Biography
Ida P. Rolf
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,
chiropractics and yoga. The notion that proper
alignment, physiologic function and anatomical
structure are 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 this
investigation which led to the system of soft
tissue manipulation and movement education that
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.
Dr. Rolf continues to be recognized as a
pioneer and leader in 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 1,550
Rolfers(TM) and Rolf Movement Practitioners(TM)
worldwide.
References:
Rolf Institute, (2009). History of ida p.
rolf. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from The Rolf
Institute of Structural Healing Web site:
http://www.rolf.org/about/history.htm
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