I fell!

Soerca started this discussion · 12/15/2013

During a performance at my studio, in front of an audience, I fell spectacularly from the pole whilst doing Scorpio/Gemini leg switches. I landed on my head in the concrete floor and sustained a neck injury, among others, which luckily, will heal. However the embarrassment and dent to my pride are far greater than the physical injury. I am mortified that I fell in front of everyone whilst doing a move I've done a ton of times before. I'm wondering how many others have had spectacular falls during performances and how you got over your embarrassment. I'm also facing a fear of the pole now. I realise how very lucky I was to sustain only minor injuries, when in reality, that fall could have easily resulted in a spinal injury - there but for the grace of God go I. I'm seriously considering giving up pole - the fear of serious injury has now become very real and I'm not sure how to overcome that, or even whether to push my luck and tempt fate by getting back on the pole. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

13 replies

Polebull · 12/15/2013
I have not fallen during a performance but did fall on my neck (I tucked my head) doing a jade split at home...alone. I was afraid for a while, but I kept going. I don't think anyone will judge you...we all fall. I'm sure everyone is just glad your ok!
Lina Spiralyne · 12/15/2013
Do you know what actually went wrong? Is it on video so that you can see it? I think knowing should help. I'm glad you weren't injured!
Kobajo84 · 12/15/2013
I agree with Lina. Knowing what happened may alleviate your anxiety. I am so glad you are okay. I hope you are able to work through this event. You don't have to do tricks to enjoy pole either. There is plenty of dance exploration that can be done if you never want to risk inverting again. Don't push yourself, just wait until you're ready.
Runemist34 · 12/15/2013
Messing up in front of an audience is definitely every performer's fear- I've done it before, though not necessarily on the pole. Most of my screw-ups, though, I've recovered from during the performance, and it helped me get past some of my fear of screwing up in front of people. It remains a pretty big fear of mine, though. I think part of this is the "get back on the horse" mentality. Most people have this interesting, subconscious idea that they just won't get hurt. I notice this a lot in the difference between how I view people and how others view people- other people believe that, if someone gets mad at them, there's this... invisible line that others won't cross between verbal abuse and physical abuse. I do not have this line, as it was crossed when I was a kid- another kid attacked me. I still have a strong fear of people because of this, but I can't really avoid other humans, so I have to deal with it. However, I harboured that fear, and my anxiety (or PTSD, as the counsellors say) for a very long time before I even had the courage to say that I had a problem. It festered, and my fears became worse with the fuel from my imagination. So, my recommendation is to GET BACK ON THAT POLE, because you'll prove to yourself, slowly, that you can keep doing it, and that you will not necessarily be hurt if you do. You could take precautions, like learning techniques to save yourself if you slip out of any position- it CAN be done. I've fallen from the pole from a CAR, actually the first time I ever tried it. I'm now slowly practicing that move again- I love it so much, it's so graceful when done right! So, I'm gonna keep plugging away, and prove to myself that I'm not gonna get hurt from it again. Um, sorry that was so long ;) TL;DR: Recognize that this is a sport and injury can happen. Get back on the pole and don't let your fears take over your love for it! And as for the embarrassment... I think that no one, ever, will laugh at you for something like that!
Polefanatic678 · 12/15/2013
I didn't fall in a performance but do fall out of a static v/ split grip Ayesha and broke my collar bone. I was very very lucky to not break my neck so I understand how you feel.. It was a move id been doing for a long time. I got back on the pole the minute I was able but was and still am very wary of that move. I am now very aware of how high risk pole is and get scared for girls in the studio when they look shaky.. It's like most sports but we do spend more time upside down than any other sport I think which gives the high risk of head/neck injuries.. No one would laugh at you you have nothing to be embarassed about either!! If you get up for another performance everyone will see how brave you are :) We had performances yesterday and one of the girls tops came off and we all had a good laugh but she handled it well :)
Hazi411 · 12/15/2013
I haven't fallen off the pole during a performance (my first performance in front of the general public) was October this year but I did have major grip problems during the performance and slipped down the pole several times. I've fallen off the pole in class twice. Once doing hello boys I slipped, fell backwards and got concussion. Now, I make sure I've got good hand grip before up crossing my legs. 2nd time was in the caterpillar, pushed my hand down the pole instead of just sliding it down (duh!) and fell flat on my face. That resulted in a lot of blood and the ambulance being called. Was so determined not to damage my wrists...can still pole with bashed up face but not with broken wrists! Now I am extra careful and only do baby caterpillars (!) and will ask for a spotter when doing it for the first time opinion a while. I too am of the "get back on the horse" school of thought.
Hazi411 · 12/15/2013
Also, I am older and perhaps more wary of breaking bones and being off the pole for months, which at my age (58) I can't afford to do. I am just glad I can't get pregnant now!
phoenix kazree · 12/15/2013
I dance in a touring broadway show and I've fallen several times in front of several thousand people. It comes with the territory. It's inevitable that we can't always give a perfect show. Sometimes our mistakes are small, sometime major. Get up, brush yourself off, take the time to heal if necessary and continue to do what you love.
Danielle Tillie · 12/16/2013
Me too... A little over a year ago I fell at the Midwest competition. Luckily I only bruised my hip and my upper spine needed some extensive chiropractic adjustment but I didn't break anything. It was a pretty gnarly fall from about 8 feet out of a Q. By the rules of the competition at that time I was given a second chance to do my whole routine again and I took it. So I forced myself back onto that pole right away, lol. And I nailed that stupid trick. Here's the video if you wish to see: https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/507f7e8d-3d34-432d-b887-7feb0ac37250 Falls can happen but you mustn't dwell on them. Just train yourself to be as solid as possible to minimize the risk as much as you can and continue having fun with pole! It'll be ok. :)
Soerca · 12/16/2013
Thanks all for your replies. Sounds terrible, but it is reassuring to hear of other peoples falls and how they recovered. Danielle, thanks for sharing the video of your fall, that takes courage. Unfortunately I was too injured to complete my performance, but even if I wasn't, I'm not sure I could do that. The embarrassment was too acute. I'm pretty sure I will go back to pole, just with a new respect for its potential dangers.
Phoenix Hunter · 12/16/2013
Danielle, that was a f*&#ing amazing performance!! I gasped when you fell but that performance took my breath away- fall or no fall. thank you for sharing that. Soerca, I am so sorry about your fall but I am so happy you are ok. you would not feel embarrassed if you could just feel how much care about your well being. when I see another dancer fall, it feels like I'm there with them. what we do is amazing and we are bonded by it. much like race car drivers are bonded in their sport!
eebee · 12/17/2013
Sorry about your fall, hope you get better soon. I too have fallen out of a hold on the pole during a live performance. I was over 12ft in the air when it happened. It helps to know what you did wrong, so it never happens again. For me, I do the same tricks soo many times over that I literally zoned out on the pole during a "familiar" transition move and wasn't securely transitioned before I released my hold from the other move. I came crashing down and fast, but before I fell on the top of my head I threw my arms down in sort of a handstand. Thankfully, I wasn't injured, just sore and shook up. I immediately got back on the pole, but avoided the pole trick combo and that transition move like the plaque until I could access what actually happened. I, of course, do that transition move now, but to prevent myself from zoning out like I did before and becoming too comfortable in "familiar" pole transitions I have added in an additional step in every transition move that I do that forces me to pause and re-focus my attention so that I do not mistakenly release my grip on whatever pole move I'm in before I'm securely in another hold. This doesn't alleviate other mistakes from happening, but I feel more confident knowing that I am a safer pole dancer because of it. Hope this helps...
CLE Tricia · 12/17/2013
I fell out of a Caterpillar right onto my head! I was always nervous to do that move because I had seen someone fall doing it when I first started poling! It was in class, so besides a sore neck, I had a bruised ego. During a performance, I got really sick/nauseous and had to run off the stage! I had a horrible migraine and hadn't eaten all day, except for a pain killer. I never should have tried to perform, but I thought I could rally. I was a minute away from being done, did a spin and had to just stop! I was really embarrassed, but there was no way I could finish. Still bugs me that it happened, but I'm sure I'm the only one still thinking about it.