Lyme Lyte started this discussion ·
So I just realized I have been working on the invert for SIX months now! I can get my legs up, but can't tuck and fall back into the inverted V and hold it. I'm not kicking up into it like I used to. I don't know why I am having such a hard time with this! Just needed to vent!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I totally understand your frustration! Seriously! I've been poling for 3 years (off and on) and I still can't fully do a basic invert! Augh! And I'm still struggling with that stupid cradle/tuck spin. I'm really working at it now. You can do it, and so can I! I believe in us! (Great grammar there :P)
Thanks. Glad to know its not just me. We will get it sooner or later.....something needs to click for us!
I know your guy's frustration too!! So glad im not the only one out there, i can hold it for a few seconds, but thats about it!! im still figuring out hand positions and what not...we will get there!! Keep at it!! 🥂
Lyme, do not be discouraged. I have girls that have been in class for 5+ months and are just getting to the point of tucking and tilting. It is all about building the fundamentals so that the day it does happen you do not injure yourself. Pole is also not all about inverting....there are so many more moves that do not involve inverts at all. Look at some of the rookie routines from the Midwest Pole Comp....those girls were not allowed to invert! On a side note: The one thing I notice from your picture is that your hips are kind of far away from the pole.
I also took long with the inv V. Even after the 1st time I did it, it still took a while for me to be able to do it each time I attempted. I was also kicking into it for a long time before I was able to come up more gracefully. You'll definitely get it.
Everyone's body is different. Yours will adjust in time! Just keep at it and everyday that you work on it, your body will gain strength and you will gain confidence.🙂
Thank you everyone! Since chemgoddess brought it up, I am thinking my hips ARE too far away from the pole. Maybe if I get the pole more in my crotch area, that will allow my head to fall back more. Looking at my picture, I see my back as more horizontal than vertical. Should it be more vertical? Makes sense....
Veena ·
I don't know that I would say your back should be vertical but if it helps you can think of needing to bring your crotch into the pole. LOL I think your taking the lessons right? If so how many reps can you do in the Knee Tuck? The hold used and muscles are very similar to the V Invert. If your inverting with the hands too high or body away from the pole you wont be able to bring the hips up as easily. Your Basic Invert should be strong and controlled before attempting the V variation,
amy ·
not completely vertical but definitely MORE SO.... right now your hips and butt are pulling you back down off the pole! think of pulling the ple down, out of the ceiling-- pull your ches forward, shoulders back, and hips further up so that your weight is more stacked above your shoulders. think of it like a yoga plow: if your hips are only halfway up, it takes way more core strength to hold your hips in place then if you have your hips all the way up. as veena said-- often people start with their hands too high up and then it's a huge haul to get your hips up and over them-- start with your hands low so that your pivot point is lower.
Okay, I was JUST going to post something about this (HOW WEIRD!) I starting poling in 2008. I learned to invert incorrectly (by kicking) so I never learned to use any muscles to invert. I also learned the shoulder mount the same way. I have literally been struggling for the last YEAR to get my invert (with total frustration.) I would try for a while, give up, move to something else, go back to it, give up, move on to something else, and go back to it. I recently started taking a silks class and was struggling with inverting in it too, so I figured I cannot put it off any longer. I've been trying for about 3 months to figure out what muscles are the weak point and I finally figured it out! MY HIP FLEXORS! So I started working on those for the last few weeks. I turned on my camera just now, tried an invert, and GOT IT! It wasn't perfect, but it was an invert, and I was able to reporduce it! You should have seen the look on my face on the video! I looked so baffled! HAHAHA! 😮
I totally forgot to make the point that maybe that is your weak point too. I used Veena's hip flexor exercise. It's a goodie! 🥂 When trying to invert, I would tuck, but my knees literally couldn't tuck far enough into my chest to reach the pole, so I couldn't tilt my pelvis up.
Yeah to you!!!!! What exercises are best for hip flexor muscles?
OK, I am going to check out Veenas Hip exercises right now!
Good luck!! I didn't realize how weak my hips were until I did that exercises. I'm hoping continued conditioning will help with my heperflexive hips...they like to pop out of the joints when I do moves like the boomerang and it HURTS.
jade s ·
Lyme Lite, don't give up. It took me almost 2 years (off and on) to finally be able to invert every time. Then I started taking lessons from a different studio, and one of the instructors there said "quit looking at your feet!" That one thing made all the difference! Something will click for you. Try video taping yourself so you can check your form. When you watch it back, you might notice something in your grip or you may not committing to the invert all the way. We all have different levels of strength and learn at a different pace so hang in there!
DaniDuB ·
You will do it! Keep trying! :) I agree, it is probably just one thing that's going to click for you. The one thing that helps me hold the inverted V is making sure the skin on the side of my torso is exposed. So wearing a crop top or just lifting my shirt up a little. If the skin on the side of my torso/stomach is touching the pole while I'm crunched over and my pelvis is tucked in, I feel like it helps me stay in that inverted v position better. :)
Both of my daighters (8,11) could invert before me, so my oldest taught me...sigh! I learned barefoot first, then it took me 2-4 wks before I could do it in heels. Low hand placement, taking a small step before beginning the invert, and looking where up at the pole where u want ur ankle to be was crucial to me. When I started the tuck invert I really had to visualize taking that step w/inside foot, placing my hip in front of the pole, inverting-then really pulling my tucked legs up and tipping back. I practiced my inverted tuck about a week before I could get my legs to V out. About a week after that I was strong eneough to start working on my weak side.
I am struggling with the inverted v too. In fact I just posted a blog about my difficulties the other day! I am going to look into some of the tips that these ladies gave. Sounds like I also may be having a hip flexor issue! At least I feel a little better now knowing that I may have figured out what the issue is!
Hey, I could do an inverted crucifix, Gemini, Scorpio (including multiple switches), caterpillar climb, elbow grip aysha, CAR and CKR, before I could even do an inverted V! I don't get it either! But keep at it, and if you get frustrated, try some other intermediate tricks to build your strength and confidence.
Thanks everyone. Ive been working on many suggestions to no availe. But i will keep trying! :)
Thanks everyone. Ive been working on many suggestions to no availe. But i will keep trying! :)
Still workng on the invert. One thing I noticed yesterday is, that when I put my hips in front of the pole, my inner hip (closest to the pole) was not lined up straingt ahead, it was facing about 2:00 if straight ahead was 12:00. So really tried to keep my hip IN LINE with my body, not veering away from the pole. It helps a little, but I think that may have been ONE of my issues. So for those that are struggling, you may want to make sure your hips are not going AWAY from the pole. Veena, should the hips be straight on (in alignment with the body, or mabye the inner hip should be angled in TOWARDS the pole.....say 10, or 11 o'clock???? Looking for professional feedback. Thanks!
Veena ·
Your inside hip/leg will be a bit lower than the outside hip BOTH hips will be turning in towards the pole slightly. If your trying to hold the position with your hips pointing straight up both level to the ceiling that would be very difficult. Does that make sense?
YES! That does help!!!! Thanks. :)
