pencil mount

pole-twista started this discussion · 1/18/2009

(pencil mount from floor) i was wondering if anyone had any advice for getting into pencil mount i want to get straight edge split so bad but it's coming along very slowly and thought maybe could try pencil mount split as i feel very comfortable holding myself in bow & arrow position the thing that worries me a little is getting out of it i don't know if i'd be able to cross ankles and let go to reach up also am not sure if going down same way came up would hurt?.. 😕

20 replies

LittleMissLola · 1/18/2009
This is a move that needs a lot of core strength, especially to get up there without jumping. Coming down the same way doesn't hurt me, but that will depend on your shoulder flexibility and how controlled coming back down is. Hooking your feet on and sitting up is a good option to build ab strength. Here's a vid, tis an old one from when I first learnt pencil mount (I call it an iguana) but it does what it says on the tin really. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i20/loopylolacherrycola/th_PICT4465.jpg
pole-twista · 1/28/2009
see im not sure i can get up by crossing ankles and sitting up not bc of lack of ab strength bc can do it no problem w/boots (can actually do sit ups on pole w/boots) but cant seem to find a secure grip with legs to actually allow myself to sit up w/o sliding down think i can go down way went up was able to do bow & arrow and come out with arms holding on pole in B&A position and letting body fall of pole backwards i'm just afraid i'll get into it and fall on my head is there anyway to sort of practice or do you just have to go for it ? ( like how you can practice some moves by doing an easier version) 🌈 🙊 (just wanted to use some faces that never get used 😳 )
yogabeachbabe · 1/28/2009
How about catching the pole in a crossed knee grip and then coming up? It'll feel a lot more secure than crossed ankle grip. I'm gonna have to try it today to see if it would work for me, too! I really admire you for doing Iguana by yourself. I've never even thought of attempting it without some sort of spotter!
LittleMissLola · 1/28/2009
The problem with the crossed knee would be arms getting in the way. I would say it'd be extremely difficult to try and get that grip from an iguana. Hooking your foot round the other side of the pole, then the second foot around that to strengthen the grip should work, especially if you do as I did in my vid and keep one hand underneath you for extra support and a bit of confidence
pole-twista · 1/28/2009
thanks i haven't used a spotter or even a mat (except with first attempt bow & arrow .. used big pillow) for anything really wish there were classes in my area i think i have done well considering am self-taught, but there are some moves (handspring & few others) i feel i will not get ( or atleast not for a looong time) without an instructor am going upstairs in a little bit (i have turned lemons into lemonade ☀️ used to be the verrrry cold attic kept me from poling as often as i wanted now i let the heat run for an hr & a half as soon as i even think i might want to go pole and let me tell you, with the cost of runnin heat i am not going to let myself back out i go and do something even if its just floorwork and some simple spins i know once that heater has been running i am def using the pole room has helped me get alot more consistent lately) am not attempting anything major as am going clubbing sat. (FinallY) the club has poles on the bar so am going to play haven't been out dancing in months but am going to tape whatever i do to add to vid to be posted beginning of nxt mo. am going to try the crossed ankle & knee i will feel it out to see what feels more secure thnx!!! 🥂
Jenn · 1/29/2009
i usually get out of this one by hooking the pole with one of my feet and then slowly sliding to the ground. If I have enough grippage with my foot, however, I can reach up and grab the pole with my arm and pull my body into a pole sit. The grip is in front of the foot and alongside the leg.
Flosqito · 2/3/2009
yayayayayay i got my first pencil mount today!!!!! and i kinda did the knee hold .. im so excited!... i definatly am going to go post the pics right now 😀:D yay me! 🌸 👸 🤸 🐷 😁 🤓
Veena · 2/3/2009
Nice job Flosqito!! 🥂
pole-twista · 2/3/2009
great job!!! i am trying to ease into it i have been doing the bow & arrow and then letting both legs go straight up and down (w/foot still hooked) just to see if i can hold myself w/that hand position straight up and down it actually feels like a very secure grip, but am not too sure about being able to balance straight up & down without foot hooked also tried knees got closer than ever have, but still no dice keep up the great work and can't wait to see pics! 🥂
pole-twista · 2/23/2009
ok still havent got this, but think it's lack of flexibility more than lack of strength I can hold myself comfortably in the bow and arrow with both legs straight up the pole (rather than having one come out straight in front of you ) so it's basically the same position I would be in if I were to use the pencil mount with all my weight in my hands when i go to bend over, put my back against the pole and try to reach I can barely stretch arms enough to grab so don't feel comfortable pulling myself up any suggestions on how to stretch and increase flexibility in the proper muscles to help with this move? 🌸
azriel · 2/23/2009
I felt a bit inflexible in my arms too when i first tried this the pencil/iguana mount. i think the best stretch for this move is to reach your arms behind you, clasp your hands together, and while bending down with a straight back, pull your arms towards your head as far as you can, but gently. It's also a good idea to warm up your shoulders and arms before doing this stretch so you dont strain yourself. Then after you've done this stretch, try gettin into the position on pole. I found that having my legs at a certain distance from the pole, and at a certain distance apart from each other helped me reach the pole better with my arms. I just moved my legs around till i found the "ideal" spot.. then it was just a matter of gettin the courage to go for it! don't forget to put a cushion under your head!
Jenn · 2/24/2009
i stretch my arms and shoulders and chest by doing this move... face your body away from the pole, legs are hip width apart, reach behind and grab the pole with a straghtened arm, hand grip thumb up, and lean out. keep your back/torso firm. hold that position for 30 sec to a min. then flip you grip so that you are holding the pole thumb facing down, and repeat stretch. Make sure to do both arms! Then try it with both arms gripping the pole behind you, (thumbs down). That may be diificult at first, but as the muscles loosen up it gets easier. This stretches the muscles in your arm, the shoulder and chest muscles well. I do this after I warm up, it helps me with my superman, my pencil and my reverse grab spins. And it feels so good too!
pole-twista · 2/24/2009
thank you guys so much for the advice! I will def try those stretches and try to position feet/legs diffrently I am keeping a pretty L shape with my body maybe if I put legs back alittle more well am going to try these suggestions thanks! 🌸 🌸 🌸
RoxyPink · 2/24/2009
Have you tried doing a handstand into it? I found that doing this helped me get comfortable with the grip and arm placement before trying it from a CKR or CAR.
Tyshiva · 7/8/2009
Hello everyone, I am trying to do the pencil mount aka the iguana! I know that i can do it, but went i bend over and position my hands, the pole really hurts my back (from the little gap on my shoulder til the middle of my back). When i am doing a shoulder mount, it is pretty much the same it hurts the top bit of my back. Am i doing something wrong? It is holding me back to run up, cause it is painfull... Any one to help me on that one? 🙂 Thank you!! Jen
Veena · 7/8/2009
Hello everyone, I am trying to do the pencil mount aka the iguana! I know that i can do it, but went i bend over and position my hands, the pole really hurts my back (from the little gap on my shoulder til the middle of my back). When i am doing a shoulder mount, it is pretty much the same it hurts the top bit of my back. Am i doing something wrong? It is holding me back to run up, cause it is painfull... Any one to help me on that one? 🙂 Thank you!! Jen it should not hurt your back. By back do you mean a muscle pain, is it sharp or pulling? Its it hurting only where the pole touches or the move itself hurts your back, not the pole?? Make sure that your not on your spine, the pole should be to the side of your spine. You will feel pressure against your muscles but it shouldn't be unbearable. With the shoulder mount, you want the pole placed by the neck near the spine...not on...but close, you don't want the pole to be on the middle of your shoulder, if your too far out on your shoulder you'll hit your clavicle, when you lift up into position. 😀
Tyshiva · 7/8/2009
Hum you are right, i guess i am putting my clavicle or my spine on it when i am pulling... Cause it hurst my bones not my muscles! lol Hum, i guess i am not well positioned when i start pulling, i am pretty such that i am moving when i do it (cause i am bangging on my spine), i don't feel looked enought... I will try again, and make sure the pole is well sticked on my muscle! Thank you Veena for the mega fast advice !:)
Tyshiva · 7/8/2009
Humm... Still when i am kicking, to help me to lift my legs up, i bang my spine on the pole i cant manage to keep the right part of my back muscle on the pole... It hurts 🙁
Veena · 7/9/2009
Try working on your hamstring flexibility. Then you can lower your upper body farther down the pole, this will make getting your legs over your head easier. Engage those abs don't focus on the kicking, this is a hard move to do with control. So its best to not kick up into the move, give a slight push off, but if you need a huge kick then you might not be ready for this one from the ground. You can still get into the pencil from a cross knee or cross ankle release. ☀️ You'll get it!!
Former member · 7/10/2009
this move looks so beautiful when you do it slow.....what kinds of ab strength moves can you do to work on this move?? i can only get it when i jump up into it, and it looks messy when i do that....