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A Lifelong Mission to Help Babies and Children Thrive
For nearly five decades, Robert Toporek has been a leading practitioner of Pediatric Rolfing, helping babies, children, and families experience the transformative power of touch, structural alignment, and holistic development. As a Certified Rolfer since 1975 and a direct student of Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Robert has devoted his life to advancing Rolfing for babies and children, a field not formally taught in the original Rolfing curriculum.
His mission:
To help children grow healthier, happier, and more emotionally balanced through gentle Rolfing techniques and parent–child connection.His mission:
A Direct Student of Dr. Ida P. Rolf
In 1975, Robert had the rare privilege of training directly under Dr. Ida P. Rolf, the founder of Structural Integration. This mentorship shaped his lifelong work and inspired him to adapt Rolfing to the unique needs of:
- Infants
- Toddlers
- Growing children
- Parents seeking holistic developmental support
Through hands-on practice, research, and decades of family work, Robert has documented how early structural alignment and therapeutic touch can improve:
- Physical development
- Emotional regulation
- Sensory integration
- Posture and movement patterns
- Long-term resilience
Helping Families Across Generations
Robert has supported more than 300 families, often spanning several generations—from newborns to great-grandparents. His gentle, specialized approach is widely recognized in the fields of:
- Infant massage
- Child development therapy
- Holistic parenting
- Family wellness
His philosophy: Early touch shapes a lifetime of emotional and physical well-being.
Credentials & Achievements
Professional Credentials:
- Advanced Certified Rolf Practitioner
- Founder – The Rolfing for Babies & Children Project
- One of the nation's most experienced practitioners in pediatric Rolfing and structural integration for children
Author of Multiple Books
- The New Book of Baby and Child Massage
- The Promise of Rolfing Babies & Children
- Hands On Parenting – A Natural Guide to Happier, Healthier, Smarter Kids and Parents
- Letters From Vietnam (Kindle)
- E-book on Milton Olive – The First African American Medal of Honor Recipient
- Upcoming Release : Eternal Gratitude: Beyond Survivor’s Guilt – A Personal Vietnam War Story
Leadership & Advocacy
- Ford Foundation – 1-Year Leadership Development Grant
- Studied personal growth, transformational learning, and public education
- Community Advocate
- Promotes access to holistic touch therapy for underserved families
Military Service
As a Decorated Vietnam Veteran, Robert served two tours:
- First Tour: Infantry
- Second Tour : Non-Commissioned Officer leading the battalion’s civil affairs program
His military experience shaped his commitment to service, leadership, and community healing.
Community Impact & Digital Divide Leadership
Robert has spent over 25 years helping close the digital divide. His nonprofit work has:
- Distributed over 25,000 refurbished computers to families, schools, and organizations worldwide
- Mentored 500+ teenagers, teaching technical skills, leadership, and nonprofit operations
- Supported thousands of children in developing digital literacy and educational access
This includes programs focused on youth empowerment, technology access, and community development.
Pediatric Rolfing – A Unique Approach Not Taught Anywhere Else
While traditional Rolfing does not include training for infants or children, Robert’s approach is:
- Groundbreaking
- Evolutionary
- Child-Centered
- Gentle
- Holistic
His work integrates:
- Gentle structural alignment for infants and children
- Developmental support for motor skills and sensory integration
- Emotional balancing and early trauma release
- Parent–child bonding through therapeutic touch
- Preventive foundations for long-term physical and emotional health
This makes Robert one of the few practitioners in the world specializing in Rolfing for babies and children.
Helping Babies & Children Thrive
Robert’s pediatric Rolfing method is designed to:
- Improve posture and physical alignment
- Enhance emotional development and self-regulation
- Support neurological and sensory organization
- Strengthen natural movement patterns
- Build resilience and confidence
- Provide holistic support for developmental challenges
This mission is rooted in his core belief:
“Helping Babies and Children Thrive Through the Power of Rolfing.”
A Vision for the Future – Passing the Torch
Robert is raising $250,000 to:
- Expand access to Rolfing for low-income parents, infants, and children
- Provide holistic care to developmentally challenged children
- Bring Rolfing education to underserved communities
- Train the next generation of pediatric Rolfing practitioners
This initiative ensures his groundbreaking work will continue to transform lives for decades.
Publications, Education & Workshops
Through books, workshops, and hands-on teaching, Robert has empowered:
- Parents
- Caregivers
- Therapists
- Educators
- Future practitioners
His educational approach blends science, compassion, and deep hands-on experience.
Photo Gallery
A visual gallery showcasing Robert’s decades of work—including sessions with families, photos from his training with Dr. Ida Rolf, and his nonprofit achievements—will be featured on the website.