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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. D. Laplante "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. In my opinion, his approach is well grounded in psychological cognitive behavioral theory. I offer him my sincerest gratitude." Dr.Robert Staunton Ph.D. "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 Violinist Avatar, Matrix and Titanic Concertmaster ______________________________________________________________________________ “For two and a half years now I have suffered debilitating problems in my right shoulder, arm and hand. After seeking treatment from various sources and trying numerous therapies I was still unsuccessful in my efforts to alleviate my troubles. Eventually I found out about Dr. Farias and his unique method of working with people with focal dystonia and other repetitive motion disorders. It has been a little over a month since my sessions with him and already I can do things that have been almost impossible for over a year. Although I still have more work to do I am optimistic for the first time in a long time that I am on the road to recovery. He brings a special set of skills to the process in that he understands the neurological basis of these problems as well as being a professional musician. There is no other person to my knowledge that can bring this much knowledge to the table to help instrumentalists. I recommend working with him to anyone with these sorts of issues or to anyone who simply wants to avoid them in the first place.” David Peck Principal Clarinet Houston Symphony Orchestra ______________________________________________________________________________ "Searching for the answer to FD (In my case, in my left fretting hand), I purchased Dr. Farias' DVD Playing without practice and ebook Rebellion of the Body. Within only a few weeks of performing the exercises, I regained control of my left hand as tensions and spasms diminished. In just four months, I have recovered 70-80% of left hand mobility. All spasms of my 3rd and 4th finger have ceased - in just four months! Waking up from a nightmare indeed! His ebook has helped me understand the condition known as musician's focal dystonia. I highly recommend this method not only for those who suffer from focal dystonia, but to all musicians as means of prevention and control." Allan Yzereef, MMus Classical Guitarist Ontario, Canada _______________________________________________________________________________ "Living with writer’s cramp (task specific focal dystonia) was a frightening ordeal, as it was threatening the end of my nursing career and affecting many other aspects of life I enjoyed. I was surprised at how neurologists were unable to unlock this mysterious disorder, with no relief from seeing a range of alternative therapists and other allied health professionals either. Botox was not a suitable option, after hearing of its side effects, which would have ended my nursing in itself. I felt like I was running a 2 year marathon with no water, until I decided it was worth the risk to travel to Spain and meet Dr Farias for treatment. This experience was truly the “drink station” I had longed for. I was captivated by his simple explanations and analogies, with a model for rehabilitating so unique and effective; I was writing a few words neatly by the second day. With the help of his incredible patience and gentle coaching, I was shocked by my continued progress over the 4 days. Dr Farias has given me all the tools I need to complete this enduring challenge, along with some fine tuning to lifestyle and continued practice of his methods. His passion and success in helping people with this problem is no mirage; he is the “real deal”. I have no words adequate enough to express my deep gratitude to him." Maria Moore Melbourne, Australia _______________________________________________________________________________ "Coming to understand dystonia as a clear and logical matter is the great contribution I got from Dr. Farias, after 17 years of darkness and mystery, not being capable of even putting the bow on the strings. This new approach makes it possible to deal with dystonia in a more conscious way, thus making it easier to fight . Thank you, Dr. Farias, for the serenity and faith you're able to inspire." Luigi Mangiocavallo Baroque and jazz violinist www.mangiocavallo.it _______________________________________________________________________________ I am certain that Joaquin is the best in the world at understanding focal dystonia . He was able to answer all the questions I had during the last two years. His explanations made my brain relax and I was able to accept all the dystonic reactions which used to bother me so much. We analyzed and worked on the movements that gave me difficulty. On the fourth session, to my surprise, I was able to regain the feeling I had lost for more than a year. My condition is not stable yet, and I still have good days and bad days, but over all it is much better than before I met Joaquin. The big difference is that now I feel I can play, and I am positive that I will be able to recover completely. M. Kushida Pianist, Tokyo ____________________________________________________________________________ "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 ______________________________________________________________________________ "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 "Dr. Farias helped me to discover a new approach to playing the guitar with Focal Dystonia. In a very short time (just 3 sessions), Carlo Basile "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 ofhaving 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 "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 ofsuccess, 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 stabilezed, 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 Dr. Farias whose book and a DVD I ordered immediately. It was after readingthe 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 Dr. 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 _____________________________________________________________________________ "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 ______________________________________________________________________________ “Dr. Joaquin Farias is highly competent, highly educated and an extremely good listener. Not only clear, logical and open-minded: he was a paradigm of discretion. I immediately felt relaxed in his presence despite knowing that my playing had totally collapsed. My initial fears evaporated almost as soon as we had shook hands. Sat, literally one metre apart and face-to-face, Joaquin roughly outlined the three phases of the sessions. First was what Focal Dystonia actually is, its nature and why it occurs. Next was an examination of my own dystonias – “the peeling back of the layers”. Finally, came the rehabilitation techniques. I was worried that I would forget all Joaquin's advice and the information he would give me over the eight hours. I asked if I could take notes or otherwise record the sessions. Joaquin assured me that there would be no need. As we explored, the ideas and concepts became so shockingly obvious (20:20 hindsight is a wonderful thing) that I know that I should have been able to figure it all out for my self, yet I could not. Another reason there was no need to record was that Joaquin did not teach. We explored my dystonias. These dystonias became tactile objects, a part of my make up, and thereby unforgettable once recognised. During the sessions, Joaquin helped me see that every Focal Dystonia is different. They are developed by different people in different ways and developed in response to different stimuli and ideas. No two dystonias are the same and no one method to find a solution. But, the very mental plasticity that helped me to develop my own dystonias is the same plasticity that will now help me re-educate myself. In a nutshell, I can honestly say that I learned more about playing music in eight hours with Joaquin than I have in more than thirty years of playing. What had become a nightmare has once again become a source of extreme pleasure. And despite the hours and days, weeks and months of practise ahead, thank you Dr. Farias. I am deeply indebted to you.” Miguel Bengoa Flamenco Guitar player _____________________________________________________________________________
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