Inverts!

angelx33 started this discussion · 12/15/2008

So.. Ive only had my pole for about a week, and ive been practicing daily. Ive almost mastered all the basic beginner moves.. but i think im expecting a little too much out of my self too soon. Im already trying to do inverts and I'm ,sadly, failing horribly. i cant even stay two feet above the ground while im gripping the pole with my thighs.. i try to do the.. crucifix? i think thats what its called. and before i can lean back to the ground to stand on my hands i feel like the flesh on my thighs is ripping apart so i just let go nd land on my feet. How long does it usually take until i can do an invert? how long did it take you guys?

19 replies

dscretion · 12/15/2008
It took me about a month to get to the point where I could confidently put myself into holds (but not inverts -- I'm not that optimistic!) I found that doing it every other day was still too painful on my skin and if I waited about 5 days in between seriously working on holds (I would still do one or two for the daily dances but not for long periods of time.) So take one day where you're feeling particularly good about your moves and do a lot of holds, until you can't feel your legs anymore haha... and then wait a few days. You'll know if it's too soon. Eventually, the time between soreness will decrease -- just gotta keep at it. And listen to your body. If it hurts too much to continue, it hurts too much. Emily
glitterhips · 12/16/2008
It took me quite a long while to do my first invert too so don't feel bad 🙂 Are you having problems getting yourself upside down, or just having a problem gripping the pole with your legs once you're inverted? It does take some time to get used to the pain and you will probably have horribly bruised thighs for a while but your skin does get used to it, I promise! One of the issues I had when first doing the inverted crucifix was that I felt like I was really tightly hooking the leg that goes behind the pole but when I video taped myself I saw that I actually wasn't holding on very securely so I was having a hard time hanging on. Make sure your legs are really wrapped around the pole...also if you invest in a pair of pleather or PVC boots you can wear them while you're practicing and they'll help you stick to the pole and get used to being inverted while you're trying to build up the pain tolerance on your legs. I have a pair of PVC boots and a pair of plastic stripper shoes from Pleaser and I am very satisfied with both pairs. Good luck!
angelx33 · 12/16/2008
Well.. I'm having the most trouble gripping the pole with my thighs. I start gripping the pole with my legs i even use the crossing of the legs to get that good grip and i first feel the anguishing pain, then i start to slip off the pole nd slide down and if i were to grip any tighter, the pain becomes even worse. I tried to put one arm underneath and open my legs but i dont have that kind of upper body strength yet so i fell =( nd yes i do have some nice bruising on my thighs and some major thigh pain haha. thanx! 😁
angelx33 · 12/17/2008
I was just wondering. When you guys do inverts, where do you exactly grip the pole? in the videos it seems like its very close to the crotch but is it near the crotch or in the middle of your thighs? cause when i grip it near the crotch it hurts so bad 😳
Sparklie · 12/17/2008
gripping with the upper inside part of your thighs is going to be horribly painful until you get use to it... and even then it can still hurt a lot. It took me a few months to get use to it, and then I stopped for a while. I'm back at square one again. Keep at it, and you will get there soon. 😉
miss fern · 12/19/2008
Inverts are when you flip upside down (eg kikk your legs over your head, or do a hand spring, or jump up into a scorpio etc.) I think you are talking about climbing and sitting on the pole - and then releasing (letting go of your arms and falling backwards) into a handstand. Which is different. But anyway - the pain between the thighs is normal. Is goes away eventually. Don't push yourself too much, take your time. When I learnt, the venue had plastic poles! And those BURN like nothing else when you grip with your thighs! Took me about 2 months (of going to lessons twice a week) until I could sit on the pole without it feeling like my skin was being ripped off! My advice - climb (or jump) and sit (eg grip with your thighs, and cross one leg over the other, and keep your hands on the pole.) Stay for as long as you can. For me it was 2 seconds. Then 3. Then 5. etc. Then jump down, waddle around, stroke your skin til you feel okay. And go again. And DON'T do it every day. You need time to heal and build up resistance. 🙂 The pain stops evetually. I can sit up there for ages, with no problem. Also - another tip - once you have conquered the pain between your thighs when SITTING (and only AFTER you have mastered that) - there is the next hurdle to get over. That is the pain when leaning back (into the handstand). For this, my advice is just ignore it, because it lasts for a split second, and then your hands are on the floor, and your arms take some of your weight off your thighs. 🙂
Former member · 12/30/2008
this is all really good advice guys. i agree with you guys- the pain is horrendous, and the bruises you can get from the pole are christmas card worthy they can be so bad sometimes! but eventually the pain DOES go away. i used to get off the pole all bent over in pain and now i can hangout on the pole up there all day and it doesnt' bother me 🙂 but i agree with georgia- take your time, don't push yourself too hard- be patient, you'll get it eventually 🌸 🎅
Veena · 12/30/2008
Good tips georgiamarie! and plastic poles ouch. Heres my tip for learning leg placement for a basic invert. Try if from the floor first...so you lay beside the pole, close enough so that the pole is almost right under your armpit. Remember to try invert from both side. Get your arms into the proper position (outside arm above the inside arm.) Get your legs into the proper position (outside leg towards your body inside leg to the side of the pole that your body is facing away from.) You can even practice pulling up with your arms from this position. Trying it from the floor will give you time to mess around with the leg position without the fear of falling. 🌸
angelx33 · 12/31/2008
Thanks for all the feedback guys! really helpful. honestly. so ive been trying to flip myself upside down.. and im struggling a bit. i can totally do it, but i think im doing it the wrong way. this is what i do --- Inside- Left hand below outside- Right hand above i kick out with my right leg, and when i come to hang on for my dear life, my right hand is in the way. im trying to watch videos to try and improve, but im finding it impossible to kick up with my left leg. and ive bruised my hip several times attempting to do that. Help !! 🤔
Former member · 12/31/2008
im trying to picture how you're attempting this move, to me it sounds like you're doing it the left handed way. are you trying to get up into a snake invert???
pole-twista · 12/31/2008
I learned the basic invert from a squatting position everything the same except standing near the pole you squat next to My friend also has been learning this way it's easier as your not pulling yourself nearly as high this took about a month of doing before i was able to do it standing hope this helps
angelx33 · 12/31/2008
Well. yeah left handed. this is lame........but lmao okay no artistic work was intended so please disregard the poorness of the drawing. im actually a very good artist on paper=) so if anyone understand just what the hell im saying, please help =) >>>http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Brokken_Wings/yeah.jpg
Former member · 1/1/2009
angel that picture wont open on my computer for some reason. im assuming that you're trying to do a Snake, which is a basic invert...but correct me if i'm wrong cuz i'm still not too sure what move you're talkin' about. i went through my old notes and stuff from previous pole classes i've taken (yeah im a nerd and keep all my notes and syllabus' from dance classes and stuff lol) and so i'll write what my teacher wrote in her syllabus; but the way she wrote it you do it right handed, not left. "Stand to the left of the pole, gripping shoulder height with both hands. Step forward on the right foot and kick your left foot directly overhead to the side of the pole, then hook behind the left heel. Bring the right foot up and hook your leg behind the pole, squeezing both knees around the pole. Pull your butt up so that you're vertical with the pole. Hold the positionsbefore loosening your grip and descending down to the ground. Tuck your head in and place yourself gently onto your shoulders, then roll to your back". -Chelsea Hopefully that helps a little bit, I bet anything that Veena has a great video on inverts too.
angelx33 · 1/2/2009
Thanks Taylor, but the problem is that even though my left hand is more dominant in all my moves (going counterclockwise) when it comes to flipping myself upside down, if im standing with my left arm to the pole, my right arm is the one i put on top while my left is on the bottom, and i HAVE to kick with my right leg, which in this case is my outter leg. maybe i just need more strength to be able to do it the other way around. anyway. THANKS FOR THE HELP! 🤓
pole-twista · 1/2/2009
I can only use my right leg in that position as well i kick my outer leg up wether it is L or R even when doing chopper I have seen vids with girls doing it the other way but haven't felt comfortable and as long as can do the moves i want the way have been doing them will prob just keep doing it that way although it is good to have a variety of ways of doing something
Former member · 1/2/2009
aww, i feel bad. i wish i knew what move you were talking about- im at my internship now but the pic-link you posted still wont open 🙁 i hope you figure out the move!
LittleMissLola · 1/2/2009
It sounds like you are trying a basic invert? From your description is sounds like you have the hand placement etc right. Is there any chance you could do a vid for us so we can see how you need to tweak it?
miss fern · 1/3/2009
when it comes to flipping myself upside down, if im standing with my left arm to the pole, my right arm is the one i put on top while my left is on the bottom, and i HAVE to kick with my right leg, which in this case is my outter leg Okay so let me check this is correct... You are standing to the RIGHT of the pole (as, the pole is on YOUR LEFT - so your left armpit is closest to the pole). Right? Your left arm is the 'bent' and is gripping the pole underneath your right arm - which is your OUTSIDE arm. You then swing up your right leg, which is your outside leg, and try to hook it? If I interpreted that correctly - then you are standing in an acceptable position. I say acceptable coz everything works differently for other people. My right hand is also my dominant in most moves - as usually on top - except in inverts it is my lower hand. So I do the opposite to you (I think) - because I stand on the other side of the pole, so my RIGHT armpit is nearest the pole and I kick up my left leg. Left or right doesn't really matter. Just inside or outside. Watch these youtube vids for more help Skip the first 2 mins of promo and rules -- This girl inverts on the same side as me http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=uBJ_lR_yxJA This girl inverts on the same side as you (I think) -- and has amazing distracting boobs hahahahaha -- http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=AjmX0mtj9_M If you see other videos where someone is doing an invert you want to copy - Pause it every couple of seconds and ask yourself "which hand is she using? (inside or outside?) which leg did she kick? (inside or outside) does she stand on the same side as me?" Dissecting moves like this is the best way to check you're doing it right, if you don't have a teacher.
angelx33 · 1/3/2009
Wow thanks guys for all your help<3! im starting to think that i need to be a little stronger, so i can hold myself in position upside down without feeling like im gonna fall, which will give me time to put my leg in the correct position. yes Georgia you got it completely right. couldnt have put it better myself. if i put my pole up today, ill try and get a video in hopefully. but thanks alot for your help! very appreciated! <333333 👑