Bird of Paradise!!! Help!!

082592 started this discussion · 7/21/2015

So for a while now I've been trying to do the bird of paradise on the pole, but I somehow can't get my arm behind the pole to grip properly and grab my hands. I don't know why this is because my shoulders are very open as I'm very flexible. I can do the pose well on the floor, but on the pole I fail to grab my hands. Any tips or ideas I should try? I've tried turning my body/chest in different ways and nothing seems to be working.

5 replies

Phoenix Hunter · 7/22/2015
I'm struggling with the same thing. I'm afraid it requires even more shoulder flexibility than I think. but also, there has to be some way of positioning your torso and head/neck that makes this more reachable. ugh! I wish I could figure it out too. but really I'm afraid it also requires more flexibility than being able to do it on the floor because the pole is in the way. I dont know.
jsheridan · 7/23/2015
Some tips I have used with my students are to twist your torso as much as possible away from the pole. Also the pole gets set in the middle of your back, between your shoulder blades, so sometimes when learning you have to pull your body across first. I hope that makes sense. A video would be helpful to see where your issue is.
Phoenix Hunter · 7/23/2015
thank you Jsheridan, I dont really think I'm twisting my torso hardly at all. Ive been trying to put the pole in the middle of my back but I think I'm lacking in the twisting. next time I will focus on that and see if I can get closer. :)
CapFeb · 7/24/2015
I'm in this boat right now. I can get my hands together, but not the elbow into the pole. I also turn a bit (it helps to keep your back to the pole if when you invert, you keep your inside hand on the pole and your outside hand to guide the leg). I also think it's worth mentioning that upsidedown is a lot easier than right side up, and I'm referring to the movements from an outside leg hand/inverted position.
LRu Studios · 7/24/2015
I'm working on this too. Same problem... Can't get my elbow to the pole... I noticed if I push my bum bum back while in the outside leg hang I can get my elbow to the pole. Now I have to grab my leg and do that at the same time. I did try it spinning and it does make it easier. Also I think I have a short torso so it's hard to twist. Here's an attempt with Tara Meyer spotting and teaching!