Help with the pole sit & climb.

MissChiefNYC started this discussion · 10/16/2010

Hey~ I'm not sure if it's because I have arthritis in my right hip, but I can not for the life of me get the pole sit down. It's supposed to be a beginner move, yet I can even get one leg over the other. What am I doing wrong? Plus it HURTS where the pole makes contact between the thighs, is that normal? How long did it take for you to master the sit? and the climb....I can't climb my pole, I don't lotion (which being black, and now the weather has changed, I'm going to have to start lathering up because I'm getting really ashy), yet I can't stick it. This is very frustrating. I would like to believe I have strong legs, maybe I'm delusional? HELP! (please)

8 replies

Veena · 10/16/2010
First thing....to sit and climb.... both you and your pole HAVE to be nice and warm!! If your pole is cold and your body you will slide. You should never apply lotions right before dancing BUT.....for some with dry skin (like myself) you may need to moisturize a few hrs before you pole. Dry skin is also not grippy. 😨 Yes the Pain is normal be sure that you are not only relying on skin contact to hold yourself up but also using your muscles. The crossed leg needs to squeeze across your pole. If you are taking the lessons I am able to meet you in the chat room if you have a webcam and I can take a look to see what your doing wrong. Or you can upload a vid. Climbs are not beginner moves because they are "easy" but rather...because they build your strength!! Climbing isn't suppose to be easy. Any move can take a few tries to months of work..... 🌸 But really be sure you and your pole are nice and warm before you try to pole sit or climb. 👍
byrdgrrl · 10/16/2010
What V said. All pole moves take time. I have been poling for over two years and I have just now gotten a semi-reliable pole sit. I'm also still working on my basic climb. Still can't go more than a step or two. Leg strength is not the only thing you need. Also remember to engage your abs, especially when climbing. Be patient and persistent, and you will get it!
hannahpc · 10/19/2010
Just keep working on it! 🙂 When i first started, i couldnt get my legs crossed either. I couldnt climb or sit for quite a while. Practice practice practice and you will get it! 🙂 -The pole burn does go away, it just takes time! 😀
luckylindyhopper · 10/31/2010
Veena is 100% right on everything! I personally seem to always forget to warm the pole up and get so frustrated because I slip and slide. Just remember that like you, the pole needs to be warmed-up and ready to go. The pole burn...well that's part of learning any new pole move where there's skin contact. You'll get use to it eventually and won't notice it anymore. Just keep working and you'll get it!
Tine007 · 11/1/2010
Veena is right 👍 I just want to add one thing - you don't need to cross your legs at the knees to sit on the pole. For me, pole sit with crossed legs seems almost impossible. I don't get into position, my knees don't even get close to crossing (maybe because my thighs are thick, or the geometry of my hip, who knows), it's uncomfortable as hell and doesn't hold me on the pole. Even after almost 1.5 years... It just feels wrong (and different from just pole burn or bruising), kinda like my legs are not made to be forced into that geometry. However, without crossing my legs at the knees, I can sit no problem (after weeks and months of pole burn agony though 😉 ) I either sit keeping both legs wrapped around the pole in crucifix position. From there, I can release the foot that's in front of the pole and point it straight out, so no crossing at all. Or I extend both legs out crossing at the ankles as in basic plank (but without leaning back). Bottom line, try different positions with your legs to find what works for your body 🥂 And yes, it took weeks to months to be able to climb and sit without having the feeling that my skin gets ripped off... Keep at it, every practice you will be able to sit a little longer and get used to it 👍
Charley · 11/2/2010
I 100% agree with Veena, climbing is a strength building exercise and a conditioner, I know we use climbing as a move but before it's a move it's a good way to get strong. Climbing might take a long time and that is so okay. There are a lot of more basic static poses you can do close to the ground 🙂 With your sit, as tine says try different types of sits because the "basic sit" can't be done by everyone. If you have thick thighs or really skinny thighs the basic sit is hard ... if you're thick then it's difficult to get one leg over the other and if your thighs are too skinny it's hard to squeeze them together and actually sit there. These are not necessarily beginner moves. I think of beginner moves as something that can be picked up in theory relatively quickly where as sits and climbs take time and conditioning. I teach them fairly early on but I don't expect perople to be really good with them, not like a fireman where by the end of class everyone can do it.
Veena · 11/4/2010
MissChiefNYC I hope the sit has gotten better for you. 😀 Beginner moves should not necessarily be easy. Spins are easy to catch on to but that doesn't mean they are safe for beginners to work on. In the Veena method, Strength building is first even though some moves will be harder to master than say a fireman, they will prepare the body there for reducing the risk of injury. The method I use to teach a pole sit is one that should work for both thick and thin legs. When teaching it in person every single lady had gotten it the by the end of the session. I feel most beginners problems are inadequate warm ups and cold poles. Also pole climbs are not always done 2 or more in a row. A pole climb can simply be one single pull up the pole. This is what beginners work on. ☀️
PennyGirl · 11/5/2010
Hey doll I agree with everyone's advice. It took me time to get the sit and at first I could only hold it for a sec, then I would drop off th epole both legs open and SCREAM OH MY GOODNESS it HUUUUUUURTS!! yes, and I think I have a few curse words in a vid of me doing that. YES the sit hurts something horrible at first. I had to "train" my thighs into the sit. I would take a min out of each practice and attempt to sit for as long as I could and then get down when it was enough. Most times it was only a few seconds. it also helps if you squeeze muscles so your skin isn't the only thing holding you up. Lotion!!! Ugh I know your pain. I am also a brown girl and I feel so scaly when I don't use lotion. Here's what works for me. I usually shower right after the gym and I lotion up in the shower because the heat helps it absorb. Then I don't pole for probably 5-6 hours. Sometimes I am still ashy when I practice but if you watch any of my vids, ya totally can't tell! The camera hide it...I also noticed you can't see my cellulite YAY! In any case, keep on trying you will get better yaay for you!