not flexible, impressive moves ?

Anonyma started this discussion · 6/24/2012

I am not flexible AT ALL, I always have to "cheat" on my moves it is hard to compete against ladies who can put their legs behind their necks and bend in every ways Since i was yound Ive been in gymnastic , figure skating ect, i wasx always strong but never been able to do a simple split! Ive tryed everything, maybe my body isnt made for that? I have an upcoming competition and looking to find moves that i can "cheat " the flexibility, any suggestions?

11 replies

maurer rose · 6/26/2012
How about focusing on the strength moves like anything deadlifting your weight and handstands? And there are still a lot of fun, flirty dance moves for which flexibility is helpful but not required. I know how frustrating it feels because I am in the same boat: strong but utterly unable to do a simple split. An entire category of moves is closed off to us; but that's all it is, a category.
chemgoddess1 · 6/26/2012
There are a lot of moves that I cannot do either due to flexibility. When it comes to a competition it usually is not what you can't do but in executing the moves that you CAN do perfectly. I have seen girls that try to do moves that are just sloppy and it irks me to no end. Work on telling a story instead of tricking out. Place the moves you can do in line with your music choice. Try some variations of the moves you can do to make them unique....hand placement, leg placement, etc. Think about Amber's superman....just a simple positioning change with her legs and it became some thing totally different and so much more beautiful. Even Alethea's leg prance when she is on the pole is memorable.
Charley · 6/26/2012
As someone who is not flexible - I would not put any flexi moves in a routine. I tried to do that last year and I think that it cost me because some of that "fake Flexiness" didn't look very good. Amber once told me it is better to forgive flexibility for extension so instead of working on flexi, work on perfect feet and pushing through the backs of your knees, perfect upper body posture and movement. People can miss what they don't see. :)
poledanceromance · 6/26/2012
I agree 100%, I got that same lesson from Amber and it has saved me a lot of pain and self loathing. For example the jade. I can't do anywhere near a flat jade and when I try it looks like crappy poo poo. But I can hit that stag jade/half hip hold every time and extend fully into it and make it pretty. Doesn't mean I can't work on my splits but for show purposes do the moves you know you look beautiful on your body as it is now.
poledanceromance · 6/26/2012
By the way I have to say it's such a credit to Amber that those of use who are so inflexible have had such rewarding experiences w/ her since she's rather flexy herself yet she totally "gets" the perspective of the unflexy person.
Anonyma · 6/26/2012
thanks a lot ladies, like you suggested, i will definitly go for the strong moves that require control and strengh sometimes, even if they are super flexible, the transitions are sloppy and the fluidity isnt there thanks for all those precious advises
Veena · 6/26/2012
Well it looks like Charely and pdr already addressed this but.. I was going to say that lines and extention ( within your rom) are far more important then super flexiblity. Bent knees, flexed feet and poor posture can be seen even with if someone has great flexiblity! Lines and movement are far more impressive then sheer strength or crazy flexiblity. At peast for me anyway ;) These qualities can be improved at any level.
Anonyma · 6/26/2012
im gonna add the veena tumble to my list , looks impressive especially when done fast
turnandburn44 · 7/5/2012
"Take time to Make Simple Movements Beautiful, and Hold Tricks to make them Stunning" It's that Easy :) -Alethea Austin
JeHanne · 7/5/2012
Alethea would certainly know! Great quote! :)
stoneycook · 7/6/2012
Ahhh, flexibility. Well I was standing on the wrong side of the tracks when "that train" left the station. Oh well. I guess for me it's all about using flow, the extendion of limbs and sprials out from the center of the pole in the most stunning lines I can create. Add a bit of heart in there and that's all I can do. If I've learned one thing dancing through life, it's the simple fact that the dancer with the most technique is not always the one who catches my eye.