Testimonials

"Before coming to Fumi, I tried nearly everything to heal my chronic low back pain. Massage, yoga, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, but nothing helped in the long term. Fumi taught me that poor body use was the cause of this problem. Over the course of the past 4 months, Fumi identified a group of postural problems that contributed to my back pain. She taught me how to consciously use my body with less strain to perform everyday activities like standing, walking, sitting, using my computer, driving, brushing my teeth.

I am astounded at the power of this approach. Medical school never taught me, and still does not teach, anything about posture and body usage.

The Alexander technique is an amazing tool that addresses directly the root of the problem. Fumi is a superb teacher, an attentive listener and a patient guide. Thanks to her help, I am finally looking at this back problem as a problem that can be solved."

Eric Verdin, M.D.

Professor of Medicine, UCSF

"I have a passion for tango, philosophy of art and science, and rehabilitation from complex illness, including cancer, trauma, vascular disease, and psychosomatic illness. I strongly endorse Alexander Technique and Fumi’s work. 

In her hands the Alexander technique is an excellent method for dealing with musculoskeletal stress, - both physical and psychosomatic -.  It is effective for pain management in neck and back pain syndromes. It is also great for performing artists to attain optimal function and peak performance.

The Alexander technique enables attaining ergonomically correct use of ligaments, joint, and muscles; it aids rehab from injury in ways that optimize function and protect from future trauma, and promotes neuromuscular learning, working with integrating breathing, strength, and balance. These areas are medically and philosophically of vital importance to health, beauty, and happiness. This work is a complement to Pilates, Gyrotonic, Yoga and Feldenkrais Method.

Actors and dancers, shooting for peak form, refined kinesthetic sense,  and beauty in performance, regularly and successfully have worked with Fumi, as have I. She is intelligent, caring, and effective. I endorse her work."

Alan Kremen, M.D. Surgeon, UCSF

PhD. Philosophy and Argentine Tango dancer

"I met Fumi Sasa at a Japanese New Year's party when I was in pain in my neck, shoulders, and back. Fumi quickly put me on the floor and gave me a 15 minute session. I was amazed that I felt better, even after 15 minutes, so I called Fumi the next day for an appointment!

Fumi has done wonders to help me with several issues that seem to come from poor posture, both sitting and walking. She has help me manage my bodily stress through hands-on work, easy exercises, and correct shoes! I heartily recommend Fumi, and the Alexander Technique, for treating pain at its roots."

Emily Sano

Director Emerita - Asian Art Museum and Art Consultant

"My life has changed in wonderful, healing, and magnetic ways since I started studying and learning the Alexander Technique from the incredibly skilled and empowering Fumi Sasa three years ago. When I cam to Fumi, I was suffering from chronic back and neck injuries, and my overall posture needed improvement. As a professional actor, my body felt stressed, and I had much less energy.

Fumi's wisdom and teachings have transformed my life and helped me heal from repetitive strain injuries. Learning about the Alexander Techniques with Fumi has given me more confidence, stronger alignment, and posture, and key ways to embody character and movement in my profession. I am grateful for the muscle releasing techniques, compassion, and personable style that Fumi embodies."

Tina D'Elia, "Pursuit of Happiness"
Actor, AFTRA/SAG ELIGAGLE

"Working with Fumi and experiencing the Alexander Technique through her has given me new insights and approaches for teaching tango, as well as helping me with my own dancing. Fumi helped me become more aware of where I was holding unnecessary tension and gave me techniques to relax, reduce muscle strain and improve posture. Iʼve been able to share these ideas with my classes and my students have responded very well. The principles of the Alexander technique fit seemlessly with the foundations of tango. Fumiʼs clear, generous instruction gave me (and many others who took her workshop here) much to think about and work on, and we look forward to her return!"

Paul Akmajian
President, Tango Club of Albuquerque
Argentine Tango instructor

"I first came to Fumi to help recover from a very painful case of sciatica that stopped me from enjoying outdoor activities, especially ocean kayaking. Through the Alexander lessons, I am more aware of how I stand, sit and move and how this can cause muscle tension. Now when I feel a muscle tense, I can stop, do the "Monkey" or other Alexander exercise and get instant relief from tension and pain. What a wonderful feeling!"

Sylvia Gude
Environmentalist/outdoor sports enthuisiast

"My shoulder, neck and sciatic nerve pain was so bad my doctor was concerned I would not be able to continue working. After only three weeks of diligently following the Alexander Technique, my pain had decreased so much the fear of losing my job was no longer a concern. I was amazed at the improvement. I had suffered over two and half years with no lasting relief until my doctor recommended Fumi Sasa and the Alexander Technique. I am very grateful."

Susan Van Patten
Business Administrator Sacramento, CA

"I have had WONDERFUL success in using the Alexander Technique. I am a musician and have played in pain for many years. I now not only play without pain but the quality of my playing is free and spontaneous. An extra added bonus is that I have gone down three dress sizes! Thank you Fumi."

Tess Frazier
Professional musician

"I have experienced symptoms of fibromyalgia since early childhood. As I have aged, it has become increasingly difficult for me to maintain the active, athletic lifestyle that I enjoy due to increasing pain and fatigue, and five years ago I finally became bedridden. In the continual (and increasingly frantic) effort to regain my strength, endurance and energy and to relieve my constantly aching body, I have tried with limited or no success- many different modalaties and treatments, including antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals, supplements, diets, chiropractic (several modalaties), Acupuncture, massage, Rosen Method, Feldenkrais, meditation, Chi Gong, Ayurveyda, Psychotherapy, medical intuitives and others. I have spent countless hours and many thousands of dollars.

Since beginning Alexander lessons with Fumi Sasa in January of theis year (5 and half months ago), the improvement I have experienced has surpassed any other modality I have tried-with substantially less effort than most! I feel as if my body has been given permission to return to its most comfortable, most natural state: permission to be the way it is really supposed to be.

My pain levels have reduced dramatically, and I am amazed at how much more energy and stamina I have and how much better I sleep. My general level of anxiety has noticeably dropped as I now no longer worry so much, first about the pain I am experiencing and second, about having sufficient energy to fulfill my obligations. These are burdens I've been carrying for most of my life, so it should not be hard to understand that I feel like a different person. People frequently remark that I look younger, thinner, happier.

I still have a long road ahead of me before I "get my life back", but I am more confident than ever that I will succeed. I am only disappointed that I did not find the Alexander Technique much, much sooner. I could have saved endless pain, misery...and money!"

Allyson Bartman, MS
get happy riding school
Sacramento, CA

"Since working with Fumi and the Alexander Technique I have had a gradual and significant reduction of symptoms of lower back pain and sciatica. My postural awareness has improved dramatically and I am breaking the habits of holding patterns and overuse of certain muscle groups. The Technique has immediate practical application. Most importantly I learned how to move and how to avoid movement patterns that contributed to my chronic pain, which has been invaluable."

Karen Ugarte, M.P.T.
Outpatient orthopedic physical therapist
Ballet instructor
San Francisco, CA

I am a tango dancer/ instructor, and I’ve been having severe lower back pain for the last couple of years. I met Fumi during the night of tango when I was in pain I could not dance. She gave me a simple instruction how to release my back and that was the first encounter to the Alexander Technique.

Since then, I’ve been learning more about the Alexander Technique. It certainly helped me realize about my sitting/ walking position and being able to deal with my back pain. Now I am able to control my body and moreover, my mental status to control the stress and strain in body.

Mayumi Fujio Morrow

Argentine Tango instructor

Palo Alto, CA

The Alexander Technique lessons showed me that with proper posture I can dance with no lower back pain. And move more freely and easily.

Karen Potts

Argentine Tango and ballroom dancer

Sacramento, CA

I was in a serious auto accident 10 years ago that left me with seven fused vertebrae and constant back pain. No treatment I’ve tried since then has been more beneficial in relieving pain and improving my posture than the Alexander Technique; I wish I’d found it sooner!

I was surprised after just the first treatment to have a reduction in pain.

Fumi helped me tremendously and I continue to improve. It’s now easier for me to dance Argentine Tango and ballroom, and my dance partners have noticed that I am dancing better and standing up straighter. The Alexander Technique really works, and I’d recommend Fumi to anyone living with chronic pain.

Diane McGee

Argentine Tango and ballroom dancer

Albuquerque, NM