How do you handle snakes?

I was taught to pick them up in the middle to front area of their bodies, and let them freely flow or crawl through your hands. Don't pinch or hold them tightly or squeeze their body, and generally they will settle down and curl up around your arm or in your hand. I have picked up red corn snakes and garter snakes, pythons and yellow rat snakes, and king snakes, but left the poisenous ones to the experts.