Gemini Help

velocity started this discussion · 1/14/2009

Hi everyone. I have been pole dancing for a few months now and am completely stuck on a move we did tonight in class. For the Gemini, I cant seem to stick it. I mean, I get up there, hook my leg, point my toes and then try to arch and put the pole near my armpit, and before i know it I feel my skin ripping off my knee pit area and Im on the ground.... Are there any tips or tricks that helped anyone else to learn this??? I would really appreciate any help. Thanks ahead of time!!!

12 replies

LittleMissLola · 1/14/2009
Ok, firstly which is your gemini? Is it your outside or inside leg which is hooked on to the pole? If it's the outside one, I've struggled with that one too and can only do it if I pull my top up so my belly and sides are uncovered. that way you get the side gripping, it just provides an extra point of contact. Also make sure the pole is right in the crook of the knee and try to point the lower leg downwards
glitterhips · 1/14/2009
I'm having the same problem! I can't seem to get the pole in the crook of my armpit and I start sliding down right away. Even when I have a bra on so my skin can grab the pole it feels like the skin on my sides is ripping off. I feel silly because it looks fairly simple for the level I'm at now but I just can't get it!
Veena · 1/14/2009
One thing to remember in addition to the torso skin contact is the under arm...It will help if you stay in place better if you think of pressing the back of the underarm against the pole...not just trying to grip it with your arm pit. Sometimes we forget that pole dance uses a lot leverage. It may look like someone is simply placing an arm or leg on the pole but usually there is a lot more going on...like a push or pull. Do you get what I'm saying? 🤔 Thats how we get our sexy muscle. Once your use to the move you can do it with out exposed skin on your upper body. Its a matter of learning which muscles to contract and where to put pressure on the pole. Also be sure your placing the pole far into the back of the knee squeeeeezzzze. and pressssss with that upper body 🌸
velocity · 1/16/2009
Thanks so much for all your help. I am hoping I am alittle less sore tomorrow so I can give it another shot. 🙂
miss fern · 1/16/2009
As LittleMissLola said - we need to know what move you call the "gemini". Everyone disagrees which is which when it comes to scorpio and gemini. To me - scorpio I the one where your OUTSIDE leg is hooked around the pole. Gemini is the one where your INSIDE leg is on the pole. I find the scorpio much easier, because I can grip with the inside/back of me knee - but with gemini the crook of my knee is NOT on the pole, instead parts of my calf and thigh are. However, it seems a lot of people on this site consider scorpio and gemini to be the other way to me. So I am going to assume you are trying the move with your outside leg. Aaaaaanyway .... My instruction for Scorpio/Gemini (Using your outside leg) the way that I find easiest Stand next to the pole - your inside hand should be your strong hand (usually your right). Your inside hand should grip the pole LOWEST (around shoulder/face height) and your outside hand should grip higher (about head height). Step forward with your INSIDE leg and swing up with your OUTSIDE leg so the heel of your outside leg hooks onto the pole. When you are happily inverted (with your other leg on the back of the pole, as usual you need to try to lengthen out your body. This gets your hands out of the way of your knees. So try to loosen the grip on your hands, and "uncrunch" your body so you are more elongated. Next, hold tight with your arms and shift the weight OFF your outside leg (the one that is going to be hooking) a little, so you can move it - and squeeze your knee around the pole. It needs to be totally insde your knee - no air between the back of your knee and the pole. If there is a gap, try to "budge" into a better position. If you haven't already, drop your inside (or back) leg down - so you have the two bent knees kinda parallel to eachother Now you are in shape you just need to take your hands off. This is the part where it helps to have bar skin on the back/stomach. First take off your TOP or OUTSIDE hand. This on shouldn't be doing much work anyway. Now leg go of the INSIDE hands but ONLY with the fingers. Do not move your armpit or shoulders because this is where the grip is. When you are comfortable with this you can stretch your arm down, to make it match the other arm -- but do no break contact with the pole. You will definitely need bare skin around the armpit area - so NO t-shirts or long sleeved shirts will do! 😉 Good luck!
Flosqito · 1/18/2009
Yayyy I did my first successful gemini today and I got it on camera yayyyy now u guys can see it and tell me how my form was haha I am going to try to get my first video up very soon I'm so excited today was a great workout! I learned all sorts of stuff haha
velocity · 1/18/2009
Im going to give it another shot today. I hope with all the hints and help that somthing will eventually work. I havent been able lt try for a few days because I was outta town for my birthday. But, now that I am back, it is time to get back to work!!!! Thanks again to everyone who is trying to help me!
Beepolen · 1/27/2009
I'm just starting to get inverted. What is the best way to get your hands out of the way. I always end up sliding down with my strong hand (right) by my knee (hooked knee). Also my how do I tighten my grip with knee that's hooked onto the pole. I look like superwoman sliding down the pole. Any suggestions?
velocity · 2/1/2009
YEA!!! I finally got the Gemini 3 times this week!!! I was able to get it twice in class and once at home. Other than that, my thighs and just about everything was so sore thats all I could do!!! I kinda think I know what was wrong when I attempted it. As silly as it sounds, when I hooked my knee on the pole and let go, I would get a horrible pain of flesh ripping off and I couldnt figure out what it was. Well, after countless attempts, I realise I wasnt bending and using my leg as a lever as I should have becasue some of my 'knee fat' as you will, would get stuck and thats what was huring. Hahahahha... told you it sounded silly!!! 😀 Thanks again for everyones help!!!!! Now I am working on the scorpio (inside leg) and that is another story...
Flosqito · 2/1/2009
yay congrats... i think i am having the same problem some days i can do it and other days i am having the pain you are talking about 🙂 but congrats on it and cant wait to see more pictures and maybe some videos! dont forget about friday chats also 😀
Veena · 2/2/2009
Nice work Velocity and Flosqito. The pain gets better!! 😎
velocity · 2/5/2009
Boy I hope it gets better!!!! I have done it a number of about 6 times out of like 100 attempts... Hahahhah... It can only get better from here. As soon as I can get it good enough to fully drop my inner leg (somtimes I freak out and dont drop it completely) I will post some pics!!!