Reading Palms - Ergonomics and Safe Positioning for Reading Palms

You hear a lot about safe working conditions and ergonomics in the average work place, but nobody talks about work safety for the poor rambling professional psychic.

Let's talk about that now.

First and foremost, the most important thing for reading palms is good lighting, preferably direct lighting. In order to clearly see the lines, mounds and other landmarks of the palm (especially the fainter lines), you need good lighting that illuminates the palm without shining in your eyes or those of your client.

Bad lighting can make you squint or knit your brows to try to see the palm, or can make it impossible to do an accurate reading. Bad lighting can give you tension or headaches, as well as interfering with the reading.

Just like a photographer or a model, palm readers need to be aware of the light- how much of it there is and where it's coming from. Position yourself so you've got good lighting before you start. If you're going to be reading palms in a place you haven't worked before, call ahead and ask about the lighting and if you can be put in a well lit spot.

In extremis, you can still read in a place with less than ideal lighting. At that point, you may need to augment the light. Such things as battery candles, a flashlight or a camp lamp can be added to provide additional lighting. (Check in advance to be sure of how much extra light an item will give you.)

Our waists are made to bend and stretch and twist, but it's a mistake to sit in a twisted position to do a palm reading. You'll be taking some time with the reading and may be very focused on it. If you're twisted to the side while you're reading palms, you may finish the reading and discover that you've strained your back.

It is always best to read palms sitting directly facing your client face on. This protects your back while you read.

While we're talking about your back, remember to sit up straight. A slight comfortable slouch may be o.k., but if you're significantly hunched over for the length of reading a palm, you may finish your reading and find that you can't straighten up again because you've wrenched your back out of whack.

Many times, people read palms across a table. Choosing a table that is the right height is important. The best choice is a table that, when you lean your elbows on it (as you do when reading palms), you are sitting up or very slightly slouched. That's the height that's good for your back.

You don't need to adopt a military posture, but it is important to sit up straight while reading palms.

If you're reading palms across a table, give a moment of consideration to the surface of the table in front of you. Will it be comfortable to lean your elbows on for any length of time?

Some tables are wood, or padded, and are relatively comfortable to lean on. Some are metal and are more uncomfortable. Some have texture, such as basket weave or open metal mesh, and may actually leave marks on your skin if you lean on them for any length of time.

Would your table be comfortable to lean on as is? If not, you may wish to be prepared to add a suitable tablecloth on top of it for padding.

Also be sure that any things on the table are moved safely to the side or put elsewhere, so that you and your client have a large enough open space for both of your arms in the middle of the table.

The width of your table can also be a safety issue. If the table is too wide and you have to stretch significantly to reach your client's hands, you're putting your back, and your client's back at risk.

Try and use a table that is a good width. You should be able to reach slightly more than halfway across the table with your elbows still slightly bent. Sit up close to your table, so you're closer to your client and also protecting your back.

If you cannot find a table of this width, the next best option may be to work off of the end of the table. Position your client on the end of the table, nearer the back of it. Position yourself in back of the table, near the end your client is sitting on. Angle both of your chairs so you are still facing each other directly, and work across the corner.

As you are reading palms, it's easy to get so focused that you forget about everything else.

Don't. Always stay aware of your body and what your body is telling you. Listen to your body.

If it needs to stretch, stretch. If it needs to reposition, do so. If it needs to take break, get up and stretch bigger or walk around, give it what it needs. That's how you keep your body in good shape so that you can continue to do readings.

As you're doing all of these great things to protect your own health, you should also be mindful of your client's position.

Have them scoot up close to the table before you start. Ask them if they're comfortable, as they're going to be in one position for awhile. Tell them if they need to stop and stretch during the reading, it's o.k. to do so.

Keep and eye on your client as you read. If they're fidgeting or tense, it may be that you're dealing with a tough topic, but it also may be that a muscle is cramping up. (Some people are so nice that they hesitate to interrupt what you're saying, and suffer in silence.) If you think that's what's happening, stop and ask if they need to stretch or reposition.

Be aware that not everyone has the same mobility or flexibility. If you need to move or turn the hand, be gentle and watch your client for any signs of discomfort.

When reading palms, it's important to give people information without injuring them or yourself. Good ergonomics for the traveling reader of palms starts with thinking ahead, and continues by listening to our bodies and what they're telling us.

If we do that, we'll stay in good shape, and able to read palms for years to come.