"You are a wonderful teacher! Your warmth comes through so strongly and it is clear that you have such deep knowledge of yoga practice. I am also so impressed at how you effortlessly directed, narrated and always ended the session right on time. That takes practice! I really enjoyed and benefited from this class." ~ Jen, Portland Metropolitan Area (Yoga for Runners & Walkers Series)

"I want to thank you for your running insights and soft teaching ways. Nearly every time I run I recall a visualization you taught or remember a critique. I am grateful to be able to run at 75. ChiRunning® techniques, and particularly your observations and recommendations – applications of Chi teachings - have made that possible, I think. So thank you again for your instruction. My best wishes to you." ~ Stacy, Oregon Coast (Past participant in a handful of ChiRunning® individual sessions. He's still running marathons!)

"Thank you! What a breakthrough. I had a great time. Still no pain in the shins. So excited for where this journey will take me. You're truly changing lives." ~  Emma, Corvallis, OR (ChiRunning® individual session)

"After completing a couple of ChiRunning sessions with Alice, my hamstring pain is gone and I'm done with physical therapy. The physical therapist was amazed I recovered so quickly. When I came in a couple of weeks ago, it was super tight and quite painful even just walking fast. I think it was less the physical therapy exercises and stretches that helped me recover than the ChiRunning technique. I'm sure my form is still off a bit here and there, but I know it's better than the power running I was doing before. And the cool thing is, I know I will be able to keep working on tweaking it and getting it down in the months and years to come. Every run is becoming an adventure and a joy! I haven't felt like this since college--maybe even high school!" ~   Jeff, Former Collegiate Runner, Portland, OR  (ChiRunning® individual sessions)

"Alice, thank you so much for the wonderful class! I so appreciated your thoughtfulness and generosity, both of which shine through in your teaching. I've said to more than one person that your ChiRunning® class changed my life. I hope that I'll be able to say the same thing about this new practice." ~ Kathy, Portland, OR (Recent  participant in TRE® & Yoga for a Calmer Nervous System series who had previously taken a ChiRunning® workshop.)

"This was an amazing experience in becoming aware of and working with another part of the nervous system.  Alice also introduced us to various ways to calm ourselves, such as chanting and yoga movements. It was all new and rewarding." ~ Lori, Portland, OR (TRE® & Yoga for a Calmer Nervous System)

"I wasn't sure what to expect in this class. What I found was a calm respectful place to explore something I had never tried before. Alice did a wonderful job of educating me about the practice, creating boundaries and space for the class to individually explore our own healing through TRE®, and checking in to see how each experience resonated within us. I highly recommend her as an instructor.  I've added this to my post-work transition and so far it's been very nice to take 5-10 minutes and shake. " ~ Nellie, Portland, OR  (TRE® & Yoga for a Calmer Nervous System) 

"I honestly believe that I have seen the largest number of running coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists and massage therapists in the entire state of Washington, if not the Pacific Northwest. After 7 marathons, and dropping out of my fourth Portland Marathon with debilitating hip flexor pain, I was sure I would never run again. I could run about 2 miles, and the pain would be so bad, I could barely walk. When my husband suggested I read "ChiRunning" I was skeptical, and although I could see it was a great way to go, I never really changed my running until I went to a workshop that Alice put on for ChiRunning. I could not believe how much better I felt making only slight changes in my running, and when I put it all together, it was almost as if my body said, "At last!! All your muscles, tendons and ligaments were wondering when you would get it right."  I am running the NY Marathon for charity, and for the first time, I actually think I might ENJOY a marathon!! Miraculous. Believe it, ChiRunning works." 
~ Michelle, Camas, WA (ChiRunning® individual sessions)

Efficiency:  Productivity without waste. I was initially attracted to ChiRunning because I sought to be a better runner. The fact was, I stumbled across it while seeking answers to why I kept dealing with an array of injuries. Upon reading Danny's ChiRunning book, I found that someone with some credibility finally came out and said what I knew had to exist, "There is a proper way to run;  this is how you do it...". As I began to apply principles outlined in the book, I immediately felt improvements in my mechanics and felt noticeably better after my runs.  This was so encouraging that I tracked down Running Mindfullyand contacted Alice. Smart call. On top of being well versed in Chi movement, Alice is an experienced athlete, sharp, and a well-educated individual. This was made apparent by how quickly she identified some of the basic posture elements that I needed to focus on, and by how intuitive she was to my understanding the lessons. Once again, enthused with the results (improvements in my speed and economy), I contacted Alice for a follow-up to focus on hill work. I am now healthy, training for a couple of Ultras, and running more efficiently than ever before. Running smarter is a whole lot easier than running harder - and a lot more enjoyable!  
~ Pete, Vancouver, WA (ChiRunning® individual sessions)

"Thanks for a great class the other night. It was great to see you, and the class was so well structured and informative. Excellent balance of theory and practice. It has given me a lot to think about as I walk and run. So many good mental images to use, and the hamstring and hip flexor stretches are going to be really helpful to me." 
 ~ Chris, Portland, OR (Improved Postural Alignment for Runners & Walkers) 

"I just wanted to thank you for the ChiRunning workshop on Saturday. I went running for the first time in months on Sunday and was amazed at how little energy I was expending. Usually when I re-start running after a hiatus I'm huffing and puffing and dying. And, my legs felt great! ChiRunning is my last ditch attempt to get my form right and hamstring healed. You did a wonderful job explaining and demonstrating everything. Thanks again." 
~ Sarah, Portland, OR  (ChiRunning® workshop)

"I wanted to send you a note and thank you for making an immediate impact in my running! I just completed a great Hood to Coast thanks to your guidance in implementing the ChiRunning strategies. Leading up to HTC, I was unable to reach a good level of training due in large part to marathon recovery and the hot temperatures we've had this summer. I haven't run enough to really incorporate all of the ChiRunning techniques, but I was still able to compete at a high level for myself. I found myself able to concentrate on technique during the race and it helped me really focus on my running and running my tempo. The most rewarding parts have been the improved consistency in my running and a very quick recovery. Last year, my calves hurt so much it was hard to go down stairs after the race. This year they didn't hurt at all! Quite a difference. I hope you had a great race as well; I certainly had a blast." 
~  Chuck, Aloha, OR  (ChiRunning® individual sessions)

"I want to thank you so much for the ChiRunning class you taught last summer. My goal was to run a 1/2 marathon on my 50th birthday. On May 15th, I turned 50 and successfully crossed the finish line of the Capitol City Marathon in Olympia, Washington.  (I did the 1/2.) I have been plagued by Baker's Cysts at the back of my left knee for several years and thought that I would not be able to run more than 5 or 6 mi/session. However, I followed the ChiRunning method and although my knee was not "normal" I was able to body sense around the issue and make adjustments. I followed Danny Dreyer's marathon training program with adjustments, and it was most helpful.  I am thrilled and am a believer in the method.  As a physical therapist, I treat many runners and patients of Dr. McClanahan's.  (Portland podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan of Northwest Foot & Ankle Clinic.) I encourage them to consider the ChiRunning method and refer your name to them.  Thank you again - I am so excited about running and having the option to participate in 1/2 marathon runs." ~ Wendy Larson, Physical Therapist, Portland, OR

"This is a long overdue thank you for the ChiRunning workshop you did for me and my friends. I have to tell you I absolutely loved it!! As did my girls! You did an awesome job. You are a great teacher. I am applying the Chi technique and I have to tell you I am in love!! This totally works. I cannot get over it. I have a running partner who has always been at least 50 yards ahead of me and now I can keep up with her no problem all because of ChiRunning. I have knocked off a least 2min per mile. Not only that but it just gives me a whole new focus on running, instead of just trying to 'get it over with'. I now feel so much more plugged into my body. My brain tends to jump all over the place, so having all the techniques to focus on is awesome for me. . . . I am very grateful for this. I am telling everyone I know about it. I truly think it is a must for all runners. In fact I will see people running down the street heel striking and I just want to yell "lean forward, lean forward". It is so cool!  Also my foot pain that I had been experiencing is sooo much better. So I am giving the credit to Chi." 
~  Jana, Centralia, WA (ChiRunning® private workshop)

"I took Alice's Yoga for Runners & Walkers class last term, and it was very beneficial. The class was a very comfortable level and pace for me, and I learned a bunch of new and helpful poses. As a long time runner who doesn't stretch enough, it was helpful to get some new insights and ideas around stretching, and to spend some focused time on it in a low stress setting. Alice also touched on meditation, which was new for me. This was an unexpected benefit from the class and something I hope to work more on in the future. I found the classes to be a wonderful way to wind down after a busy day, learn some new stretches, and build some awareness around meditation, which was awesome. I'll be signing up for this class again!" ~ Cormac, Age 56, Portland, OR. (Yoga for Runners & Walkers)

"I have been running since April 2008 during which time I have run a handful of half and full marathons, each with the undesirable effect on the following days of muscle stiffness and not wanting to walk up or down stairs. On May 31st, 2009 I had an opportunity to take part in a ChiRunning Clinic given by Alice Diffely. I’m happy to tell you that I have improved my times in the two half marathons that I have run since taking your class. I was also able to run 19.61 miles in the Hood to Coast Relay without muscle soreness. The most important aspect of learning ChiRunning is my body doesn’t take the pounding that it used to. I actually recover more quickly and can go farther on my runs. Alice taught me how to use my whole body to help me run, instead of just using my legs. I’m 51 years old and because of ChiRunning I plan on running for the rest of my life. Thank you Alice."  
~ Greg, Happy Valley, OR (ChiRunning® private workshop for Hood to Coast team)

"I wanted to thank you for leading such a helpful and inspiring running class this past Saturday. As I think I mentioned, I've been working with the ChiRunning method for about 10 months now, between the book and the video. Your class affirmed much of what I've been doing. More importantly, it both refined and introduced a number of concepts that I hadn't quite gotten yet. And I just really enjoyed being around people who wanted to talk about running for an afternoon (my wife can only take so much). Thank you again. I've had a couple of great, short runs since Saturday to work on what I've learned; I'm looking forward to many more."  
~ Nick, 36, Los Angeles, CA (ChiRunning® workshop)

"I've been running fairly seriously and running a few marathons a year for 11 years. Prior to taking a ChiRunning workshop from Alice, I had never had any instruction on running form or mechanics, even though I've read a lot and talked to many other runners about "how to run". Even recently when I asked a good runner and running coach if he could watch me and give me feedback, he said, "Your body knows how to run and figure out form that works". The ChiRunning class finally gave me some suggestions and insight that made sense in terms of energetics, mindset, form and mechanics. Watching the video of my running, with Alice, was one of the most helpful portions of the class. I feel like my running will be more efficient and my body will be safer as I run in the future, almost into my 50's by now. This class was a month before my 48th birthday, when I ran 48 miles fairly efficiently and injury-free. During the day, whenever my form and energy began to sag, I remembered the key points of the ChiRunning form to help me feel better and more efficient." 
~ Bruce, Corvallis, OR (ChiRunning® workshop)

"The 3-week PRI-inspired yoga mini-series was my first exposure to the Postural Restoration approach, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and practice with Alice. Kindly and thoughtfully, Alice shared concepts and sequences in class that translated a positive change not only to my yoga practice, but to my running, to the way I sit at my desk at work, to my life in general. The ideas, exercises, and sequences that composed each class really helped me clarify what I can receive from adjustments to my own yoga practice and how PRI techniques benefit us. Each session had at least one major “aha!” moment for me – especially in regards to how we slightly adjust the way we hold certain poses (and the ways we use the breath) so that the internal inherent asymmetries in all of us are celebrated. Thank you, Alice!" 
~ Anna, Portland, OR (Yoga Series)

"Thanks so much for the great session. I've read the book, but this was the first time I felt like I really "got it". I think  I've been overcompensating and running on the balls of my feet. Now, I finally feel where that sweet spot is. Thanks again."   ~ Karen, Portland, OR (ChiRunning® individual session)

"After fighting knee and hip pain for years and nearly giving up running, I found the Ch Running method. I used the book to teach myself, and within a few months my injuries were gone. But it was a private coaching session with Alice that really helped me refine my form so that I could train for longer distances. Recently, I used the very things she taught me in my first 50K, which I finished with no injuries and a smile on my face. At age 48, I'm now running farther, faster, and more freely than I ever have in my life, and I attribute it all Chi Running. Thanks Alice! 
~ Dave, Portland, OR (ChiRunning® individual sessions)

"The Hood to Coast Relay is special to me in so many ways. Not only is it the 'Woodstock of Running', but my inaugural HTC in 2007 was the first time I was exposed to ChiRunning by a physicist from Stanford University. ChiRunning has changed my life of running! Prior to incorporating the principles learned from Alice during my first ChiRunning workshop in April 2008, I had been suffering from significant calf and plantar pain and occasional severe low back pain. Done properly, ChiRunning significantly reduces the biomechanical impact with the ground - thus decreasing stress to the entire body, especially one's feet. As a physical therapist, this technique makes so much sense!!! By utilizing the combination of Strain Counter Strain Manual Therapy, coaching and support from the Vancouver Fit running club, and by incorporating the principles of ChiRunning, pain has been all but eliminated to these once affected areas. During and after the 2009 HTC event, I can honestly say I had absolutely no pain or soreness whatsoever. I attribute this to proper training and to eating the right kinds of foods before, during and after my runs. More specifically I attribute the resolution of my pain issues to Chi Running!!!!"  ~ Dwight "Ike" Anunciado, Physical Therapist.   Clinical Director and Owner of 360 Physical Therapy - Vancouver, WA.

"I've been meaning to e-mail you for some time to follow up on the Introductory workshop I did with you early last year. I wanted to let you know that I've been really, really happy with the results in my running life. It took about six months for me to be able to fully rotate my left hip. I kept doing all the loosening exercises and running. One day, my left hip suddenly joined in! All of a sudden, I had rotation, as well as flexion and extension. You won't be surprised to hear that my chronic piriformis pain started to resolve shortly thereafter. In fact, if I feel my piriformis or upper hamstring start to tighten up while I'm running, I just focus on rotating that hip and it loosens again. I am here to say that it may take months to get all the parts of the running form in motion, but it's SO worth the wait.  My chronic hip pain on the left is a thing of the past. Training during the fall (for a HM I didn't run) and the winter for the Cascade HM in January of this year went well. My time was faster by a full minute per mile. It was a great race for me. I ran with another woman for a few miles, and she commented on how easy my stride was. Needless to say, I tell everyone about ChiRunning and your workshops. After a year, I'm starting to focus more on swinging my arms back because I tend to swing cross-body. (Cascade race pix confirmed this) and on keeping my ankles soft. My only remaining soreness is in my feet and ankles, so I'm working now on a good bend at the knee and picking up my feet. I can't thank you enough for bringing ChiRunning to the NW and to ME!" 
~ Jennifer, Salem, OR (ChiRunning® workshop)

Yoga for Nurturing Your Inner Child has been a catalyst for me to explore my connection with my own wounded inner child. I’m grateful for Alice’s gentle presence as she guides us through meditations, chanting, and yoga sequencing all inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh’s words of wisdom. The class is perfect for a mid-week evening wind-down, and I’ve found that the practices continue to resonate and support me throughout the week. The class has been a safe place to explore and nurture my inner child and help me awaken an inner state of joy that’s always been there.  ~ Jennifer, Eugene, OR (Yoga for Nurturing Your Inner Child)

I took Alice's TRE & Yoga for a Calmer Nervous System in the Winter of 2023 via Zoom. I really appreciated taking this class from the privacy and comfort of my own home. I regularly refer back to the Zoom recordings as I have developed my home practice. Alice is a very patient, kind and experienced instructor. She brings a calming presence to the practice of TRE that I find very helpful.  TRE has become an excellent addition to my personal toolkit for regulating my nervous system and finding calm in a hectic world.
~ Patricia, Portland, OR (TRE® & Yoga for a Calmer Nervous System)

Alice: Thanks for the instruction. Yesterday I taught my most anxious client the same breathing techniques and she loved it. She told me that 4 years ago, before her severe anxiety developed, she used to enjoy breathing sessions but once the anxiety started breathing made her feel worse so she stopped the sessions. She then said that for the first time in 4 years, due to this new technique, she was able to feel good breathing again!~ Harvey Hyman, LPCC, Northern California (1:1 Online Discussion of and Instruction in Breathing Techniques As Options to Assist His Clients in Their Psychotherapy Sessions)

I never thought that I would run again after suffering an ankle injury and operation which didn’t heal as expected. I couldn’t walk but a few blocks let alone take a long stroll on the beach. Steroid shots and physical therapy were helpful but I resigned myself that I was stuck with limited mobility. But as fate would have it we had installed a Little Library in front of our house and were enjoying the variety of books that appeared. One day a book on ChiRunning appeared, and as soon as I opened it I read it cover to cover. I scoured the internet and watched videos, and found out about the ChiRunning resources in Portland. I realized that by changing my mind body relationship I could run again without pain. It’s been well over three years now and I continue my practice -  still learning at 77 years old. I can’t express the impact running has made on me,  and also having a teacher/coach like you.
~ Geo, Portland, OR (ChiRunning® Introductory Workshop, ChiRunning® Private Refresher Session, Yoga for Runners & Walkers Series)

I've noticed that for the next few days after each class I'm a lot more attentive to my Inner Child. I remember a lot more to integrate her into what I'm doing and to think about her.~ Karen, Portland, OR (Yoga for Nurturing Your Inner Child Series)

This class helped me so much, and is a perfect adjunct to my therapy and other mind/body work I'm doing. And YOU are such a wonderful teacher-- everything about the class was soothing and friendly and relaxing and encouraging. Your voice is wonderful, and the way you speak and words you use are so supportive and wonderful. Thank you so much for another wonderful series, Alice!
~ Anonymous, Portland, OR (Yoga for Nurturing Your Inner Child Series)

Testimonials