Body shape causing difficulties

dancing in the gray started this discussion · 8/26/2012

I've noticed that I have been having issues inverting consistently...I always thought it was a strength issue until I took a workshop with Karol. My boobs are getting in my way! I am not engaging my back muscles because in order to get my arms to the pole and over my boobs, my elbows sort of stick out and I can't keep my shoulders back. They sit foreard and almost a little rounded. I am always inverting using only arms because of this! Does anyone have any tips/tricks? Also realized that I have too much meat on my thighs to do a CAR with thighs holding the pole. It slips through my thighs as I lean back and because I can't lock my knees together, it slips right through. Karol told me to hold it on my calf instead and use my foot as a support and it worked. Anyone else have this issue though?

8 replies

Tali Kat · 8/27/2012
I don't have any of those issues in particular, but I'm sure all body types come with moves that are easier and harder. I have scoliosis which causes knocked knees and I'm trying to learn to invert atm. It's a pain in the ass because my thighs have a gap between them so I can't get any decent grip between them. I keep sliding down! Probably doesn't help that I use skinny poles :P I guess you just got to keep modifying the moves until you get can get it to work with your body type.. as long as you don't use a position that is 'bad' for you.. Anyway, after seeing the video of the chick who can pole dance with only one arm, it makes you appreciate how you can overcome the limitations of your own body if you're prepared to work for it :D
portableninja · 8/27/2012
You sound just like me! I also have big boobs and they get in the way of certain pole moves. I also invert by pulling my chest to my hands and then "unfolding" my arms. I'm not sure my back is really engaged much. I always have to remind myself to engage my back and don't make my arms do all the work. Veena's lessons about shoulder conditioning have helped with that, but it's always a work in progress. I also have trouble with the CAR. I find the cross knee feels much better for me. I don't think it's required for every person to do every trick, especially if it feels uncomfortable or unsafe. Stick with what works for you. Everyone's body is different, and you might find there are upsides to what you think are downsides. Think of it this way - you are using your arms a lot more than your back, so your arms are getting a great workout! I have a similar body type as you, and I have strong biceps. It helps with climbing and shoulder mount!
dancing in the gray · 8/28/2012
I reallllly want to figure out a way to make CARs work, because it's not a move I need to invert for. I've decided to go back to regular pole holds every day to try to learn a way around my boobs while engaging the back muscles. Wish me luck!
RoseMay · 8/29/2012
I think I got kinda bigger boobs (Cup F in UK size) - and well, I can't say I'm having trouble inverting. Are you sure your positioning is correct? When I stand next to the pole and grip it for an invert my outside arm is above my boob. The elbow is just ON it, not to the outside. The hand of the outside arm is at chin height. This way I have no trouble keeping my shoulders back. My sports bra that I'm wearing for poling compresses the girls so that makes everything a bit easier. Maybe you can try a different bra as well? Also when it comes to CARs and CKRs I think it's normal that one of the variation is easier for one person than the other variation. Which one it is depends on your body type (and the pole size, the bigger the easier the move gets ... I think). But this shouldn't bother you that much, because every move you can do from a CAR you can also do from a CKR :-) Good luck! :-)
Dancing Paws · 8/29/2012
I had issues doing a CKR on a 50mm pole because of thigh flab got in the way. I am able to do it on 45mms and 38mms.
SpyralBound · 8/30/2012
I'm having similar issues... Like with my Gemini, I'm having two struggles - one is I'm not inverting high enough so my top hand is always in the way of the leg I want to hook, but that's something I can work on by practicing pushing my hips up just a little higher when I invert. The body-related issue is that my belly fat gets in the way of positioning the pole across my inside hip and getting that essential lock-point so I can release the unhooked leg. I have to physically grab and move the fat, which is not exactly practical or elegant. Guess there's nothing for that one but to lose some damn weight already... I'm also struggling with CAR on a 45mm. I've done it once or twice successfully, and had better luck (but more pain) on a 50mm. Last time I tried it at home on the 45, every time I straightened my legs from the pole sit and started leaning back, I just slid right down. (It was one of those "can't stick to the pole no matter what" kind of days... ugh.) And I don't have oddly-shaped thighs at all (or at least, I don't think so?), nor much "extra" flesh in that area - I swear, almost all my body fat is in my belly or boobs, I carry very little anywhere else. So CAR has been a very frustrating learning experience for me. Cupid, too, has been SO HARD - I cannot freaking figure out how to keep that bottom foot on the pole in a way that I can actually support some weight on it. It always tries to slide to the front or back of the pole and won't just STAY PUT. And because my knee pit grip isn't all that strong/developed yet, I can't hang up there very long trying to figure out that bottom foot issue. ARGH! Maybe my feet are shaped weird? lol.
dancing in the gray · 8/30/2012
Yeah I am working on CARs on a 50 and it seems to not be working so well. Nothing I can do except also finally lose some weight and keep trying, bruises be damned!
Trixie Kicks · 8/31/2012
Hmmm, Pankake, for the Cupid, weight really shouldn't be put on the bottom foot. It's more that the body is pulling from the top knee. Think of it as pulling off the top knee and the bottom foot is pushing the pole away.