History of Ida Rolf

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 Rolfing.  

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. 

Ida Rolf