Issue #345 – September 15, 2021
Getting ‘Hands-On’ with Your Clients and/or Loved Ones
by Gail Giovanniello
One of the things I missed the most during lock/shutdowns was human connection and touch. I am an experienced hands-on instructor, and my hope is that this article will prep you with some tools to feel comfortable to utilize a few tactile cues or to encourage you to take some training. Not to mention share a little bodywork with loved ones!
In brief, my experience with hands-on began in the 1980’s in college – SUNY Purchase Dance Dept., when the anatomy teacher taught the required Anatomy course as a massage course. He thought, as dancers, we would benefit more and learn the names of the muscles more easily if we could experience that tactilely. He was spot on! The class was all ears (and hands)! He had our attention. I became somewhat of an “anatomy geek” and I thank this teacher.
Later, I trained in a Pilates studio where dancers were trained to teach clients according to a very specific movement list. The original owners of this studio suggested that the instructors obtain some kind of hands-on or massage course training.
The individual exercise lists varied somewhat but mostly deleted the exercises contraindicated for a particular ailment and many performed the full routine. The exercises included specific hands- on assistance that were taught to us with great specificity. A few examples with assistance: Tendon Stretch – calcaneus pull; Short Spine – hand support on low back/holding straps; Jack Knife – catch, lift and guide down; and Spinals on the Cadillac. There were others as well. We never pulled, pushed or forced but assisted, guided and supported the movement executed by the client.
Clients loved it and some came in just for these stretches; still today, I find many clients look forward to the hands-on part. Touch also connects teacher/client physically and many of us can really use that now after spending a year in lock down.
Today, liabilities are greater due to the growth in the Fitness & Pilates industry and lawsuits for improper touch and injury exist. This may be the result of improper, (or lack of), training.
The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) scope of practice is to ask before touching and stop when the client says so.
I am not recommending that you offer healing, fixing or deep body work. I am offering some tools and ideas for further education to perform hands-on assistance and stretching safely and properly within the Pilates repertoire.
Early in my career, I explored courses to better my practice with hands-on and to learn good body mechanics for teaching. I also wanted to learn how to keep my own body safe and healthy in preparation for hours and years of teaching. I took one class in Thai Body Yoga from a NYC friend who had trained in Thailand. I absolutely fell in love with the work and later took Course Levels I & II. My future plan is to go to Thailand to study and aim toward completing Level IV.
One of my favorite lines from Thai Yoga is, “Open hand, open heart.” The second is, “Easy in, easy out.” With Thai Body work, one learns to shift his/her center of weight to the stretch of the client. The idea is that both participants move center to center and there can be a rocking movement. Essentially, it ends up feeling good for the instructor as well. A win-win! Anyway, the training helped me keep my body safe and learn how to approach a body I was about to touch.
In addition to some training, consider knowing a few things from the get-go:
Tip #1: At intake, have the client tell you all injuries and sensitive areas and avoid touching those. Always err on the side of caution.
Tip #2: Ask the client if she/he would like hands-on stretch and/or assistance and if it is ok to touch.
Tip #3: Keep your palm open so that the touch point is open; sturdy but soft and never pokey.
Tip #4: Lean in with your center toward or away from the client’s center. Never muscle it with arm strength.
Tip #5: Find a course and experience hands-on work. As with everything, getting comfortable with it will take time and practice.
Tip #6: STOP! when the client tells you, “enough” and be sure to keep your eyes on the facial expressions.
Try this! (Maybe with a colleague at first)
While the client is doing what I call ‘Tendon Stretch’ on the Reformer, stand in front of the Footbar, legs hip width apart. As the client reaches the heels down under the bar, bend your knees and with an open hand, grab the calcaneus bones of each foot and lean back. Their center is reaching forward and yours is reaching back along with their timing and movement. Always follow their lead. When their heels lift, release your grip, go forward as if moving with them and repeat a few times. Reach out to me and share your experience.
I hope that I have piqued your interest in taking your practice to another level. I find that most, but definitely not all, people love to be stretched, to be touched and to experience tactile cueing. It is one way to remain actively involved with your client and physically connected.
Happy healing!
Gail Giovanniello – Mind Your Body NYC
@thepilatesbomb; @mindyourbodynyc
Gail Giovanniello has a fascination for the limitless potential of movement and healing in the human body. Gail has found that Pilates is the most effective exercise for any physical level. Having previously been a professional dancer for ten years, Gail now dedicates her life to keeping other people moving and feeling good.
Gail is a fourth
generation descendent teacher of the Pilates method, training for over fifteen years with Deborah Lessen, a teaching disciple of Carola Trier. Gail also studied with Kelly Kane, founder of Core Integration
Gail promotes focus and attention to detail along with an in-depth comprehension of anatomy for movement. Her extensive background allows her to assist people with a broad range of physical concerns: post-injury rehabilitation, sports conditioning and pre-natal exercise as well as posture and overall muscle toning.
Gail is certified by the PMA® and is also the Director of Mind Your Body Pilates Teacher Training, which offers comprehensive Pilates educational training in Pre-Pilates as well as on all Pilates apparatus. Gail also holds a Level II in the GYROTONIC® Expansions system and Jump Stretch Board.
Gail offers profound and overall attention, interest, and concern for all her clients, and gives tireless care to the upkeep of her two studio locations