"Trying is only emphasising the thing we know already."
F. M. Alexander
Founder of the Alexander Technique
Exeter Practice
Fumiaki Tanaka MSTA, RCST offers
-
The Three Principles - Wellbeing Coaching
in the heart of Exeter.
It is located in the back of Gandy Street, between the library and Exeter Phoenix. It is roughly behind Zizi restaurant. The Argyle House is a light blue house with an iron gate.
Please note:
Because the postcode covers the whole of Gandy Street, searching by postcode on Google Maps won’t show the exact location — Please use the map below for accurate directions.
What is the Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique offers a practical and thoughtful approach to improving how you use your body in everyday life. Through gentle guidance and increased awareness, it helps you move with greater ease, improve posture, and reduce unnecessary tension, supporting both physical comfort and mental clarity.
Developed by F. M. Alexander in the late 19th century, the Alexander Technique is based on the understanding that mind and body work as a unified whole. By becoming aware of habitual patterns of movement and posture that may contribute to discomfort or strain, you can learn to release them and allow more balanced, efficient coordination to emerge. This can lead to improved mobility, posture, and overall wellbeing.
In my Exeter practice, the Alexander Technique is particularly helpful for people experiencing ongoing tension, stiffness, or discomfort related to daily activities, work, or long periods of sitting. It is also widely used by musicians, performers, and athletes who wish to refine their coordination, prevent injury, and move with greater freedom and confidence.
Alongside its physical benefits, the Alexander Technique can support stress reduction by helping you recognise and let go of unnecessary muscular effort. This can foster a calmer, more centred state of mind and a greater sense of ease in daily life.
To find out more, please read the Alexander Technique page.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that supports the body’s natural self-healing potential and helps restore balance, promoting overall health and vitality. By working with the body’s subtle rhythms, Craniosacral Therapy helps balance the autonomic nervous system, calming the body’s fight-or-flight response and supporting the rest-and-digest response.
During a Craniosacral Therapy session, I listen carefully to the subtle movements within your body. Rather than trying to force or manipulate change, I hold the body lightly and allow it to respond in its own way. This gentle process can help release restrictions and areas of compression, allowing the body to gradually unwind at its own pace. Because no force or resistance is imposed, many people experience the sessions as deeply calming. Clients often describe a sense of profound relaxation, and some say it feels as though their body is gently floating.
If you would like to find out more, please read the Craniosacral Therapy page.
"Fumiaki is a professional and knowledgeable therapist in both Craniosacral and Alexander technique therapies. He gave me confidence in his ability to explain the therapy and procedure so that I had a clear understanding.
Fumiaki’s expertise and gentle technique enabled me to relax and find healing from Craniosacral therapy for painful arthritis.
The Alexander technique helped me to understand and realign my posture caused by long term painful arthritis."
Val Turner
"I recently resumed Alexander Technique lessons after a 25 year period,
and was fortunate to meet Fumiaki Tanaka, an excellent teacher.
I have been very impressed by Mr. Tanaka's teaching ability from the very beginning of our lessons together.
We did both table and chair work, and it wasn't long before my body remembered the Alexander work I had done so many years ago.
I found Mr. Tanaka to be very patient and encouraging, while holding to excellent standards. His teaching style is simple, natural and easy to follow.
I recommend his lessons very highly."
Steve Beimel
"My weekly visit to Fumiaki is always a highlight as he has the ability to wash away the pain. It’s as if he can see deep inside me and his understanding of the human body both physically and spiritually is remarkable.
Have been in pain for over 26 years and met many practitioners along the way. Sadly could count on one hand the practitioners in every field of wellbeing I’ve visited who have managed to break down mental/physical issues. Fumiaki is most definitely one of them and upon leaving my session I feel as if I have just been on a glorious beach holiday.
For anyone out there looking for help or simply looking to improve posture I urge you to go see this guy. He’s special :-) "
Edward Margulies
Directions:
On Gandy Street, go through an alleyway next to Seasalt.
When you come out, turn left and go through the iron gate.
It is an off-white building with a red door.
Please note: There is no sign saying Therapy Rooms Exeter.
Parking:
There are many car parks nearby. The closest one is the Guildhall Centre car park.
Train stations:
Exeter Central station is about 5 min away.
Exeter St Davids station is about 20 min walk.
"In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added.
In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.
Less and less do you need to force things,
until finally you arrive at non-action.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone."
Lao Tzu
- ancient Chinese philosopher and the author of Tao Te Ching