Brass monkey

Zoiiys started this discussion · 3/24/2014

Hi girls! I've been recently taught brass monkey from a cross ankle release and I SUCK at it! First it's so difficult for me to get that leg hooked properly. And second, I can't for the life of me sit up to a pole sit after that. Of course seeing everyone do it without a problem is super annoying. So...question...how much at the knee pit do you need to grip? Right at the pit or more at the calf? I can't seem to grip there without leaning very far out and I am deathly afraid of that. And to sit up, any tips on that? Is it just sheer Abs strength? Anyway thanks

22 replies

luvlee · 3/24/2014
The move is more difficult from a CKR, IMO. I use Itac in my knee pit sometimes if I am having trouble gripping with the knee. It needs to be in there to be secure. Have you tried it from Aysha or Flag mount?
Rylonn · 3/24/2014
For sitting up, it is definitely ab strength, but you get to hang on to the pole with your legs for help. If you can sit up from a CAR or CKR, I think you should be able to sit up from a brass monkey. Sometimes it's just kind scary with this new kind of grip. You have to really really really squeeze your knee pit, and dont forget to also engage the other leg.
Zoiiys · 3/24/2014
I can definitely sit up from CAR. The thing is that this is taught as part of a choreographed song but it's been taught so late into the sessions! For me anyway, since I can't grasp it! Now I have 2 weeks to learn this thing and incorporate it in and it looks like I'm the only one that can't do it. Anyway enough whining... How far out do I have to lean my butt in order to hook my leg properly? It always feels like I'm leaning away quite a bit but I can never grip it properly.
leyrose · 3/25/2014
Sitting up from a brass monkey is so much easier than from a CAR (in my opinion) because you have the foot hooked on and it helps to pull you up. I'm not quite understanding the part about your butt sticking out... Maybe you could post a video of your attempt?
Zoiiys · 3/25/2014
Hmm... I mean from CAR you have to move your butt to the side of the pole before you can hook your leg right... I can't seem to be able to move it far out enough to hook at the knee pit rather than say my calf. Maybe it's just lack of practice.
polergirl · 3/25/2014
How are your hands placed? When I teach this move I have students use a flag grip with the elbow high up as close to the hip as possible. This gives them the mobility to get the hip away from the pole -- there's more play in your upper arm when it's set high like that. From there I have them keep the top ankle pressed against the pole until their knee hook is secure and stable. When sitting up from brass monkey, you can help yourself by pushing off the pole at about waist height with your inside hand. :)
Phoenix Hunter · 5/30/2014
I'm bumping up this thread because I need help with the brass monkey from CAR. having trouble hooking that leg. it's like I am plummeting to the ground before I can get that leg hooked and when I do get it around the pole, it is on my calf. Polergirl, I see you mentioned positioning the hands higher. I need to try that next time. my hands are definitely low.
leyrose · 5/30/2014
Are you grabbing with the hands and arms first? I don't see how you could fall to the ground unless your hand and arm grip wasn't strong enough?
polergirl · 5/30/2014
Adding to my earlier post, this might be helpful...work this from the ground to give yourself a chance to sort out hand and leg position. Stand in front of the pole, hold behind waist, feet in back of the pole so you're holding with thighs, similar to your hold in CAR. Now twist your torso to one direction and get the front of one shoulder to the opposite side of the pole. That's your flag arm. Pull elbow close to hip and wrap forearm to pole, you'll see it really seats the pole in your armpit. Other hand goes in handshake grip well above head (so when you're inverted thumb is down). From here, practice allowing your hips to come to the side of the pole and getting that inside knee hooked securely. If this doesn't make sense I can film a quick tutorial, just let me know. :)
Phoenix Hunter · 5/30/2014
thank you polergirl for your advice! If you ever feel like videoing it, I would definitely watch it. :) this move frustrates me because I feel like I should be able to get it. I just feel my technique is wrong.
Krista Bocko · 5/30/2014
have you tried it from shoulder mount? I think that might be 'easier' than the twist from CAR, if you're having trouble finding the position. Hmmm
Phoenix Hunter · 5/30/2014
Cant shoulder mount yet sparrow. :( I'm hoping to have that shoulder mount before the end of the year.
Krista Bocko · 5/30/2014
Oh ok! I did SM way before I ever knew of brass monkey, lol. Ultimately that was good for me, because I could immediately feel how I needed to be.
leyrose · 5/31/2014
When I first learnt a brass monkey, I did if from a flag invert. Now my favourite way is from an extended butterfly and threading my leg through. To first learn the brass monkey, from a CAR is quite difficult... Have you tried the position of the brass monkey from the ground to see what it feels like?
Veena · 5/31/2014
Zoiiys, Brass Monkey from a CAR is one of the more difficult ways to move into Brass Monkey. I teach it as an advanced move. lilredrobinhood, how are you entering into your Brass Monkey? I teach it from an elbow or forearm grip straight edge because it's easier to 'sink into' the knee pit grip from there. Entering from a shoulder mount is a good option too if you are very secure in your SM. I really feel a strong caterpillar and elbow or forearm straight edge is needed to learn a secure Brass Monkey.
Phoenix Hunter · 5/31/2014
veena, I am entering from a CAR. or trying to. :) I think I am fooled by this move because we are learning this in class and everyone around me is getting it their first try. I almost have it. I have only done it with an instructor spotting me. what ends up happening is that I end up with one hand on the floor and a poorly hooked leg. I want to be able to do this on the pole with no hands on the floor. in class, they are somehow still holding their legs on the pole as they slide down into position and that's what I am having a problem with. I just don't see how its possible to do this with out taking your legs off the pole and coming into a straight edge( like you mentioned, veena) I don't fall in this move but my top hand does have to come to the floor. I also use a forearm grip with the arm that is on the pole. It feels like that hand over head is doing nothing if I leave it one the pole. I CAN do this move standing on the ground and coming up into a sort of handstand, with one hand on the pole and one on the ground. Veena, do you meant caterpillar or a full caterpillar climb? I need to keep working on my caterpillar hold for sure...
polergirl · 5/31/2014
lilred -- you should be able to keep the outside foot on the pole for stability while you ease the hips around and hook the inside leg. I will record a short vid showing it from the floor as soon as possible. :)
Veena · 5/31/2014
Yes, you would need to have a solid caterpillar climb. It's about having the control of the upper body while in hold so you can safely position the legs. :)
polergirl · 5/31/2014
I just posted two short vids. Certainly not my best dance work lol but I think they show clearly what I was trying to explain.
Cuwoody · 6/1/2014
I learned it from a quasi sit (see 4/24/14 practice video I posted. It's about half-way through the video. I use the floor to assist getting Into position. This helps when u are first learning. ) and also from inverting from the floor into it (see handstand entry video I posted.). I enjoy the second entry method more.
Cuwoody · 6/1/2014
Note in the handstand entry method I did not go into a full brass monkey bc I was working on sitting up from it. So u won't see a full brass monkey but it shows the basic entry method.
Phoenix Hunter · 6/2/2014
thank you polergirl and cuwoody for sharing those videos. I favorited(is that a word?) all of them. Cuwoody , I like those combos you are doing on your spinny pole. I have vowed to do more spinning pole, and have a difficult time of thinking of what to do once I'm on the pole. :) Polergirl, those are great videos and I appreciate you taking the time to do that. they show very clearly how to transition.