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Commonly, at the beginning, one cannot generate the same pressure from the ring and little fi nger on one side of the spine that one can with the index and middle fi nger on the other side. With some practice, this will equalize. If it does not, or the client is too heavy, or you just prefer it, you can do the two-handed variation: as the client lifts his pelvis, slide two hands in under the lower back, positioning one hand on either side of the spine. From this position, you can draw down with both hands on the thoracolumbar and sacral fascia, with equal "grab" on both left and right sides. The disadvantage of the two-handed variation is both hands are tied up. If you can get one hand trained up to talk equally to both sides, then you have the other hand free to cue the client as he comes down to fully rest into your hand. (I have trained both my hands so I can perform this move from either side of the table.) If you have a free hand, it can go on the belly to encourage the client to relax down in the belly wall or psoas, or onto the rib cage to encourage breathing, or to hold the thighs if the client cannot hold them steady or the knees are falling apart. Whichever way you do it (and I still do both to this day, usually favoring the one-handed style, so I can use the other for cueing, but using the twohanded method when the client is heavier or has really dense lumbosacral fascia), you must also pay close attention to your body mechanics. With the client on the table, even sidled over close to you, the tendency is to pull toward yourself as you pull down. If you do this, you can turn your client into a banana, pulling more on the hand on the far side of the client's back and less on the side close to you. To avoid this problem, you need to be sure that your pull is straight toward the client's heels, not in a curve. This requires strength and attention to master, but the rewards are worth it. Second best is to do it on both sides successively, so the two side-bends cancel each other out. Forcefully dragging the tissue down is really not a bad strategy for those with lumbar lordosis, anterior pelvic tilts, or a compressed lumbar spine. It is a less productive strategy for those with a flat The pelvic roll-up is a fundamental movement exercise. Can this person, even with her strong lordotic curve, bring her lumbars down one at a time? The pelvic lift gives a manual assist to this lengthening and differentiation exercise. Photo courtesy of Thomas Myers. cautions and considerations Presenting any technique via the printed page requires a few cautions and caveats: Consent: Always obtain permission and informed consent for what you are about to do. Before asking the client to lift her pelvis from the table, explain that you are about to put your hand under her pelvis and what you will be doing. Draping: This technique is intended to be performed with the client in underwear. It is not recommended if you are working without any clothing. If you are, be extra careful with your draping to avoid the client feeling exposed on the backside. Even with underwear on, beware of going too far down the sacrum. Usually the top band of the underwear is pulled down an inch or so, no more; certainly go no farther inferiorly than the fourth sacral segment. Approach: It is common in European osteopathy and some craniosacral therapy to "set," or balance, the sacrum by coming between the client's legs—usually with the legs straight but sometimes with the knees up—to cup the sacrum in the open hand. Because of the movement involved in the pelvic lift, for social safety, it is strongly recommended that you come in from one side to do this technique. By observing these cautions, the pelvic lift can be an effective part of your repertoire.