Marcela Bugge- Eastern Seat Candidate

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Marcela Bugge- Certified Advanced Rolfer™

With over 25 years of experience in movement and alignment practices, I’ve dedicated my career to integrating Rolfing®, somatic education, and personal transformation. My path has taken me through diverse cultural and professional landscapes—from São Paulo to New York and Miami—offering me a broad understanding of how Rolfing® is perceived and
practiced in different communities and major markets.

I completed my basic training in Brazil and advanced training in Boulder. I served as Assistant Teacher for the Brazilian Rolfing® Association for four years and participated in DIRI’s Teacher-in-Training track. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Dance and am certified through the NeuroLeadership Institute as a coach.

I’m passionate about strengthening DIRI’s global presence, improving internal systems, and increasing public understanding of Rolfing®. I believe our work holds tremendous value and deserves broader recognition across diverse cultural and professional landscapes. 

One of my goals is to help expand the visibility and awareness of Rolfing®, knowing that greater understanding can benefit the entire community—supporting practitioners, students, and the Institute alike.

I bring a collaborative, respectful presence and a strong interest in innovation and community-building. My cross-cultural experience and insight into different markets allow me to contribute a unique and practical perspective to the Board. I would be honored to support the future of our Institute through dedicated and thoughtful service.
Warm regards,
Marcela Bugge

Certified Advanced Rolfer™ and Rolf Movement® Practitioner
Miami, Florida

Endorsements

— Grace Bracht Gobbi, Certified Rolfer™, PT, Movement Educator, Former DIRI Board Member
“Marcela is a highly ethical and dedicated practitioner with a deep commitment to the
Rolfing® community. She brings a thoughtful, global perspective, grounded in her
experience across both Brazil and the United States. Her active engagement in professional
development, education, and collaboration makes her a strong candidate for the Board. I
believe she would contribute with integrity and discernment.”

— Chelsey Kapuscinski, Certified Rolfer™, Founder of Brooklyn Mindbody Collective –Brooklyn, New York

To the Board Members at DIRI,

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Marcela Bugge both as a mentor and coach, and I
enthusiastically endorse her as a candidate for the board.

When I was a student at DIRI in 2016-17, Marcela agreed to be my mentor and Rolf
Movement® practitioner. She helped me to understand Rolfing as a holistic practice that goes
beyond solving aches and pains to engender personal transformation on all levels. I left every
one of our sessions feeling inspired both personally and professionally, and I still turn to her for
advice to this day. Her clarity, thoughtfulness, humor, and steady support have played a
meaningful role in my development as a Rolfer™and business owner.

Her coaching helped me organize and refine decisions in my practice, combining somatic
understanding with practical direction. For example, she helped me identify the need for more
time with my clients in order to offer holistic work, so that I extended the lengths of my standard
Rolfing® sessions.

Beyond our relationship as professional colleagues, Marcela and I have bonded as friends.
During our many conversations together over the years, I have seen her passion for supporting
and advancing the ethical, legal, and social reputation of Rolfing.®

Based on my experience learning from and knowing Marcela, I believe she would be a
dedicated and insightful member of the Board.