"When I was learning the piano the majority of exercises were either boring and unmusical or extremely difficult. Often I did not have enough patience to go through them.

Years later as a professional pianist and teacher, I wanted to devise a particular programme for myself that would allow me to stretch my fingers, widen my hand span, and increase the capacity of my hands. Despite extensive research, I could not find one coherent exercise programme specifically designed to enable me to do this.

My response was:

'Ok, great! Let's make a course of exercises that are short and sweet, like little yogic exercises for the fingers - let's give every pianist the five minute routines that the professionals use to warm up before their recordings and concerts.'

The result is the first book in the Piano-Yoga® series "Transform Your Hands: A complete ten week course of piano exercises", a unique hand and finger workout that will do more for your technique than hours of practising pieces: the muscles of your hands could become much stronger and in turn your finger flexibility should increase. By the end of the first two weeks you may start noticing changes and as the programme continues your span on the keyboard may also increase. Your hands may even feel and seem larger!

These exercises can be especially beneficial to people with smaller hands and you may even be able to start playing the pieces that you have always wanted to.

The whole approach of this book is influenced by the ancient practice of yoga. Being a practitioner myself, I used the holistic principles and approach of yoga as the foundation of this course.

All the exercises are simple and will suit anyone who plays the piano from advanced-beginner to intermediate and advanced level. With the correct approach you should feel connected physically, mentally, and spiritually to your instrument. Once you are familiar with this book, you can also create your own exercises using the Piano-Yoga® exercises in the book as a basis.

Have lots of fun, be creative, and enjoy your practice!"

GéNIA
What students say: 
"Piano-Yoga® is more than a book of exercises. It is a holistic approach focusing on all aspects of performance and the performer. The exercises increase strength and coordination between different parts of the finger and hand, but also focus on the complex relationship between the whole body and mind in the act of performance.  This approach focuses on the fundamentals of all music making and is not reserved for GéNIA's advanced, but for all of her, students."

Ian Grundy, pianist, piano teacher and composer

"I found GéNIA's exercises quite odd at first. I felt the stretches act as though they were a workout for my hand. After the exercises, in the playing of my pieces, my hands felt very warmed up and more capable of stretches and passages, much more so than if I had played scales alone. In just a few weeks my hands felt permanently larger and stronger."

Alexander Stubbs, pupil, Westminster School, recipient of Westminster Music Scholarship 2005-2010

"I am so impressed by the Piano-Yoga® exercises.  By doing them regularly I have noticed it allows me to stretch my hands more and more and my span on the piano is continuously increasing.   I notice changes on a weekly basis.  I highly recommend these exercises to everyone who wants to increase their hand span and it's flexibility. As a yoga practitioner I particularly enjoyed the breathing together with the piano exercises I find it incredibly relaxing."

Elisabeth Scheder-Bieschin, photographer

"I have found the gentle and easy exercises in Piano-Yoga® helped me focus my whole self toward my practice, centering and calming me at the beginning of my practice session, thereby enabling me to concentrate more during practice. Piano-Yoga® exercises have helped me develop strength and flexibility in my fingers, which is essential for beginners like me."

Julius Beltrame, Director of Operations, Europe Telecommunication Systems Ltd.

"After eight years of formal piano lessons and twelve years of not playing, the idea of starting again made me very nervous. Based on my previous old school experience, I expected to have to spend months playing scales and technical exercises before being able to enjoy playing to my old standard. GéNIA's Piano-Yoga® was a real revelation to me. In a few weeks I was already playing a lot of my old repertoire. I highly recommend Piano-Yoga® to busy people who wish to get the most out of their practice time."

Aiman Mukanova, Commodities Structurer & Marketer,
Standard Bank Plc.
 
What Press Say:
 
'It really does work . . . Many pianists have been helped with this unorthodox and unusual method.' 
"All teachers should give it a try, not only for themselves but also for their pupils who deserve to play with complete relaxation and ease in all repertoire" Piano Professional
 
'This is a book for a lifetime of healthy piano playing! ... This book gets 5 stars from me!" Nancy Lee Harper, Piano Journal
 
'A fascinating issue...clear and precise.'Murry Mclachlan, Internatioal Piano Magazine
 
 
'5 Starts' Piano Journal
 
'The first entirely new piano technique to emerge in over 50 years.'
'PY is something radical.'
'An ideal way to combine an interest in Yoga with learning the piano.' Yoga & Health Magazine
 
"Having tested out Piano-Yoga with students aged seven to 70, I can't help but be impressed by it. My students have developed a greater finger control and the wrist exercises have really improved their phrasing". Music Teacher Magazine