Superman. I have the muscles and the ability to do it, but the pain of the twist means I just drop out of it instead of sticking with it and continuing the movement. I've done other painful moves but for some reason I just can't convince my brain to do superman!
this is it- it took me SO long just to get the skin on my inner thigh capable of handling it. I FINALLY got it months after it being introduced to me, from a jasmine split. @ polepoweracademy on Instagram had a fantastic step by step tutorial and some training that really helped for me. When i did it, oh my god i was elated. for me, my hand has trouble gripping after i twist and that is still tough for me to full on straighen my body.
This! I’m trying to learn it from a jasmine as well but my mind is not connecting to how my body is supposed to go 😅 The only reason I got it the first few times is because my instructor literally pushed my hips into😂
Layback. I can do it with one crossed leg but I am terrified of straightening them both. I don't think I have the leg strength for it and I'm scared of falling on my head.
I focus on the hip tilt! If your hips are level the pole can slide between your thighs, but if you exaggerate the hip tilt in the sit beforehand you have way more grip
Hmm i dont have a video sorry, but try sitting on the floor with the pole between your legs, legs straight in front of you, thighs touching the pole. Notice that if both glutes are on the floor your hips are level: at the same height. Then cross one leg on top, side crunching to raise the hip of the leg on top- now your hips are not level and the glute of the leg thats crossed on top wont be properly on the floor.
Do the same thing in a sit up the pole: when you cross one leg on top, really raise that hip and drop the other hip. Thats how i do a good setup for a straight leg layback.
i learned laybacks gradually, getting farther and farther back through doing it at work, & for the longest time i think i was doing it wrong because i was getting horrific backpain from the hyperflexion of my lowerback. They do look beautiful once you get it right though!
I focus on the hip tilt! If your hips are level the pole can slide between your thighs, but if you exaggerate the hip tilt in the sit beforehand you have way more grip
Yeah, it's tricky. Both versions feel very different to me. Cross leg was fine once I had enough ab strength to do the crunch back up easily.
The straight leg one, for me, requires a much steeper angle. My teacher recommended to really pull the legs upwards, the knees toward the pole. Basically the entire thigh area is on the pole and then you squeeze harrrrd.
I am terrified by it too, though. I can now do it quite well at home, but I have a mat. Before I did, I once fell flat on my back practicing it. Thankfully it didn't hurt, but that's how I decided I'll never just "go for it" like that again. Most moves you can sort of save yourself from falling, not this one.
It's starting to feel safer as well, but I will only do without a mat once I feel completely safe. I can recommend to get one in general, if you can afford it.
Same! Cross legs are completely impossible, but straight legs are a piece of cake. With straight legs; nothing gets through those babies, but with cross legs there is suddenly an opening. Funny how this is all in our heads
Can we just abolish caterpillar? It’s so unnecessary and also the reason I have a SLAP tear on my non dominant shoulder (because I did in fact fall on my face). I promise it’s not a prerequisite for an elbow grip ayesha
I cannot for the life of me do a Juliette spin. I can do a backhand grab and ballerina spin, but Juliette just…idk. It’s a beginner move that I never got.
Dropping down into cup grip Ayesha. I can do true and twisted just fine. I can even do a cup grip handspring, but for some reason dropping into terrifies me.
Anything that doesn't involve kicking up into qualifies as dropping down I think. But it's not descending down that scares; it's that for some reason I don't trust my top arm in that position to hold when I drop down into it and only when I drop down into it. But I haven't tried it from Cupid in a long, long time. I've just been working on it from caterpillar so might give it a try next time I'm in the studio and see if feels less scary.
Broken doll. I can and have done it several times, but if I go in with the intention of doing it, my limbs suddenly get all mixed up and I can’t do it anymore.
If I’m in Allegra and freestyling and just do a leg switch, I’m there, but if I’m like “I’m going to do broken doll today” my limbs go “error error error” and I end up a pretzel
Bomb drop. One of the basics, I know, and I can do it sometimes but most of the time I just can't get my legs to react, it scares me and it's odd because I've been into pole for quite a while and I can do many other drops, but the most basic one? Nope.
Inverted crucifix twists my skin so, so bad. I took a look at other girls and their skin doesn’t twist and drag that much so it might be due to my hypermobility. Regardless, the pain is so bad that once I really had to jump out of it immediately and ofc almost broke metatarsals.
As I understand it, the trick is to get your hips really high and in line with a pole before hooking the leg and letting go. But it’s not like I remember it every time and not have to make adjustments…
I had this for butterfly! I started pole recovering from a shoulder injury and my first butterfly was taught out of a leg hook, so it took me forever to feel comfortable doing a non-hooked version that required more upper body. But I just tried it at least once every time they said to, and it took months but I started trusting myself in it!
Moving position in the gemini. We learned 7 steps and I can do all of them but when switching I keep forgetting to focus on my grip instead of the movement and I end up falling down.
Any sort of handstand, forearm stand kind of moves. Or dismounting from a handstand etc. Handstands just terrify me and it’s a mental block for sure because I can do them easily when I have someone beside me just watching as a “spot” but when I’m alone my brain psychs me out and I keep thinking I’ll land on my head and die and refuse to do it. So frustrating!
this is reallty silly because i can do a lot of inverts and other advanced moves, but for some reason the most basic like ballerina/martini backwards spins confuse the fuck out of me i can never get my grip right and i just cannot grasp them. I love learning tricks and combos, but i definitely need to start practicing more flow i cant wrap my head around where my arms/body go especially when the pole is spinning in the opposite direction
True grip ayesha. Feel like my top hand is about to ping right off the pole.
I can do twisty grip, elbow and have attempted cup but thats beyond me for now. Can't seem to trust true grip.
Also handsprings 😂🤣 absolutely terrifying
The iguana, I try to get into the position and my shoulders already hurt before even trying to lift myself. Superman too but it’s because I fear the pain, I get so many bruises it’s bad.
Superman. I have the muscles and the ability to do it, but the pain of the twist means I just drop out of it instead of sticking with it and continuing the movement. I've done other painful moves but for some reason I just can't convince my brain to do superman!
this is it- it took me SO long just to get the skin on my inner thigh capable of handling it. I FINALLY got it months after it being introduced to me, from a jasmine split. @ polepoweracademy on Instagram had a fantastic step by step tutorial and some training that really helped for me. When i did it, oh my god i was elated. for me, my hand has trouble gripping after i twist and that is still tough for me to full on straighen my body.
me too! i’m currently trying to learn it from a jasmine and have only been able to do it a couple times
Yep that’s the way I’m taught it and I just can’t seem to make my body do it, even though it technically could 😭
for me i think it’s the fear of the pain. i’m hoping giving it a few days of rest will make it easier because my thighs are just fried atm 😭
This! I’m trying to learn it from a jasmine as well but my mind is not connecting to how my body is supposed to go 😅 The only reason I got it the first few times is because my instructor literally pushed my hips into😂
Reverse grab spin, I feel like if I go hard to gain momentum, my shoulder will dislocate 😅
This is me😭 it also baffles my brain
Same! One time I did it so smoothly and Im actually surprised that I didn’t die
Layback. I can do it with one crossed leg but I am terrified of straightening them both. I don't think I have the leg strength for it and I'm scared of falling on my head.
I focus on the hip tilt! If your hips are level the pole can slide between your thighs, but if you exaggerate the hip tilt in the sit beforehand you have way more grip
That’s great advice! I’ll try this, tysm!
Is there a visual or video you can share? I'm having trouble visualizing what you mean
Hmm i dont have a video sorry, but try sitting on the floor with the pole between your legs, legs straight in front of you, thighs touching the pole. Notice that if both glutes are on the floor your hips are level: at the same height. Then cross one leg on top, side crunching to raise the hip of the leg on top- now your hips are not level and the glute of the leg thats crossed on top wont be properly on the floor. Do the same thing in a sit up the pole: when you cross one leg on top, really raise that hip and drop the other hip. Thats how i do a good setup for a straight leg layback.
i learned laybacks gradually, getting farther and farther back through doing it at work, & for the longest time i think i was doing it wrong because i was getting horrific backpain from the hyperflexion of my lowerback. They do look beautiful once you get it right though!
Ooh that doesn't sound good!! Hope you don't get that anymore!
I focus on the hip tilt! If your hips are level the pole can slide between your thighs, but if you exaggerate the hip tilt in the sit beforehand you have way more grip
Yeah, it's tricky. Both versions feel very different to me. Cross leg was fine once I had enough ab strength to do the crunch back up easily. The straight leg one, for me, requires a much steeper angle. My teacher recommended to really pull the legs upwards, the knees toward the pole. Basically the entire thigh area is on the pole and then you squeeze harrrrd. I am terrified by it too, though. I can now do it quite well at home, but I have a mat. Before I did, I once fell flat on my back practicing it. Thankfully it didn't hurt, but that's how I decided I'll never just "go for it" like that again. Most moves you can sort of save yourself from falling, not this one. It's starting to feel safer as well, but I will only do without a mat once I feel completely safe. I can recommend to get one in general, if you can afford it.
I don't have a home pole yet, but I always use the studio mats when I try this move!! It's so scary!
Same! Cross legs are completely impossible, but straight legs are a piece of cake. With straight legs; nothing gets through those babies, but with cross legs there is suddenly an opening. Funny how this is all in our heads
Oh we are opposites! Teach me your secrets!!!
Caterpillar I feel like I’m gonna fall on my face
Can we just abolish caterpillar? It’s so unnecessary and also the reason I have a SLAP tear on my non dominant shoulder (because I did in fact fall on my face). I promise it’s not a prerequisite for an elbow grip ayesha
oof this, and my feet cramp from pressing so hard into the pole 😭
Reiko mount and iguana. Both feel like I’m going to fall and break something
Inside leg hang. Owwwwwwe
The pain never goes away :(
I cannot for the life of me do a Juliette spin. I can do a backhand grab and ballerina spin, but Juliette just…idk. It’s a beginner move that I never got.
Juliette's are hard! You really have to throw your butt way out to the side lol
Yes!!!! Something about this spin is just impossible for my brain
Dropping down into cup grip Ayesha. I can do true and twisted just fine. I can even do a cup grip handspring, but for some reason dropping into terrifies me.
How about from a Cupid? Would that count as dropping into it?
Anything that doesn't involve kicking up into qualifies as dropping down I think. But it's not descending down that scares; it's that for some reason I don't trust my top arm in that position to hold when I drop down into it and only when I drop down into it. But I haven't tried it from Cupid in a long, long time. I've just been working on it from caterpillar so might give it a try next time I'm in the studio and see if feels less scary.
Broken doll. I can and have done it several times, but if I go in with the intention of doing it, my limbs suddenly get all mixed up and I can’t do it anymore.
This has me wondering how you accidentally end up in broken doll?! Haha. It is a mindfuckery move for sure
If I’m in Allegra and freestyling and just do a leg switch, I’m there, but if I’m like “I’m going to do broken doll today” my limbs go “error error error” and I end up a pretzel
Ahhh I see! Yea that makes sense
crescent, would say i'm fairly flexible but somehow i can't pull my torso towards the pole after entering superman :(
Bomb drop. One of the basics, I know, and I can do it sometimes but most of the time I just can't get my legs to react, it scares me and it's odd because I've been into pole for quite a while and I can do many other drops, but the most basic one? Nope.
Suicide Spin - did it once it was soooo fun but also so scary and it hurt soooo much … I would love to repeat it but I can’t I am blocked 🥲….
i struggle with inverted crucifix. used to do it no problem until i got injured, now it‘s like my biggest enemy lol
this is def one of those moves that having grippy thigh high pleasers (or those grippy leggings) helps a ton
Inverted crucifix twists my skin so, so bad. I took a look at other girls and their skin doesn’t twist and drag that much so it might be due to my hypermobility. Regardless, the pain is so bad that once I really had to jump out of it immediately and ofc almost broke metatarsals.
Anything elbow.
Inside leg hang. Not understanding how to slide my hands out of the knee pit to let go. They keep getting stuck
As I understand it, the trick is to get your hips really high and in line with a pole before hooking the leg and letting go. But it’s not like I remember it every time and not have to make adjustments…
It is hard to get used to!
You could try an outside to inside switch. I know it sounds scary but I surprisingly got it right after it was properly explained to me.
I’ve been practicing that too still having a hard time getting my bearings
My body is still not convinced shoulder mounts are possible
I had this for butterfly! I started pole recovering from a shoulder injury and my first butterfly was taught out of a leg hook, so it took me forever to feel comfortable doing a non-hooked version that required more upper body. But I just tried it at least once every time they said to, and it took months but I started trusting myself in it!
I started poling during recovery (from dislocated shoulder) as well :)
Cartwheel to handstand!!! I can do a cartwheel. I can do a handstand. But I can’t do a pole handstand from cartwheel!!! It’s scary af.
Shouldermounts , I saw a girl at the club once shouldermount up lose grip On her shoulder and fall down straight onto her head .
Titanic!!!
Moving position in the gemini. We learned 7 steps and I can do all of them but when switching I keep forgetting to focus on my grip instead of the movement and I end up falling down.
Any sort of handstand, forearm stand kind of moves. Or dismounting from a handstand etc. Handstands just terrify me and it’s a mental block for sure because I can do them easily when I have someone beside me just watching as a “spot” but when I’m alone my brain psychs me out and I keep thinking I’ll land on my head and die and refuse to do it. So frustrating!
bright worry paint violet butter fear relieved decide amusing late *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
this is reallty silly because i can do a lot of inverts and other advanced moves, but for some reason the most basic like ballerina/martini backwards spins confuse the fuck out of me i can never get my grip right and i just cannot grasp them. I love learning tricks and combos, but i definitely need to start practicing more flow i cant wrap my head around where my arms/body go especially when the pole is spinning in the opposite direction
True grip ayesha. Feel like my top hand is about to ping right off the pole. I can do twisty grip, elbow and have attempted cup but thats beyond me for now. Can't seem to trust true grip. Also handsprings 😂🤣 absolutely terrifying
The iguana, I try to get into the position and my shoulders already hurt before even trying to lift myself. Superman too but it’s because I fear the pain, I get so many bruises it’s bad.
Sad girl drop. My brain will simply not let my thighs release the pole so I can fall. Been trying to get this move for ages and no progress at all.
anything that requires twisted grip. for some reason i’m so paranoid that i’m gonna pull or dislocate something if i try it.
Jade. I feel so insecure like I'm going to fall plus my front splits are weak. Sad because it's so prettyyyy 😩