Maria Aihara-Sasaki

Maria Aihara-Sasaki, RYT-200, BioFunctional® Movement Coach, CPT, CES, PES & Core Align® I&II, STRONG®.

Born & raised in Japan, Maria moved to Oahu in 1989.  She has a bachelor’s degree in Zoology, a Master’s in Entomology, and has been involved in scientific research at the University of Hawaii for over 25 years.  Her education & experience in biological sciences and forensic science gives her a strong background in human anatomy, physiology, and movement.

Maria’s love of animals has given her a deep understanding of conformation, gait & locomotion, which is the foundation of her knowledge in functional movement and belief that biological form follows function.  Training dogs & horses, and teaching people how to train their dogs, has also taught her much about the psychology of learning, behavioral modification, motivation & drives.

Her personal practice includes yoga, running, weight training, hiking, free diving, kickboxing & meditation.  She finds the experience & understanding of the broad range of modalities allows her to be effective in helping people improve proprioception, develop kinesthetic awareness, correct muscular imbalances, gain functional flexibility, and build core strength through the full range of motion while maintaining proper mechanical alignment.  As a Yoga Instructor, Core Align® Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Performance Exercise & Corrective Exercise Specialist, & STRONG® by Zumba group trainer she helps athletes with training and conditioning, and feels passionate about helping everyone find balance and confidence in their everyday life through functional movement & meditation.