MW Pole Jam Attendees.. need your help with ballerina

Jenn started this discussion · 10/18/2010

Hey everyone.. For those of you that went to the MW Pole Jam in Chicago.. Do you remember Ben Stephan (Ricky Phoenix) showing some of us a different way to get into the ballerina pose other than the crucifix/forward fold version? He kinda twisted/turned into it from a sort of side climb position, I think. I wanted to work on that recently, but have forgotten exactly how he did it. I know someone had caught it on video, but can't remember who. If you know what I'm talking about, can you explain it or better yet, make a vid for me? XX Jen

19 replies

chemgoddess1 · 10/18/2010
Why not ask him on FB?
Jenn · 10/19/2010
He is not on a forum and doesn't record videos or anything, so I don't know how receptive he would be to me asking for a video demo. I figured I'd ask here first, since many of us attended the pole jam and I know someone did catch it on video, I just don't remember who. If no one here is able to help, I may send him a PM.
EVamp83 · 10/19/2010
I wasn't at the MW pole jam, but I think I might know what you're talking about. I use that one too. I'll try to explain, since I won't be on the pole until thursday. Ok, so climb the pole and hang in a split grip position (pretty much inv. SG straight edge, but not inverted). I'll explain it with right hand as top hand, and left as bottom. Bring your left hip&side to face the pole, legs straight, with left foot front and right foot back. This is your starting position. Now as you switch your legs to create momentum, you push of with your left (bottom) hand, and twist your body around while hanging from the right (top) hand. (You turn backward/anticlockwise). You need to make a full turn around your vertical axis. As soon as your left hip approaches the pole again, you hook your left leg. And voilà. It kinda resembles an aerial static pretzel spin, except you spin sort of in place instead of around the pole. I hope this made some (if any) sense to you. lol, I felt my English skills crumbling with every sentence I tried to form. If you prefer to do this left hand/right leg, just do switcharoo with the left/right top/bottom and anticlockwise vs. clockwise terms. I might be able to do a vid on thursday where I do it slowly so you have a visual. Let me know if you got it by then! Good luck!! PS. If this wasn't what you meant, just pretend I never said anything LOL 😂
EVamp83 · 10/20/2010
Ok, I just noticed that Hanka (gymmeke) does it pretty nicely in her most recent YT vid. It's from about 2:57-3:02 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov2JKtMwb40
amy · 10/20/2010
jenn, i remember what you're talking about (since i was the guinea pig lol) but i don't honestly remember. it was a leg switch that felt a little wonky to me-- someting about switching that left foot from being hooked on the pole like a climb into the position that you are in at the end. have you tried him on fb?
Jenn · 10/21/2010
Ok, I just noticed that Hanka (gymmeke) does it pretty nicely in her most recent YT vid. It's from about 2:57-3:02 in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov2JKtMwb40 Wow, that wasn't exactly what I was thinking.. but that looks wicked. Now I think I want to do that too!! Thanks for the link/advice. Amyxshi, I was hopin' someone here could help me out, but I think I'm just gonna see if he can explain it to me. He doesn't have videos, so I doubt he can video demo it. I have trouble following written directions without a visual aide.
amy · 10/21/2010
if you post his instructions here i'm sure we can put our heads together and figure it out =)
EVamp83 · 10/21/2010
I'd love to hear about it/see it too! I can't imagine how else you could get into ballerina. Please keep us updated?!
chemgoddess1 · 10/21/2010
Jenn, he will shoot a video. He is friends with the one girl I know here in Cleveland and he has sent her vids of stuff. He just does not post his stuff online.
Jenn · 10/21/2010
Okay, here was his response, I haven't tried it yet, I'll have to reverse everything because I am a lefty, but his directions seems pretty clear cut. Will let you know when he posts a video. Here is what he wrote... It's probably going to be next week before I'm on a pole again (I don't have my own) so I'll try to explain & then get video next week. I hope regional names aren't too much of a problem with explaining lol. For simplicity's sake I'm going to use right and left as I do the trick but you can reverse it if it's the wrong side for you. Do you know how you throw your hips out in front (the pole kind of be in your right armpit) of the pole to do a crucifix or ship's mast? Do that but go a bit further. Instead of stopping with the pole on your tailbone twist your hips so that your LEFT leg can wrap around the pole. At this point the pole is on the inside of your left leg and in your right armpit. I usually continue wrapping my leg around so that my foot is back on the other side again but you don't have to. Right hand goes back behind you to grab your right foot, pose and you're golden! Ohh, and I invited him to join us here, so maybe he'll stop by.
EVamp83 · 10/22/2010
Ahhh! That makes total sense! 💡 Kinda like an aerial corkscrew motion, but following through to the inside with the hooking leg. Did I get that right? I hope he joins! Sounds like he may have some more cool tricks to share! 🤔 I wonder if I'm flexible enough to do this...
Jenn · 10/23/2010
Okay here was my attempt at his move... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unnzUMFT8V0 I think the leg switch at the end is a matter of preference, I have seen some with their shin against the pole and others with their leg wrapped around. I am having issues with grabbing my free leg though... is there a trick to that, or am I just not flexible enough? tips/advice appreciated!! 😀 😀 😀
EVamp83 · 10/25/2010
Looks great already! I'm going to try it this afternoon. I like it wrapped around, but as you said, it's a matter of preference (and for me, a matter of leg grippiness too, with the whole cold weather thing and all). I have the same problem, I can't grab my foot in that position either, so I'm of no help there. I blame it on lack of flexibility, but if anyone has advice..... please share!!! 😀
EVamp83 · 10/26/2010
Ok, so I gave it a go yesterday. It did work, but needs a lot of practice. More importantly, I finally managed to grab my foot!! I have been working on my flexibility, so that might be it, but I also discovered a neat little trick. I first grabbed my foot with my other hand, and then 'handed' it to the hooked/top arm. Maybe that'll work for you too?
Jenn · 10/26/2010
Hmmm... I'll have to give it a try next time I practice... I'll let you know if your trick works for me! xx
moonflower · 11/24/2010
Wow, that feels really cool when the pole rolls over my body as it gets into position...or rather my body rolls over the pole.
amy · 11/24/2010
oh i just realized that i totally do this on spin mode! 🫡
islandfevah · 12/24/2010
Is it just me or is the ballerina pose quite similar to the eagle? I mean, of course the leg is straightened and you aren't gripping the pole with your hand but the PsOC seems to be the same. I like this way of getting into it. Seems way more graceful.
Jenn · 12/24/2010
Is it just me or is the ballerina pose quite similar to the eagle? I mean, of course the leg is straightened and you aren't gripping the pole with your hand but the PsOC seems to be the same. I like this way of getting into it. Seems way more graceful. I never heard of the eagle before, but a lot of the moves do have the same names. There are two variations that I have seen with this one.. one with the hooked leg around the front of the pole and one with the leg pressing against the pole with the shin. I refer to both of these as the ballerina pose, although to some they might be different moves. What does the eagle look like?