amy started this discussion ·
a friend and i were trying to figure out this combo that veena posted: http://ver3.studioveena.com/lessons/view/2647 i'm fine in the sit, and leaning all the way down, so that i have one hand above and below, but then i can't figure out where to put my hands or when i'm shifting my weight into the reverse shoulder mount... anyone have any tips?
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That's really cool! I looked at the video but I couldn't figure it out either. I'm sure Veena will see this and come in and comment.
Can you do a regular shoulder dismount? Say like from a crucifix position on the pole and then reverse shoulder mount down? If so, envision it from that angle...you twist your body to face the pole, bringing the top hand down first into a cupped hold position on the opposite side of the pole, then as you place your shoulder, release the lower hand and bring it up behind you to complete the hand grip. Does that make sense?
amy ·
i'm very comfortable with a regular SM dismount. the pic below is from when we were trying to do it. it's super dark, but it's me, in the sit (shot from behind). i'm leaning down my left side with my left leg tucked under me, getting ready to put my right shoudler on the pole. see how far my shoulder is from the pole? and my body is already almost completely vertical. at that point, my bottom arm is bracing my weight and i'm holding my body and weight with my left leg as well. as i continue to lean down, my bottom arm is forced to take more of my weight, at which point i can't figure out how ot replace it above my shoulder in the cupped grip.
Are you moving your top hand down BEFORE you move your bottom hand up?
amy ·
yup. if by "top hand" you mean the one that i leave above my hips and the "bottom hand" as the one i'm using below to brace. it seems like thats the way veena does it in the vid. it also looks like she repositions that bottom hand at some point, but i can't figure out quite when that is happening or how. i'm not sure if this is a move you can do slowly either-- seems like some element of it has to happen all at once, in which case i'm making it even tougher on myself by trying to do it slowly to learn it?
You can do it a little slower as you come down. So your top hand gets into the cupped hold position before you even turn to place your shoulder against the pole, your butt comes out away from the pole by bending at your hips - then your shoulder will be closer. Releasing your lower hand bracket your supported at that point also by the back of the bent knee of the (previously) lower leg. Did you try slowing down the vid? Pausing it at intervals for each position change? That may help you see it with more understanding of the transitions.
amy ·
Ahhh! ok so top hand comes down, goes into cupped... then the bracing hand moves up into cupped and you SM out. i've watched the video a bunch of times but it's tough to see when the weight shifts from the leg hold to the cupped hold. i'm going to try it again on sunday 😀 ...it's a deceptively simple looking combo. it's also really hard to learn from a video! i'm so appreciative of all the great teachers around me to help point things out in person. thanks empy!
Veena ·
Ok I'm not good at typing out instruction...video is much better, but here goes.... Be sure your gripping the pole between BOTH legs. Bend down so your upper body is moving towards your hooked/bent leg Using the same side as the hooked leg.... bring the arm down below you to help stop yourself, keep the top arm in place until you feel secure in your bottom arm. You can speed this up once you know where your going. MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE POLE BETWEEN BOTH LEGS AT ALL TIMES, until you have your shoulder dismount grip in position and you feel secure. The leg contact is the MOST important part at this point The hand that was the top hand becomes your secure position for the Shoulder Dismount. Quickly move the lower hand in to place so it becomes the top hand (for the dismount). MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE LEGS until the very last second!! Make sure you stay tucked so you don't bang your collarbone on the pole on your way down. Do it slowly at first...then you can speed it up. It really feels like your flipping down the pole 😲 😲 🥂 🥂
