"I had the pleasure of working with Tara off and on for about 18 months in 2001 and 2002. Although I had experienced chronic back problems since the early 1990s, including a rather extended and  painful bout in the fall of 2000, I had none when I was doing Alexander with Tara.  I cannot think of anyone better -- more skilled as a teacher, more elegant and intuitive as a practitioner -- than Tara with whom to practice Alexander.  In all candor, I have not maintained all the practices, but, in Alexander as in life (in my opinion) even a little difference can go, and has gone, a long way." – Rachel G., Brooklyn, New York

“I had studied the Alexander Technique prior to working with Tara, but it was not something that I had regularly incorporated in my life. After a voice teacher recommended that I study the Alexander Technique with Tara specifically, we began work together. In a relatively short time I was able to grasp mentally as well as kinesthetically how the Alexander Technique worked and more importantly, how it worked for ME. Tara's approach is gentle and effective-In our time together my posture and movements in every day life became much more efficient and my singing changed exponentially-I was finally able to sing through phrases with ease and evenness of tone. I never knew it could feel so effortless to produce so much beautiful sound! I know, without fail, that the best singing I do comes after a lesson with Tara. And thanks to her approach, I am able to rediscover that ease on my own.” – Arielle Doneson, Soprano, New York, NY

“Like so many of us, I walk around everyday basically healthy, but with a short list of aches and pains and tension that get in the way of my really feeling my best. Over the years I have sampled many different modalities in the quest to feel better. The Alexander Technique stands alone in that it shows you how to do things differently. I can get a massage or acupuncture or a chiropractic adjustment every day, but if I walk out of the office and walk with my chin thrust forward or my weight too far back on my heels, I end up right in the same place where I started. For me, understanding what I’m doing with my body, and how it is out of balance, is the first step towards learning how to undo it and feel better. For instance, I always thought that my lower back pain was caused by the fact that my lower back sways backwards. Well, it does, but my rib cage also flares forward! That was a huge piece of the puzzle for me, and helped explain the tightness between my shoulder blades as well. As I understand what I’m doing, and use the techniques Tara teaches me to undo these habits, I feel each area of pain and tension release and relax. At the end of every Alexander lesson, I feel like I’ve gotten a massage! This is an irreplaceable part of my “wellness routine.” – Samantha Belth, NYC

"I'd heard about the Alexander Technique for many years before I finally found Tara Sullivan. At first, my work with Tara was like oiling a Tin Man.  But as we worked together, she not only relieved my aches and pains, but she also helped me unlearn so much of the misuse of my body that led to a range of disorders.  Her gentle, supportive style sustained my work over the last eight years.  Today, though Tara is far away, I'm still making small, subtle changes through my study of the Alexander Technique.  Thanks to her coaching, I've learned more about how to learn, not just to take back control over my body's response to stress." – Nancy Kranich, State College, PA
 
 
“My first experience with the Alexander Technique was casual, but powerful.  I was playing guitar and singing at Tara's apartment, years ago. She came over to me in the middle of the song and told me to keep playing and singing when she put her hands on my head.  She then did what I can only describe as a "suggestion of freeing up" the way I was holding my head.  It was a gentle sort of redirection.  Once she did, I was amazed at the sound that came out of me.  My voice seemed suddenly to vibrate all throughout my skull and it took very little effort to produce sound.  Until that moment, I felt singing was a process of squeezing air and sound up and out of my throat and through my mouth- a sort of raspy, Bruce Springsteen style.  But I discovered immediately that it is really a matter of getting out of the way and ALLOWING the sound to just happen.  It was a revelation.
 
“I took a few lessons with Tara when in New York and benefited greatly.  A recurring neck tension/pain issue I'd had since a car accident five years prior improved immensely.  I had seen a chiroprator a few times for that, but it never fully addressed the issue of freeing my neck myself to allow for a lengthening spine and therefore a pain free neck!  I truly appreciate the self-reliant nature of the Alexander Technique, the ability to "heal oneself" as opposed to relying on that next appointment when the chiropractor will force your bones into submission for temporary pain relief.  The Alexander Technique is a life long process of improvement as opposed to a temporary solution.  Since Tara's instruction, I have continued my exploration here in my new hometown of Los Angeles with a series of Alexander workshops and some private lessons. With each session, I gain and retain more valuable information about the state of my mind/body as it moves through the world and often give myself gentle suggestions like "try allowing your shoulders to relax while you drive" or "why not allow your neck to be free while you're onstage performing with your band"?
 
“I credit the Alexander Technique for a pain free life with very few physical issues.  Many guys my age complain about back troubles and chalk it up to getting into their mid 30's.  I am so happy to not have to "buy into" that concept.  Activities from brushing my teeth to hauling a suitcase to performing for large audiences or in front of the camera are now all opportunities to improve myself and explore the benefits of the technique in practical action.  My life is enriched by the Alexander Technique in more ways I can mention in one testimonial, and I have Tarato thank for that first gentle suggestion that unlocked my voice and spurred my career as a professional singer/songwriter and actor.  I cannot recommend her instruction highly enough.  Do yourself the favor of discovering the technique with her.  She is a most excellent instructor in that she allows you to make discoveries as opposed to imposing an agenda.  And I feel that she learns and discovers new things herself right along with me- the sign of a truly gifted and talented teacher.” - Sean Galuszka, Los Angeles, CA