Beginner Pole Lesson question...

Kittyclimber started this discussion · 11/14/2009

So I have been teaching these 2 sisters in dual lessons. They only come together. One is 18 and one is in her mid 30's. The 18 year old is very good and strong, the older sis is lacking strength. They have learned all the transition moves I can teach and all the spins that use hands and feet, and the basic climb. Last week was their 4th lesson, and I literally ran out of things to teach them both. The younger would be ready to invert and do more inter/advan spins, but not the other. I tried the carosael, the chair, the sundial, basically any spin that doesn't have the feet/legs on the pole, but she can't do any of them. I made a class once that was a routine that put all the moves together. I believe they liked it. But I can't move forward with more tricks like the younger wants to, because her sis gets downhearted that she can't do it. A co-worker suggested I make the majority of the class into a cardio work out utilizing the pole. I don't know how to approach them with this, because I don't want to hurt anyones feelings.... I feel bad too because they kinda left the lesson in a down mood also. I would suggest seperate lessons, but they come together as a pair only. If you have any suggestions, please let me know... Thanks ahead! I do give them at home excercises to build strength, and she says she's been using dumbells too.

9 replies

Charley · 11/14/2009
What about spin combinations based on the moves the do know - front hook/back hook, attitude/front hook, attitude/fireman, back hook to fireman. etc. Or conditioning moves like sitting, fan kicks, lifts stuff like that. Floor work?
Kittyclimber · 11/14/2009
The spin combos are a great idea, Charley. I think there might only be certain ones she can do, if there's a part that only requires just the arms, I don't think it will work just yet. But like Firefly to Sundial, and firefly to standing fireman... (my terms may be different), would be a good strength builder and something they are familiar with. We just got to the pole sit, they are learning to deal with the pain on the skin at this point, but I'm glad its something they can both do. And fan kicks they both enjoy doing- good idea! Ah, floor work, yes. Doing more of that is an excellent idea, I always find myself rushing through those moves to get on the pole, but there is so much potential for a work out on the ground too. Thanks for pointing that out.
blueeyes · 11/14/2009
Yes, floorwork is always a good idea! Maybe learning a basic climb on the pole, just how to get on it, and eventually sitting on it. Pole-ups? But maybe the 30 year old may not be able to do one... Hmm, I honestly think its best to just tell them that theyre working and moving along at different paces, and just be real with them that youre finding it difficult to come up with things that the both of them can do. Maybe in a non-chalaunt (sp!) way? You could get them to work on the body spiral... ? Pirouettes? Work on flexibility? I hope maybe this helped a little!
GatorGirl4Life · 11/14/2009
For only having a few lessons, I'm wondering if these ladies have really perfected their technique of each trick - including getting into and out of the spin gracefully and controlled? I have lots of students at the beginner level who are able to "do" the beginner spins/transitions and are immediately wanting to move on to more advanced things. What they don't understand is that although they are able to perform some of these moves, they are not doing it in such a way that it looks EFFORTLESS, very graceful, or totally controlled. I feel that in order for people to advance to more difficult and strength demanding moves, they really need to MASTER the basic tricks first. That will build up their muscle tone and endurance so that they are really strong enough to attempt the more advanced tricks, without getting hurt or pulling a muscle that isn't strong enough to support. Making up routines with all of the basics are great for beginners, since it teaches them how to link moves together to create a seamless, fluid flowing routine, and trains their cardiovascular endurance. Strengthening and flexibility exercises are great tools for everyone, especially beginners, so maybe try doing half of the session with those exercises (core toning, upper body strength, flexibility) and the other half making up a routine to get them to link moves on their own? You could also start having them freestyle with a whole song (very challenging for beginners) and see how much they retain and can perform without a lot of struggling. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Charley · 11/14/2009
Allie brings up a good point that I was kind of thinking too. What about doing all the stuff the know one handed on both sides? Different transitions in and out of moves? Fan kicks to pole sit? This is one i give to my strong newbies. Or different dismounts out of pole sit like carousel legs or boomerang slide downs. or pole sit knees to together and sexy little kicks. Basic plank - this is a struggle for a lot of folks but it's a pretty safe pose. Or booty wiggles, body waves, figure eights, shoulder shimmy's...working in heels? Maybe have them work on dance that is all transitions then another with tricks/spins. Utlimately though at some point their progression will be different. Maybe you should talk to them about that. It doesn't matter how long it takes to get there. We all succeed and struggle with different moves. I open my classes to beginners saying this. "What's easy for you will be difficult for the person next to you, the person next you will find things easy that you struggle with. We are all different and our bodies respond differently. With time, patience and safe practice we will all achieve our goals." I used to take private aerial silks classes with a friend of mine who is really bendy and stubbornly strong - there were a lot of things - most things she was able to do before me (even unafraid to do when I was too scared to and opted out) That was fine as long as I got my time and my tries (unless I said heck no to dropping from 20 ft in the air lol!) We started at the same level - but separated over time. We perform differently and gravitated towards different moves. I'd still do a private with her to this day.
miss fern · 11/15/2009
She'll be able to do the carousel/wonderwomen - chair etc etc in no time, like the other girls said you just have to keep her practising the moves she CAN do, so she builds up strength. Climbing is obviously a great one for that. Having you done the standing fireman / fireman pull up with them yet? It's the fireman spin (with the legs crossed, whole shin/calf area ON pole) and then pulling up into a standing position (on the pole) while still spinning. As I second whoever it was who said one handed spins will also be a BIG help in being able to spin with legs off. 😀 You could also do strength training at the end of each lesson, to help speed up the older girls' progress. Holding the prayer pose for example (arms straight for weak girls, elbows bent and tucked into the pole for stronger one, as in the pic). And Pole pull ups especially. (Even if she doesn't lift off, just holding on and pulling her weight up onto her tip toes, using her arms only, is very tough and will be building muscle for her!)
Kittyclimber · 11/15/2009
Wow, you guys have so many fantastic ideas! Some of things we do already, but as you point them out to me, I should be having them to more of them to build up the strength. I oftentimes forget that they look to me as their teacher and the expert and worry that they'll get bored. But when given a reason to do the things we do, they will believe in me and eventually it will make sense. I *hope* to see them next week, the younger got into a car accident and I don't know if she'll be unsore by next week. Again thanks for all your advice! I'll let you know how it goes.
Charley · 11/15/2009
Hey kittyclimber - I know how you feel. It's easy to feel like you have to keep upping the ante, I feel this pressure too. But really until someone is near flawless with their beginner moves they really can't move on. Not to say that you must do every single move before moving on because there is always something we put on the shelf for later. AS instructors we feel like we have to keep showing them more and more but really part of our job is to perfect what they have. I have intermediates now working on ckr, car and basic invert. I feel like they are getting bored so I am showng them new mounts like handstand to the pole, headstand to the pole and some combinations like plank, car, wrist seat, dismount. They are both struggling with climbing still so I know we have to stick with the moves we have right now. Maybe we'll work with the bow and arrow and as a new pose but ultimately we have been where we are for atleast 6 weeks now.
rubberstarlet · 12/2/2009
haha didn't want to start a new thread! I seem to be struggling alot, I've been on and off the pole, and have yet to progress to advance spins. I'm practicing on cross leg release holds, but haven't completed it 🙁 I can do a basic invert but cant hold on for long. I shy when it comes to posting progress vids because I feel I'm not cool enough ha. I have seen others progress so well since i became a member here. And I'm still stuck on fireman spins >_< ughhh I get frustrated to easy!