Alethea's batwing
SamH started this discussion ·
Alethea austin does a move called batwing. It is amazing! Does anyone know how to do it? If so, what kind of prep work is there?
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SamH started this discussion ·
Alethea austin does a move called batwing. It is amazing! Does anyone know how to do it? If so, what kind of prep work is there?
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Sparklie ·
She put a brief how to on her facebook about how to get into the batwing (april 27th) BATWING - You get into the Batwing from a scorpio, the Prep for it is to just see if you can thread your bottom scorpio arm around the pole to your elbow pulling the pole tighter on your back keeping the rest of your body in a scorpio. Be Careful, the full Batwing is a super advanced move and dangerous on your spine ;) xoxo
Cinara ·
It's at the end of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEnnelQUh54 So cool but looks so painful!
I have only tried this when my pole was slippy, so I need to try it again! It is very awesome!
Legend ·
I have it here https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/4f97f065-466c-4764-8d4c-0d0c0ac37250 ; at 1.00min and a failed atempt at 5.06min. It is a bit tricky, you need a lot of strenght, some back flexibility and ballance everything just right, otherwise it gets painful. for prep, what sparkly said and also many allegras and variations. good luck :)
Saphyre ·
Wow, Legend! That looks super painful, but you did it so beautifully!
Alethea taught me how to get into the batwing in a workshop. It is definitely painful on the spine as mentioned. I have seen some cool moves like leg flicks and a crazy backbend in this pose esp. on spin...those are all goals. WHat I am curious about is how to transition gracefully out of batwing into whatever the next move is ( if you want to stay on the pole). DOes anyone have a video showing something like that? Me and my throbbing lower fore-arm thank ye.
mizzli ·
Im currently working on this but keep dropping to the floor as soon as let go of the pole with the top leg. I wonder if its the lack of height? Or should you have your strong hand at the bottom propping up your torso? It feels like a flag type move where you have to use core strength to hold yourself up. I will accomplish it! :) xx
You DO have to use core strength and lots of it. Starting out it helps if you can grab the inner thigh with your top hand to stabilize the hold instead of relying completely on your core.
you kno its weird.. i have a belly roll and dont feel my core stregth is that great and i can do it, actually it wasnt super hard for me to get it either, surprised the heck out of me. its in my jallegra batwing combo vid
mizzli ·
Hi ladies, That's strange - when I try to go into the batwing it feels like an Iron-x type move where you have to hold your torso horizontal to the ground, so I was wondering if there's any thing/hand placements in the wrong place. :)
One thing that the one girl here did is take a piece of pvc pipe and thread it through both elbows and behind her back (you can probably even use a broom stick). If you can reach your hands around and grab the inside of your thighs as you do for say teddy you should be able to get into the move. Holding it is another story. HOWEVER, if you cannot grab your inner thighs then do not even attempt this move.
SamH ·
After trying this move i found it to be easier than I expected. Once I found I could reach my bottom arm around the pole everything else kinda fell into place.
mizzli ·
Hmmm I can reach around and grab my thighs with both top and bottom hand, looks like my problem is having the strength to hold it... Keep on trying and don't give up! x
are you grabbing your thigh before or after you let go with the top leg? Get into an inside leg hang, reach your TOP arm through and grab the thigh of the top leg. then hook your lower elbow. slowly release your top leg from the pole, as you come down, you should be able to grab your lower thigh with the lower hand. but make sure you're grabbing the top thigh before trying to release the leg. good luck!
mizzli ·
Hi Pokeyd Yup i get to the stage where the top hand is threaded through the gap and im grabbing my top thigh (only lightly, maybe thats where the problem is?). Then my bottom arm is hooked around the pole. I let my top leg down slowly then I'm on the floor before i can catch the bottom leg with my bottom leg. This reminds me of an iron x as I tend to land very quickly as soon as i start lowering myself down. I might need to work on that core, but some of the ladies here said they aren't using core strength so it may well also be technique too? :)
ah, i understand now. If thats the case, i think its purely a matter of strength. you shouldn't need your bottom hand to grab your bottom thigh in order to hold the position. thats more "decoration" to make it look symmetrical. you should be able to hold the position with both elbows hooked, and just grabbing your top thigh. keep at it, don't give up!
mizzli ·
Great, thanks for clearing that up for me! :) I havent done a lot of elbow work (still working on elbow grip ayesha) so may have to break that skin in more. Also what are the points of contact? Is it the elbow pit of left and right arms plus the back or can you do it without exposing the skin on your back? Xxx
Points of contact are both elbow pits and mid back. I use my back as more of a supportive 'brace' and am mostly holding it with the elbows. I always suggest mastering an elbow grip Allegra on both sides before trying batwing. That really helps break in your elbows and teaches them how to hold you for batwing.
mizzli ·
Hi Pokeyd, Thanks for the tips! :) I tried it again last night this time grabbing top thigh hard and tensing both elbows and held it... only for about a second cos the pain on my back and elbows was like OMG :/ Thats something I will keep working on to build up on my resistance and pain threshold. :) x
