pulling up from elbow stand ?

Judy Jovanelly started this discussion · 2/2/2010

ok, i have a decent elbow stand, but now i want to grip the pole with my legs and pull myself up from that position into a pole sit. of course i will have to work work work my abs to get it, but before i can even ge that far, i have a question about the head. i have tried wrapping and pulling up, but stop myself because it doesn't feel like my head is doing the right thing. can somebody tell me exactly what is done with the head on starting to pull up from the elbow stand ? thanks !

24 replies

polergirl · 2/2/2010
This is something I do quite often. My head doesn't do anything special...I wrap my legs as if in a CAR, then crunch my abs and sit up. Since my head is off the ground in an elbow stand, it just stays aligned with my torso.
amy · 2/2/2010
hm, i dont think my head does anything. it stays in the elbow stand until my legs are anchored and then i literally just sit up. what is your head doing that feels wrong?
polebunny · 2/2/2010
If your head touches the floor while in the elbow stand then try pushing up w ur forearms a little when u go to lift up 😳
Judy Jovanelly · 2/2/2010
on wrapping my legs and initiating the pull, it feels like my head is being dragged and my neck is arching. i think polebunny is right that i may need to push up with my forearms a bit to help initiate ?
polergirl · 2/2/2010
Your head really shouldn't touch the floor in an elbow stand or you run the risk of hurting your neck and spine. Engage your shoulders and get that head free! Then you should not have any sort of dragging issues whatsoever. Also, pushing up with your forearms would put a lot of pressure on your triceps...plus negate the ab benefits.
amy · 2/2/2010
hm. i tihnk it looks pretty when your head is last to come up, but if it's uncomfortable, can you try engaging your abs, tucking your chin, and leading the upward sit with your head? so your body is curved concave?
Judy Jovanelly · 2/2/2010
if your head doesn't touch the floor in an elbow stand, than can you tell me what the points of contact are? i could swear in veena's lesson on it her head is on the floor? am i not looking at it correctly ? HELP !!
polergirl · 2/2/2010
Points of contact: elbows, forearms, hands if necessary. Your head may *brush* the floor during this move but it shouldn't be *resting* on the floor. Engaging your shoulders and lifting your head off the ground allows you so much more mobility and is safer to boot.
Judy Jovanelly · 2/2/2010
back to the drawing board for me and the elbow stand !
polergirl · 2/2/2010
Keep in mind, I've been giving you tips on ELBOW stand.....but I don't have Veena's lessons. If she is teaching a HEADstand things are completely different. But an elbow stand is frequently used in gymnastics and I have a hunch it's the one to which you're referring. When I am in an elbow stand, I can turn my head completely one way or the other...I can arch my back and neck and look at the pole, I can shift my entire body out without worrying about putting my head/neck at weird angles or causing them undue pressure.
Judy Jovanelly · 2/2/2010
i see. veena refers to it as elbow stand. but it does appear to me that her head is touching the floor.... do you have a pic or vid of yourself doing your elbow stand ? or do you know where i might see it in action ?
Veena · 2/2/2010
No its not a headstand.....the variation I teach is more yoga base, not gymnastics. The head is LIGHTLY touching the floor but your NOT placing pressure on your head, it all on your arms. Head up would be an advanced variation. Jayjay...you don't want the pressure on your head, remember you need to engage your shoulders (keep your shoulders away from your ears) and press into the floor with your hands and forearms, this will get you into the correct position for lifting back up onto the pole.....check yourself in a mirror or take a vid or pic so you can see if your in the proper position.
Veena · 2/2/2010
Jayjay...if you are taking the online lessons you'll hear me say right away that your NOT resting on your head, so you may wanna go back and watch if your referring to that lesson. 😀
polergirl · 2/2/2010
I'm so glad you weighed in, Veena! Jayjay, I do some elbowstand work in one of my vids here. Not an instructional video by any means, but at any rate, you can see the maneuverability I referred to. 🙂
Judy Jovanelly · 2/2/2010
thank you veena and polegirl. i did know that elbow stand doesn't rest on the head from the lesson, and to make sure my head and neck are neutral. . i don't feel weight on my head when i am in the actual stand. it is only when gripping my legs and trying to go from the stand into a situp. i wonder if i am shifting myself inadvertently when i try to initiate the situp? hmmmm..... next time i pole i will pay more attention and try to get a pic or vid. thanks to all for comments and help !!!!
moonflower · 2/3/2010
jayjay, I think I know what you mean. My head barely touches the floor in an elbow stand, but not weight is on it. BUT when I wrap my legs in CAR position, my body sinks into it by about 1/2" inch. This 1/2" brings my head onto the floor and I have to tuck my chin before I lift myself up to prevent my head from getting in the way. Is this what you mean? If it is, I find that tucking my chin in BEFORE I put my weight onto my legs helps get me head out of the way.
REDKE71 · 2/3/2010
none of your weight should be on your head... the elbows should be directly below the shoulders and all of your weight should be there...
Mary Ellyn · 2/3/2010
Agreed on the no head on the floor issue. This is one of my pet peeves with people learning from youtube (even though I realize that's not where JayJay learned it) as it's not always clear exactly how a move is executed. Depending on your back flexibility you may also need to arch your back more before you cross/grip with your legs. This way you get a better grip between the legs and it's easier to lift AND keep your head from touching the floor. Also, do not release your elbow stand until your legs are securely locked and that will help keep you from sliding down.
Judy Jovanelly · 2/3/2010
thank you all so much for the tips ! this is why i have so much respect for you experienced polers -- you all are so willing to help and are not the least stingy with your knowledge. and yes, empy, looking at things online vs. having a live body teach -- there is no comparison. may i clone you to come to my state ? ha ha !!! you and redke and veena and fleur ??? now THAT would be a dream come true !
REDKE71 · 2/3/2010
thank you all so much for the tips ! this is why i have so much respect for you experienced polers -- you all are so willing to help and are not the least stingy with your knowledge. and yes, empy, looking at things online vs. having a live body teach -- there is no comparison. may i clone you to come to my state ? ha ha !!! you and redke and veena and fleur ??? now THAT would be a dream come true ! i do a pull up into an elbow stand here, about halfway through: http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/2831 notice all the weight is on my shoulders and arms, none on my head, although the head IS close to, if not ON the ground.
Judy Jovanelly · 2/3/2010
i do a pull up into an elbow stand here, about halfway through: http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/2831 notice all the weight is on my shoulders and arms, none on my head, although the head IS close to, if not ON the ground. Karol, thank you. Not only is your work beautiful, I can see clearly what you are talking about. I think I am sinking when I grip my legs and attempt to sit up. When I am in the stand itself, I don't feel weight on my head. Gonna have to work on gripping, I think.
Veena · 2/3/2010
I think your right about the sinking down Jayjay, in reading your post from before it sounds like your performing the elbowstand right, but pulling yourself back up onto the pole is a lot more difficult than it seems, this is why I don't teach you how to pull up in the first lesson on Elbowstands. Look for an Elbowstand mount lesson, its not finalized yet so I can't post it but its on the way. 👍
Judy Jovanelly · 2/3/2010
pulling yourself back up onto the pole is a lot more difficult than it seems oh it really, really is !!!!! i am on a mission to get it tho ! 🤓
Veena · 1/4/2011
Finally posted the lesson for this one.....should help everyone get their heads unstuck LOL https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4d21fb3e-4640-4e4e-9c18-6e9e0ac37250