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Dr. Ida P. Rolf was the founder of Structural Integration.
In 1920, she earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. For twelve years
she worked at the Rockefeller Institute in the Chemotherapy and
Organic Chemistry departments. In the 1930’s, challenged by
a friend's disabilities and dissatisfied with the available medical
treatment, Dr. Rolf explored Osteopathy, chiropractic medicine,
Tantric Yoga, the Alexander technique, Homeopathic medicine and
Korzybski’s work on the consciousness. By the 1940’s
she had developed and experienced many breakthroughs with the work
she did on chronically disabled persons who were unable to find
help elsewhere. During her scientific research, she made a fundamental
discovery about the body: the same network of connective tissue
that contains and links the muscle system when it’s healthy
can be used to reshape it when it’s been pulled out of proper
order. Dr. Rolf further refined her technique and developed a training
program to insure that this important work would continue. There
are two schools that conduct Dr. Rolf’s training - The Guild
for Structural Integration and the Rolf Institute. Both are involved
in research to enhance the understanding of gravity’s relationship
to the human structure. Graduates are required to have an extensive
knowledge in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, body awareness and
a mature sensitivity to psychological mediation. Structural Integration
is also known as Rolfing. Dr. Rolf called her system of bodywork
Structural Integration, a name that is descriptive of the process.
Rolfing was a nickname, first coined in the 1960’s at the
Esalen Institute in Big Sur.
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