Spinning Pole Instruction?

Rin Rin started this discussion · 3/10/2010

Hey everyone! I have a Static/Spinning X-pole and have recently started playing around with making it spin and have realized that using a spinning pole is a lot different than a static pole 🙄 I'd really like to utilize the spinning mode on my pole but I end up hurting myself (mostly my wrists) because I'm sure I'm not holding myself on it properly. I have Jamilla's DVDs and have only looked through them up to Vol. 2 and I know she shows some of the moves on the spinning pole but she doesn't explain how to really use it - holding yourself on it properly, actually putting together a dance on it rather than just a few random moves that look prettier if you're spinning. 🙁 Does anyone know of any websites, videos, or whatnot that specifically talk about dancing on a spinning pole?

13 replies

Angel1201 · 3/12/2010
Australian poling is predominantly done on spinners but their poles are a lot skinnier (38mm) allowing for fab grip. Bobbi's DVDs are a great resource. I have them all. Jamilla's top the list though with her fantastic instruction and her Art of Pole series covers a lot of spin mode moves. Karol Helms is a spin mode master, so check out her Youtube vids and do what she does!!! Spin mode is an art unto itself, almost a whole different species. It takes incredible grip strength, courage (haha), and grace! I love spin mode!
MilienElayne · 3/13/2010
I would like to clarify that all of Australian poling is not predominantly done on spinners and we don't all use skinny poles! In Miss Pole Dance Australia and the heats there is one static pole and one spinning and you have to use both, and the makes vary. I believe Miss Pole Victoria contestants perform on 50mm x-stages and Miss Pole Dance Australia contestants will be using anchored 38mm brass poles. Perhaps for performances spinning pole might be prefered by some Australian professionals, but that's personal choice. At the major studios in Victoria all girls train on static pole and then can progress to spinning pole at the same level, if they so desire and if their studio offers spin specific classes. I take both static and spin classes. Poles at both Pole Divas and Pole Princess studios are 50mm, as far as I have seen (I haven't been to every studio in both chains or taken to them with measuring tapes and cirlce formulas). There are so many extra variables when your pole is spinning: You have to get used to possibly getting dizzy, I don't, but some girls have real trouble. I hear girls telling each other to spin the other way to unwind...heh heh. I think it's similar to motion sickness. You are holding yourself static while the pole spins, so you need more strength and really need to warm up your shoulders. Most stuff I would consider to be aerial (equivalent to taking it up a few climbs on a taller pole). Yes, you're lower down and have just stepped off, but you're holding yourself up the whole time for combos and even if you touch down, you're back up again straight away. You have to learn to control your speed... you can start slow or fast and depending on your body position you can make the pole spin slower or faster when you're already on it. A general rule for speed is the bigger your shape is the slower you go, and the smaller and closer to the pole the faster. So, to slow down if you go crazy fast do a layout/plank, for example. If you want to speed right back up, do a pole stand or fight the momentum and go crazy fast in a drama queen. Always hold on with your hands when learning a move (even if you're pro at it on static) on spin mode and treat it like a beginner move because with momentum you can fall off easily. If you're going too fast and don't feel safe, ABORT! In my spin classes we don't invert for ages and the first one is a chopper (lifted from a straight line/pole up and then lowered straight back down with no hooking!) because it's big, and then a CAR because it's also big...and I've only just incorporated a CAR on spin (in class, at home I have a slower moving pole and let myself do and be crazy with my pole) even though I've been doing it for over a year in static classes. What else do you want to know? I'm just a pole baby still, but I'll see if I can help 🙂
Angel1201 · 3/14/2010
I stand corrected Milien. Since I don't live in AU, maybe I shouldn't speak for Aussies!! Sorry 'bout that. I guess I should say that at Bobbi's Pole Studio, they use skinny spinners a lot and they seem to me (living in the US) spinning experts! I haven't been to AU since 1992. Man, how I'd love to get back there since Aussies rule at pole!!!
MilienElayne · 3/15/2010
I didn't mean to be rude/harsh. 😳 I love Aussie polers, but I personally find a lot of American polers' performances more engaging. I'd love to go to the US and meet all the fantastic pole ladies there!
Rin Rin · 3/15/2010
Thank you both for you great suggestions! 😀 The thing about the bigger your shape, the slower you'll go was great advice! I guess that's pretty easy to understand and should be common sense but I probably wouldn't have come up with it on my own lol 😂 I've never had a problem with dizziness (in anything) so that's not a big problem for me when I switch the pole to spinning. My main problems are these: 1) Grip: My problem with grip seems to be this - when I'm on the static pole, I'm used to going into a spin and letting my hand slide around the pole as I swing into it from a walk around, but when the pole is spinning, I guess I would basically have to stop walking?? and just grip it and then take off? 🤔 I'm not quite sure, but my main problem seems to be that because I'm used to letting that hand slide around the pole for a spin, I go into it on a spinning pole and my hand slides (even though it should just be gripping) and I don't catch my grip on it until a split second after I leave the ground and that puts my wrist and elbow at awkward angles they shouldn't be in. 😕 Like I said, I'm not quite sure how to fix that unless I completely stop walking around, find my grip, and then push off. I'm having trouble going into spins on spinning mode from walking around. Is it generally not a good idea to go into moves from walking while on a spinning pole? 2) Momentum: I know what the problem is here - I'm used to swinging my leg way around to get the proper momentum for a spin on a static pole but when you try that on a spinning pole, you go way too fast and lose control. But when I just kind of push off, it looks awkward and not that graceful... Is there some sort of happy medium that would give me the graceful look without sending me flying? lol
MilienElayne · 3/16/2010
You're right, static does not directly translate to spin very well, and vice versa. Going back and forth between spin and static classes used to do my head in. Some things look horrible on me static and so nice on spin and again, vice versa. That's why I'm taking lessons from one of the first lot of Aussie polers to master spin 🙂 Everything is usually very grip and hold when I am on a spinning pole. Your body stays mostly still in a pose (except to transition to another move) and the pole spins you, then you step down to dance or transition and go up and hold again. Some moves actually have completely different holds when you move to spin. I actually hold my front hook and my back hooks differently when I use spin mode. Spin mode is also harder, in my opinion. For example, a chopper on static you can get some momentum to swing you up and you can just slide off in the same position, on spin mode you have to lift up fully then tip it over and be able to lower it back down the same way you came up (if you hook the leg, you may spin out of control when you start as you're much smaller and closer...you can't really handstand off when you're going fast... and sliding down will hurt on landing and is just not pretty). Practice static (I mean don't use momentum at all) and then with a push off first to learn the hold for the move you want to translate, then try to take smaller and slower steps into your moves. Turns are good entrances, like a pirouet or a Kate Moss (step around? not sure what it's called here). To do a mount (jump up?) like a sit, you can stand and sweep one leg around while pushing off with the other then lift up and sit. You can use the various fireman type spins to start a climb (but step into it gently/slowly at first using the one leg sweeping method). Booty climb (leading with the butt and spinning 'backwards' is my favorite so far. If you're on pole already and need to swing your leg, either do it super slow or learn how to 'step through' - instead of sweeping sideways, move your leg from the back to the front (so hard and weird on spin, I can't do this yet). Some people can just teach themselves how to take moves to spin mode, but I get tangled and so confused, plus I am lazy...I much prefer my lessons 🙂 I think I have one spin specific vid up, I should do some entrances and exits that I'm talking about on that. I'm no expert though... I'll be making another in a few weeks when my next test comes up, probably, or maybe sooner if I get excited by something new. Keep going with it. Spin looks hot!
BACE16 · 5/24/2011
I'm also curious about spinning mode on the pole. Unfortunately, I'm not able to translate other people's performances into my own moves and need detailed instructions. I haven't made it through all Veena's lessons yet, but just browsing it doesn't look like she covers spinning pole. Are there any DVD's or videos out there offer step by step spinning pole instruction?
TrixieLovett · 5/24/2011
I teach Spin at Fawnia's studio here in Vegas, and always tell my beginning spinners that the rotating pole is kinda like riding the bull at the rodeo: If you stay of for those 8 seconds you're doing pretty good. 😉 Just a joke, but I also want to make sure my spinners THINK before they just go flinging themselves around. Spinning takes more shoulders, back and core engagement. The spinner is much less forgiving of improper hand & body placement. If you want to PM me I'm happy to answer any specific questions, because I'm not familiar with any specific spin instruction vids out there...
chumpchkin · 5/24/2011
MilienElayne, how about you just come to Boston and teach this American poler how it's done? You're one of my pole idols. Also, I can't do anything on spin to save my life.
HollySatine · 5/25/2011
Rin-Rin - I know exactly what you mean about not being able to slide your hand around the pole when it's on spin like you would on static. Milien Elayne is right, some moves just don't translate very well to spin. Reverse grab (a one-handed spin in which you throw your body in front and around the pole) is a perfect example of a spin that can't be done on spin mode the same way or you'd fly off! And yet I've seen performers do a similar aerial version (Felix Cane does it quite a bit), which works because there isn't as much momentum - and it's usually done when the pole is spinning very slowly or has already stopped spinning. Personally, I enjoy working on static more but there are some moves I love (like the roxy) that can only be done on spin - plus spin can be so pretty and is often more entertaining to watch. I also probably like static better because I haven't had much spin instruction. What a great idea for a new set of online lessons!!! (*wink*wink* Veena!) :)
opielee · 6/3/2011
if you have an ipod touch/ipad(?),you could download felix cane's app that showcase pics/videos of all the diff tricks at all levels from beg to pro,hope this helps.
kat pole princess · 6/4/2011
hey, i also have tremendous momentum on spin and am way too tiny to make a huge difference when trying to make a bigger shape. so i had a friend (instructor) show me how to not walk into spins on spin mode. . that is, to gain momentum from a static position (i.e., not walkin into it). im gonna do the best i can to explain it. so she had me stomp with my inside foot and lift the outside leg in a straight angle (ur now bascally standing square infront of the pole) then grab with ur outside hand as ur outside leg catches the pole. it takes some practice to break it down esp if ur like me and love to get momentum on static. it looks effortless and u get a lot better control.
kat pole princess · 6/4/2011
hey, i also have tremendous momentum on spin and am way too tiny to make a huge difference when trying to make a bigger shape. so i had a friend (instructor) show me how to not walk into spins on spin mode. . that is, to gain momentum from a static position (i.e., not walkin into it). im gonna do the best i can to explain it. so she had me stomp with my inside foot and lift the outside leg in a straight angle (ur now bascally standing square infront of the pole) then grab with ur outside hand as ur outside leg catches the pole. it takes some practice to break it down esp if ur like me and love to get momentum on static. it looks effortless and u get a lot better control.