With everything that we learn from others, the connection that with have with the people that are teaching us is often just as important as the content of the lessons themselves. Having a good relationship with your coach or teacher in many disciplines is fundamental to you being the best that you can be as well as them getting the most out of their teaching.

Getting to know a new contortion coach is like getting to know anyone new, coaches are people too! Great contortion coaches are friendly and insightful and willing to talk to you about your needs and wants from your training.

Understanding their background

Knowing the kind of background that your coach has is important so that you can see the similarities and differences that you've had in your contortion journey so far. Coaches come from many many different backgrounds and their journeys into contortion training all vary wildly, so talking to them about how they got into contortion and what their previous background is can be useful.

Being comfortable around your coach

Being comfortable with your coach is important so that you can properly express how you're feeling during and in between training sessions. If you're receiving coaching in person, a coach that understands your body cues is very important. You shouldn't feel afraid to tell your coach that you're experiencing pain when you are stretching or especially if they are pushing you with physical intervention directly.

A good coach also takes the time to understand your previous training history, taking into account things like injuries or restrictions that your body currently is experiencing. Be sure to discuss things like joint injuries, back injuries or muscular injuries that you've had in the past or are still recovering from.

The right times for you

If you're receiving online contortion coaching, this opens up a large number of coaches to work with, all around the world. This also raises the issue of timezone differences. When scheduling with your coach it's good to know when they'll be available and to keep in mind things like your work or school schedule. Some coaches are only available to teach in the middle of the day due to their timezone so knowing this upfront is a good way to avoid disappointment.

Understanding your goals when you train with them

Great coaches want to know your goals and ambitions to help them know where you're aiming for. This lets them understand what kinds of coaching routines to give you as well as lets them set your expectations on how hard you will have to train to achieve your goals. It's good to think about this before reaching out to a coach as it's great for yourself to know what it is you want to get our of your training and have a clear understanding of how you think they can help you get there.

How to approach a new coach

Reach out to a coach and ask questions

Having questions in mind to ask a coach is a good idea to start to get an idea as to how they coach and what they are and aren’t comfortable with teaching. Asking general questions about their coaching overall, as well as about specifics, such as how you’re going to use a pose you want to learn or where you’re ultimately trying to get to. Good questions to ask could be:

• How long have you been coaching contortion?
• Who did you learn from?
• How advanced are some of your other students?
• Are you comfortable with absolute beginners?
• Which timezones do you work in?
• How much are private sessions?

Look at their presence online

Most coaches actively looking for new students have an online presence somewhere. At a minimum they may have an Instagram or Facebook profile showcasing their own training as well as any students they’re teaching. Often coaches will also have a dedicated website that gives you more detail on what to expect from their coaching, the types of coaching they offer as well as pricing and availability. Dedicated websites as well as social media will also have contact information such as their email address or an online form for you to submit your questions and enquiries.

One of the key things to keep in mind is that it is fine to talk to more than one coach! Making sure you’re comfortable with your coach is very important and so if you feel that the first coach you find and start working with doesn’t suit your needs or the connection isn’t there don’t be afraid to try out someone new.

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