Pole Moves

CloSmo started this discussion · 6/24/2014

Hey fellow polers! I'm looking for suggestions for moves to try! I am quite low in strength for my upper body but can do things with my lower body. I cannot invert yet and I want to learn some more tricks. It's really frustrating that my upper body strength is hardly progressing - Though it is painstakingly so - and I get stuck with the same sort of moves all the time. At the moment I'm trying to learn the Knee Hold but that is excruciating so I don't do it all the time. I've just got the remi sit (with shoes on!), and the Stargazer (My favourite move!), and have just learned the Figurehead, though I don't get that perfect every single time I do it. I'm after a challenge, but mainly new things to do and I'm not sure where to start. Oh and PS. Anything with split grip scares the bejeezus out of me, I hurt my elbow doing it and ever since I get too scared to try.

19 replies

Veena · 6/24/2014
Are you working on anything from the ground like leg hangs and reverse handstands? Also try working on Ballerinas and their variations, just keep in mind these require shoulder, hip flexor flexibility and spinal mobility. I'm not sure if you have the lessons but there are a bunch of combos/mini routines to work on.... I believe 30 of them and none of them require an invert!
CloSmo · 6/24/2014
I did have the lessons, but I no longer get them unfortunately. I just can't justify the cost of it when I no longer have a pole at home! (I moved out of my parents house recently). I can do a variation of the ballerina! I love it, can't do it spinning though. Leg hangs from the ground - is that where you lay on the floor and raise your hips until your in the position of a Scorpio? My studio calls them inside/outside leghangs. SO i'm not sure if I'm thinking of the right move. Handstands I haven't tried yet, again I'm a little scared. I have tried it walking up the wall and can hold it for short periods of time though.
chemgoddess1 · 6/24/2014
So I am confused, you don't have a pole but take classes so why are you looking for additional things to try? Most studios have some sort of structure and conditioning so that you are not doing moves outside of your ability.
CloSmo · 6/24/2014
I work at the Studio and get complimentary lessons and access to the studio when there are no classes. I don't see how it's confusing that I'm looking for more moves to try. I am doing the "Absolute Beginners" course again for the fourth time - not because I am stuck at that level, but because I keep introducing people to the studio who want me to the course with them. I'm sick of learning the fireman and the front hook. Nothing strange about branching out and wanting to learn new moves.
Lucca Valentine · 6/24/2014
Forearm stands if you're freaked out about handstands. It'll build some core and shoulder strength while also allowing you to practice some leg movements you'll use later (butterfly, bow and arrow, etc). Plus it'll help you get used to being upside down and how to relax so you'll be prepped for that part of inverts when that does happen. Other than that tons of spins are out there that aren't just fireman and martini and will really help build the strength you need to invert (if inverting is something want to do, lots of fun can be had without inverting!). Spins really can be an excellent way to build upper body strength if you progress properly from baseball/two handed, to handshake, to one handed. If you are frustrated with upper body strength it may be wise to work on moves that help you build that strength even though it may not be as immediately gratifying as lower body moves that come easily. In yoga they say that the moves that are the most difficult are the ones you need to practice the most, and the poses that come easy to you are usually the ones you need to do the least because your body is already prepared for those. If nothing else maybe just turn down the lights, play around the pole, feel your flow and see what happens. Maybe google some spins only videos. Raven Kai is a member of this site and she has some lovely spins only videos. The only way your upper body strength will improve is if you work it! And sometimes it comes slow, but it's happening. It's like a plant, progress is happening but it's below the soil. Don't give up nourishing the plant just because it hasn't sprouted yet!
CloSmo · 6/24/2014
Thanks Flighter! Your response is really encouraging. My strength is getting better. My "hang" strength is good but my "pull" strength lacks considerably. But I've been putting things in motion to work on it. I will look for Raven Kai and look at her videos. I don't mind working on the moves that are challenging for me but if I only solely work on them I will become discouraged and won't look forward to poling, which is why I'm looking for newer moves to try so I can work on things that are possibly "easy" for me. Also, what is "hand shake"?
Lina Spiralyne · 6/25/2014
I don't find it negative at all that you are looking for new things to try. It's obvious to me that you are aware of your limits. Have you tried a layout (the small pic in the banner here on the site)? If that one happens to be too easy there is also the advanced version (aka Planck) whit one arm supporting below the body and the other one free. Since you say you love the Stargazer you may also wanna try the Rainbow. Instead of keeping the leg down the pole it will hang free so that you'll be like a bow. If you don't know these I've mentioned look, I could attach pics later.
Rachel Osborne · 6/25/2014
How about all the pole sit moves? Swan, tuck, plank, twisted plank, hello boys? A good pole sit is super useful...
Rachel Osborne · 6/25/2014
And all the climbs?
CloSmo · 6/25/2014
Yep! Can do layout, haven't tried the advanced one yet though. Putting my weight in the bottom arm makes me a little nervous but will con someone into spotting me I had a look at the rainbow and might give that a try, though am going to have to work out how to get into it! Thank you Lina :)
CloSmo · 6/25/2014
Hey Tropicalpole, I haven't heard of all of those sits but will take a look. As for the climbs, i have enough strength at the moment to go from the floor into it. Trying to go up the pole for a second time isn't working just yet, but I am working on it. That's for both the side climb and the regular climb. I am learning the cross knee layback at the moment. Thanks for the suggestions!
k8milly · 6/25/2014
I agree with tropical pole, trying climbs and sits. Hello boys is fun, sometimes I got it sometimes I just slide. I have been trying things like skater, stargazer and dart, advanced crucifix, bulb, names might be different, but it mixes it up to try this stuff. Also head stands with variations of legs, general pirouettes or dancing (I can talk cos I don't get chance to do this lol), fan kicks I love too, looks good with nice strong legs. Flight ear is right too about the spins, that's all we did when I first went to class and now our ward up is pretty much ten different spins in a row. Hope you have got some ideas from this thread, I know I have! Xx
Rachel Osborne · 6/25/2014
June challenge videos are climbing ( and inverting) so you could use them for ideas. I do a Swan (with straight legs) at 1:20 in my most recent vid - I then go into cross ankle release but you could do cross knee release and hold your crossed foot (which is safer, especially in spin pole). Lots of awesome vids here for ideas for spins. Agree with Flighter, spins aren't just fun, they are essential training for strength and using your pole muscles and core balance which is the prep for inverts and climbs.
Rachel Osborne · 6/25/2014
Ps. Dirdybirdy has a great swan tutorial https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MpvwFgWX0
CloSmo · 6/25/2014
I've tried the Hello Boys but my bottom hand keeps sliding so it's a work in progress :) I love the swan! It's so pretty! Will definitely try it out next time I can pole! Will take a look around for different sits and will keep practicing the climbs. My thighs are going to hate me :)
Kate O · 6/27/2014
Nothing wrong with wanting new moves to try, even if you are already taking a class! I'm not sure of everything you can already do so I won't suggest any moves specifically, other than what we call the drama queen spin - similar to the Swan but with legs tucked in and non dominant hand on the pole in a cup grip. It's really fun to play with different spinning speeds, let me know if that description makes no sense and I'll find a video :) I'd recommend having a look through the PDC syllabus, it's free online and organised by level with a demonstration video for each move. Could give you some new ideas. Good luck!
CloSmo · 6/27/2014
Hi Kate! Yeah can you find a video? I'm getting confused with the cup grip part haha thanks for alerting me to the PDC, will take a look!
Rachel Osborne · 6/27/2014
I did it (i think this is the move you mean?) at 1:19 mins in this vid (not that amazingly but you can see it https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/53990f77-9d28-47ec-bfd5-327a0a9aa0eb
Kate O · 6/27/2014
Yes very similar to that! There are a lot of leg variations, I learned it with tucked legs and I do it in this video at 2:20: https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/51c39c85-2bac-4042-8bb6-32ee0ac37250 But that's the great thing - you can do it with tucked legs, straight legs, one of each, one hand, no hands - it's a very versatile move :)