Hands-on assists can be a powerful way to help students deepen their practice, refine alignment, and feel supported in yoga poses. However, the key to effective assisting is not just technique—it’s about understanding student needs, ensuring ethical touch, and prioritizing safety. In this blog, we’ll explore the best practices for offering yoga adjustments, how to approach them mindfully, and why consent-based assists are essential.

Why Hands-On Assists Matter
While verbal cues are an excellent way to guide students, hands-on assists provide additional feedback that some students may need to understand alignment, increase body awareness, or find stability in a pose. However, adjustments should always be helpful, not forceful.

Benefits of Hands-On Assists:

• Enhances proprioception (body awareness) by offering direct feedback.
• Encourages safe alignment by gently guiding the student.
• Provides emotional support in restorative postures.
• Can help deepen a stretch when done correctly and with consent.

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The Ethics of Touch: Consent & Boundaries
One of the most critical aspects of hands-on assists is respecting a student’s comfort level with touch. Not every student wants to be adjusted, and some may have past traumas or personal preferences that make physical contact unwelcome.

Best Practices for Ethical Assisting:

• Always ask for consent. Use verbal check-ins or consent cards at the beginning of class.
• Be mindful of trauma-sensitive teaching. Never assume a student is comfortable with touch.
• Observe body language. If a student seems hesitant or tenses up, it’s a sign they may not want to be adjusted.
• Ensure professional, neutral touch. Hands should be placed intentionally and never linger unnecessarily.

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Techniques for Safe & Effective Assists
When offering hands-on adjustments, your goal is to guide, not manipulate. Your touch should feel light yet intentional, never forcing a student into a deeper stretch or alignment.

Types of Yoga Assists:

1. Directional Assists – Using gentle pressure to encourage movement in a certain direction (e.g., a slight press on the back in Child’s Pose to encourage lengthening).
2. Stabilizing Assists – Providing support in balancing postures like Tree Pose or Half Moon Pose.
3. Deepening Assists – Helping a student find more depth in a pose while ensuring comfort and ease (e.g., pressing gently on the hips in a Forward Fold).
4. Energetic Assists – Non-invasive assists where the teacher’s presence and hand placement offer a feeling of grounding and support.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcorrecting or forcing alignment. Yoga is about exploration, not perfection.
• Ignoring student feedback. If a student resists or adjusts away from your touch, respect their boundary.
• Applying too much pressure. Assists should feel gentle and supportive, never invasive.
• Neglecting verbal cues. Hands-on assists should complement, not replace, clear verbal instruction.

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Conclusion: A Mindful Approach to Assisting
Hands-on assists, when done with care and consent, can be a valuable tool for yoga teachers. By respecting boundaries, using appropriate techniques, and prioritizing student comfort, you can create a safe and supportive class environment.

Join Us for the Adjustment & Assists Workshop!
Want to refine your assisting skills in a hands-on, supportive setting? Join us at the Adjustment & Assists Workshop at the end of March to gain confidence, learn ethical touch techniques, and enhance your teaching practice. Sign Up Here!