TESTIMONIALS

"In our sessions, Dr. Farias showed a deep understanding of how the body and mind can work together to play in a free and musical way. He was very perceptive about my playing, and he introduced the concepts I needed to apply to overcome FD. With his guidance, I saw significant improvement in a few days. I felt for myself that it was possible to play freely, and this was the foundation for the recovery I am experiencing now.
One year after my sessions with Dr Farias, I can look back and see how steady my progress has been. I am playing normally now, and as a bonus, I find his approach continues
to be helpful in tackling the normal challenges of playing.
I am most grateful for his help. "

D. Laplante
National Ballet of Canada Orchestra (Pr. 2nd violin)
Canadian Opera Company Orchestra

"I recently attended a 4 day workshop in New York provided
by Dr. Joaquin Farias. As a guitarist, I have experienced focal dystonia in the first three fingers of my right hand for approximately 6-8 years.
While attending the workshop Dr. Farias assisted and supported the development of significant positive change and relaxed movement in my affected fingers. This change has continued since, and I am extremely
hopeful about the future.
Dr. Farias's method has been very successful with myself.

In my opinion, his approach is well grounded in psychological cognitive behavioral theory.

I offer him my sincerest gratitude."

Dr.Robert Staunton Ph.D.
Psychologist and Guitarist

"Dr.Farias is truly a great, great resource for musicians like myself who have struggled with the seemingly intractable challenge of Focal Dystonia.  In my case, a 12 year nightmare.

You know, I had my doubts, going into my sessions, that there was more to understand than I already knew about the problem.  How quickly my misconceptions evaporated in the face of his calm, professional and irrefutable coachings!

Now I see that there were three important areas of insight that he opened up for me. 

First, was the understanding of the true nature of FD, and of the psychological handicap that accompanies buying into the current, most popular theories about the condition. 

Second, was an appreciation of the step by step process, the 'peeling back of the layers', needed to get back to the source of the original cognitive event. And third, was the arrival at specific exercises and routines which will most efficiently reverse my particular manifestation of 'dystonic thinking.'

In short, Joaquín has given me, and my career, nothing short of a new lease on life. 

And for this I will be eternally grateful. 

With great admiration and respect"

Clayton Haslop

Avatar, Matrix and Titanic Concertmaster

President, Violinmastery.com

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"Having focal dystonia in my foot/ankle for 27 years, I was amazed to learn to walk with my sole planted firmly on the ground (no twisting and no tremors) in just 4 sessions. The video does not address how much constant effort it takes to maintain my progress but I'm practicing!"

Wendy. Canada

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"Working with Dr. Farias, both in Toronto and in New York, has definitely helped me improve the use of my right hand. It has not so much been a cure, but a change in the way I perceive the problem I have had. With the change in perception has come more relaxed movement and less tension in my playing. Though I still have a way to go, I can hear and feel the difference. I continue to work with the exercises he gives and more importantly to "keep moving".

P. Bianculli
Classical Guitarist
Brooklyn, NY

"Dr. Farias helped me to discover a new approach to playing the guitar with Focal Dystonia. In a very short time (just 3 sessions),
Dr. Farias guided me to this "new path."
I have been able to refine this approach to the point of being able to play almost 100% of my classical and flamenco material.
This is still a bit more work to do, but I have not missed a
performance. I endorse and support Dr. Farias and his work."

Carlo Basile
Artistic Director/Composer/Guitarist Las Guitarras de España

"After having had focal dystonia in my right hand for 15 years, I saw Joaquin Farias the first time one year ago. Since then I have seen him twice, and the progress I have made is amazing. Apart from having regained most of my hand-control, I now have a different understanding of the problem, which I think has been vital for my progress. In spite of having had dystonia for such a long time I keep making progress, and I expect to be able to overcome my focal dystonia completely."

Tora Dugstad
violinist, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra

"The few days that I spent with Joaquin was a major turning point in working and understanding my FD. His help and advice made it possible for me to see hope and to know that it is possible to realise complete healing"

Joe McHugh
Aeolianpipes soloist

"It was around eight months ago when I noticed for the first time a certain change in the movement of my right hand middle finger, kind of weakness and loss of control. I connected that state with a pain in my wrist that I've been suffering for quite a while up to date. Back then I didn't pay much attention to that change specially since I was in the middle of a busy schedule that included recordings, solo and chamber concerts. What I did was that I simply changed some of my fingerings and went on with the concerts without problems. After several months of unchanged state I tried some shiatsu treatments but with not much of success, I had to search for a help of an expert.

It was then that I was diagnosed with Focal Dystonia, an illness that I didn't know much about. After a treatment by a neuropsychiatrist at a specialized clinic for musicians in the Netherlands I actually realized that the problem was not exactly physical but psychological.

With the help of that doctor some progress occurred but wasn't getting permanently stabile, it was varying from day to day. It should be pointed out that at that time yoga and Alexander technique became a part of my daily routine. Back then I got acquainted with the work of Mr. Farias whose book and a DVD I ordered immediately. It was after reading the book that I sat and started playing with a great deal of freedom.

The situation was getting better but still wasn't stabile and that was the reason why I went to Sevilla for a treatment with Mr. Farias. After three days of long conversations and various exercises my playing was smooth and relaxed and I was suffering no visible signs of dystonia. It was actually Mr. Farias who showed me a new way of playing an instrument, a way out of a labyrinth called mind. Now after several months from my visit to Sevilla, I practice smoothly and perform all of my repertory in concerts with no signs of dystonia. And above all I deeply believe that this experience would not bring back the abilities I had before, but new, more improved"

M.R. Classical guitarist

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"After the four day workout with Professor Farias,I notice a huge improvement in control,endurance and speed.I am a drummer who's been suffering from FD for five years,all my attempts ( botox included ) to find even the tiniest benefit have been unhelpful,useless,unprofitable.                                                                                    Mr.Farias is not a magician,he's serious and motivated professional who can really enlighten a new path to follow you could never find by yourself.                                                       To play again is like to be born again.                                                                                Thanks Professor."

Corrado Ciceri - Drummer Italy 

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