Process

Our clients consistently feel an immediate benefit from the prescribed exercises, often within the first session. Long term progress for clients with dystonia is dependent upon moving slowly in the first few months to ensure that dystonic symptoms are eliminated. On average it will take a player diagnosed with dystonia about a year to retrain. Players with injury report less pain in the first few months. Slow and incremental retraining is usually necessary to allow for complete healing and to prevent reinjury.

We consider a player successfully retrained when they are able to perform without ANY dystonic symptoms and with more efficiency than prior to the onset of MD. Most clients can expect an overarching continual improvement while still experiencing a “two steps forward, one step back” phenomenon, especially in the early stages of retraining. These ups and downs diminish as the player gains more experience with efficiency. It is extremely rare that a player makes no progress or has relapses. We have assisted more than 1000 players and this experience has streamlined the recover process for our clients.

 

1. MWNA orientation with Jan Kagarice

(via "Zoom"): ( 2-3 hrs.)  US$300

This 3-hour orientation serves to identify the root causes of imbalance, injury, and dystonia, and to reorient the individual towards healthy science-based performance practices. This will be held in a small group format on Zoom and will provide crucial context that your clinicians will refer to throughout the rest of your retraining.

 2. Personal Initial Consultation

(via "Skype"): (1hr) US$250/hr

This one-hour consultation via skype (Link to skype download) is a private meeting with your clinicians to assess your current situation and address your individual playing concerns through a prescribed set of exercises.

3. Retraining Sessions

(via "Skype"): (0.5-1hr) US$40-170/hr

At the beginning of your retraining, you will meet with a clinician at least once a week. As your understanding grows and concerns subside, less frequent sessions are necessary.

Your Primary Clinician, Jan Kagarice, will meet with you approximately once a month for 60 min to assess your progress and adjust the prescribed exercises.

Assistant Clinicians will meet with you approximately 1-3 times per week for 30-60 min sessions. They serve to guide you through the prescribed exercises, answering questions and redirecting as needed.

Group Forums

(via "Zoom"): ( 2 hrs)  US$20

Monthly forums allow for a multi-faceted in-depth presentation and discussion of concepts essential for a full understanding of healthy performance practices.

 

 

 The musician most likely to fully retrain:

  • Believes retraining is possible and has a positive attitude.
  • Reads suggested research articles.
  • Has an understanding of the cause and remedy of their Musician's Dystonia.
  • Has an understanding of their retraining process.
  • Is not currently in another retraining program.
  • Is not trying to combine various methodologies.
  • Is able to question all “methodology” including that of MWNA.
  • Takes personal responsibility for their retraining.
  • Takes personal responsibility for their general wellness (physical, mental and intellectual).
  • Has the time, energy and patience to retrain (@ 2 hours per day)
  • Does not have stressful performance obligations.
  • Is able to consistently sustain their focus of attention on the solution.
  • Applies the principles to other disciplines and activities.
  • Has family’s, friends’, and teacher’s support and understanding.
  • Works with an Alexander Technique Teacher (I will request that you do this).
  • Did not utilize specific practice regimen such as Breathing Gym, Caruso, Stamp etc.… These “systems” make retraining more difficult.