Getting into superman

TinyDancer04 started this discussion · 7/25/2011

The superman- my arch nemesis. Even When I was poling heaps before my baby- I still couldn't land this move from a leg hang. Back on the pole and it's still a problem. I got into it twice from Gemini by opening into a small v first and I didn't seem to experience too much pain- thank god! But to be honest- I simply don't like getting into it that way lol It's clumsy and awkward and I just plain don't like it! What are some other ways you ladies get into superman? I've tried the shoulder mount version but my abs aren't quite up to scratch to flip myself over that high yet. Does anyone get into from an aysha or any other way? Really want to nail this move but I can't stand the leg hang version ... But any advice would be most helpful!

42 replies

glitterhips · 7/25/2011
I get into it from a regular invert, gemini is easiest but it's not easiest for me. That's pretty much the only way I ever go into it....if you watch my video titled "Pole art" I do it somewhere around the first minute or so...hope this helps!
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 7/25/2011
I've just recetnly conquered the superman but it still hurtrs sooo much! Besides the normal invert leg hang emthod, I can get into it from a Jamilla, open legs, by sliding my upper leg in between my upper arm and the pole, but its less than graceful... Or your can get into from a Jade(Horizontal Split), by bringing both feet together above your head and then pushing/flipping yourself away from pole into superman.... know what i mean? I saw it done on a youtube vid... Goodluck!
poleprincess89 · 7/26/2011
there are so many ways to get into superman! theres table top, pike, gemini, crouch spin, etc etc... i end up in superman lik 10 times for every pole practice... however, when i first learned it, i could only get into it one way, from pike. the way i'd do this is, from basic invert, i'd pull down my inside leg so that it's parallel to the ground and then the other leg so that they're both straight out in front of me in a pike and pretty close to my upper body because my upper body is up almost against my legs. then, i grab the pole above my butt so that one hand is below my legs and one is above my butt. after that, let go of the bottom hand and arch your back. getting into superman always requires some sort of twist and then back arch... if you watch my video "Pole freestyle to the Deftones cover of '"No ordinary love'", i'm getting into it from a pike at around 3 minutes. hope that helps!
dustbunny · 7/27/2011
@ Princess, Just to clarify, by Pike do you mean a pike hip hold? Because that's what I would suggest as well for anyone who doesn't like the gemini entry method. Give it a try Alesha and tell us what you think. :)
nymphdancer · 7/27/2011
I just learned it from the pike hip hold yesterday from Becca Butcher!
DaniLoveVV 525 · 7/27/2011
ok everyday i pole, i try the superman from the Pike hip hold..ima keep on tryin..ima immediatley post the vid when i get it!
DaniLoveVV 525 · 7/27/2011
ok everyday i pole, i try the superman from the Pike hip hold..ima keep on tryin..ima immediatley post the vid when i get it!
nymphdancer · 7/27/2011
lol I wasn't even trying I was doing the pike hip hold and becca knew superman was one that I just couldn't seem to get either, next thing I knew voila I was in the superman!
Sassafrassle · 7/27/2011
I find getting in from the pike hiphold good because there's not the twist there is the other ways I've done it but I do find my holding hand is much lower than it would be otherwise, which, if you were inclined to do so, makes it harder to maneouvre into figurehead or sim. I'm not sure about doing it from a gemini because I've never tried it but the way I learnt it was from what we call a starfish (I think Veena calls it a side v or something) - I get into it by inverting into a crucifix, reaching up sideways as if you were going to move yourself into an upright position (we call the full move from crucifix to upright seat a transformation but I don't know what others call it - this would be a half transformation anyway), end up with a sideways facing straddle (it'd be a similar position to the jamilla mount from the floor I think), then it's just a case of pulling your upper leg towards you and flipping over...
TinyDancer04 · 7/27/2011
Thanks everyone- I'll give it all a try :) Nymphdancer - does becca have a tutorial on it anywhere? For the transition from crucifix? I've tried from the pike hip hold but I can't seem to wrap my head around it! Argh this move!
TinyDancer04 · 7/27/2011
Glitterhips- watched your video- your amazing! So fast tho I had to pause the vid! Loved your shoulder mount spin- beautiful :)
Veena · 7/27/2011
I show a few different entries and exits for the superman in the lesson if you interested 🌸
nymphdancer · 7/27/2011
Alesha she doesn't that I know of, I got to take a private lesson with her yesterday. Big thing on my to do list was hip hold pike. I really wasn't getting it from dvd's (I admit I suck at learning from dvd's) it really took someone going put this hand here, this leg here...then next thing I knew she had me in the superman. we did it a couple of times its not pretty I call it my so so man lol
poleprincess89 · 7/27/2011
@dustbunny: yes, i mean pike hip hold
HazelHotpants · 7/28/2011
I really struggled with the superman... ive got a vid on here showing different ways to get into a superman... https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/4dcfe1ff-5a08-4dac-9508-41e00ac37250 First is the usually gemini, side V, to superman 2nd is flatline scorpio to superman and this was what helped me to get the superman. 3rd is from the floor, I find this quite difficult but sometimes feels safer as you are closer to the ground. :) 4th is from the pike hip hold. Becca Butcher showed me this was too! :) It was all about my hand positioning that helped me.... needed my top hand to be higher and let me hips lower slightly so I was balanced properly! Hope this helps, as I know this month was my biggest nemesis.... now its the shoulder mount! :)
HazelHotpants · 7/28/2011
move* not month! lol
TinyDancer04 · 7/28/2011
Thankyou hazel! I think the fatline Scorpio transition is my answer! I hope I can do it!! Everything else just seems a bit impossible- but I have a pretty strong flatline scorpio so fingers crossed! I'll let you know :)
faerymoon · 8/1/2011
uggg.. I've been working on this move too. Im not sure if it's that my backs not flexible enough or if I have an ilrational fear of twisting or dropping my hips or both! I have the strength to hold but get stuck when it comes to lowering my hips enough.
yogabeachbabe · 8/3/2011
Faerymoon: I'm not sure that you need a *very* flexible back for Superman. If you're getting into it from some version of the outside leg hang, you've got to REALLY push with your bottom arm to get enough distance (and a bit of height as well) from the pole to flip the top hip up and over. Arching the back while engaging the legs should be enough to "drop" into place. If you have an irrational fear of dropping your hips, try it from a pike hip hold as described above. Good luck! I'm sure you'll get it!
LissaRobin · 8/4/2011
This is a super hard move, like many others it has been my nemesis too... Until lately, I finally got it!!! Here's the steps I use to get into, hopefully it will help you get into it too! (1) Outside Leg hang (2) inverted thigh hold (3) hip hold, making sure the pole is super high on your leg
mizzli · 2/14/2012
Hi guys! I'm new to the forum so hope you don't mind me digging up an old thread! I'm currently learning the superman move, which I was taught to get into from what my instructor calls the midnight kiss pose aka shooting star, where top leg is hooked and bottom leg is straight. When I try to turn into the superman, my thigh of the top leg gets stuck to the pole and I can't push through to turn myself around. Is there something I'm doing wrong or is it just a case of keep trying to push the top leg through? I've not get learned the pike hip hold yet. I'm sorry if my description is not clear, I'm not very good at describing positions! Thanks!
AliceInWonderland · 2/15/2012
We learned in class yesterday to do it from the tuck spin. I almost got it a few times but my arms are not strong enough yet.... Can't wait for my pole to get here so I can practice
Mary Ellyn · 2/15/2012
hml...it sounds like you may have your hands placed too low on the pole? Try moving at least the lower hand up a bit or possibly both hands higher. Also you need to separate your thighs a bit as you go into the flip then close them again after you complete the turn.
donnalee · 2/15/2012
Here's what I have found that works for me in Superman. I don't get stuck on the flip when I have the right amount of momentum and space between my thighs and the pole. The following moves build up momentum and grace for me in order to flip into Superman: (1) Inverted V. ( 2) Viva (This is like a Gemini but no need to let your body hang all the way down. Instead after gripping pole with outside knee, lay body back with left hand underneath body for support on pole while right arm stretches out above shoulder. Your body line is parrallel with the ground. Your back is parrallel with the ground and chest faces the ceiling. I look up at the ceiling. THEN 3) Get out of this move by reaching right hand back onto the pole and turn body to side while extending both legs into a side V split. Don't press inner thighs against the pole. Can hold this V split for a few seconds for effect and then 4) flip over into Superman without pain.
mizzli · 2/15/2012
Hi guys! Thanks for your replies. I'll definitely try the recommendations and then let you know how it goes! :)

Load more replies (page 2 of 2)