Why do I teach posture?
Posture is an integral part of music performance and enjoyment. What we are creating is inseparable from how we use our body. Further, our body is the tool we have to do anything in this world at all. We want our bodies to be pain-free, able to do the activities we love (music!), to not dread travel, to play with our kids and grandkids. I believe we owe it to ourselves to know how to use it well.

Posture is often associated with feelings of rigidity, tension, and discomfort. Healthy posture is actually relaxed and upright. When you are playing, you want a securely stacked spine, so your back muscles can release and lengthen, and your bones can support you. Then your arms are more free, and your neck taller. The Gokhale Method teaches you how to re-learn to use your body this way-the way you did when you were two years old,  to start reclaiming ease of being and moving. 

Here is a video clarifying concepts and demonstrating some techniques:











The Gokhale Method organization is committed to investing in scientific evidence. Here is the government page to an ongoing clinical trial being conducted at Stanford University:
https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05657964

I became a Gokhale Method teacher because the method is so effective, accessible and practical. It aligned with my teaching philosophy, and posture skill has great potential to help pianists and other musicians. Personally, it was a relief for me to discover it after suffering from lower back pain and sciatica so severe I couldn't stand up, let alone bike to teach piano lessons or run. ​There are many wonderful ways to learn to feel better in your body, and this is the method that resonated and worked best for me — and the method I am motivated to teach to others. 

Gokhale Method classes are a separate offering from piano lessons at first. Listed below are various options-starting with a free workshop, so you can decide if it is a good fit for you with no risk.

First, some information to help you decide whether to read further:

1. You can afford up to $540 (the most expensive core offering).
2. You are willing to spend 15-30 minutes/day on practice (clearly defined and described after each class)
3. You believe posture is important to improve the quality of your music
4. You already suspect posture plays a role in the discomfort or pain you may be experiencing at your instrument, are open to exploring this idea, or already know you simply want to have better posture while playing. 
5. You are allergic to dogs (in this case, and you want to register for a class, we will make arrangements to hold the class in your home or in an allergy-free space).


Friday Morning Workshops, 8:30-9:15am (Free): Learn the reasoning behind the Gokhale Method, and what makes it different from other postural health systems. Learn whether your movement issues or pain are a good fit for posture re-education. RSVP for these to franzen.sigrun@gmail.com. Limit 4 people per session. These occur in my studio in Monona, Wisconsin. Coffee/tea provided.

Gokhale Consultation ($150): A one-on-one session with a private and detailed posture assessment and how it applies to your instrument, photos, a couple techniques to help you immediately and long-term, and email support. Good if you want a bit more experience with Gokhale Method, some immediate relief techniques, and are curious about how your posture may be impacting your playing.

Gokhale Foundations ($540): Six classes that teach you how to sit, stand, walk, bend, sleep in traction. A comprehensive posture re-education. Good if you want to go all-in and have all the pieces work together to change your whole. To truly change, instead of mitigating symptoms, this is recommended.
     
Follow-ups for deeper success ($60): As you practice the method, your muscles lengthen and loosen, reshaping your posture becomes easier and more successful; you work towards freedom in L5S1 (lumbosacral joint) and easy, effortless posture (Best once/month. It can take years to achieve this, but it's so worth it!). These alumni classes are when we can apply what you learned in Foundations to your instrument.

To register: http://bit.ly/SigrunGM