Half handspring and aysha questions..

Shellectra started this discussion · 2/14/2011

Hey guys! I have been trying for a while to get the half cartwheel mount and just can't get past the point of my toosh and legs going halfway up, then I fall down again! Any suggestions for how to get past that point and engage the abs properly? I watch Veenas videos for the cartwheel like 4 times a week and still can't get it lol. I have been doing weights and push ups to get stronger arms and have noticed a bit of a difference but it feels like my problem is more not 'getting' the move or something, hard to explain :( I *think* I can do the half handspring... I can hold in a split grip and step forward like you would for a handspring and momentum up and get outer foot on the pole and then twist around and into extended butterfly... does that mean I have SOME sort of upper body strength at all towards gaining cartwheel skills? Also I have been able to get into a Caterpillar for about a month now but just can't CAN'T release my legs off the pole cos I feel like I will crumble, it is a very scary position for me to be in, is this normal?? I have gotten both legs off for a few seconds but still didn't extend them or anything, it just feels horribly unsafe (both in forearm and elbow) and I much prefer my split grip stuff but want to be able to aysha one day. Is it normal for aysha stuff to be hard? Feeling down today and want some tips LOL. Oh well in the meantime I'll do more weights..

19 replies

Mary Ellyn · 2/14/2011
First of all, despite the apparent rapid rate of which you seem to be progressing at, some moves are simply going to take time to "get". Also some people get some moves quicker and other people take ages to get that same move. It's not always about strength...sometimes it's just understanding it and feeling comfortable with it in your head. The handspring certainly requires strength but the majority of it is about balance - holding your core and your arms stable without wobble isn't just strength but comes with practice. Most people take a while to really nail this move. Likewise, it's also easy to "lose" this move if you stop practicing it. As for the caterpillar if anything about a move scares you my advice is not to try it until you feel more secure. Good healthy respect for the possibility of injury is different from being afraid of a move. So it depends on exactly what you mean when you say this is a very scary position for you. To me that sounds like you aren't ready. In our program I am very conservative and I don't allow my students to even do their first invert until they've been with us for about 8 months. I can understand some people doing inverts sooner, but there is still a period of adjustment on the pole. You have to get use to how to handle a pole before you invert and become comfortable with it and that cannot be done too quickly. For example, it's easy to engage your shoulders when your hands are low, harder to engage them when your hands are over your head (in a spin) but it's very difficult to keep them engaged as your move into and hold an invert. This is why things shouldn't be rushed...adjustment takes time. As for strength...how much work do you do for your grip? That's a very important factor in improving all of your pole work.
Veena · 2/14/2011
Shellectra, The lessons are placed in an order I feel is best. If you cannot yet do a Caterpillar you should wait to move on the the Ayasha and Handspring. So go back and work on these two lessons before moving on to the Aysha Caterpillar https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4cc97c20-7e0c-47ee-8303-49360ac37250 Basic Butterfly https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4ccec7a3-6ed8-4907-befb-61210ac37250 Once those moves are consistent and comfortable THEN move on to the Aysha. When your ready to move on listen closely to the tips I have for placement on this lesson https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d10f457-834c-45b0-8448-3b550ac37250 Can you hold yourself in the tuck position of the aysha? Do you have a pic or vid or you trying to caterpillar? Also looking and trying a lesson a few times and not getting it is not any reason to get frustrated with yourself....some moves take time, so don't be too hard on yourself, you'll get it!!
Shellectra · 2/15/2011
Thanks guys! Empyrean - I am surprised at the rate I am learning too, I guess having a pole at home and doing it as much as I can (with a day or 2 rest in between) has really helped. Am I progressing too fast? I was able to learn to invert properly quickly, and never jump into them, always lift up into them. I started in September so it's been nearly 6 months and I can do some cool moves like Gemini, Scorpio, Superman, Advanced Plank, CAR, Extended Butterfly etc. I learn from home with Veenas lessons and so I have no idea if my progress is fast or not cos I have no one to compare it to in real life :( I guess now I am coming to a stage where new moves are now challenging me, every move so far has been easy to get, and at the most taken a week or so. So I guess to come to a temporary halt and being like "Hey, I can't do this!" is new to me, but it's okay it will be good to have some things to work on now :) Veena thanks for commenting! I can do a Caterpillar finally and if my grip feels right, it's very comfortable to 'hold' the position, if my hands are slipper though I can slip down, so I have to make sure my pole is wiped and my hands (stupid chrome/humidity). Here are a few photos of me playing around with the Caterpillar position and trying to get my legs off a few times (excuse the uglyness haha) it was a very exciting moment when I was able to push up and away and get my butt up into position. My first Caterpillar, later realized how to properly place the upper arm for forearm grip (not sure what I'm doing here lol) http://oi52.tinypic.com/141k3ue.jpg An attempt to get my legs off, still leaning on the pole though (I could do this last week but not last night, go figure haha) http://oi56.tinypic.com/2ebxpah.jpg Got one leg off http://oi55.tinypic.com/wvwb9j.jpg I am doing weights and push ups now to strenghen my arms even more, my biceps look awesome now but I need to work on the triceps. I am a bit of a perfectionist so get frustrated easily, but thanks guys I will not feel disheartened and will have challenges to work towards! Like the splits, ugh!! I am not sure where my strength is at either, without going to classes and having an instructor assess me, so if you are able to tell me if I have some sort of considerable strength that would be good, as a gauge of where I'm at :)
Veena · 2/15/2011
I can see in your pics Shellectra your too centered on the pole. if you look at your pic and then my lesson you can see your not pushing off slightly to the side. The pole should be near the shoulder of the bent arm at the top of the Caterpillar and ayasha not in the middle of your chest. Go back to the lessons and listen close and watch how I move in both the Caterpillars and ayasha. Pull pull with the legs let them do the work as you push off to the side of your bent arm. 🙂
Shellectra · 2/15/2011
Thanks so much V! That makes sense! I definitely feel too centred in the Caterpillar and knew something was missing. It's like all my weight is on top of me in one spot, when if I move off to the side as you describe it might help me balance and feel more balanced. Yay! I will watch your videos and take note of what you said :)
Shellectra · 2/16/2011
I'm too tired to try this tonight and still sore from the other day. I have watched your vid numerous times. Would it feel harder for me so far because I have been central on the pole and not off to the side?
Veena · 2/16/2011
yes it will feel odd and possibly more difficult its like relearning it. Remember use the legs (your hamstrings) to pull your body up don't let the upper body do all the work. Don't expect to get this overnight.🌸
Shellectra · 2/16/2011
Thanks heaps!! I'm sure you'll know when I get it cos I'll update this thread with a sweet pic and lots of screaming excitement, hehe
HannahElizabeth · 2/17/2011
thanks for posting and answering this thread. I have real trouble with the caterpillar too and am thinking that perhaps it's cos I'm too centered too. I'm gonna try it tonight Thanks ladies 🌸
Shellectra · 2/17/2011
Yay Hannah I'm glad my post is helpful!! I'm still too sore to try LOL let me know how you go :)
Shellectra · 2/18/2011
Veena! I got my legs off wahooo!!! Am I a bit more to the side now? http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181671_10150189379463206_532948205_8961275_1690459_n.jpg
HannahElizabeth · 2/19/2011
yey! nice one Shellectra, that look coool! I must try this tonight, I want my aysha so much!
Shellectra · 2/19/2011
Thanks Hannah! I know it's not a proper Aysha or even really pretty but hey I got my legs and torso off the pole and held myself up!! The feeling was phenominal, I was up there like hoooooooooooooooly crappppp your doing it biatch!! (in my head). I wonder if I'm doing anything wrong, before I keep on doing it and trying to get straight edge and a better straight edge v one day..
Shellectra · 2/19/2011
ps be careful you don't fall back once you take your legs off, the body seems to want to fall that way!
HannahElizabeth · 2/19/2011
ooh ok thanks for the tip :D Can you do split grip aysha? I really want to get my split grip, I find elbow and forearm grips really hard 🙁 Hopefully I'l be able to get the elbow grip now I know to be a bit off centre 🥂
Shellectra · 2/19/2011
I feel more comfortable in my split grip but can only do extended butterfly so far (can get up into it from a v cradle spin, which feels cool!) but haven't gotten both legs off in it yet :( In your profi8le pic you look like your legs are almost off! I must try the inverted D
HannahElizabeth · 2/19/2011
yeaa i was so close to getting my feet off with the inverted D! I'm working on getting into the butterfly/extended butterfly from the apprentice.... so hard but I've nearly done it so will be jumping to joy when I can do it properly 😀 I personally find the inverted D easier then the extended butterfly so if you can do the EB hopefully you wont find the inverted D too hard :) good luck
Shellectra · 2/20/2011
Thanks!! I just figured out while being random how to get from a cradle V spin into extended butterfly... I Wonder of thats similar? While in the position I get my upper ankle against the pole and push up and twist my entire body around (while still in split grip) and end up facing the pole in EB... sounds similar! If it is, its FUN FUN! haha. I shall try Inverted D tomorrow... hubby is home with me so can spot me so I don't fall back haha
HannahElizabeth · 2/20/2011
yea apprentice is the same positioning as cradle but with the apprentice you're not spinning, maybe I will try it from cradle... might be easier with a bit of momentum?? I looove my split grips so love doing any moves with it 🥂