Forearm Stand

Saphyre started this discussion · 8/11/2013

Since the beginning of my pole journey, I have never been able to execute a forearm stand. I have tiny screws in the top of my head, and the thought of any contact at all scared the bejesus out of me. Also, every time I started to go up, I had tremendous pain between my shoulder blades. I had a workshop with Arial Amy yesterday and the first thing we did was work on forearm stands. She showed us a little trick and before I knew it, I was doing one. I need to work on my stability, but I'm just super proud of myself for overcoming my fear and trusting the strength I have built through pole. It just goes to prove the adage of "Never say Never"!!

14 replies

Lyme Lyte · 8/11/2013
That is amazing!!! Go you!!!!!
Saphyre · 8/11/2013
Thanks, Lyme!
AriFerrari · 8/11/2013
That's awesome, Saphyre! Forearm stands are a nemesis of mine as well! I've always been afraid of them and have gone up in them and missed the pole and toppled over twice! Once even resulted in some pretty serious carpet burn...ON MY FACE! It's an amazing thing to overcome a fear and accomplish something new! Would love to hear the tips you got from Aerial Amy, or see a video! Good job!
Saphyre · 8/11/2013
Thanks, AF! I think going over is definitely one of my fears as well. A couple of things she passed on (probably nothing new, but they helped). First was not to put your hands around the base of the pole. You should be about 6-8 inches away. This is so you can get your hips stacked properly. Second, she had us pike up, and then just lift one knee up. Not extended or straddled, just a bent leg. Once we felt secure, we brought the other knee up. So you are in an upside down squat. This is easier to get into and helps you find your balance before straddling or straightening. I did start to tip back once, but I was close enough to the pole that it just kept me from going over. I plan on using this method to condition myself so I can go right into it eventually, and then hopefully to a free standing one! I did get my legs straight, and it was such an awesome feeling!
Reyn · 8/11/2013
How awesome is this, I literally just finished practicing my headstand tonight with some serious progress! I actually took a MELT class while out of town yesterday and the teacher showed me some tips before class for my handstand/elbow stand. Apparently I am not stacking as well as I thought, mainly because I tend to arch my back a little bit and it sends me over. Also found that I still need work in pushing through my shoulders, but I did discover that it is easier to do a headstand when I have a little more support of my head by cupping my hands around the top of my head. I'm posting a video soon!
luvlee · 8/15/2013
This move has always been am issue for me as well. I glad you got some helpful tips. I can only do it coming down from a cross ankle release.
Paunobs · 8/16/2013
For the life of me I cannot do it without holding on to the base of the pole!!
CapFeb · 8/16/2013
P: I'm the exact opposite. I can't do it against the pole. My butt gets in the way and I don't allign my shoulders properly.
Saphyre · 8/16/2013
Feb, one tip that Poledanceromance gave me is to think about pulling you shoulders towards your ears. It helps with the shoulder alignment and keeps a lot of the pressure off of your mid-back.
CapFeb · 8/16/2013
I can do a forearm stand by itself :) I just can't do it next to a pole. If I'm not grabbing the pole with my hands, I feel like I'm going to miss it. And if I grab in a fore arm stand I'm too close to it. Does that make sense?
Saphyre · 8/16/2013
It does. Amy is just a stickler and said that when we are far enough away from the pole, we are basically doing a free-stand forearm stand, which is what it should be. I would feel like I'm going to miss the pole too, but I didn't. I balanced and then leaned back into the pole. Of course, I don't have much of an ass, so I'm not so far away from the pole, haha! So, in other words, you should always be away from the pole, so your ass shouldn't get in the way. It's just what she said, but I've seen other pros grab the pole...It is impressive enough doing one free-stand!! xo
DaniDuB · 8/16/2013
That's so great!!! Amber Richard also teaches it this way...to not put your hands around the pole. She actually had us practice against a wall first. :)
PoisonB · 8/18/2013
Capfeb, I had the same problem. After many failed attempts, I was finally able to do it (inconsistently) holding the pole. I figured out early that I was WAY too close to the pole to get into the elbow stand. I've seen a lot of people who are too close the pole have to hop into the elbow stand and they often end up missing the pole. When I tried cupping my hands in front of the pole I found I could get it every time because it forced me to be a little further away. I then had no need to jump as I only had to extend my legs upward to feel and grab the pole. Cupping in front of the pole also alleviated the issue I had with my head being on the ground because my head is resting on my forearms. Also, I know when I feel my lower back touch the pole, I can extend my legs and not miss.
Saphyre · 8/18/2013
Exactly!