Would this bother you??

Dancing Paws started this discussion · 3/6/2012

So I have gone to a class on several occasions and there are things she has us do/ she does that make me nervous. I know she is a trained professional, but still...not sure what to think. For one, when stretching I get into a good stretch to where it's a deep stretch, but not too intense. I let my body say how far I go. She will come and press me further into and omg intense! I have to do labor breathing to take it. It worries me that this is gonna hurt me. Second is an exercise we do. I lay on my back with my feet in the air. A partner stands over my head with their feet on either side of my head. The partner flings my feet to the ground and I am supposed to stop them from hitting the ground and bring them back up. Repeat flinging legs down and me lifting them back up. I fear this exercise will herniated a disk in my back. Any thoughts???

20 replies

horsecrazy12987 · 3/6/2012
The pushing someone into a stretch has always made me nervous. Because the thing is, YOU know what your body is capable of and how far you can comfortably go in a stretch. It is not your teacher's body--I don't care how much training she has had, she does not know exactly what is going on in your body and how far you can safely stretch your muscles. I would personally be very, very wary of someone coming along and physically pushing me deeper into any sort of stretch.
Runemist34 · 3/6/2012
I agree with both of you... I've had the "push harder!" approach, and it just freaks me out. I tense up, and don't get any stretch from it at all... just pain! It results in nothing. What could have been good flexibility training has just gone out the window. As for the leg-flinging, perhaps it would be helpful to talk to your instructor? Ask about things like herniated disks... because you don't want to participate in something that is going to be harmful. I'm a little confused, though.... how does such an exercise help to strengthen? It seems a bit weird... why would sudden tension of your muscles for a very brief moment of time to fight some momentum help your strength in those mucles? Just seems like a good way to damage something, if I'm honest. But I'm pretty oldschool when it comes to strength training!
horsecrazy12987 · 3/6/2012
Technically, that move sensualscimitar is describing is supposed to work the abs, but I have done it before and it's pretty much all about momentum, which of course works your abs very little. I've had to do it in karate classes before and always hated it. I never felt like it was an injury waiting to happen or anything, it just felt like a waste of time to me.
Veena · 3/6/2012
These are both common and the leg throwing is a bit old school in my opinion. Both of these can easily cause injury. However, there are ways to do assisted or partner stretching safely, but for most of us, it's not necessary. If your ever uncomfortable with what an instructor does, you always have to listen to your body, there is nothing wrong with sitting an exercise out.
jade s · 3/6/2012
I agree with horsecrazy about the leg throwing exercise. I my experience the tendency is to use the momentum which does very little to strengthen your core. I have been to several different studios, and different instuctors. What i've recently learned is that few know proper raining techniques and will stretch first as part of the warm up. As Veena teaches in her lessons, you should never stretch a cold muscle. I can't tell you how many muscles I've pulled before I learned that lesson. As for the pressing you further while stretching, it should be done gently not forcefully, and she should be telling you to inhale deeply first, and as you exhale, sink lower into your stretch while GENTLY pressing. However, I've found that simply using my exhale while sinking lower into my stretch works just as well without anyone's assistance. In think if you don't feel comfortable you should sit it out. Any good instructor will not force anyone to anything they don't feel good about. You are right to listen to your body and be safe.
FreeTheSun · 3/6/2012
Any partner stretching should first an agreement between partners (no just walking up and pushing someone deeper into something) and lots of communication so you don't go too far, cause the person pushing can't feel your limit. The double leg throwdown thing was a big thing in the dry land part of synchronize swimming practice. I actually liked it cause it added a (good) intensity to the double leg raise that I couldn't get otherwise, but everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I know lots of girls would tuck their hands under their bum/hip to keep the strain off the back and focus more on the abs (instead of holding the ankles of the other girl). Might be an option if you don't want to sit it out. But like everyone else said. Communicate with your instructor and sit out (or modify) what you don't feel comfortable with.
cupcake11 · 3/8/2012
At my age, I would be pissed off and probably make a fool out of myself if someone tried to physically push me deeper into a stretch! I would think it would seriously open the instructor and studio up to ...well, a MESS ! I would not stand for this!
donnalee · 3/8/2012
I would not like for anyone to touch me without telling me so and doing it in a cooperative manner WITH my consent. That does not sound like a good experience. I have worked with instructors on stretching and pole moves. They guided me. I did more because of their encouragement and cooperation. No one forced or grabbed anything. I think you are right in wondering, "Don't think I am liking this?"
amy · 3/8/2012
is this a stretching class? every stretching/flexibility/contortion class i have taken involves the instructor getting VERY personal and making bodily corrections. but i put myself there, and i expect that level of intensity in a dedicated class for that. that partner exercise... my opinion is that there are many, many more effective ways to safely work the core.
Dancing Paws · 3/8/2012
Amy - No it's not a stretching class. It's an aerial class (silks, lyra, trapeze, rope.)
pegasusaerialfitness · 3/9/2012
The instructor should ask you first if you would like help..."permission to make contact with you" and if she "cant get" it that you are uncomfortable she sucks! "If in doubt, go without" Just tell the instructor that you dont want any help on that stretch. And tell her that you need a modification of that "ab" exercise" because it doesn't feel right in your back. (she/he should have noticed that something was off and asked you) It's sad to see that someone has to be so cautious when taking a fitness class with a supposed trained professional. The instructor doesnt have to know everything....but I will tell you this...you can see it on a persons face and there body language when things arnt flowing. I teach my students to respect their body and get to know it. It's the "little funny feelings" or "wow, that DIDNT feel right" you always get your warnings before an injury occurs. And it is not a "pain" signal. for you to even mention this is telling me that you are very close to injury if you are feeling uncomfortable with what this is instructor is doing. All my students know that the only time I get "upset" with them is when they don't tell me how they feel. Everyone has an off/weak day. All my clients are very used to someone in the class doing some type of modification of an exercise..no one feels like the "loser" in class cause they are doing something a little different..because at some point everyone has a modification. I always Start my class with how is everyones bodies today...Usually it takes a few minutes for everyone to "confess" how they are feeling...Often I will see something off and aks..."hey Sarah...what's going with your shoulder" or I just quietly going over them to and make a little adjustment. It depends on their personality.
pegasusaerialfitness · 3/9/2012
Ps...I meant just tell the instructor you do not need help or something like that.
Dancing Paws · 3/9/2012
I'm glad I'm not crazy. I have way too many issues with my body being uneven and past strains, etc. I don't need anymore. My sister had a herniated disk and had a spinal fusion at 30. There is no way I want to go through what she went through. I am very cautious about my back (especially after straining a ligament in 2004 in which I STILL get some back irritation from.)
Sair · 3/9/2012
I have instructors that will give you a bit of gentle correction, but not to the point where you're in physical pain! Yikes! Personally, i invite the correction and push, but that is only because i need a bit of help pushing my body beyond its natural barriers (ie get me into the damn splits!). If you're not going for that type of thing and are just looking for a good stretch, maybe let your instructor know that you're comfortable where you are. I doubt he/she will be offended! As for the leg swinging, in my experience (again just a personal reflection) it really is effective for abs, however, your abdominal strength should be at a certain level before doing this. There is a big big difference in someone throwing your legs towards the ground super forcefully and someone giving a gentle push on your legs forcing you to engage your core. There is definitely room for injury in that exercise either way. There are far better exercises than this one if you're concerned about back health :) Happy poling/stretching!
amy · 3/9/2012
Aerial/circus people tend to come from a very different culture and teaching style, somewhat akin to gymnastics. I dont know any circus instructors that will do anything but push very hard. In trapeze, lyra, silks, there is regularly ripping of hands (calluses) and blood is pretty frequently seen. I'm not excusing it, but it's a very different perspective on teaching that I see there. It used to be that the only people who did circus were seriously hardcore and down for pain in all its forms, because usually if you are taking class and doing circus, you are planning to perform, and if you have a gig, you do that almost no matter what your injuries. Now it's becoming more popular, and mainstream, but it's going to take a while for the culture to change.
amy · 3/9/2012
I don't know of any circus instructor that would call themselves a fitness professional, either... hahaa :)
Elektra Vallens · 3/9/2012
I've been doing aerials for years, and I agree with all the posters: don't let anyone, even a teacher, push you into a stretch without lots of communication, and tell them to stop right away if it's cauing you pain! I learned this the hard way. I also agree with Amy's post about circus culture and training attitudes. Aerialists usually know a fair bit about anatomy, but they're not doctors, and there is a pervasive attitude of "if you can do it, it's OK." The best way to take aerial classes and avoid injury is to listen to your body, educate yourself as best you can (it's your best preventative weapon), and if you still have doubts about a move, don't do it until you ask a doctor.
Mary Ellyn · 3/9/2012
I think the biggest concern here...and there are many which are very important like the permission, knowing someone's body, etc....is does this person truly KNOW what they are doing to be guiding you in this manner. Both of these techniques have the potential to injure you...but both can be done by professionals who KNOW your body well, having taken a medical history on you AND have been trained in how to do these things correctly! Definitely let her know that you are not comfortable with this and would like an alternate exercise as you don't want her or other students physically assisting you during warm up and stretching.
Dancing Paws · 3/9/2012
I'm not sure if she knws what she's doing. She graduated from circus school and had to a lot of flexibility training for herself, but I have know idea how that translates into her knowledge of it. I can honeslty say that I don't feel like I need to be pressed further in my stretching My hips are tight, so in addition to the inner leg stretch in a V, my hips start screaming on the outside of my hips (and I am currently in PT for snapping hips.)
Black Orchid · 3/10/2012
I agree with Amy, having done silks & hoop for a while. Circus folk do have some very different and strongly held theories about pain & pushing yourself. If you're not comfortable, then this might not be the right class or instructor for you, esp. if your instructor can't reasonably address your concerns.