drkfaery started this discussion ·
Hello fellow polers! I'm having the worst time trying to get this move. I am very comfortable doing caterpillar but when I try to take my feet off they won't budge! So frustrating because I know there is some trick of balance that I'm missing. Any tips for this move? Help is appreciated! 🙂
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Veena ·
How are you trying to go about doing it, from an elbow grip or forearm? Do you have a vid of yourself trying it? Here are some tips. Soooo, caterpillar your booty way up, and slightly off to the side of the arm you'll be gripping with, you DON'T want your body to be centered with the pole, you want to be off to the side (for the forearm grip) for the elbow centered it ok..now keep it there so your butt is out and away from the pole, your legs are making a 90 degree angle, an upside down L. Your lower arm ( the main one you push up into the Cat with) is straight and the other arm is either gripping in an elbow grip or forearm grip. I like the forearm but try both. Then slooowly keeping your knees bent...try to release them from the pole. You will have a slight arch to your back, because you have just come up from the cat and have the upside down L going on. Like your sitting in an upside down chair. lol If you can't fully extend your legs into a V, its ok, just work on getting your balance first, by keeping the knees bent, and legs close to the pole, until your comfortable with your balance. Use a spotter if you can, or a ton of pillows, Keep it low to the ground, and to keep from tipping backwards...keep your legs moving toward the pole, don't try to get them over your head, you'll fall! 🤓 I hope that make some sense. 🤔
I am SO struggling with this move too!! I had one beautiful day when I thought I'd nailed it but every attempt since, I just cannot get my grip to stick. SO FRUSTRATING! So please let me know if you get it then tell me HOW! Please:)
Veena, so your body should be off to the same side as your higher hand?
Veena ·
Veena, so your body should be off to the same side as your higher hand? Yes, if you doing the forearm grip that can make a big difference for you to feel more stable. So.. your not trying to do the forearm grip with your arm directly in front of you body line but to the side. Does that make sense? 😀
Yes, if you doing the forearm grip that can make a big difference for you to feel more stable. So.. your not trying to do the forearm grip with your arm directly in front of you body line but to the side. Does that make sense? 😀 Thnx V! 🫡 I got it straight in my head, now let's see if my body gets it! 🤔 I'll try tonight! 👍
drkfaery ·
Thanks so much Veena! The way you break it down is really helpful. Going to make a vid of myself trying it to see if I have the right idea. Wish me luck! 🫡
Tyshiva ·
I will try it too tonight! GO go Girls!!! 🙂
I kinda did it! 🥂 I tried it last night with the hubby spotting me for the first time ever- so that was kinda scary! I've never felt I needed a spotter before, but now the moves are getting crazy! Anyways, I was able to get my legs off the pole a couple times. But here's my next question: should I work on getting my legs straight or split fisrst-does it matter? Okay, I just looked up the move on wikipole and realized I should have had my butt sticking out instead of having myu hips against the pole- I bet will make it easier! 🤓 Back to the pole! Thanks again for the tips! 🌸
Veena ·
Yippy! Work on the split first, Because your legs are in a V it requires less balance than legs straight up. If you do try a true straight edge....be sure your not arching your back, you don't want to tip backwards. 🤓 Oh and the farther away from the pole your hips are the harder, so its fine to keep them close until you get stronger and better balanced.
Thanks again Veena, you just saved me more frustration! 😕 It's so hard to learn the mechanics without live instruction! Sounds like the trick to balancing is keeping yourself a little bent forward at the waist. I will have to make a video soon to show off what you've taught me. Negotions with the hubby over vids has stalled so many times, I may have to go on the DL! 👑
Veena ·
Well...for me it was keeping my booty up so... you want to keep that Caterpillar position and release from there, in that chair position, like an up sidedown L, so there is an bit of an arch in your low back....but only for the straight edge split not the straight edge. I wish I could do this move I would post it for you....Its a no no for me right now. 😢 Here this vid has a good view at. 2:50 I go right into a straight edge, not the split....but its a great example of how squashed up your body should be in the caterpillar before your release your legs from the pole. https://www.studioveena.com/video/gallery/medium
I've been trying to do this with a split grip (is that what you call it? The same hand positioning as in the butterfly) as I still can't get the elbow or forearm grips in my head - don't know anybody who can teach me them at the moment. Is it possible to do with that type of grip? I've got my legs off a couple of times into a V, but only a couple and always feel like I'm slipping with my hands (or maybe that's just nerves!) Any tips gratefully received 🙂
