Scared to do Tricks on my Pole

AmazonLady started this discussion · 3/15/2012

Ok so, I recently bought my first pole. But I've noticed that I'm almost scared to do tricks on it, especially when I'm home alone! I keep thinking, what if I fall on my head and knock myself out and no one is here to call 911?! What if the pole falls down during an invert and I get hurt?! Then I also think I'm just being paranoid. I've been inverting comfortably at the studio for about a year, and I haven't fallen or seriously injured myself in the year and a half I've been poling (*knocking on wood*). Plus, my ceilings aren't very high at all and I bought a trusted brand of pole (Xpole Xpert). I guess my question is, am I worrying too much? Are there certain moves you just WILL NOT do by yourself at home? I'm not scared at all at the studio, but at home I worry about these things.

17 replies

Veena · 3/15/2012
In studio or at home you should always stay within your ability. I think is great when studio's focus a little less on advanced tricks and more on quality movement and expression, (I know some will disagree) 😉 But anyway, there are also tons of things that can be done without needing to invert, so that's always an option. Also it seems, that if you worry about something happening it will absolutely hold you back. That being said, I never try anything that I'm not 100% sure of when I dance alone. What may be comfortable for one person to do along may be terrifying for another. On another note, spending energy on worrying about what could happen has no benefit (but it's common!) Pole dance is just as much mind as body. 🌸
Dancing Paws · 3/15/2012
I never do tricks when I am alone. I always wait until my fiancée is home for that, but I will do upright movements, spins, and dancing alone. Do you have a crash mat? It isn't gonna totally save you if you fall, but it will help. I got the yoga direct one off of amazon for uner $200. It's nice and cushy. Also, if you are worried, if someone lives with you, have them spot you.
Lyme Lyte · 3/15/2012
I have never felt scared. Actually I like to pole alone when nobody is home, but there again, I'm not doing extreme things unless I feel pretty comfortable and worked my way to moves a little at a time. I did buy a yoga direct mat and LOVE it, and I always have my cell phone laying close buy.
JeHanne · 3/15/2012
I am not scared to do tricks on my pole but I work within my fitness level. I make sure that I am focused, well rested, warmed up and have the strength for anything I try. Once I start to fatigue I will NOT practice inverted moves. I agree 100% with Veena, worry is not a productive thought process but it is so common. I am guilty of it. I am very mindful of hand placement, body positioning and most importantly how I am feeling at the moment before I consider the move. I can what if for days... I could fall in the shower and get a concussion or I could trip when reaching into the oven when I was baking or I could... (add any weird accident scenario here). I focus on minimizing the what if mental chatter. It sounds like you have a strong foundation working with a studio for a year + on inverts. Maybe you can discuss with your instructor how you may build confidence to attempt some of those moves at home, or have a friend join you while you practice those moves, get a crash mat if that makes you more comfortable, revisit your pole setup to feel confident with the equipment, make sure you are warm and ready, etc. Only do what you are comfortable. Your emotional state of mind and confidence is extremely important with your home practice. If you just don't watn to go there with tricks use your home time for sexy moves, floorwork, flexibility and save the tricks in class. Have fun and be safe.
CreativityBySteffie · 3/16/2012
When I bought my pole a year ago, and it was put up, I got pretty scared. It is a pretty high ceiling, and I just thought "daaamn it looks like a monster!!". Im a very scared of everything in life, and height is no exception. But something happens to me, when I pole. I just trust the pole and my knowlegde. I know I can do this move, I know that if I do slip, I have 1000 opatunities to grab the pole before I slam to the ground. The one thing I was scared of, was doing inverts. Basically everything wit my head down was something I did not think I could learn. And sure enough, the first time I did the cross knee release, I slipped. (I even have a picture of that on my profile) but what you dont see in the picture, is that a few cm before hitting the floor head first, I grabbed the pole with my leg and I was stuck! I claimed on to the pole so thight, I could not slide down. Thats when I realized, that its hard for me, to actually fall of, than to just dismount the pole. Now I spin around with my head down all the time not fearing it at all. As for the pole falling down, I too have the xpole xpert and nothing has ever happened with it. Its been standing solid in the same place since april 11' and I have even had to grown men, jumping at it, had the same time. My point it, that its okay to be scared when you try out anything thats new, but if I can overcome it, so can everyone else. :) And remember, that being a little scared, can sometimes prevent you from being careless.
Krista Bocko · 3/16/2012
I agree Steffie, a little fear = a good thing. when i got my pole there were no studios near me so it wasn't an option to not do things on it if i REALLY wanted to learn (and i did). If I'm working on a new move or feeling unsure, I'll throw my couch cushions down around the pole and/or have a spotter. I love to pole alone too, and I use common sense also (phone nearby, well rested and not trying potentially dangerous moves when really fatigued, etc). Congrats on getting a pole! :D
AmazonLady · 3/16/2012
Thanks everyone! I'm definitely a worrier about everything in life. So I guess this is no different. @JoHanne: I guess you're right about all the different scenarios that could happen in everyday life. I've actually had the "tripping while reaching in the oven" thought before too. I'm such a worrier. LOL @studioveena: I definitely agree. Worrying too much is just going to hold me back. I trust my abilities and I love the convenience of being able to practice on my own schedule. I guess this is just a small mental hurdle I have to get over. @CreativityBySteffie: Good to know that your Xpole has held up so well. Sometimes, if I get scared about doing a move, I just pause and think about how I will come down and how I will fall safely if I need to. That usually eases my fears. @sensualscimitar: that's mostly what I do at home (spins, choreography, floorwork, and strength training). I had no idea crash mats were so darn expensive! Wow. @Lyme_Lyte: I love poling alone too. So hopefully I can get over this mental hump.
horsecrazy12987 · 3/16/2012
I was going to make the same suggestion Sparrow just did, actually. I do tricks when I'm alone because, well, I live alone and there are no studios nearby for me to attend, so I really don't have any other choice. But what I do if I'm attempting a new move or if I'm doing one I already know but am not quite comfortable with yet, I take all the cushions off my couch and pile them around the base of the pole; this way, if I fall out of a new move, I land right on them and nothing gets hurt but my ego. Also, if I'm practicing a move that I'm not quite confident in yet, it gives me that safety net, so I'm concentrating on the mechanics of the move rather than being scared shitless.
Dancing Paws · 3/16/2012
They are pricey, but well worth the investment. The amazon.com one: http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Direct-Dance-Crash-5-Feet/dp/B0046A01WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331906072&sr=8-1 These were mentioned lately as well. The thick ones look nice (and affordable): https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=pounds+to+dollars&oq=pounds+to+dollars&aq=f&aqi=n1g8g-s1g1&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=438228l442344l0l442567l17l17l0l2l2l0l289l1594l2.10.1l13l0 All the other crash mats I've seen are significantly more expensive for the thick ones, and I don't see 2" doing the trick, ya know?
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RoseMay · 3/16/2012
For me having a crash mat really helps to get rid of the fear factor. I actually don't invert at all without it at the moment. Not that I ever needed it, because I still try to be very cautious with the moves I try. Mine is 5'' thick btw. When I took the pole down and set it up again I always worry at first because I'm never really sure whether it's set up correctly, too tight or not tight enough, is it really flat on the ceiling ... But when I have my first training session I start slow and then when I see that it holds up in spinning mode I gain more confidence and finally I feel confident enough to invert. Oh and my pole never came down *knock on wood* I think I'd be more worried to invert in a studio without a crash mat and on a different pole 😀
JeHanne · 3/16/2012
I'm just relieved I'm not the only one that has worried about falling into my oven! 😉
donnalee · 3/16/2012
I believe it is smart to be cautious. I love tricks but constantly ask myself, "But what is the alternative should something go wrong?" So I try to take it slow and make sure I have a super grip on the pole while inverting before doing something more dangerous. For example, I am now taking it slowly to go into gemini...stay there and then reach back and grab the free leg. This scares me because I am taking my hands off the pole. I am working on freeing up both hands and reaching back. I tell myself, there are lots of beautiful, fun moves to practice and get in a good workout without putting myself in danger. But the tricks are super fun! Sometimes, I don't really care about the workout....I just want to have fun twirling around upside down. So I tell myself, "Twirl all you want but make sure you have a tight grip."
Dancing Paws · 3/16/2012
I've been afraid to do the basic butterfly as it relies a lot of hand rip...and I have sweaty hands.
horsecrazy12987 · 3/16/2012
I love the butterfly, but I suffer from sweaty hands too, and on top of that right now, a cold pole, so the bottom hand in my split grip tends to slide a lot, because it's closer to the bottom of the pole rather than the middle section that's got my body on it and is therefore a little warmed up. I'm comfortable enough with the move that I can pull it off now except with the sweatiest of hands/coldest of poles, but I definitely feel your pain.
AliceInWonderland · 3/16/2012
I am working on the butterfly right now and I feel like my bottom hand keeps sliding. I don't have a crash mat so I always have a big pillow at the bottom of the pole when I am allone...... I know that's not save, but it makes me feel better lol. I will order some grip aids soon, maybe that makes it less scarry
AliceInWonderland · 3/16/2012
I am working on the butterfly right now and I feel like my bottom hand keeps sliding. I don't have a crash mat so I always have a big pillow at the bottom of the pole when I am allone...... I know that's not save, but it makes me feel better lol. I will order some grip aids soon, maybe that makes it less scarry
ThePoleDancingShop · 3/19/2012
Hi AmazonLady, we recently had a few blog post that may help you out here... Overcoming Your Pole Dancing Fears : http://www.thepoledancingshop.com/overcoming-your-pole-dancing-fears/ and... Practicing Safe Inversions : http://www.thepoledancingshop.com/pole-dancing-moves-practicing-safe-inversions/ Hope they come in useful for you ;)