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Tamberry started this discussion · 10/14/2015

Hi everyone, so I have discovered that I have a bit of an issue....I tried out a shoulder mount for the first time however I ended up in a cross/crucifix as I didn't stop. Yesterday, I attempted a one-handed handstand but again didn't stop so I ended up doing a back flip (clearly I have an issue with stopping!!). I know I have to work on my core strength but will this to help me to execute these moves with more control? Or am I missing sometime else? Other than my body not quite getting the message from my brain!

5 replies

HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 10/14/2015
I'm not entirely sure that I see the problem with ending up in crucifix after a shoulder mount... unless you were just trying to go into a straddle shoulder mount and hold it there first? It sounds like the biggest issue here might be that you are relying on momentum to get into both of these. Once you have that momentum going, it can be really hard to stop it (so you keep going past the intended point). Building your core strength will absolutely help with these because you need core strength to be lifting up into these moves instead of using momentum to get you there. I can see that you subscribe to Veena's lessons, so I'd suggest looking through them to work on your core strength. And I'm sure there's a shoulder mount video that might help explain your problem too. It's been a long time since I've been a lesson subscriber, so I can't refer you to any specific ones. I struggle a lot with consistency in my shoulder mounts. I totally understand the urge to use momentum to get up there. Try to think about really tightening your entire core and tucking your pelvis forward to get those legs up, instead of swinging a leg behind you and then kicking up. For the one-handed handstand, both core strength and balance training should help you. Sometimes I find that working the reverse of an exercise is really helpful to me. For example, you could invert normally, go into a crucifix, tuck your upper body to place the pole in the shoulder mount position on your trapezius, then slowly release yourself into a straddle shoulder mount hold and work on a should DISmount from that position. Slowly and with control.
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 10/14/2015
I should also add: I would consider both a shoulder mount and a one-handed handstand to be higher level intermediate, or even advanced moves. I know many people have different opinions on this, but my general philosophy takes into consideration the potential for injury while training for certain tricks. And you can certainly hurt yourself quite a bit if you aren't yet ready for either of these. As with anything, some people can get one or both of these pretty quickly and other people might take years to get them. Everyone is different. As I said in my first post, shoulder mounts are still a struggle for me and I've been poling for over 6 years and have competed at the semi-pro level. They're a bit of an Achille's heel for me hahah I'm not sure what level your training is at, or how long you have been poling, but I just wanted to add this to my first comment.
Veena · 10/15/2015
I agree that it's not bad to end in a crucifix in fact I consider that the first step, once you can do that you move on to the shoulder mount V. As far as handstands do you do them often or are you new to them? For all of these things control as Lola said is the key. Keep in mind that controlled momentum is fine but it has to be controlled, otherwise you risk injury. Have you gone through the lessons here in order to see if you're ready to work on shoulder mounts and single arm handstands? I'm not sure how long you've had them but if you didn't know, lessons are placed in a progressive way to help you build up to each move. If you haven't been working on elbow stands try those first before forearm or handstands. :) Body awareness improves as you work on these things in small steps. :)
Tamberry · 10/17/2015
Firstly thank you ladies for your responses your advice is greatly appreciated. The aim was a straddle shoulder mount however I think you are both right, there was nothing wrong with ending up in a crucifix. Lolaslaytor - I was using momentum rather than my core. I have found the lesson that relates to shoulder mounts so I will watch it and determine whether I am ready. But I will try out your method of doing the exercise in reverse this sounds like a good starting point :) Veena - I am new to both shoulder mounts and handstands but have worked on elbow stands. I am a perfectionist but also advocate for listening to my body and knowing my limits. So, I will go back to elbow stands and continue to work on my strength in order to perfect these advance moves. I have been doing pole for nearly a year and a half but stopped for a time due to left hip strain, which was brought on by rollerskating, gym, pole and a lack of stretching (covers eyes). The classes I do are intermediate/advance but I consider myself intermediate. I love my pole classes but you have to do additional work to prepare and train your body for pole due to time limits this is not something you can do in an hour pole class. I now have a pole at home and having stumbled across Veena on youtube I signed up to the lessons and have started with 'Take off' and am working my way through the lessons in order. Which has been a great help for the some of the new moves nearly we do in class I ask "what are the points of contact" -thanks Veena :)
Veena · 10/17/2015
I hope you are enjoying the take off program! Sounds like you're headed in the right direction 😊😊