trish1177775 started this discussion ·
Okay fellow polers, I need help. For the life of me, I cannot get into a handspring... even with other advanced moves i can do, personal training, etc. ANY TIPS from those that struggled with this intensely and then somehow made it work???
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Not knowing your background, what moves you currently can do and what you consider "advanced moves" this is a toughie. Are you able to do a split grip ayesha/straight edge/jack knife? If you cannot do those coming down from the pole you will have a hard time and possibly injure yourself tying to hold them entering with momentum. Typically the biggest issues are people starting with their hands way too high on the pole. Remember you have to be able to get your hips above where ever your hands are starting.
Veena ·
In addition to everything Chem mentioned, are you trying to do a handspring, cartwheel or twisted grip handspring? Can you do all of the lessons listed in the related section under the Handspring lesson? Can you post a video for us of your attempts? 😊
thanks for the replies! I am trying to do a twisted grip handspring. And yes, I can hold myself coming down from the pole in those positions chemgoddess mentioned... I need to understand tips I can do to get my hips up. And if one of the main issues is holding your hands too high (just the top one, right? what is the ideal placement? Even after watching Veena's tutorial, I am failing.... wondering if there are other moves that will help me achieve this?
Veena ·
My lesson is not for the Twisted grip, so you will need to use a split grip or true grip if you are trying to learn from the lessons here. I personally don't recommend dancers use the twisted grip for mounts because it's a grip that can cause a lot of pain and injury if it isn't right for your body. :) Even using split grips and true grips is hard on the body when done too often.
I have tried it from the split grip as well and have the same problems....
some of the advanced moves i can do: superman, gemini/scorpio switches, v hip holds, handstands, reverse ayesha, jade, extended butterfly, etc. also working more on routines and my "flow"
Veena ·
Can you do all of the related lessons? Can you post a video using (split grip) ? So we can see where things are going wrong? As Chem mentioned, often the hands are placed too high.
Veena ·
lol Looks like we replied at the same time! Just to be clear, the related lessons I'm talking about are listed below the main player, they show you what moves would be helpful to know before working on the Main player move. They also often list strength or stretching work to do to help achieve the main move. :)
I always do your moves under the main move... but YES, i will post some videos of my attempts :)
Wcox ·
Hey Trish. I had serious issues getting my hips up in the TG handspring. My issues was how I had positioned my body. when I had a private lesson, the instructor corrected my issues and boom I had it no problem. do you gave your body positioned in front of or directly beside the pole when starting? Bottom elbow bent? Keep top twisted arm a little lower (lower than I would have it from inverted Tg ayesha) when you swing the leg make sure the bottom arm extends. hopefully some of those tips help you. But please do be careful! As Veena said you can really hurt yourself. It probably took me like 7-8 weeks to finally get it.
For twisted grip, should your body be directly in front of or beside @ Wcox? THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK!
Veena, you are amazing!
Wcox ·
Head beside or in front of pole if flexibility will allow. When I was doing it and couldn't get the hips up I had my body positioned incorrectly. Also with the inside (non swinging foot) I found it easier if it was bent when I was still standing.
Veena ·
Trish, before working on twisted grips, check your flexibility first by using the shoulder flexibility test in this lesson https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4fc4dc2f-1bd8-4026-9725-02690ac37250. If you pass the test and regularly work on conditioning the shoulders, you can see if TG is right for you :)
Reverse grab I can do all day long and LOVE doing it...
Veena ·
Awesome! You passed the "test" I show at the beginning? I ask because it's totally possible to do the reverse grab and not have the flexibility for it.
Yes indeed passed that test... and truly love it.
Veena ·
👏👏
When I learned twisted (way before I understood the damage I was doing to my shoulder) I started with my bottom hand just a few inches off the ground. Even working on cup grip my top hand is just slightly lower than shoulder height and my bottom hand is very low on the pole.
tacha666 ·
I had a hard time doing the cartwheel Mount, it was just an issue going on in my head; I hate to do things with momentum, it makes me feel unsafe. So I was just scared. For me it helped doing lots of handstands against a wall or door from a standing position to get a feel for the momentum you have to use and to get used to the Feeling of dropping the head while lifting the feet, if that makes sense.
Veena, i tagged you in a video of my attempts on instagram....
My two cents would be to advise you that both hands need to be low, not just the top hand, and that you will need to turn your body so that your chest faces up. As for getting your hips up, unless you can deadlift (which I'm guessing is not the case yet), you will have to swing your leg for momentum. Then turn your chest up and tuck your legs (like you did when first learning to invert -- bc this makes it much easier). Once your hips are above your shoulders you can extend the legs, which actually makes it easier to balance and will probably just happen naturally. Honestly, I would not overthink it too much. It sounds like you are ready strength-wise if you have been doing Ayesha for awhile, and that you just have a fear plateau to get over. Personally, I found Ayesha to be much scarier than a TG handspring mount. Make sure your grip is super solid and I bet you will nail it. I thought the handstand advice for getting used to using momentum to go upside down was good (though I'm guessing you've already been doing that). Good luck! Please post a video when you get it :)
Veena ·
Ah, I'm sorry I missed the tag! I get a lot of tags and comments so I miss a lot on IG. If you want me to see something posting here is always best 💜
Veena, for some reason i can't post on here... but i just tagged you on IG yesterday... i will try again this weekend.
Casi ·
Hi Trish. I don't know if it will help, but when I was learning TG handspring, what worked for me was to check my hand position by testing my grip before springing. I'd get my hands in position, with my head in front of the pole, body facing down, but then take a pause to turn my body to the side and put some weight in my arms. If I could feel the strong push-pull supporting my torso, I knew the distance and height was right. Then I'd turn my body back toward the ground and sweep the leg into handspring. Also, for balance, our instructor told us to shift your gaze as you handspring so that you are looking toward the ceiling as soon as your body is upside down. Good luck.
