Pole "hug" grip issues??

Runemist34 started this discussion · 10/6/2013

Hey everyone! I'm wondering about this "pole hug" move. It's an elbow grip, as far as I can tell, and I'm really struggling to get the grip correct! This move is the "Basic Embrace" on the Pole dance dictionary ( http://poledancedictionary.com/moves/285/basic-embrace/ ) and Emotioncatcher does a tutorial on a pretty one ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJR_0axFd7o ) I've watched these quite a bit, and I feel like I should be able to do it! I have a very sticky pole (especially with the humidity around here), so I don't think that's it. I just can't seem to figure out how the grip is supposed to work, what (if anything) I'm meant to be pulling, or pushing. I'm just wanting to do the two-armed version for now, and then eventually I'll work up to the single, once I figure out how the hold works. I want to get those inner-elbows used to grip! And it's so pretty :)

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5 replies

PoleFly · 10/6/2013
Do a climb and hook your elbow right in front of your face and so your arm is at 90 degrees with the floor , then lower your wrist to the floor to lock in that elbow hold. I find a good trick is to grab onto the forearm of my hooked arm with my free hand to really secure that elbow hook. You will drop down into the pose so having your stomach exposed and press into the pole (hurts) but will help you stay stable and not drop to the floor, once you get past that lil drop and feel the pole securing agaisnt your stomach you should be able to let go of the other hand and hang with one arm. Good luck :)
Runemist34 · 10/7/2013
Thanks Polefly! Should I lean away from my hooked arm? I assume that I should be making sure my arm stays in front of my face, or should I allow myself to move down, away from my arm, so that my elbow points upward upon the application of weight?
RobynPoleDancer · 10/7/2013
If you're doing 2-arm version, make sure your elbows are "stacked" so the inside of both elbows are making equal contact. 1 hand will now be on your opposite shoulder, the other under the arm on the other side. You can use these to hold for now to feel more stable. You've just made a triangle with your arms, yes? Lean back / try to get your back further away from the pole, you should be able to see the tops of your shoulders, don't hunch. Don't pull IN or you won't create the push/pull effect. PUSH your belly forward to counter this - it is easier to start if you get your belly to grip too, but later you won't need it as much. You might sink into it as your take your legs off, which is why it's harder from the floor I find.
phedre · 10/7/2013
I've found the easiest two arm for this is to wedge one elbow as firmly as possible on the pole. Then, wrap your other arm on top but grabbing on the far side of your hooked arm. That way you're grabbing with both arms just one of them is doing so by grabbing the other arm.
AriFerrari · 10/8/2013
When I do the embrace, I grasp my shoulders with my hands to lock myself into place, like I'm hugging myself tight. Not sure if that's cheating lol but it makes me feel secure enough. Also, arching your back to push the stomach into the pole, like others have suggested, also creates another grip point. You can see what I mean about hugging yourself in my video at about 1:19: https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/503ec2a5-29dc-42fb-b3d9-28e80ac37250