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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.