When Bushwick resident Ariel Carson first shared her website with me, I had no idea what The Alexander Technique was. “It helps you improve posture, relieve pain, and feel calmer,” she explained in an email. “It can be applied to absolutely any activity, so it makes daily life easier all around.” While the specifics were still a mystery to me, that description alone made me certain I’d been missing out on something amazing.
I filled out a few survey questions so she knew a little bit more about me, and booked a session at her private studio space at Irving Ave & Starr St. Ariel met me at the door with a bright smile and we had a quick chat about how the session would work. The technique was a combination of spoken instruction and light physical guidance as I went through simple motions like sitting and standing, rolling onto my side and even lying still.
It felt effortless and soothing, but it was also educational. Ariel candidly explained how bones and muscles were functioning in precise parts of my back and neck, and—I swear it was magical for someone as tense as I tend to be—I was able to release immense amounts of tension and become aware of my stress points.
