This blog will demonstrate practices that have been effective in retraining after a diagnosis of focal dystonia from the perspective of a performer (flutist). It was inspired by the goal to continue the dialogue about retraining our sensory perception and autonomic nervous systems. Since the result of these exercises and ideas is reduced tension, they may be helpful for anyone, not just those dealing with focal dystonia.
Blog: Newfoundland native Andrée Martin (B.Mus Memorial University of Newfoundland, MM University of Ottawa, DMA State University of New York at Stony Brook) has performed at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Pierre Boulez, at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, Warsaw Autumn, and at the Prague Spring Festival. She includes playing Elliott Carter’s Enchanted Preludes for the composer on a concert celebrating his 90th birthday and playing Le Marteau Sans Maître at Carnegie Hall with Pierre Boulez conducting among her most thrilling performing experiences. Andrée is a licensed body mapping clinician (Andover Educator). She teaches at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University.
Photos: Geoff Martin considers himself to be an amateur photographer, restorer of vintage fountain pens, and blogger on loudspeaker technology. He supports these habits by holding down a day job as Tonmeister and Technology Specialist in Sound Design at Bang & Olufsen in Struer, Denmark.
Observing Focal Dystonia 