Have you ever had a new student or client tell you, “My doctor said I can never [insert type of movement] because I will hurt myself” (or something similar)?
To be fair, not all doctors use fear-mongering language, and it’s not only the purview of the medical profession – plenty of other people (chiropractors, PTs, yoga teachers, Pilates instructors) do it too.
We know words have power, and in particular, when it comes to our bodies, if a trusted professional tells us to be afraid, that’s a powerful influence and a difficult message to try and shift.
No matter the source, once someone has been set up to be afraid of movement, it’s a challenge to unpack it for them and find ways they can move safely and without fear or anxiety.
As a movement teacher, what do you do when someone comes in with rigid beliefs about what they can or cannot do with their body?
In my short talk below I explain:
– How not moving can not only create more pain but reinforce negative beliefs
– How to earn the trust of a fearful client
– Techniques to rewire their beliefs about their abilities to get them moving again
If you’ve had a hard time figuring out how to work with someone who doesn’t trust their own body, watch the video for some guidance.
I’d love to hear how you have worked with a ‘fragile’ client and what techniques you use – feel free to comment below!
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