Psyching myself out

Alexis Corinne started this discussion · 1/4/2014

Yesterday when I got my pole I was all over it. currently i can really only do a fireman spin, but im trying to perfect it since it does take strength but today I just...I cant. I am scaring myself I guess? I just cant get myself to do it. I keep chickening out and its not a mental thing my body is doing it. How do you suggest getting over this stupid thing I keep doing to myself ;____;

5 replies

briarose8 · 1/4/2014
Some days I have certain tricks and the next day I won't. I think that is common. Try not to over think what you are doing and just enjoy it, mistakes and all. I would recommend measuring your progress once a month. There will be fluctuations day to day and to focus too hard on those isn't giving you a full picture of what you are accomplishing. I totally understand the body stopping you thing. When I started aerials I was afraid of heights. I had instructors get really angry at me for freezing up or chickening out on things. Some of them even threatened to kick me out of class and said I wasn't trying. But it was totally not my mentality stopping me. My body would just abort certain things, especially new things. I found that as I got used to them more and more my body would accept the movements. Repetition was key. Of course I am no pro myself. This is just my take on things. Good luck with your new pole and stay positive always!!
Alexis Corinne · 1/4/2014
I'm so happy I'm not alone. It's just frustrating because I know I can do it. I've done it before. I do it all the time. Like wtf lol. Grrr
dustbunny · 1/4/2014
Your body might be telling you to take a break. You said you were "all over it" yesterday. Relax and work on something else; floor work or stretching. I'll bet it will come back tomorrow or next day. :)
Phoenix Hunter · 1/4/2014
I agree with the other ladies' comments. things will fluctuate day to day as you are learning new things. sometimes you will overthink a move and not be able to do it. just listening to good music and dancing will help you get out of your head and your body will do what it knows how to do. You might also need to take a rest day off the pole and do something else like dustbunny suggested, floor work or stretching. it is easy to over do it and strain muscles or joints. it's a good idea to take a rest day between pole sessions especially in the beginning.
Kate O · 1/4/2014
I had this exact same thing, with the fireman spin as well! I went to swing into it, my body literally went NO and stopped me. It was the most bizarre thing and I was so embarrassed because I must've looked so weird in class, especially as I'd done it before without a problem. I left it alone for a while and then came back to it and was eventually fine. Just take a break and perhaps work on something else for a while, it'll come back - mine certainly did and I use it all the time, as you'll see in my videos, perhaps too much! :)