Scared of A Few Moves

adamseve started this discussion · 6/9/2009

I've been able to do the cross knee release, the inverted thigh hold, and the cross ankle release on several occassions. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I can't make myself feel comfortable with them. 🙁 Any ideas on how to decrease my fear of falling and hurting myself other than continuing to practice them regularly? Has anyone else had a tremendous fear of an invert or spin like this? Also, on the cross ankle release I'm being taught to catch my ankles around the pole in class. However, in my lessons online (Veena & Vertical Dance) and the Art of Pole it's taught with the grip in the thighs and knees touching pole. I'm sure I'd feel more comfortable with the ankles caught on the pole, but I want to do it the proper way. 😉 Thanks for your help.

12 replies

RoxyPink · 6/9/2009
between your ankles??? for a cross ankle release, I have the pole b/n my thighs...now if I were doing an iguana mt or say an archer and wanted to pull back up onto the pole then I use more of a b/n the shin grip...but not as a hold and not for very long... fear is one thing that I can honestly say I don't have much of...especially when it is trying something new...now if I try something and it hurts like all get out...then maybe I'll be a tad scared to do it again...🙂 but only because I'm expecting the pain! BTW...where did you decide to take your classes??
nikki_christie · 6/9/2009
I have been scared of a lot of moves before, especially when trying out something new which requires a new sort of grip/position. All I can really say is that your body is usually one step ahead of you - if you start to fall your body automatically grips onto the pole like a psycho monkey before you even have time to realise it. I have also had one sort of nasty and VERY STUPID fall - I was trying to do the brass monkey, but I had a long sleeved jumper on and pants on!! Needless to say I had absolutely no grip and faceplanted into my floor (to the amusement of all my guy friends who were watching... hmmm 😳 ). But even thought that hurt it braved me up a bit, and really for the spins - don't be scared - the worst that will happen will be a bruise and that is still very unlikely! BUT for ANYTHING upside down, if you don't feel 100% comfortable and secure then DON'T DO IT ALONE!!! And when you do start feeling more secure you can have a mattress under the pole the first couple of days. Keep spinning!! xo nikki
Veena · 6/10/2009
Its always a challenge to get past being scared of a move...or anything for that matter! Just keep working at it, you'll get more comfortable with time. Always use a spotter or mat an moves you are unsure about, this can help you to relax and focus on the move and not the fear. I love to use couch or chair cushions because they are so big and fuffy!LOL Now, about the cross ankle release, I have see some do it holding on to the pole with their ankles and not their thighs....it just seems really dangerous to me, I prefer the thigh method. I wouldn't say you are learning it the wrong way is your using your ankles, but it just not my personal preference and I don't think its the most common method. 😀
adamseve · 6/10/2009
Thanks everyone. I ALWAYS use my Pole-O-Mat when trying things I'm uncomfortable with and/or new to. Although you can't see the mat, it's there. Believe me. Also, if I have the thought or feeling that I'm gonna fall or hurt myself I listen! The one time I didn't listen I ended up hurting my shoulder blade and it took weeks for it to heal. 😢 I'm not going to give up. I'm going to continue to work on the moves from lower on my pole to get more comfortable. I'm also going to work on building my strength. 🥂 One thing I noticed is that everyone does the butterfly differently as well. KT Coates does the basic butterfly the way I was trying to do it in my video. However, Veena does it with her arm wrapped around the pole holding on. I've just got to find the way that's most comfortable to me and get that darn leg to go back instead of forward. If anyone has any more tips please, please share them! 😀
adamseve · 6/10/2009
between your ankles??? for a cross ankle release, I have the pole b/n my thighs...now if I were doing an iguana mt or say an archer and wanted to pull back up onto the pole then I use more of a b/n the shin grip...but not as a hold and not for very long... fear is one thing that I can honestly say I don't have much of...especially when it is trying something new...now if I try something and it hurts like all get out...then maybe I'll be a tad scared to do it again...🙂 but only because I'm expecting the pain! BTW...where did you decide to take your classes?? Roxy, I'm taking class at Xtreme Pole Fitness in Spartanburg. I also started classes with my former studio, The North Pole Dance Studio. One class is for endurance and confidence...The other is for form and technique. One studio's owner is self-taught and a former video dancer. She believes in jumping on the pole and doing it. She's a tough cookie, but I wish we worked on form & technique more. Class is setup like a club! 😂 My other studio owner and her daughter are being taught by Fiya Starter out of Atlanta. They focus on form & technique. Class is much quieter and focused, but I get to ask more questions. Additionally, they make sure each participant gets to perform the moves several times to work on getting it!
yogabeachbabe · 6/10/2009
Ooooh, Adamseve, I saw Fiya Starter at PoleAPalooza here in Vegas a few months ago. She was INCREDIBLE with a ton of sass and charisma and SKILLS. That is one lady that really knows how to dance and perform! As for your other teacher that " believes in jumping on the pole and doing it", I'm hoping you mean that figuratively!
adamseve · 6/10/2009
Mostly figuratively speaking, but sometimes literally! 😂
Charley · 6/10/2009
The "true" x ankle is supposed to be done with an ankle/shin grip - however it is much more difficult and can be more dangerous. you should be familiar with the cross leg version (thigh gripped) before attempting. I did the cross leg release (as I call it just to disinguish it from the more advanced hold) forever and it wasn't until I got good with the iguana that I learned it and it caused a lot of shin and ankle bruising - not to mention it's a lot more difficult to pull yourself up on the pole AND it's hard to impossible to do a bridge out of it and if you are too low on you r pole hard to do any b/a, pencil, lunchbox combos because you'll drop on your head. It's a good grip if you want to do a drop (love drops) but not a move that should be learned before the cross leg version. KT teaches "true" x ankle on her online lessons but not on the vertical dance DVD. I am still afraid of the cross leg release - still freaks me right out. I am scared of a lot of moves - straight edge for one - it takes all my guts to do it - even though I can. I think the fear goes away the more you do it but we tend to avoid the moves that instill fear in us.
Natalie · 6/10/2009
I don't get scared of any particular moves per se - the fear I can't get over is trying to invert in heels! No matter how low they are, even just trying a basic invert I just can't bring myself to throw those sharp things around 😛 I start and then halfway up just get hit with a mental wall. I always feel like a high heel could take out my eye or something if I fling it around too much. I can spin in them just fine though, and climb, and sit. Just no heels above the waist I guess 🙂
adamseve · 6/11/2009
I don't get scared of any particular moves per se - the fear I can't get over is trying to invert in heels! No matter how low they are, even just trying a basic invert I just can't bring myself to throw those sharp things around 😛 I start and then halfway up just get hit with a mental wall. I always feel like a high heel could take out my eye or something if I fling it around too much. I can spin in them just fine though, and climb, and sit. Just no heels above the waist I guess 🙂 I used to be scared to try moves in heels for the same reason. Somehow I've gotten past this, but just last week I scratched the heck out of my leg. I now have a 4 inch sore that I'm hoping will not leave a bad scar. So, I'm using Neosporin, Mederma, and cocoa butter to minimize any scarring. I've prided myself on scarless legs at my age and now I have one. But you know what...I'm not upset about it...If it doesn't heal without a scar I can always call it my badge of honor! 😛 Hoping you'll get over your fear. I'll be praying for you while I'm praying for me. 😉
adamseve · 6/11/2009
The "true" x ankle is supposed to be done with an ankle/shin grip - however it is much more difficult and can be more dangerous. you should be familiar with the cross leg version (thigh gripped) before attempting. KT teaches "true" x ankle on her online lessons but not on the vertical dance DVD. I am still afraid of the cross leg release - still freaks me right out. I am scared of a lot of moves - straight edge for one - it takes all my guts to do it - even though I can. I think the fear goes away the more you do it but we tend to avoid the moves that instill fear in us. Charley thanks for sharing this with me. It makes me feel so much better to know that even the some of the best dancers & instructors have some fears. You know...I need to look at KT's vertical dance DVD to see how she teaches this one. I use her online lessons, Veena's online lessons, and Art of Pole. Thanks again!
Neke · 6/11/2009
I don't get scared of any particular moves per se - the fear I can't get over is trying to invert in heels! No matter how low they are, even just trying a basic invert I just can't bring myself to throw those sharp things around 😛 I start and then halfway up just get hit with a mental wall. I always feel like a high heel could take out my eye or something if I fling it around too much. I can spin in them just fine though, and climb, and sit. Just no heels above the waist I guess 🙂 It's really easy for heels to go flying, and you're right - it can actually be quite dangerous. Plus if the heels are sharp they can scratch you up and it gets messy. I would recommend 2 things to make you feel safer - make sure you have rubber soles on the bottom of your heels. If the heel bit has sharp edges, see if you can file them back or something to make them smoother - I've done some damage with them before and they can easily draw blood as adamseve said. Secondly, If you're afraid of your shoes flying off, tie them on. Get some pretty ribbon or something and make an ankle strap that goes around the heel and around your ankle. I can't dance in shoes that aren't stuck on securely with ankle straps, because they really do go flying off - I would definitely feel too unstable to go upside down. You should be free to concentrate on what you're doing, not whether or not your shoes are going to fall in your eye!