolfing Structural Integration and Rolf Movement Integration.

To educate the public concerning the Rolfing principles of structural integration and movement integration.

History of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute

Established in 1971, the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute (DIRI) is a nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of California and Colorado. Recognized by the U.S. Government as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, educational and scientific research organization, DIRI is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and periodically sponsors additional trainings in other locations. DIRI has four international licensees with regional offices in Germany, Brazil, Japan and Canada that offer programs compatible with trainings sponsored in the U.S. Learn more about the history of Dr. Ida Rolf

Certifications and Accreditation

The Institute sets high standards for candidates, students in training, and members as reflected by its Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and Continuing Education.

Established in 1971, The Rolf Institute is a nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of California and Colorado. It is recognized by the U.S. Government as a tax-exempt educational and scientific research organization. The Rolf Institute has its headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, and with regional international offices in Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Canada. Currently, The Rolf Institute has four official licensees that independently offer training that is compatible with the training sponsored by the U.S. Office; the European Rolfing Association e. V. in Munich, Germany; the Associacao Brasileira de Rolfistas in Sao Paulo, Brazil; the Japan Rolfing Association in Tokyo, Japan; and the Rolfing Association of Canada in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The Basic Rolfing® Certification Program is accredited by The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation. In order to graduate from an accredited program all three phases of the program must be attended at The Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO. Regional and International programs are not accredited by COMTA.

As a school, it is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education Division of Private Occupational Schools.

The Rolf Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under category A.

The Rolf Institute is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veteran’s Education and Training benefits.

The Rolf Institute is approved by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to provide services to clients of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Only the Basic Rolfing Certification Program offered solely in Boulder, Colorado is eligible for benefits. 

The Rolf Institute is an equal opportunity organization and as such does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.

Research of Rolfing^® Structural Integration

Rolfing Structural Integration has been the subject of research studies at several major universities, including Harvard Medical School, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Stanford School of Medicine, and the University of Sao Paulo. These studies demonstrate the positive effects of Rolfing Structural Integration. Learn more about our research efforts.

Service Marks of the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute

In 1979, the United States Patent Office granted service mark rights for the word "Rolfing" to the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute, distinguishing "Rolfing" from all other forms of structural integration. DIRI is the sole owner of the trademark "Rolfing", the brand, and all its derivatives.

Trademark and Copyright Information

Downloadable Service Mark Usage Guide

If you want to use DIRI images or text, please complete the Copyright Permission Form here.

Service Mark
In 1979, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted exclusive service mark rights for the term "ROLFING^®" to The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (“DIRI”), distinguishing ROLFING^® Structural Integration from all other forms of structural integration. DIRI is the sole owner of the trademark "ROLFING^®", the brand, and all its derivatives.

“ROLFING^®” Trademark Usage:
The Rolf Institute^® of Structural Integration is the sole certifying body for ROLFERS^® and ROLFING^® practitioners. Only graduates of the DIRI training program who become members of DIRI may offer ROLFING^® services to the public and may refer to themselves as ROLFING^® practitioners, CERTIFIED ROLFERS^®, ROLF MOVEMENT^® PRACTITIONERS and/or CERTIFIED ADVANCED ROLFERS^®. To determine if a practitioner is a member of DIRI, consumers look for these trademarks.

Third-Party Trademarks:
Other marks that may be found on this site and are not owned by DIRI are owned by their respective trademark owners.

Copyright:
DIRI is the owner of copyrights in the material on this site, including but not limited to graphics, text, and other copyrighted material, except for material in the public domain and material owned by third parties.

No material from this site may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way, except that DIRI hereby grants permission to you to browse this site and to download one copy of this site on any single computer for personal use. Material from this site may not be further reproduced or altered, and may not be sold, licensed or otherwise used. DIRI reserves the right to revoke any and all access and use authorizations granted to this site.

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