Testimonials

I wanted to share just how much your work has meant to me. As an older man who has struggled with poor posture all my life, I faced a particularly challenging time about two years ago when a pacemaker installation led to a “frozen shoulder.” Physical therapy helped fix the shoulder and introduced me to posture exercises, but I still struggled with lower back pain.

This past summer, things took a turn for the worse when severe upper back pain left me with little stamina to stand, making our daily hour-long walks—something my wife and I have done for the last 10 years—painful and exhausting. I was desperate for relief.

During our annual trip to Missoula, I came across your sign while on a walk, and it felt like a lifeline. I decided to give you a call, and for the next four weeks, we had 2 to 3 sessions per week. After the first session, I knew this was going to help me. Even when I had a setback from spending too much time on my feet, your sessions got me through it.

Now, back in La Quinta, I’m faithfully doing the exercises you taught me several times a day, taking breaks from my computer to rest and stretch. The relief I’ve experienced is nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to you, I’m mostly pain-free, and I’ve regained the quality of life I thought was slipping away.

Thank you, Mari, for helping me get my life back. I’m so grateful for your expertise and support, and I’m looking forward to staying in touch—especially if I need some online guidance.

Ken Duce

Back pain reduced 90%. Migraines reduced 90%. Neck and shoulders pain reduced 80%. Breathing improved 95%! Mindfulness improved 90%!

Alexander is the gift that keeps on giving. I came for back pain but lost my migraines! AND have seen improvement in mood and health as I invite myself to find ease. I have become more aware and mindful of my body, which has lead to ease of mind! Truly a mind, body, spirit technique.

A.S.

After I work with Mari I feel complete. I love this work because it just all comes together. You realize how the neck connects to everything. Everything is connected. That was one of the really nice feelings I got – feeling the complete humanity of your body, all the parts working together. And the relief from stress from my neck and shoulders. Since I started doing this program with Mari I’ve been in some situations that usually generate a lot of stress and I’ve been able to deal with them without anxiety. It has helped a lot with walking. Now I’m looking toward the future of the road rather than looking down at the road, where you have no vision or future.

Noel Walther

Some years ago, at the recommendation of my singing teacher, I took an Alexander Technique (AT) workshop with Mari. I knew from my first class that this technique was for me; that over time I could significantly reduce the excess tension I chronically held in my body, allowing me to move with far greater ease.

It turned out that when it comes to practicing, AT was an excellent choice for me. I’ve never been good at setting aside a specific time (not even 10 minutes) to practice anything on my own. With AT, whenever I think of it, I can practice applying the principles to activities I’m already engaged in throughout the day.

In classes/private lessons, on-line and in person, Mari has shown herself to be extremely knowledgeable. While working with the body as a whole, Mari addresses every part from the all important bottom of your feet to the crown of your head. She has a flexible teaching style and tailors her approach to fit the individual student. Including everything from anatomy graphics to creative imagery, she helps students understand how the body was designed to move so we can reduce the undue stress and strain that wears us out and leads to injury.

Using what I’ve learned from Mari has been helpful in everything I do. I’ve been especially excited with the significant improvement in two of my favorite activities. While singing, my voice is more strongly supported and yet has more freedom. While dancing tango, my movement is more grounded and stable and yet more graceful. Thank you Mari!

Shawnee Farnham

Retired physician

I’m a nurse practitioner, and I think you saved more than one person in this (Ageless Movements) class from a fracture!

Nurse practitioner

Mari is an insightful, knowledgeable, kind and joyful person. She is also very understanding and creative. Her class this time was all online because of COVID, but with her creativity and knowledge of the Alexander technique, she did a great job of offering information and exploring techniques, getting group conversations, and doing what became our “daily ease” meditation. We also had a mid-week check in that was nice as well. I really found the 1:1 time Mari offered with the class very helpful. I think I am at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this practice, with much to learn. She knows the science behind pain and techniques to help you to be curious about finding ease. If you have the opportunity to take a class by Mari, I believe you will find it very beneficial. I know I have!

B.R.

This easing of tension in my throat is a game changer!

Megan Von Behren

Librarian, activities include piano, sewing

I loved my two online classes with Mari. They complimented each other. I didn’t think this could work online but now I highly recommend these online classes as a way to learn the Alexander Technique. Pretty amazing. Mari is amazing how she can pick up subtle muscle tightness and relaxing online. Never thought that could be done.

Over the past month I am discovering different tightness in my muscles that I couldn’t identify before. It seems to have resulted in a gradual relaxation in muscles I haven’t felt in years.

I love how Mari has adapted so readily to online teaching. She makes it work. She continues to have new information and exercises each week.

S.E.

Mari is a gifted instructor and very knowledgeable about the Alexander technique to reduce pain. This philosophy was brand new to me, so I soaked it up, as each week I learned more and more. It makes sense to me, as Mari has a great way of presenting the information, in a comfortable way, with humor and joy. She is very good at including everyone and answering questions. She is a great listener and such a kind person. I am very thankful to Mari and to Red Willow for this class and highly recommend it.

B.R.

The cramps that I had in my legs all the time went away. You should list that as a benefit! And my neck does not hurt like it used to either.

Meta Wiechmann Hyder

Purchaser

This course is so helpful to people of all ages to reduce physical and emotional stress. Highly recommended.

Teri V.

Every time Mari did adjustment, I felt a difference. I felt an immediate difference in the tension of my horse. It was an ah-ha moment.

I’m more aware of my posture in general and I’m able to relax my neck and shoulders more easily. I liked every class. The ideas were clear and the atmosphere that Mari created was very pleasant. Mari’s classes are extremely interesting, clear and precise in helping to develop observation of your own body, how to relieve tension and to have more relaxed posture with greater freedom for action, in a very pleasant and safe atmosphere. Thank you very much!

Diana Diez

The Alexander Technique for Riders workshop was excellent! Loved the focus of yourself. I feel it will be even more useful as I practice the awareness until it becomes more automatic. Amazing how a soft touch on a body part can focus your attention there. I loved being able to do unmounted and mounted portions.

Jennifer Channer

This course has been insightful concerning the impact of your physical reactions from stress or anxiety and the techniques for reversing those reactions or reducing the stress and its impact.

Ken

Excellent, helped more then i imagined. I hadn’t fully realized until the end how much the instructor and technique helped me notice how I hold stress, while offering a gentle, approachable, and effective alternative.

[What I liked most about this class was] the instructor, more than just teaching, but really connecting and guiding – even in an online format.

C.D.

The class helped me to become aware of where my body is and where it can go. I would come in tired and leave refreshed!

S.B.

I attended Mari’s Alexander Technique workshop, which I found to be really helpful in making me more aware of subtle tension I didn’t even know I was holding in my neck and upper back. Mari, I wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog posts on the Alexander Technique. Your recent one on holding the violin was personally so helpful!

Roberta Anderson

Such a wonderful experience and the ease to learn with all the tips to keep me able to continue – is priceless! Excellent for anyone and all ages!

D.V.

Learning Alexander Technique through Mari has given me the tools to move through a busy ER without undue tension while keeping an ease of movement. It’s like mindfulness through movement.

G Judson Corn

MD, emergency medicine

Mari’s treatments using the Alexander Technique have resolved chronic back pain along with curing an episode of acute neck pain. I had been to multiple providers and had resorted to steroid injections. None of it provided any long lasting relief.

Mari taught me in relaxed, and at times humorous, ways to employ easy to use exercises to get relief. I no longer have any neck pain. Managing the back pain involves the ongoing use of these exercises which have lowered pain and over time provided significant relief, allowing me to dance again, engage in the outdoor activities I enjoy and finally get better sleep.

It’s hard to stress enough how helpful Mari has been in helping restore me to good health. I continue using her exercises and methods of self-awareness on a daily basis. I recommend her without reservation. The work she does should be made more widely available in pain clinics.

I would recommend health professionals include Mari’s work in their practice to better help those suffering from chronic pain to regain the joy of living free from pain. I’ve learned it’s not necessary to live in a constant state of pain from my work with Mari. I’m genuinely grateful for her help.

Charlie Harris

Retired healthcare executive

Hi! I’ve been thinking about the methods you taught a lot lately (maybe not quite enough actual practice) but it’s gotten me through some challenges with more ease . Mostly wanted to thank you, very sincerely, your classes were a life changing experience for learning how to work with those DIMs (much less now) and SIMs (thanks to a loooot of support and reminders). I hope you are well!

Carrie Dyrud

You should market AT as a cure for allerties 🙂 My sinuses feel great!

Megan Von Behren

Mari leads exercises in a very friendly and accessible way. She creates the perfect environment for discovery and non-doing! I found it really valuable and calming. I love the tactile feedback! It’s so helpful to integrate ideas and find reminders.

Since I’ve started doing this (Alexander Technique-based Mindful Movement), parts of my body that were hurting just stopped hurting. The things that we’re doing are simple, but they’re very profound.

Tony

Incredible classes, very useful for self-knowledge of the body, our automatic reactions and how to choose to reduce stress. Mari is a great teacher with a lot of clarity and simplicity!

Pedro Allabay

This class (Mind-Body Balance) helped relieve pain in my neck and helped me be mindful of different, less strenuous ways to move.

S.K.

As far as my Alexander session, I apply it constantly. As I’m hiking, sitting, transitioning form sitting to standing, playing mandolin, …. For me there were several big takeaways after just my one session: relax into postures that are more self-supporting, tuck my chin and relax so my head is able to turn effortlessly side to side, and widen and lengthen my core. It takes changing lots of habits, but the comfort and ease of movement is worth it. You provided clear and calm coaching with gentle touch to help me ease into these natural postures. I’m sure I could use a lot more coaching, but feel so grateful for this start.

NK of Bozeman

Highly recommend this. We don’t realize how much tension we carry in our bodies as dancers and how much our partners feel that. Working with Mari even just for a few hours really helped me be more conscious of how spinal alignment reduces this tension and makes my dancing more relaxed and fluid.

Lisa Ronald

Mari helps you gain insights into your behavior and ways you can reduce stress in a gentle way. CR

C.R.

I wanted to tell you that I started playing the cello again since my shoulder injury and it was incredible how much what we did in the classes helped me. I’m so happy! I can’t wait for our next class!

Paula, musician

Mari is very knowledgeable about The Alexander Technique. This was a wonderful experience in a group setting. This information gained in this class will be included as part of my on-going healing plan. Thank you.

Britene

The [DiscoverEase in Movement] course was very helpful to me to release tension and decrease lower back pain. Working with Mari is a pleasure. She helps us focus on increasing our awareness of what is working instead of judging ourselves about getting it right or wrong. Mari, you are great at identifying where we are stuck and you gave tips which were truly helpful.

Regina

As a dentist I contort myself to see my patients, which causes neck and back pain. Mari has really helped me to learn how to use my body the way my body wants to move to take care of myself.

Montana dentist

This class changed my way of thinking about how I moved, how I align my body and it helped lessen the pain I have experienced. I thought the class was excellent, practical and very informative. It helped me with sitting, standing and walking. I loved the hands-on.

Caroline P.

This is a course that you can’t miss! You always learn something new about posture. It has been very useful to break uncomfortable habits when playing my instrument and when playing live. The classes are very interactive and I recommend them to all my musician friends.

Thomas Gonzalez Fabi, pianist

Mari, thank you for your warmth and the clarity of your explanations of this wonderful and subtle technique, for finding the best way to use the body to do what we do. The invitation to stop doing things. Small pauses in action to check what I’m doing with my head. I am taking with me so many things to work on every day. Thank you Mari!!!

Cecilia Vega

I took the DiscoverEase in Movement with Mari and it was so insightful. It really helped me focus on holding my posture straight, always asking: where is my neck? I love the simplicity and the various techniques for helping postur at work and at home.

Caroline Patterson

Usually when I turn my head, it feels crunchy. After working with Mari, the crunchies go away and I can turn my head more easily.

Caroline Mhyre

This was my second experience with Mari’s teaching and I would wholeheartedly recommend her courses. I have found less mental and physical fatigue when I stay consistent with the techniques I have learned from her. Her gentle teaching style and caring nature shine even as she explains complicated body anatomy.

KLT

Other Testimonials from DiscoverEase in Movement Workshops

Alexander Technique is such a growing subtle process for me. When I think that I am not making progress I will start noticing that I have less pain in my back when I am doing different activities through out my day. My muscles are starting to relax more and stay with me.

I am taking multiple classes from Mari at the same time so I tend to get them all blended together. What is great is that they all work together. This class focused on stress, recognizing it and learning to recognize our automatic reaction to different circumstances and how we might see it differently. Mari always has fun things to do in all her classes and they are all different. I am always learning so much from each one.

Mari is a very dedicated Alexander Technique instructor. She loves what she is teaching and it shows. She has a very positive attitude and generous with her knowledge.

Mari, the two classes which I attended were so informative and helpful! You are an excellent instructor with plenty of patience! The classes have helped me to “find ease” in walking, standing, and in my daily activities. When I remember to put the technique into action, I experience less pain, and have an overall better sense of well being! I like best Mari’s insight, patience and expertise! She is willing to address each question with the utmost patience and professionalism! I also like that this technique works! Mari is very patient, and knows what she’s doing. She works individually with each person, and helps to inform their bodies to “remember” how to “be” and function! Mari is the best!!!

[The DiscoverEase in Activity workshop] gave me powerful new ways to think about movement, posture and my body. Mari helped create space and awareness in my body.

What was most helpful was aligning myself in action and repose; finding that sweet spot where I don’t feel tension. I’ve been using it a few times a day, and also while making music. I forget to in the kitchen though!

Ease is the thing I’m taking with me. Across the board. The suggestion to find more ease in my life has helped in so many areas – well beyond just physical. The hands-on work was my favorite!

I really enjoy Mari’s approach–she is knowledgeable, insightful, kind and good humored. I also liked the 1:1 time she offered with the class. It was time well spent.

The class was good, useful, fun, playful. I gave myself permission to not respond. It reminded me that I have that choice. Mari has a magical touch. I feel like this class helped to inform not only my own dance and movement of myself but how I can use it to teach yoga as well.

There is a zen saying “Do nothing but leave nothing left undone.” To me, this is like that.

The class was excellent. It was fun and thought-provoking. Hands-on was respectful, felt great and was educational and skilled.

This class helped me bring awareness to my body in a new and interesting way. It was helpful to reframe how I think about tension and release in the body in relation to pain. Hands-on work was very informative. Mari made the principles feel very accessible to even first-time participants. I would recommend this class. Even after a 2.5-hour workshop, feeling the tension release from my back and jaw is amazing.

Both the alignment and sleep class were great – very beneficial. My body is more in alignment and easier to move. The courses were wonderful and Mari is an exceptional instructor. I would recommend both courses and Mari as an instructor.