The following blog post is sponsored by the Rolf Institute.
Which therapists would benefit from training at the Rolf Institute?
A certification in Rolfing® Structural Integration is an excellent complement and next step in furthering a career in transformative somatic integration. Beginning students, as well as experienced massage therapists, physical therapists, and other complementary health providers can benefit from this accredited, comprehensive certification focused on fascia. Students learn a strategic 10-session therapeutic framework for soft tissue manipulation and the fundamentals of Rolf Movement Integration®, with “body reading” diagnostics and strategies for structural and movement healing. Massage and physical therapists have an excellent foundation to develop their bodywork capability with Rolfing® Structural Integration. Adding a new holistic and therapeutic modality, it will complement their experience and challenge them at a deeper level.
What makes the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute unique?
Fifty years ago, Dr. Ida Rolf started a revolution in the way we understand what it means to tap into the body’s innate sense of healing. She understood that creating more space in the body allowed freedom to move more spaciously and energetically in the gravitational field. And well ahead of her time, she recognized that fascia was central to the work of supporting healthy embodiment. Dr. Rolf left her legacy—the reason for the unique Rolfing trademark—to the Institute, where some of her original colleagues continue to teach.
The Institute sets the standard for thought leadership in Rolfing SI and Movement with its journal, Structure, Function, Integration. With publications spanning 50 years of insights, it will soon be supported with a dedicated website. Our global partnerships set us apart from other SI schools, broadening our perspective and allowing our students to tap into a wide peer spectrum from international affiliates in Japan, Canada, Europe, Brazil, and South Africa.
How has COVID-19 impacted the Institute?
One of the upsides of the pandemic has been to allow a unique space for mindful reflection on our values, our relationships, and our life paths. At the center of this shift has been a desire for more meaningful careers and to refocus life missions. The Institute is seeing more “career changers” apply to the program, many of whom are therapists certified in another bodywork modality with 3–5 years’ experience. Ready to evolve to more therapeutic and complex work addressing whole client health and well-being, therapists are finding Rolfing Structural Integration offers this deeper holistic approach and focus on somatic integration. It also helps to know that on average, Rolfers earn between $130 and $160 per hour to treat clients with this unique therapeutic modality!
How is the Institute leveraging technology for its students?
While our in-person classes will always be the gold standard, we recognize that students need the flexibility to learn both in and out of the classroom. Staying connected has become more important than ever, and with the help of a sizable grant from the Department of Education, we are energetically expanding our online libraries and digital resources with quality supplemental materials. We recently launched a free audio series on rolf.org called Ida Teaches, a collection of recordings of Dr. Ida Rolf’s classes, which gives a rich insight into her teaching legacy. Every day, our faculty is working diligently to evolve our curricula to offer fresh learning opportunities, reflective of the latest research and best practice, and accessible both hands-on and online—so stay tuned!
Apply now at rolf.org/courses or call the institute at 303-449-5903. The next Rolfing SI Basic Training course starts on June 7, 2021, at the Boulder, Colorado, campus.