|
RISI History
 In 1920, Ida Pauline Rolf received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. Despite the resistance she
faced as a woman in the field of science, she furthered her knowledge of the
body through research in organic chemistry at the Rockefeller Institute.
Driven to find solutions to her own health problems, as well as those of her two
sons, she spent many years studying and experimenting with different systems of
healing and manipulation.
Throughout most of her life she was intrigued with and explored many forms
of alternative healing including homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic and yoga.
The notion that proper alignment, physiologic function and anatomical
structure are all related is the basis of many of these healing methods. Dr. Rolf agreed
that the body functions best when the bony segments are in proper alignment.
She added her observations that lasting improvement in alignment and an overall
sense of well-being required a closer look at the effects of gravity on our
bodies. She believed that the imbalances in structure placed demands on the
body's pervasive network of soft tissues (muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments)
thereby creating compensations throughout the body structure.
Dr. Rolf posed this fundamental question: "What conditions must be fulfilled
in order for the human body-structure to be organized and integrated in
gravity so that the whole person can function in the most optimal and economical
way?" Her life's work was devoted to an investigation into the conditions that
must be met for the person, as a whole, to function optimally. This investigation
led to a system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education designed to
organize the whole body in gravity, what we now call Rolfing. In order to
pass along her work to others, and to make the education process accessible, she
developed an expedient series of ten sessions which came to be known as the
Ten-Series.
"This is the gospel of Rolfing: When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself."
- Ida P. Rolf |
Dr. Rolf continues to be recognized as a pioneer and leader in whole-body
alignment through soft tissue manipulation and movement education. Since her
death in 1979 at the age of 83, The Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration has
continued to share her work by certifying Rolfers™ and Rolf Movement
Practitioners™, supporting research, and building upon her inspiration. Today, there are
more than 1,500 Rolfers and Rolf Movement Practitioners in private practice
worldwide.
More About Rolfing:
RISI History |
RISI Faculty |
Facts at a Glance |
Membership Services |
Library |
RISI Community Clinic |
RISI Store |
Contact Us |
Course Schedule
|
