Any other fuller figure girls struggle with Allegra?

LizziePole started this discussion · 7/21/2012

Hi everyone this is the next move on my list of things to complete however I don't think I will ever get it as anatomically I don't think I'm made for it! Is this possible? Are there some moves we just cannot get? I have big thighs and a short body ( not alot of space between hips and ribs) so when I go into flat line Scorpio I find it difficult to wrap My hand around my thigh and grab the pole - I can do it but I don't have a good grip at all so can't let go and roll down. I have also tried like Veena says from hip hold but then I can't even grab the pole I'm no where near! Just wondering if anyone else has this problem? And whether you think it's a move I'll ever get? xxx

17 replies

Cocoa0 · 7/21/2012
I initially had trouble with the hold as well. I found it really helpful to open up my body before taking my foot off. That seemed to lessen the "push" of my thigh against my hand. I've also seen a few people flip their hand position so instead of thumbs up it's thumb down and "cupping" the pole instead of "grabbing" it (if that makes any sense) it seems like it would be a more secure hold especially for someone with "larger" thighs.
PlatinumAni · 7/21/2012
I prefer chopper to allegra over any other entry. Chopper up and move the inside arm around the leg and roll down. Of course it does require a strong chopper that goes into almost hip hold to be able to remove the hand.
LizziePole · 7/21/2012
The cupping grip sounds like a good idea I must try that. My problem tho is being able to actually reach and grab the pole. I'll have a try from chopper but would the pole be in the wrong position at your side? Is there any videos of this entry? Thanks for your ideas x
amy · 7/21/2012
You can do a modified Allegra-- I've been calling it a jallegra because it's like a cross between a jade an Allegra. Instead of reaching for the pole with the top arm, you hold the outside of your thigh. The bottom arm hooks at the elbow around the pole below your body, with the elbow close to your body and your hand/fist pointing out, or you can grab your foot like a regular Allegra.
RedFox · 7/21/2012
Oooh. That sounds good, Amy!
firebird · 7/23/2012
The "jallegra" - I like it! Yes I am the 5'1"-longer legs-short torso-even shorter arms-body design too, and have been onto this since I 1st started trying to learn the elusive Allegra (and SHE, by the way seems to like getting into it from chopper too, since that's mostly how I've seen her do it). So yes I also struggle w/ really gripping the pole well around my very large thigh, wanting to grab my own thigh instead. But I seem to be too upright to hold myself there when I indeed hold my thigh (not pole) w/just that inner thigh grip (no hand grip) to hold me up, such that when I "unhook" that ankle/calf, I eat $h*t everytime. In fact I was ready to give up after trying over & over, & then hearing a fellow poler tell me that she asked Natasha Wang abt trying to do this by holding thigh instead of pole, and she claimed Natasha said that was not possible. :( Then 1 day, an ad for classes w/Natasha shows up in my Inbox -- and at the very top of that email is this picture of Natasha herself that I couldn't believe I was looking at (found a copy of it here): http://tips.fitnessreloaded.com/usa-pole-fitness-champion-natasha-wang-live/ Hmmm... So it *IS* possible after all? FYI I attempted it only 1ce so far, seems the trickier part becomes hooking that low elbow, but wasn't impossible & I did it & was even able to hold a few secs (granted, struggling to breathe in the process!)...
PlatinumAni · 7/23/2012
https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/4fe7a24d-2a28-49c1-96bd-2f670ac37250 I do I do I dodfasdjfla
PlatinumAni · 7/23/2012
I do chopper to allegra at abour 2:08 in that video. I am on spin but don't imagine it should matter. I wish I had time to dig up a better vid but that was the first one that came to mind. Good luck allegra is a toughie.
firebird · 7/23/2012
I just saw it & had a new revelation! So maybe the reason that getting into it from chopper seems more intuitive & automatic is bc that leg (as u reach around to grab the pole above it) is ALREADY extended??? At least for me, there is a definite fear factor in releasing the lower 1/2 of the leg off the pole, bc I'm using it to hold so much from that Scorpio pose -- so now don't want to let go (wisely so, bc indeed it's a diff grip on that leg entirely!), bc o/w I might eat u-know-what if I do (and indeed that's exactly what's happened plenty of times by now). Ok, will go back trying via chopper (boy that foot is hard to grab back there, isn't it?)... Wait one more ? for y'all abt this: u think maybe this is 1 that's actually meant to be more effective on spinny? I know PlatAni says should be irrelevant, but I have sometimes wondered abt this, esp bc everytime I study the Queen Allegra herself, she's always in Spin mode getting into this, so starting to think there's s'thing to that... Tho I know the Aussie's really like (master!) their spinning pole, but somehow that all jives that maybe spin helps w/this AU-pole-star-originated move...
firebird · 7/23/2012
I just saw it & had a new revelation! So maybe the reason that getting into it from chopper seems more intuitive & automatic is bc that leg (as u reach around to grab the pole above it) is ALREADY extended??? At least for me, there is a definite fear factor in releasing the lower 1/2 of the leg off the pole, bc I'm using it to hold so much from that Scorpio pose -- so now don't want to let go (wisely so, bc indeed it's a diff grip on that leg entirely!), bc o/w I might eat u-know-what if I do (and indeed that's exactly what's happened plenty of times by now). Ok, will go back trying via chopper (boy that foot is hard to grab back there, isn't it?)... Wait one more ? for y'all abt this: u think maybe this is 1 that's actually meant to be more effective on spinny? I know PlatAni says should be irrelevant, but I have sometimes wondered abt this, esp bc everytime I study the Queen Allegra herself, she's always in Spin mode getting into this, so starting to think there's s'thing to that... Tho I know the Aussie's really like (master!) their spinning pole, but somehow that all jives that maybe spin helps w/this AU-pole-star-originated move...
PlatinumAni · 7/23/2012
For me I prefer it with the leg already extended because it is less pressure on my ribs.. which is the part of allegra I don't like. I think the spin does help hold you in position with the force... but I have taught others this method on static so I know it can be done. Personally I prefer the look of this move on spin though =)
LizziePole · 7/23/2012
Ok guys so tried it again yesterday and I think the cup grip helped alittle but I still really struggled to get grip. Ive been reading past discussions on this and amy you also mentioned on another forum to reach abit higher so not as the largert part of the thigh so I may try that. Also Im excited to try the jallegra looks like it might be more possible? Thanks for your video platiumani but i tried it from chopper yesterday and its like the half hip hold when my torso is that low i can't get my arm to reach above me thigh (thigh to big and arm too short). I did film myself yesterday doing my attempts and as we speak I am desperate to go out and try again so I may have another video. Whats the best way to do it? just upload and link to it in the discussion?
firebird · 7/23/2012
Oops, sorry for the (LONG!) double-post above! Beware of those sensitive buttons on touch-screens! And thank u PlatAni for all ur insight on this! I tend to think my chopper's pretty solid, so I guess this will put that claim to the test... And personally, I think I like how ALL moves look on spinny rather than on static...
PlatinumAni · 7/23/2012
I would upload to the videos section here and ask for tips in the description. I would also put a link in this post to the video. The more people that see it the better. More suggestions=more possible solutions!
LizziePole · 7/23/2012
Ok thanks for everyones help! Ive just come back from a session and i have a video to load up. I have now realised that i can now grab the pole ok but its the rolling down. Ill post the video and see what your think xxx
Black Orchid · 7/23/2012
Amy that sounds interesting! DO you have video of this variation? I did try an elbow grip version of Jade once and it almost made me cry...LOL
amy · 7/23/2012
No, I don't, but the entry is the same as Allegra. YouMUST turn your back to the pole if you do the jallegra, otherwise your weight will simply pull yo straight down. If you twist your back fully to the pole as in Natashas picture, your weight will pull the pole deeper into the side of your thigh, reinforcing the hold. I do the Allegra and the jallegra on spin and static. Certain entries are easier on spin because the weight of your body pulling away from the pole reinforces the hip hold. I like to enter Allegra/jallegra from a one or two handed meathook spin which is nearly impossible on static.... On static I always go from a very hooked, tight knee hook Scorpio. I find going into it from thigh hold is difficult for me because of my body proportions-- I can't reach up to grab the pole without losing my armpit hold and relying on JUST the hip hold doesn't work for me.