As an educator, a student becoming injured is my worst nightmare. Statistically, it will happen given enough time teaching but I am committed to doing everything in my power to prevent it and have a plan in place for when/if it does. I have been injured myself during manual stretching very early in my training and mostly because I didn’t feel comfortable enough to voice my concerns and say stop when it was too much. This is not to say it was malicious and I hold no hard feelings but this is all too common.
I am writing this to address mainly recreational students that have chosen to take classes regularly and more specifically, extreme flexibility training as a part of Aerial/Circus Arts. However, this applies to almost every sport/training environment where risk is an inherent part of the activity.
Never put your hands on anyone without expressed consent and foreknowledge. This is just a blanket statement. Owners, operators, students, teachers, everyone. For my lessons, this means an intro conversation with every new student or class where I explain about my teaching style, how the lesson/class will progress, and how/where I could be in physical contact with the participant and their right to say stop at any time.
Below are some definitions so we’re all on the same page before I climb on my soapbox...
Extreme Flexibility (aka contortion) training requires the body to be in extreme-ly physical condition (aka conditioning).
Conditioning is exercise until exhaustion; typically at the end of a workout. A good conditioning regime should be focused on your body and training goals. But any is better than none.
Pain vs. Discomfort: Pain is bad, discomfort is acceptable. Do you know the difference, has your teacher/instructor/coach discussed the difference?
Yoga is great but the practice of yoga is fundamentally different than Extreme Flexibility/Contortion Training (EFCT). These two practices should not be confused for one another or intermixed. Great training should include the engagement of the entire kinetic chain and an understanding of why that is essential.
Students’ Bill of Rights:
You have the right to say NO/STOP at any time. The instructor/teacher/coach needs to listen and respect your wishes as quickly and safely as possible. It may take a moment to release and step away safely but it should be honored and acknowledged as soon as the student asks.
You have the right to a safe environment. I believe this to mean physically (rigging, mats), mentally (free from bullying, competition), emotionally (creative, inclusive, supportive). Safety should never be a secret, and a process for handling concerns needs to be in place and familiar to everyone. Every participant, teacher, employee, and contractor has an equal right to a safe environment in which to thrive.
3. You have the right to a Qualified Instructor. This can encompass a combination of training, education, and experience.
A qualified person is defined by OSHA as one who, “by the possession of a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated his ability to solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter, the work, or the project.” -https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/risk-management/page s/osha-competent-qualified.aspx
Circus/Aerial is an Art , not a Sport; there is no regulatory body therefore no teaching requirements or minimum standards.
Teaching style is not the same as qualifications, each individual will teach slightly differently but many should have the same fundamentals.
4. You have the right to ask questions and get answers. Be your own (or child's) advocate. Do research about the facility and instructors. If you ask about the state requirements to run a children’s program, be aware that each state has different laws and regulations, ask direct and relevant questions. Can you see a business license? What type of insurance do they carry? Is there a rescue/emergency plan? If the facility/instructor works with children does everyone have a background check on file? If the instructor/teacher/coach doesn’t have the answers, they need to provide someone who does or find out it in a timely manner and follow up.
Conversely, this does not mean talking over anyone, being dismissive or disrespectful in any way. Addressing areas of concern is great, being rude is not.