Half Cartwheel/Cartwheel Mount

Princess Buttercup started this discussion · 8/22/2013

Our class has been working on this for weeks and I am so far from it! I've never done a real cartwheel or anything of the sort, so I don't know if its just the unfamiliarity with inverting/supporting all my weight on my arms (I have no issues with a standard inversion). Our class teaches it mostly the same. Any tips? I am desperate to get this, so I think I'm gonna go back to practicing daily or something, but it feels so hopeless!

16 replies

chemgoddess1 · 8/22/2013
Can you do a butterfly? And extended butterfly? How about thigh rest into butterfly? If you cannot do any of these you really should not be working on a half mount.
Princess Buttercup · 8/22/2013
The class I am in has not taught those at all. They look similar to some things we have learned, so I am going to go home and practice butterfly tonight. I'll let you know how it goes! Sometimes the order that some of the studios teach in is bizzare. Thanks for the input!
chemgoddess1 · 8/22/2013
I am sorry to say but I would question this studio and their teaching ability.
Veena · 8/22/2013
Hmm it is very odd that they would not have taught an extended butterfly before Cartwheels. It also sound like you haven't done any split grip inverted work at all. What inverted split grip moves have they taught you?
Koidragon · 8/22/2013
I second Chem and Veena - without extended butterfly (although it may be taught under a different name) or things like caterpillar climb, it is very unlikely you will know how to engage properly to either actually get the move, or to avoid injury trying.
Princess Buttercup · 8/22/2013
There is only one studio in my whole county and although I do not like the way some things are structured, I still very much like the program (and it would be hard to pick another since there is only 1!) To clarify so you guys don't hate my studio lol, we are currently working on a strength training/prep move for cartwheel, so they arnt expecting us to perform the whole move. My frustration is that normally I pick up things relatively fast, and yet several of the girls have done quite well while I am still frustrated (not that I should be comparing myself to others). Most of their prep work seems awkward until we perform the whole move, so that could be part of it. Veena, off the top of my head, I don't recall any specific split grip inverted moves that we have learned, but she also calls things by very different names than most of the pole community. I think for now I will work on some of the split grip inverted moves that are here on your site to supplement class. From what both of you have said, it seems perhaps that is what I am missing out on.
Veena · 8/23/2013
Princess Buttercup, it's not about hating your studio, but about keeping your well-being in mind. 😉 Before moving on the any inverted Split Grip moves make sure you're comfortable with your upright Split grip work, that will help too. If you're not sure what moves use Split grips you can always look on our gallery. https://www.studioveena.com/galleries
Princess Buttercup · 8/23/2013
Thanks Veena! I have been using the gallery a lot in the past few days to identify moves, since she uses different names. I have been comfortable with my upright split grip for a long time, so that is good. Last night I spent some time working through some of the lessons (reverse handstand, basic butterfly, butterfly, etc) until I found where I needed the most work. That seemed to be the best track for finding where I needed to practice and work on my strength in preparation for cartwheel mount. Thank you for the input and wonderful, resourceful website!
Veena · 8/23/2013
You're very welcome!
Princess Buttercup · 1/21/2015
Thinking about this move again. I am now with a different studio, and have gotten butterfly and extended butterfly. I can do a split grip Ayesha from an invert, yet I still cannot handspring into a split grip ayesha. This move is pretty much my nemisis. I noticed that although I can tumble into a handstand (from standing) I still have issues doing a handstand with my hands already on the ground- kicking up. Its like I have a fear of kicking into any inverted move where my weight rests on my hands. Anyone else have this issue?
Cherished · 1/21/2015
After I started doing a cradle spin to butterfly regularly it seemed to help build the strength for me to do a handspring.
Princess Buttercup · 1/22/2015
I like that move as a strength builder Cherished. I'll try it. Wcox, I heard from someone else that they started with their feet on a chair and pulled into the handspring from there. I think I have seen videos of this also. Sounds like something you might want to do at home, not a studio, and be very careful with.
Veena · 1/22/2015
DO NOT USE A CHAIR!!!! If you are doing a Split or True grip Half or Full Cartwheel mount using a chair is NOT safe. The videos where you see a chair "helping" them are where they are using a TWISTED GRIP. I don't use the Twisted grip in my Cartwheel mounts so if you are hoping to achieve the same results it won't happen because a Mount with a twisted grip and mount with Split, or True grip does not use the same technique! :) There are different techniques for Cartwheel mount, Handspring mount and Twisted grip mount. Everyone uses the names interchangeably and it causes confusion :/ ......Handspring mount and Twisted grip mount are the closest to the same. Cartwheel you're headed in a totally opposite direction. This video (it's sooooooo old) shows a FULL CARTWHEEL, CARTWHEEL MOUNT and HANDSPRING MOUNT so you can see the difference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sag8kwfYBmU Check out the lessons for proper hand placement. :)
Princess Buttercup · 1/22/2015
Thank you Veena. This issue was recently clarified for me too, and I am going to start trying to be better about clear terminology. What I am closest to getting is a twisted grip handspring. Wcox, good luck! I have my fingers crossed for you. My recent training with Discoveries dance also encourages use of a spotter, which I am a HUGE fan of. Going to try that first tonight with an experienced spotter.
Princess Buttercup · 1/23/2015
Finally was able to get the jist of this move last night with a spotter!! I uploaded two videos in the video section, https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/54c28313-baf0-41cc-8477-15b30a9aa0eb. The teacher taught my friend how to spot me in this move so we can work on it together. I did notice after having done the move with a spot, when trying it on my own, I was 50% closer already. So exciting!! Wcox, hope you get a chance to try it. I have to say that the "prep" move the studio was teaching that I was going to previously was not helping me. I feel in fact like it was a case of "practice makes permanent" They never offered any alternatives to trying it a different way, or strengthening moves to help progress, it was just, keep trying to hop up and touch the pole with your foot. After a year and a half, I was great at hopping, and that was it.
Princess Buttercup · 1/23/2015
I also wish I could edit the title of this posting. It should be handspring, not cartwheel, that was a misunderstanding when I started the thread.