Sigrun Franzen
Sigrun tried the Gokhale Method after a significant bout of back pain in 2019 that limited her ability to do daily activities. After the Gokhale Method Foundations Course, she was struck by the method’s simplicity, depth, and staying power. Sitting and standing gradually became more comfortable. Leaning over while teaching piano became a healthy, enjoyable activity instead of a painful one. Other activities that had been uncomfortable—such as balancing on an organ bench to play foot pedals while reaching to play keyboards at different heights—had a simple solution. A twenty-year running injury disappeared after applying the Gokhale filter to a running rehabilitation program.
Sigrun's motto is: If they could; they would. People want to succeed. If they are not doing a movement as described or demonstrated, it is often because they are missing information, or are still unable to perform a necessary step. They need to figure out what is preventing them from succeeding at the task. The Gokhale Method showed Sigrun the steps and tools she was missing to finally use her body effectively.
In addition to being a qualified Gokhale Method Teacher, Sigrun is an organist, harpsichordist, and piano teacher. She plays mostly in her basement, but occasionally on stage with other early musicians, and works with students of all ages, specializing in compassionate, healthy piano teaching for youngsters and rehabilitation of adults from playing-related injury, through her study of the Taubman Approach to piano technique at the Golandsky Institute. Sigrun has degrees in both electrical engineering and music and has lived in Cleveland, Anchorage, and the Netherlands. She lives in Madison WI with her husband John and two dogs, Phil and Reba. She loves to play the harpsichord, read, run, and go to the dog park. Usually with the dogs.
