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Ronnie Gardiner
The man behind the method

Ronnie Grdiner in his famous coloured ourfit.

The founder of the method is Ronnie Gardiner, a successful jazz drummer who has performed with greats such as Dizzie Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Benny Carter.


A personal tragedy in 1980 gave him the impetus to look for a way to use his skills and talent to help other people. It took him 13 years, during which he conducted many investigations and conversations with experts in neuroscience, to develop his unique method.

Regardless of his advanced age (Ronnie celebrates his 2017th birthday this year, 85), he travels all over the world to train new RGM practitioners, give presentations and support the scientific research on his method. And for those interested in jazz: Ronnie Gardiner also performs regularly as a drummer in Stockholm!

On May 16, 2015, Ronnie Gardiner was awarded the Swedish Mensa Award 2015. This prize is awarded annually to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to society. 


Read the official press release here:
Press release Mensa Award 2015

How it all began

 

It has now been 40 years since  the birth of the method.  It was in 1980 that a personal tragedy was to transform Ronnie’s life and seriously awaken his interest in the workings of the brain and it’s functions. With his knowledge and prowess of playing the drums he began to develop a form of training with the object of stimulating the brain as much as possible. This training form is now called, ” The Ronnie Gardiner Method.”

The idea for RGM, which stands for Ronnie Gardiner Method, was born on March 27, 1980, in San Augustine, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, during a particularly challenging period in Ronnie’s life.

The concept of RGM, which combines drumming with physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, took about six years to develop. Ronnie spent this time studying the human brain and exploring how drumming could be a useful tool in helping individuals improve their lives.

Fast forward to February 3, 1993, Ronnie was invited by the Stockholm's Läns Stroke Föreningen to try his method, then known as the Ronnie Gardiner Rhythm Therapy Method, with stroke patients. Originally designed for children, the method was adapted to help stroke patients, and Ronnie taught four large groups for two twelve-week periods each year from 1993 to 1999.

During this time, Ronnie’s stroke patients taught him how to teach and challenged him to create new innovative exercises. Their contribution was invaluable to the development of what is now known as The Ronnie Gardiner Method (RGM). Without these patients, RGM would not be spreading around the world as it is today.

On September 24th, 1984, Ronnie travelled to Los Angeles, California, where he met Dr. Roger W. Sperry, the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1981, and Dr. Betty Edwards, the author of the successful book “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.” Both of them encouraged Ronnie to continue developing his method.

Ronnie’s original title for his method was “Coordinated Rhythms for Mind and Body Balance Awareness.” However, he had to rewrite the entire concept to help stroke patients. Today, RGM is helping individuals all over the world improve their lives.

Ronnie would like to express his gratitude to all his former stroke patients from the Stockholm Läns Stroke Föreningen. Although they are no longer living, their contribution to the development of RGM will always be remembered. Ronnie sends his heartfelt thanks to all of them and wishes them peace.

Ronnies background


Ronnie Gardiner has been active as a jazz musician in Sweden for over 50 years. He has participated in recording over 85 CDs and has played with many of the most prominent Swedish artists as well as numerous internationally renowned jazz musicians, such as, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Gerry Mulligan and Dexter Gordon. In 1998 he established a scholarship in recognition of young jazz talent in Sweden.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote the Ronnie Gardiner method throughout the UK,  facilitate training, and to support those who choose to train in the Ronnie Gardiner Method to help others.

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