Scorpio... The Long and Short of It.

AllysonKendal started this discussion · 4/29/2015

I was just having a conversation today about the long version of scorpio vs the short version... I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone prefers the look of a different version. I also know that not every move is right for everyone... With all that in mind, and because I love chatting pole, I thought I'd just start a dialog here about the two versions... I'm curious to see if people do (and master) both versions... or if they find what works for them and stick with it?!?! Have you noticed any transitions or combos where one type of scorpio is needed? (ie. I've heard the short version is easier for the allegra transition, but that may just be one girls opinion. Or that one might be better for scorpio switches, or flatline scorpio....) Here are some visuals: Long: https://d2izpgaagyeguz.cloudfront.net/4f87a02a-f8dc-416c-b187-40dc0ac37250-l.jpg?Expires=1431564764&Signature=tJ5SgDPUWlqa50R3JCFQmwRdiMggJOuZwG9j1-lF8A4RyT3jnRDt00UfYQrHAigsc29EUfU~k~~pb3ssYJzECqwdLP4zCcGg9Cw9wAIZ1GYwhek~BI1ild0taridiCLmMM8OXBI8N-~A8zUUnOj68AHj7Hr42enTRRNSWxiwTm0_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJ2FEA2GFU55RVASA Short: http://www.poleworldnews.comhttps://pub-a085b59791bc4c1a94b0a223a67a37d6.r2.dev/wp-uploads/2013/04/28-Inside-leg-hang-Scorpio.jpg

15 replies

Rachel Osborne · 4/29/2015
I have only recently got friendly with Scorpio, I love it now. Prefer the look of the long leg huge open shape, or closed Scorpio (holding the foot) but it's less secure. For fast leg switches I have to use short hook.
AllysonKendal · 4/30/2015
So far I can only make the longer version not super painful. I'm not sure if this is going to give me issues down the road, and if I should suck it up and try to master the shorter version now. Or just fully commit to the long version :)
Phoenix Hunter · 4/30/2015
short version is definitely more painful for me. scorpio is still hard for me sometimes. sometimes it is great sometimes I just dont get a good grip. you definitely need the short version for allegra. once you make yourself do the short version and get used to the pain you will be good to go. I dont maintian my short scorpio so I go through the pain over and over. if I just did it regularily it wouldnt be so bad. I want to do a cocooon with a scorpio and that shit hurts! so much easier with a gemini! but I definitely like the look of the long scorpio better.and yes, like TropicalVertical I do the short version for fast leg switches.
Tigerschic041721 · 4/30/2015
Thank goodness it's not just me and its brought to light that "that shit hurts" lol! It seems like it's always passed off as if you "should" have one or both but it's never actually been focused on in any classes or curriculum near me. For the life of me I feel like I cannot get the leg hangs even though it's made to seem easy/basic. Mostly for pain but also feel very insecure with the grip so need to practice more but am interested to follow this thread thanks for posting!
michaelaarghh · 4/30/2015
I think for most transition moves you need the short version because there's the gap between your knee and the pole. I think the long version is prettier, but the short version is a lot more versatile. the short version also hurts a lot more...but I have just come to accept almost everything in pole hurts haha.
Krista Bocko · 4/30/2015
that's a great question! I prefer the long version, both aestheically and pain-wise, lol. Short hurts, although if i did it more I'm sure that would improve. ;) I would do short though for allegra transition and also I have more trouble with long when wearing shoes, because they grip the pole too much (esp applies to transition to allegra as well, because I have trouble releasing that leg with shoes on).
kittyface · 5/1/2015
Every time I try to do a short Scorpio (on static) my body somehow rotates and I end up in a long Scorpio =P I should really look into why that's happening so I can do both... I definitely aesthetically prefer the long Scorpio, and because of the rotating issue I haven't really gotten a short one. In any case it seems to be easier for me to hold a long Scorpio. I haven't yet done combos or transitions that require the short, but I feel like I should work on it so I can do those.
Pretty Pixie · 5/1/2015
Scorpio is a favorite move, and I like both versions. I'm different I guess because I feel more comfortable in the short version. That may be my open hips though. Both versions hurt like hell until you're doing them every practice, then it does lessen a bit. I remember thinking, "am I the only one?" because nobody was ever mentioning how much scorpios hurt so I thought I was doing it wrong. :D
Serzi · 5/1/2015
Wow, really? Pretty much everything else leading up to a Scorpio is more painful to me, even non-inverted moves. Scorpio is my "breather move", I love to release into one and just hang there or spin as long as possible while I'm in it. I've kinda started avoiding Scorpios because it's such a comfort zone for me that I neglect working on my other moves or transitioning OUT of Scorpio. Maybe it's the stretch while doing it? Idk, it has a trance-like effect over me. Gemini-Scorpio switch is like instant euphoria to me, I've done them excessively ever since I learned how. Other moves, however, never really seem to get quite as comfortable to me. I guess it's because I don't feel that "release" when I go into them. Am I making any sense? lol It's funny that I can't remember any prior discussions about this move, but I never realized it was a painful move for others. I know lots of amazing dancers who extend beautifully in a closed Scorpio and now I wonder if they are less comfortable than they appear while doing it much like when people master a superman. It's surprising to me. Even when I'm watching somebody else dance I tend to reflexively breathe a sigh of relief when they release into a Scorpio, like "Ahhhhhhh...after all those freakin' kneeholds and supermans and Aysha's and crazy skin-scraping moves that's gotta be like stepping into a hot bath." Now I feel like a weirdo for thinking that. haha!
BagLady · 5/1/2015
I feel real comfy in scorpio too (albeit only in my dominant right leg. Left leg grip hurts since i dont do it enough) that said i always used to grip my foot or the heal of my shoe and that made me feel secure and like i could just relax in the spin. Lately ive been grabbing the pole behind my head (i think with arm opposit the hooked leg) and now im in love with that shape! It looks so much more curved like a crescent moon. I also notice i can stretch into the move more like that.
Cuwoody · 5/2/2015
Both have a purpose. I prefer a long for aesthetics and for a spinning Scorpio but use a short when I am going I to certain moves after the Scorpio. I think all should learn both, but at the studio where I teach the owner only wants the short one taught. Personally, I feel students need both and they are being short changed by having only the short.
Serzi · 5/2/2015
Whaaaaa???!!! Why on Earth would anyone only want to teach the short version? To be honest, the short version I don't even consider an actual Scorpio because it's mainly used for transitioning into other moves and to me it seems like it lacks "the stinger" that makes it resemble a scorpion. Not sure if that makes sense, but I agree that students are being unnecessarily limited by only being taught the short version.
Casi · 5/3/2015
Thanks for this discussion. I was confused about whether these were two different moves, both legit variations of one move, or if one was "wrong." My school is usually asking for the short one, so I get corrected when I instinctively extend into a long version because it hurts less. As some others have said, I find the short version the most painful move I do. In learning other moves, the pain quickly fades and I stop noticing it at all. But Scorpio still hurts like a mother%#|!
joiceiamara · 5/3/2015
I always thought they were different moves, because my school calls them scorpio (short version) and gemini (long version). The short version was the first movement I learnt before even start inverting properly. It never bother me, never hurted me and I am kinda surprise that it is painful for some people... The long version, however, was a little bit more difficult because of my terrible, horrible flexibility :/
Saeth · 5/3/2015
Joice: The Gemini and Scorpio are different moves though highly similar. There's only a difference in which leg is hooking. With the Gemini, your outside leg is the one that hooks around the pole when you invert, and then the inside leg drops back and down. With Scorpio, it's your inside leg that is hooked, and the outside leg (the one in Gemini that would be hooked) is back and down, to the varying degrees in the "short" and "long" Scorpio.