Ida Rolf

Ida Rolf (1896–1979) was a biochemist and the creator of Structural Integration, a type of bodywork. She is best known for her development of the method of Structural Integration, also known as Rolfing.

Early life and education

Ida Rolf was born in 1896 in New York City. She earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Columbia University in 1920. During the 1920s, she worked at the Rockefeller Institute, first in the Department of Chemotherapy and later in the Department of Organic Chemistry. During her decade-long tenure there, she published several research articles in the fields of medicine and biochemistry.

Career and Rolfing

In the 1930s, Rolf began to study a variety of alternative methods of bodywork and healing, including osteopathy, chiropractic, yoga, and the Alexander Technique. This led her to develop her own method of bodywork, which she called "Structural Integration."

Structural Integration, or Rolfing, is a type of bodywork that focuses on the connective tissue, or fascia, of the body. Rolf believed that by manipulating the fascia, one could improve human biomechanics, posture, and movement. Rolfing has been used to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions, including chronic pain, stress, and anxiety.

Legacy

Rolf's work has had a significant impact on the field of bodywork and physical therapy. Today, Rolfing is practiced worldwide and the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (established by Rolf in 1971) continues to train practitioners in her methods.

See also

• Structural Integration
• Rolf Institute of Structural Integration
• Alternative medicine

External links

• The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration

Ida Rolf Resources
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