Why an institute for musicians' motor performance?

We believe that the human body is capable of sustained musical performance at the highest level without pain and injury. 

This institute is here to teach and research approaches that harness the body’s natural mechanisms for moving with speed, precision, dynamism and ease. 

—   What is Dispokinesis?

Origins

Dispokinesis was founded by a Dutch physiotherapist and musician, Gerrit Onne van de Klashorst (1927-2017). He started out life as a gifted pianist and organist, but the loss of a finger in WWII led to his decision to become a physiotherapist, with a special focus on working with musicians.

Van de Klashorst turned to study of the body’s natural mechanisms, with a special focus on children’s developmental stages. He observed that all developmentally non-disabled children learn at a pre-conscious age how to stand upright with ease, without strain.

He ultimately developed c. 40 exercises that sought to reintegrate these childhood developmental stages, calling these exercises “Urgestalt” exercises (“Ur” = original, “gestalt” = form). 

Van de Klashorst's approach is based on a belief that a healthy technique for musicians is built upon developmentally healthy posture which, being learned instinctively in the first years of our lives, is characterized by its ease and lack of strain or conscious effort. 

— Does the institute only teach and research Dispokinesis?

The Institute will not limit its teaching curriculum or research topics to any single methodology. It will adapt and develop its teaching approaches according to what shows itself to be effective for performing musicians.

Much of the course material and research currently derive from a series of Dispokinesis principles. These principles are being used as guidelines for teaching and developing exercises to jointly improve musicians' performance and reduce muscular strain. These principles will also serve as building blocks for current and future research into improving musicians' motor performance.

— Dispokinesis principles applied

Posture
1. A healthy posture does not require conscious effort or extra muscle contractions
2. Breath support and air flow stem from a healthy posture

Touch and Muscle Contractions
1. When we touch with curiosity, muscles don't squeeze
2. When we squeeze the muscles, we perceive less 
Fine motor skills
1. When we use 'Touch-led Motion'TM, we gain precision of timing, force, speed and location
2. When we use 'Touch-led Motion'TM, the moving limbs tire less

Sound production
1. When we use 'Touch-led Motion'TM, it is possible to produce, amplify and adjust sound vibrations with less effort and more precision
2. When we squeeze the muscles, sound vibrations can get involuntarily dampened, and the production and adaptation of sound vibrations requires more effort
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