The Rolf Institute
5055 Chaparral Ct., Ste. 103.
Boulder, CO 80301
ph. 800.530.8875 (toll-free)
PRESS RELEASE 3/01/01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE PROMISE OF ROLFING® CHILDREN
The Positive Impacts Of Structural Integration On Children's Health
Boulder, CO -- Rolfing Children - Rolfing children at an early age gives them ease with their own bodies and develops confidence in their self image. Adult complaints of chronic backache, neck pain and other physical and emotional stressors can originate from a childhood imbalance.
Dr. Ida P. Rolf, the founder of Rolfing, forsaw that both children and adults can benefit from structural integration. She worked with a range of childhood complaints from typical childhood traumas from falls, accidents and injuries to birth traumas; to curved spines, twisted legs, and extended abdomens resulting from physical injury, emotional trauma, poor posture and/or disease. Dr. Rolf's work with children established that:
- a dramatic improvement in the children's chronological, psychological and physical course of development can be documented.
- parents reported that their children responded with increased confidence and verbal expression; improved self-image and enthusiasm; more self-control and less destructive behavior; more comfortable with their bodies and more physically active.
- Rolf bodywork is an effective means to address the everyday aches and pains of childhood development; as well as an illness or disease, such as cerebral palsy, scoliosis and brain injury in some persons.
- in research with the brain-injured child, Rolfing succeeded at addressing poor coordination, disorganized and immature movement and motor skill capability. Rolfing is a useful procedure to tone body muscles and assist proper functioning, improve language repoirtee and social responsiveness.
Dr. Ida P. Rolf
On May 19,1996 celebrated the 100th Birthday of Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., the woman who in the 1920's and 30's began developing the work that is known as Rolfing®. Dr. Rolf was an exceptional woman who, in an era when women were just receiving the right to vote, was working in New York as a researcher for the Rockefeller Institute in the fields of biochemistry and physiology. In response to health problems in her own family that were not being helped by existing medical practices, she applied her knowledge of the human tissue and discovered the fundamental Rolfing principles of connective tissue release and structural integration.
Dr. Rolf was an energetic and curious woman. She explored many other disciplines such as osteopathy, homeopathy and yoga. Through an interaction with other pioneers of her day her ideas about structural balance and human potential have had a great effect on the development of many modern body oriented therapies. Fritz Perls the father of the Gesalt therapy, Moshe Feldenkrais, who developed Feldenkrais work, and John Bennet of the Gurdjieff School all aknowledged Dr. Rolf's influence on their work.
Dr. Rolf's genius and personal strength inspired many persons to train with her and carry on her work with dedication. Joseph Heller the founder of Heller work, Judith Aston developer of Aston Patterning, and Robert Hall and Richard S. Heckler of the Lomi School Body Work, were all students of Dr. Rolf.
In 1971, she established the Rolf Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Today the Institute has centers in Europe and South America that continue to develop and teach her work.
The Rolf Institute, founded in 1971 by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, is the organization that trains people as Rolfing practitioners and Rolfing movement teachers, supports research, and promotes Rolfing to the public. There are 1100 Rolfers in 26 different countries.