Oh Gosh, Inverting, Which Way?

0blackeyed0 started this discussion · 9/23/2009

Ok, so basically, I inverted at home before I reached this level in lessons, and I invert to the RIGHT of my pole as this obviously felt normal and natural to me, with strong right hand on top. I got told in lessons I SHOULD invert to the LEFT!? I can do all the moves I need to but....am I really doing it all wrong. I tried in lesson to invert to the left however, I cant even do it, get my body straight or legs right for an inverted crucifix. Does this mean when I invert to the right and hook my right leg I am not doing a gemini/scorpio, cos its actually done wrong? etc etc? or are they names purely by which leg you hook? HELP! 🙁

7 replies

RoxyPink · 9/23/2009
There is no right or wrong side to invert on! Everyone is different...we don't all write with the same hand do we? Why would we all invert on the same side. 😀 If they are forcing you to invert on the side you aren't comfortable with, then they shouldn't be teaching! They should know that not everyone inverts on the same side, just as not everyone spins in teh same direction. I do recommend that once you have learned the proper way to invert that you should practice on both sides as this ill help with your strength.
0blackeyed0 · 9/23/2009
Thank you Roxy! You see this is what I thought! But she was saying "you are doing it on the wrong side"....I kept thinking, why would I go left when I am right handed, I'd have my weak hand on top, would feel wrong. Eurgh well, at least I dont feel so wrong now 🙂 Best wishes!
SissyBuns · 9/23/2009
They should not be making you invert on one side. That's stupid. When I learned how to invert in class they had me doing it on my bad side, but that was because that's how the instructor did hers and she never told me I should try both sides so I couldn't get it for awhile. Then, for shits and giggles, I tried on the other side (which I discovered is my good side) and Bam. Invert. Like Roxy said, once you get it good on your good side start practicing the other but there's not right or wrong side.
Veena · 9/23/2009
You should always try every move on BOTH sides...this is no right or wrong side, its a matter of preference...but if pole is your only form of strength work, you should be try to learn on both sides. Your teacher might not be able to teach the other direction and so she didn't want to get confused. 🤓
yogabeachbabe · 9/23/2009
Yup, teachers will always teach stuff on their stronger (or more natural) side first. But they should have you practicing on both sides. When you're on the right side of the pole, technically speaking, it's a left-handed inversion (at least it is here!). I am right hand dominant, but am much more comfortable inverting on my left side (simply because the teacher who taught me to invert was taught this way herself). This wasn't a problem until I started learning caterpillar. My teacher recommends my strong hand as the lower hand (closer to the floor) so when I invert on my left side, I've got to quickly switch my hands. It's not a true problem, but in the beginning, every second wasted not actually performing the move, was sapping my energy. As for the names of the moves, I prefer calling something an inside leg hang or outside leg hang. It's not as glamorous, but it's plenty descriptive!
SissyBuns · 9/23/2009
Yup, teachers will always teach stuff on their stronger (or more natural) side first. But they should have you practicing on both sides. When you're on the right side of the pole, technically speaking, it's a left-handed inversion (at least it is here!). I am right hand dominant, but am much more comfortable inverting on my left side (simply because the teacher who taught me to invert was taught this way herself). This wasn't a problem until I started learning caterpillar. My teacher recommends my strong hand as the lower hand (closer to the floor) so when I invert on my left side, I've got to quickly switch my hands. It's not a true problem, but in the beginning, every second wasted not actually performing the move, was sapping my energy. As for the names of the moves, I prefer calling something an inside leg hang or outside leg hang. It's not as glamorous, but it's plenty descriptive! I like that inside/outside leg hang thing. That's really helpful because to some a gemini is a scorpio and vice versa... Now about this caterpillar....I'm struggling with that move too. I invert on my left but I'm left hand dominant and still can't get it 🤔
amberpoledancer · 9/23/2009
this is EXACTLY the problem i have when inverting. Im right handed but have learned to invert using my left arm as the dominant arm....it just felt more comfortable to me. But when i want to get into a butterfly from an inverted cruxifix position i have to switch arms as my left arm isnt in the right position it feels all twisted up the wrong way. Its not the best but still works. I thought it was just me that had this problem! same with caterpillar iv tryed doing it were my left arm (the dominant 0ne) is waist height and the right (weak arm) is on the bottom. Its hard but i can just about do it. It occured to me to to try and switch arms so the left is on the bottom and right at the top but it feels wrong!! lol dont know why as it would prob make more sense doing it that way! just seems im making things harder for myself by inverting with my left arm! The other day i tryed inverting with the right arm and discovered i could do it but getting into an inverted cruixfix was very very hard! i wonder if i concentrate getting my right side stronger i will find caterpillar/butterfly and others much more easy? ...also i get confused when i try and do a butterfly from a gemini (left side invert right outer leg hooked around pole) i try and get round the other side of the pole and have almost fell off a few times becuase i was so off balance