Crucifix struggles..

SissyBuns started this discussion · 7/31/2009

I am having major issues with this. I invert, get my legs around the pole but can't get a good enough grip to let go with both of my hands. I feel like I'm not gripping it right with my legs or something. I'm supposed to grip with my thighs right? Do my ankles have much of a say in it? I keep feeling like my hands get stuck between my thighs and then I can't squeeze them out. I even cut my inner thigh with my wedding ring trying it this morning. .....yes I was up at 5 45 this morning trying it before it work LOL. I need help 🙁

12 replies

Castleoutsider · 7/31/2009
depends on how ur trying to hold urself up there really. heather teaches it, after you invert to put both feet infront of the pole and grip with ur thighs.. i cant do that lol. if u can climb, for me its the same grip, one foot in front one in back pinching with ur feet and ur knees =) hope it helped everyone's different really, same as some spins and how to invert, she does em on the left, i cant i have to do it on the right side *shrug* to each their own =)
FreeTheSun · 7/31/2009
I grip mostly between thighs and calves with a bit of knee sometimes they're all twisted around but that seems to be where I feel pole burn. I get my hands out of the way or my legs a couple ways. one way is to shove your legs up the pole, once they're on there, above your hands before you create the leg deathgrip. The other is to tighten the calves, but leave the thighs loose and slide down your hands a bit and then tighten thighs. And the last is just become strong enough to lift so the hands just end up below the thighs naturally. But yeah, as Castle said it should be in a similar position to climbing. Once you're upside down maybe slide down to a handstand and practices taking one hand off the ground. then switch till you feel relatively comfortable to take both off, and then once your super comfy with that you can practice without sliding down into the handstand.
EVamp83 · 7/31/2009
It took me a long time to let go of the hands too. For me it finally clicked when I pushed my knees together very firmly (feet in climbing position; one front one back). I'm not sure about the hands thing, I guess FreeTheSun is right. I got rid of the hands problem by pulling myself up a little more by my arms. I hope you'll tackle this one soon! Good luck!
Castleoutsider · 7/31/2009
yea u gotta pull and straighten out ur body against the pole and push ur feet up when u do that ur feet are farther up than ur hands so it should be clear =)
RoxyPink · 7/31/2009
It also helps to think of turning your legs inwards so you aren't just squeezing the pole you are wrapping your legs....I dunno if that makes sense....ahhhh! 😀
Layla Duvay · 7/31/2009
Boy, can I relate! After WEEKS of struggle I finally got this move. After I invert, I pull myself up (Fleur had a really great tute on this for Joel and his Gemini struggles) which frees your hands. The turning of the thighs inward helps and the knee squeeze. Exdiva 69 has a great tute on YouTube that also 🥂 really helped me out. Persistence was the thing that won the day. All the instructions came together in my head one day and---it happened! It WILL happen to you.
Veena · 8/2/2009
Here is something that can be helpful when trying the crucifix....Work on it from the ground, by that I mean an elbow or handstand. 🥂 Elbowstand would be the safest. So you would get on to the pole NOT from an invert but by facing away from your pole, and placing hands on the floor in front of you. Then place one leg behind you on the pole as far up as your flexibility will allow. Press that leg against the pole for leverage and bring the other one up to the other side of the pole. Griping the pole with your legs, walk your hands back (or scoot your elbows back) towards the pole, you can then slide your legs up higher on to the pole and you can focus of finding the proper places for you legs to grip the pole without having to leave the ground. You can rest the front of your torso against the pole while you get the feel of the position with your legs. If you feel your gripping well with your legs move one arm at a time off the floor. Don't forget to use some mats or a spotter. There you are....in the crucifix. Here is where you'll want contact with the pole: above the knees/the pole will run along the upper thigh too but you want to squeeze above the knees. along the back of the calf the back of the ankle along the front of the shin the front/top of the foot squeeze..... ☀️
SissyBuns · 8/2/2009
OH. MY. F'ING. G! 😮 😮 😮 I JUST GOT THE CRUCIFIX!!!!!! 🥂 🥂 🥂 🥂 🥂 I took everyones advice and used my knees instead of my thighs and BAM! I can't explain my level of crunkness right now. I wasn't going to get drunk tonight but I certainly am now! I have been trying this for weeks!!!! 😀 😀 😀 I'm trying to upload the video now!
staceyanne28 · 8/2/2009
YAY!!! 🥂 🥂 🥂 That is so exciting! Can't wait to see the vid 🙂
SissyBuns · 8/2/2009
Thank you so much Stacey! I loved your MJ dance by the way, just havent had a chance to post on it yet! I got my video up!
Layla Duvay · 8/3/2009
SWWWWWEEEEEETTTT!!!! Congrats--It's an amazing feeling, isn't it? 🥂 🤸
SissyBuns · 8/3/2009
It feels awesome! LOL. The funn y part is that as I watch videos of everyone else it seems so "unimpressive" but I'm still so excited to have gotten it. So excited that I'm scared to try it again for fear I won't be able to!