fitness instructors touching people during class

[RevoltingPeasant]

AIBU to find this irrationally annoying?

I went to a pilates class last night and the instructor walked about the room checking people's posture - fine, it is important - but when it was wrong she just knelt down and put her hands on the person's hips or abdomen and moved it to the correct position.

I've had a couple of instructors do this and really loathe it. I'm ticklish, not massively keen on being touched by strangers, and it makes me really tense every time the instructor comes past.

I feel weird and hysterical saying in front of the whole class 'Please don't touch me!' but I seethe inside secretly.......... AIB weird?

YABU as it's a good instructor who takes that time..BUT I suppose they OUGHT to say "Would you mind if I adjust your hips?"

Samadi I am the same...I trained as a dancer and so to me, touching is fine...I am just used to it....but funnily enough I can't BEAR it if a stranger touches me in real life...a woman POKED me in the arm once and I almost passed out with irritation...she was old and wanted my attention but still.

TheHouseOnTheCorner - that's so rude! re old woman. I'm not all that touchy feely myself, but as you say, in the proper context it's fine.

I completely get what you mean - even a quick 'I'm just going to adjust your foot if that's ok' makes all the difference. I get annoyed when yoga/pilates teachers don't phyisically correct me, but absolutely agree that polite thing is to check first - esp if it's a new teacher/pupil relationship where the boundries are still being formed. Once you are in an established class imo it matters less.

I would say something at the end of a class so they can do it differently next class - but make it clear that you are just wanting him/her to say something before they correct you, not that you don't want the correction as obviously that distinction is easily missed.

I'll give the same advice I always give on this type of thread.

Check your instructor is fully qualified and reps registered.

One of my best friends is a yoga teacher and DH is a fitness instructor and they are trained to always ask for permission before touching. My friend actually went to another yoga class where someone moved her without warning and hurt her back as she wasn't expecting it, she lodged a formal complaint, and quite rightly so.

YANBU. I complained to my gym about this same topic. I think they should definitely ask before touching you.

I'm the opposite because I really appreciate being helped into the right position. It's ridiculous IMO for a fitness professional to be taught not to touch clients. Next we'll have touch free massage.

I have to add that this seems like a particularly British complaint!

My yoga teachers used to put a towel on you and then adjust you through the towel. That always seemed to me a reasonable compromise between preciousness and quick communication.

Chandellina - sadly its the way of the world now....touch a client who takes offence and it makes for a whole lot of trouble!!! Ask first, thats the best and let's face it, the most courteous way!

yogachickie.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/when-i-think-about-you-you-touch-my-ass/

I bet he is enjoying it

But chandellina I don't mind being touched, I just want to be warned!! Why is that so bad?

I am really ticklish - maybe you aren't? - but when someone touches my abs/ hips unexpectedly it makes me kind of jolt. If you are stretching to reach a position that's bloody uncomfortable!

Also whilst in pilates I mostly have my eyes open and am 'more aware' iyswim, in yoga I will often close my eyes to concentrate on a stretch or reaching a position and it's a bit of a surprise when you suddenly feel something touch you.

rhonda that is interesting - my old pilates teacher, whom I lovedlovedloved and really miss, was very well qualified and she would always ask before touching. She was also very good at explaining how to move into a position so there was less 'grab and move' iyswim. I find this woman doesn't explain things very well and so although I am generally okay as I've been doing pilates for a while, newer people often seem confused by her.

yabu and a bit weird. They're only moving you slightly into the correct position, not trying it on

I think YABU to expect the teacher to detect you have a problem without you saying anything to her! Just have a quiet word before the next session. I don't mind personally being straightened up/adjusted in Pilates but I'm sure teachers can cope withe people's different preferences.

now that you've changed your opinion from not wanting to be touched at all during class to just wanting some warning i can't see why on earth you can't just say that?? next time she touches you, jump and laugh and say 'sorry i'm really ticklish, can you just let me know when you're going to touch me in future?' with a friendly smile. easy. job done.

I think it's anormal thing to do in a class, but if you are uncomfortable with it then a quiet word with the instructor before the lesson should solve the problem.

I don't like being touched either

But it's normal to do this in yoga and Pilates isn't it?

:-0 I'm a fitness instructor. If someone was doing something wrong I'd reiterate that particular teaching point. If they still aren't doing it I'd ask them first before man handling!

melliebobs - i'm guessing you're not a yoga teacher specifically? manual 'adjustment' is an extremely valuable and necessary part of yoga.. i believe pilates is similar.

I used to teach a stretch class which was my clubs way of getting a Pilates like class without paying a premium for instructors for it! Lol