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First inversion (w/ a crash mat =P)…anyone scared to invert like me??
Ok…I had another “first” last night…I did my first inversion!!
In the beginning I couldn’t do it at all b/c I’m afraid I might slip and fall on my head ~>_
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17 Replies
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Oh…one more question!!
4) I had trouble gripping the pole with my thighs…more like gripping with my calves and hold myself with the top on my left foot. Is that normal?? (the top of my foot is all bruised up…)
Help!!
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Hi there, congrats on the invert!! I teach as many pole moves as I can from the ground first. Including inverts. I feel its important to understand the end position completely before attempting to do a full invert. You should have an understanding of the POC" Points Of Contact, before you learn to invert. The knees should be up above the hands so you can grip the pole in between the insides of the knees. Also be sure your not using momentum as you invert, kicking and jumping can lead to injury. Always use a mat, I like to use couch cushins lol https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
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Hey Mechie! I know how it feels…I've had Veena's lessons a couple of times, and I have to say, they are amazing! I really like the fact that she's very sure to walk you through from simple to full on move, and making sure you have the strength to do it. She has lots of strength moves, too, so you can be very sure you have the strength to get the moves! Even ones that help with grip 😉
To be honest, I haven't yet done a proper inversion. I don't have the strength, and I'm working on it now. It's been a long time and I didn't know what was up…Veena took one look at me through my webcam and told me exactly what was up!
Fear of falling on my head…I have a fear of being upside down! But, I'm getting used to it! I'm working on the CKR, and I've been lifting up from the correct position from the floor, so I know where my legs should be, and everything. I've almost got it from a climb!
I use pillows as my crash mat. I'm pretty sturdy, I can take a hit…though I realize it is better to have a crash mat.
And, for your fourth question…I think that takes some time to learn the right place, and I think it takes some patience and instruction to figure out exactly what to do! Perhaps ask your instructor in class for a bit of help on that one…though good on you for gripping with your calves and stuff!
The inversion, to me, is a pretty big milestone. I'm really looking forward to being able to do that move, so I'm working hard to get the strength up!
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It's totally normal for the top of your foot to bruise when learning to climb and hold your self on the pole. As you get better at it, you will use your calves, knees, and thighs more and your foot will take less of your weight. Also the top of your foot, like other parts of your body, will get used to the pressure and will bruise less after practice. If I'm doing a lot of climbing at once it still sometimes hurts to wear shoes the next few days though, lol.
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Keep the crash mat until you feel more comfortable inverting. At least until you can grip with only your legs.
I used a bunch of pillows and blankets because I’m not as classy as you 🙂 however, fear only held me back and robbed me of strength, not to mention sweaty hands.
Veena shows you the safe, right way. With Veena and the crash mat, you have nothing to fear!
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I would guess that your instructor is discouraging online learning for the sake of "quality control" as she may not know all that is out there and would be concerned about learning incorrectly but youtube learning can definitely be a hazardous way to learn. She is teaching you with a crash mat (not always done by studios) so I would presume she is at least a concientious instructor.
But just like studios, some online lessons are good and some are not. Veena is a good teacher so you would get a lot from her lessons. I agree with her method of learning from the floor first too.
A lot of people are intimidated to begin without the crash mat. Don't worry about it and don't rush it. When the time is right you will do some moves without it as you become more comfortable with each move.
Using a 45mm may be more difficult for you as leg grip is more difficult on a skinnier pole. Can you try one somewhere? Does your studio have one?
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What Veena said! Get comfortable in that inverted hold FIRST and do it from the ground.
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Ive just started to invert. I waited till I felt strong enough and saved up and bought a big pink crash mat 6 inches thick. I asked my husband to standby and tried it . Having the crash mat made all the difference, it gave me confidence to try it. There are no classes near me in the UK, and my X pole is on a really hard floor, but I did it. I'm going to get some of Veenas lessons too. I bought an 50mm Xpole sport but I wished Id got a 45mm has my hands are smallish and I find it hard to grip the pole for some moves.
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@ Veena– Thanks! But to tell you the truth, I wasn’t comfortable doing the invert.
There’s only one pole instructor who is the owner (she is the ONLY instructor). She’s really nice but not very…safe? For example: she doesn’t do much spotting for us. We’ll have 6 girls on 6 different poles doing inversion at the same time with no crash mat. (It’s only the 3rd class for 3 of the girls…I really didn’t think we’re ready to learn to invert and it makes me wonder what she’ll do if 2+ girls fall at the same time…)
I saw there’s one crash mat near the wall and I told her I’m not doing it if I don’t have a crash mat =P I was the ONLY one using crash mat but there were 6 of us on the pole…with one instructor….
I forgot to mention — 5 of them were in HEELS….the instructor wants us to learn everything in heels…being a bad-girl…I just REFUSED!!
Oh! Question for you….Do you think it’s a good idea for me to get a 45mm chrome xpole to gain more strength and confident or should I just get the 50mm standard, suck it up and get used to it?? I don’t want to regret after spending $350+ on a pole! ~>_<~
@ Runemist– What I did was NOT a proper inversion…I’m sure…LOL Because my instructor asked us all to swing our legs really hard to gain momentum so you can get your legs up there… Read my respond to Veena…we’re all newbies!!
@ Empyrean – I don’t think is the “quality control”…I think it’s more of “lose students = lose $$”…
And nope…no studio near me has 45mm… =( The studio I go to make their own poles (50mm brass) and they encourage students to buy them…but since their pole is not portable and I live in an apt…it didn’t work for me. Besides…I HATE the smell of brass! yucky yuck!! I WISH we carry silver titanium here!! Sooo jealous of the Aussies!!
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OMG she had you inverting on your 3rd class?!?! Working on new moves with heels on is a good way to injure yourself, always work on new moves in flats or bare feet. Good for you not giving in to wearing the heels and for requesting a mat!!! Swinging the legs to invert is a big no no https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif
As for which pole…if your looking to have fun and use pole for fitness ect then I suggest the chrome 45mm. But if you plan on working towards competing some day the standard right now is 50mm. I'm hoping we'll see a change to a standard of 45mm for comps though.
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It was my 10th class but it was the 3rd class for 3 of the girls https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif
I feel like I total suck right now so I'm faaaaar from being a decent pole dancer…nevermind competing…BUT…IF I ever get "good"…ofcourse, I would like to try to compete.
I think I read post that you own both 45 and 55….Did you have trouble transitioning? If I ever get "good" (good enough to perform?) I probably would like to get 2 poles…https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
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Wow…the instruction methods at that studio sound really questionable! I'm really big on safety and probably more overkill than most but I dont allow anyone to invert without being spotted, always with a crash mat and NO ONE SHOULD EVER KICK into a move. As Veena also said, no heels when you are learning something new.
Veena…you said 50 is the standard for comps but I thought 45 was the standard in most comps now? Did you mix that up? I really thought it was the opposite.
I was discussing this with XPole yesterday too and the thing is in the Midwest it seems a lot of us are still using 50s but the trend on the east coast and west coast is 45. Since we've been back and forth so much about the concept that's why I decided to have one 45 and one 50 for the Midwest Comp
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@ Empyrean – Tell me about it!! I've never pole dance before and I know you're not suppose to learn new move in heels! The instructor said it's easier to "bring your self up" and "to turn" with heels on…Maybe…but I can always tip-toe =P
BUT, she is a really really sweet person…I just wish I can feel safer when learning a move…especially a new move.
About the pole size…I'm really interested to know about the competition size. Like I said…I suck now but when (IF) I get good…I would consider https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif …
I asked Dirdy Birdy…she said she started on a 38mm…then 42mm then 50mm. She suggests I get 45mm just to build on strength and to get comfortable with the pole first…then get a 50mm and adjust to it. I'm leaning hard on the 45mm now even though I've never used a 45mm (There are no other pole studio in my area to try the 45 https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif 😉 Just because I get so nervous gripping the 50mm (my hands gets REALLY sweaty and I slip…a lot…) I don't want my hands to slip in a middle of a move https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif !!
Please shed some light here!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_viking.gif
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It seems the larger comps are using the 45mm lately (sometimes they have used 50's) So I wouldn't say its stadard yet. More of the local and smaller comps still use 50mm. I'm all for 45mm becoming standard, this is why we have 45mm set as the defalt size on our x pole order form. Its always best to work on as many sized and finishes as you can.
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I've been having the same problem with choosing a pole size, my pole classes are on 50's and I just cant seem to keep my grip for long enough to practice new moves but I have been fortunate enough to try a 45 at another studio. It was fantastic! I was able to do the moves I knew I was capable of once I had the grip. I still need to buy a pole (but alas my ceilings are too short, V frustrated!) but as soon as I can Im getting an x-pole expert 45 mm. Once you have the confidence, strength and knowledge of the moves you can then move up to a 50 if needed for comp practice.
As for your instructor, Just make sure you don't do anything you feel uncomfortable with. It took me nearly 6 months to get my first invert. Been pole dancing for about 2 yrs now and had my first fall last night (my own stupid fault) On to a mat thankfully or I would be in hospital now!
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