How has the Gokhale Method been disseminated to the public besides books and courses?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
. Esther Gokhale has extensively researched postural methods and programs for teaching posture over the last 30 years. She has taught the Gokhale Method throughout the United States and in various parts of the world; the Gokhale Method is the subject of her book, 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, which has been widely advertised and distributed in the last fifteen years; she has also shown the Gokhale Method through national television and DVDs of these programs are being sold. There have been no claims that the Gokhale Method infringes any other technique, program or method, and we have no reason to believe that such claims would or could be made. The market for our services is not seasonal.
Competition. It may be deemed that the postural methods and related techniques that we teach help with relieving back and other pains. The market for techniques and methods to alleviate back pain is a highly competitive and developed market. You might find yourself in competition with massage therapists, chiropractors, medical doctors, fitness centers, other persons offering postural methods to alleviate back pain, retailers of products purporting to alleviate back pain, yoga teachers and centers and other wellness practitioners. The market can be affected significantly by many factors, including changes in local, regional, or national economic conditions; changes in health care laws and regulations; changes in the number and location of competing businesses.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–10)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, the Gokhale Method has been disseminated through national television appearances and DVDs of these programs. The founder of the Gokhale Method, Esther Gokhale, has taught the method throughout the United States and in various parts of the world.
Prior to offering franchises, from 2009 to February 2011, Esther Gokhale also offered "Affiliate Program Agreements" that authorized individuals to teach posture classes using the Gokhale Method name and marks. In exchange, these affiliates paid a fee of $3,000 for training and a fixed payment for each student taught. These affiliate arrangements were offered before the franchise model was fully developed.
Gokhale Method Institute, Inc. took assignment of Esther Gokhale's interest in all Affiliate Agreements, and in 2012 offered to all existing affiliates the option to convert to the franchise or end their relationship with the company. All affiliates have since either converted to franchises or ended their relationship with Gokhale Method. No affiliate agreements have been offered since 2011.